Go card giveaway getting more people on board

More than 115,000 South East Queenslanders have given go cards and public transport a go so far thanks to the Bligh Government's $4,000,000 giveaway.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said 42 per cent of the cards loaded up with $10 free credit were used within a month of being given away.

"The giveaway is aimed at people who don't use public transport often or haven't made the switch to go cards yet so it's been an excellent response," Ms Nolan said.

"We're already given away more than 275,000 free $10 go cards at special events, go ready education sessions for seniors and online.

"Yet it's extraordinary the LNP have seen fit to criticise a giveaway aimed at promoting the use of public transport and helping local charities."

Ms Nolan said more than 300 charities and not-for-profit organisations have applied for free go cards so far as part of the final phase of the giveaway.

"Charities can apply for go cards with $10 free credit depending on their demand for public transport use and cards will be allocated after the giveaway finishes on September 10."

The go card was recently recognised by the peak national transport organisation Tourism and Transport Forum as the leading transport smartcard in Australia.

Of the 1.3 million go cards that have been issued since the roll out began in 2008, more than 470,000 individual cards were used during June.

"go cards are now used for more than 60 per cent of all trips taken on public transport and I would expect that figure to continue to rise as new users and charities take advantage of this offer," Ms Nolan said.

"It's disappointing to hear more mindless criticism from an Opposition with no plans, no policies and no ideas for public transport use in Queensland."

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
03/09/2010

Permanent Link: Go card giveaway getting more people on board
Publish Date: 03 Sep 10