[SA] Free Public Transport for Senior South Australians

LBargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 13:46
Last edited 28/03/2022 - 12:16 by 1 other user

Moved to Forum: Original Link

FREE public transport for senior South Australians at all times is now an Australian first.

It's a policy National Seniors called for and it is pleased to see is now a reality with SA Labor winning the state election last Saturday.

It will help reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions. It will see seniors with more money to spend on essentials.

https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/media-release/media-rele…

Still waiting for free travels for all 🥺 but a small start is still better than nothing

Mod: Insufficient details for upcoming deal (no start date) - This is yet to be implemented and the exact day of implementation is not available, expected to be in the 'next month or so' according to one associated source who has contacted us. This can be posted as a deal again when either a start date is known or the deal has started.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • tonyjzx on 27/03/2022 - 13:51

    i think in nsw its $2.50 a day for old folks even without the pension

    • mrklaus on 27/03/2022 - 14:47
      +3

      In other words, not even comparable.

      • FireRunner on 27/03/2022 - 14:59
        +3

        Infinitely more expensive

        • tonyjzx on 27/03/2022 - 17:48
          +2

          i think its $2.50 to be exact but you must understand that in NSW we have a public transport system that is… how do you describe it? complete trash? dumpster fire? waiting for the next shutdown?

    • spychiatrist on 27/03/2022 - 16:54
      -3

      But gramps and nanna should stay at home 'cause COVID

  • quog on 27/03/2022 - 13:53
    -7

    Why should it be free travel for all?

    Free cars for everyone then also.

    • BargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 13:58
      +6

      Ok Mr I Not Care About Environment

    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 13:59
      +17

      This initiative is to reduce dependence on cars, reduce congestion, & the expensive infrastructure required to support cars.
      Your idea is the complete opposite!

      • Revrnd on 27/03/2022 - 16:54

        Actually, you're only partially right there. This initiative is to reduce the burden of transportation on the senior population in the face of rising fuel costs.

        The other benefits you've stated are actually the flow-on effects.

  • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 14:01

    When is Qld getting free public transport heh..all we got were a couple of days after the floods (when public transport was barely running anyway, lol..)

    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 14:08
      +1

      Qld Seniors (using Seniors GoCard) do get free off peak travel in some areas. But its subsidised by councils (e.g. Brisbane, Gold Coast). So Trains (State Govt) are not free.

      The cost of additional passengers on often nearly empty off-peak buses is minimal. The program in Brisbane (buses, ferries Mon-Fri) was expected to cost $3M in first year.

      Similar to schemes overseas (eg UK), it promotes a healthier more connected older community. It gets them out of the house, meeting friends for a coffee etc.

      On double decker buses in the UK, I found none of the best seats were available as they were taken up by seniors on their outings. They treated it like their club. They really enjoyed themselves.

      [QLD] Free off-Peak Travel for Seniors on Brisbane Buses and Ferries @ Brisbane City Council

      • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 14:22

        With the one, two, free scheme where after the first two trips the rest of the day being free, seniors could actually be paying more having to pay for trains when they could have taken two short trips and then have the rest of the day free.. so probably good for short trips staying local but not long trips i guess

        • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 14:24

          As I recommended in the original Deal

          Long trips are possible if start just after 08:30, & allow 1hr after each of the first 2 trips (to qualify for the one, two, free scheme).
          Then the rest of the day, including peak travel, is free.

          I posted about this for recent free travel from Brisbane to Noosa.
          (Within Brisbane (free if off-peak): Bus, 1hr break, Bus, 1hr break. Then free train to Nambour, free Bus to Noosa)
          But with the extra 2hr added to the 4hr, it makes it a long journey.

          • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 15:11

            @INFIDEL: Yes i know that. But for seniors if bus is free while train is not, that could affect what they pay, thats all.

            • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 15:29

              @Rain Cloud: You knew that Seniors can travel free to Noosa, Gold Coast etc from Brisbane??
              But you posted "so probably good for short trips staying local but not long trips".

              That's not correct. It can be used for free longer trips & free travel within peak periods, by understanding the system as I outlined in the "hack" in that linked Deal.

              if bus is free while train is not, that could affect what they pay

              for Seniors…
              Not all buses are free!!
              Trains aren't free!
              Council ferries are free M-F.

              I warned that not all transport within Brisbane is free for QLD Seniors, in original Deal.
              Best to read the linked post for details.

              Only BCC buses are free in Brisbane, not all buses! Some buses travel into Brisbane from outside Brisbane, stopping at normal bus stops in Brisbane, accept GoCard, but you will be charged

              It's subsidised by Brisbane Council (who operate the local buses & ferries), not by Qld govt (that operates the trains).

              Translink (GoCard) just manage the various transport operators. BCC has an agreement to pay for all QLD Seniors, (no matter where they live in.QLD) using BCC services, within the set times.

              • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 16:03
                -1

                @INFIDEL: To the west, Ipswich and Gatton etc arent under Brisbane city council so buses wouldnt be free. So out there you could do the first two trips free, then take the train etc for free for the rest of the day. But if you were in Brisbane and take free buses then take a long train trip then you'd be charged for it even if you had made two trips earlier in the day.. cause they were free. But the train trips could cost more than the buses did if you had to pay for them yeah? But im way to young to be a senior anyway -have concession for disability- so it doesnt affect me..

                • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 16:13

                  @Rain Cloud: Your understanding is arse about!

                  See the link for examples, like I linked above for completely FREE travel from Brisbane to Noosa etc.

                  As I've repeatedly outlined…
                  Travelling FROM Brisbane (2 FREE bus/ferry trips off-peak with 2 x 1hr breaks), gives Seniors FREE travel ALL DAY on Translink system in SE Qld.

                  How did you find the opposite to what I've shown?

                  But starting from outside Brisbane they will be charged for the first 2 trips, then free for rest of day on Translink system in SE Qld.
                  Nothing new. That is how it's been for years for Seniors, under 1-2-free system.

                  • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 16:20

                    @INFIDEL: Sorry that was just my understanding of it, i didnt look into it as I am not a senior..happy to be corrected if thats true

                    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 16:21

                      @Rain Cloud: How did you find the opposite to what I've shown in various Deals? What I outlined has been tested & was free.
                      Travel in the opposite direction means paying for first 2 fares!

                      • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 16:24

                        @INFIDEL: I told you, it was just my understanding of it as I am not a senior and never tried it!

                        • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 16:28

                          @Rain Cloud: Best not to mislead Seniors who may think what you suggested is correct. This is a site to save money!

                          Since late 2019, I've shown many Seniors how to get free travel, including during peak hours
                          My posts are based on testing over more than 2 years.

                          • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 16:34

                            @INFIDEL: Sorry!!!!! Not sure why you kept asking me after i said i was happy to be corrected..

                            • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 16:52

                              @Rain Cloud: From experience, it takes a lot of convincing some Seniors to use free transport.

                              They are easily put off by confusing or incorrect information (your suggestion of free travel from Ipswich into Brisbane)!

                              The "hack" I posted simply uses Translink's 1-2-free AFTER using the BCC subsidy on the first 2 (FREE) services.
                              Not the other way around as you suggested, which is just the old 1-2-free, after Seniors pay for first 2 trips!

                              It undoes what I have been posting to assist Seniors for years.

                              • Rain Cloud on 27/03/2022 - 16:56

                                @INFIDEL: Sorry for undoing all your work

                                • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 17:02

                                  @Rain Cloud: I understood you were trying to understand a system with a lot of complexity. Pity the Seniors trying to understand it! Most just use in their Council area.

                                  (Not all buses are free, trains aren't free, ferries free only M-F… All only in off-peak hours - unless you already took 2 'paid' trips - but those could be free - paid by BCC subsidy…)

                                  It's why a State Govt system like in this Deal is far better!

                                  Took me a while to test & perfect what could be done with it😊

                                  And with the QLD Seniors Card, now free public transport for those travelling to SA🎉

  • AussieDaddy on 27/03/2022 - 14:23
    +1

    Should have been like a long time ago. There was a silly system where they had to have valid tickets/money in their senior's cards betweeb 7am and 9am, and again between 3pm and 7pm. Annoying, this was long overdue.

    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 14:28

      What I observed on a trip to Adelaide…
      Buses became almost empty of Seniors, outside of off-peak travel. Many would catch the first available off-peak service & return on last one.

      • BargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 14:30
        +1

        That is true haha, I was originally from Adelaide. You would see a lot of seniors hopping on early morning to get that free travel

    • GordonD on 27/03/2022 - 14:45

      About the only time I use public transport is when I'm taking my car to get serviced, and when I'm going to pick it up. And after the last time, never again, even free isn't worth it.

      The level of patronage on off-peak buses around Adelaide's suburbs is so low that they've re-arranged the routes so they drive all over the countryside, diverting through suburb after suburb, and take forever to get there. And they still never get more than half a dozen passengers at any one time in a full size bus. On the last occasion I wasn't well because of a post covid vaccine "adverse event", and it was a very hot day, which it quite often is in Adelaide in summer, and I'd waited in the heat for the first bus, then caught it to where I had to wait again in the heat for the second bus, then caught it to where I had to wait in the heat for the third bus. By then I was pretty close to calling an ambulance to take me to hospital.

      Never again. Public transport in Adelaide provides such a poor service that it isn't even worth it if its free.

      • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 14:49
        +1

        Well peak travel is now free - for eligible Seniors. No more need for long off-peak travels!

        And less people clogging up roads with their cars. That's little reason for Seniors to have a car now.

        • GordonD on 27/03/2022 - 14:55
          +1

          People clogging up the roads with their cars? You don't live in Adelaide, do you.

          Oh, and travel is already free for seniors off-peak, and non-seniors will still have to pay, so the off-peak bus service won't get any better, and on-peak will just get busier.

          • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 15:00
            +1

            @GordonD: There were a few busy roads, clogged in peak hour, when I visited.
            Catching public transport was so easy.

  • BargainHunter-83 on 27/03/2022 - 14:29
    +10

    Not a deal until confirmed by AdelaideMetro surely

    • Moses on 27/03/2022 - 14:41

      Why?

      • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 14:44
        +1

        Possibly requires changes to legislation / regulation by new Govt, changes to programming of fare / ticketing system, etc before it's available.

      • BargainHunter-83 on 27/03/2022 - 14:45
        +2

        Because the travel won't be free until its official? Until then any one trying to get the free travel is heading for disappointment!

    • GordonD on 27/03/2022 - 15:02
      -2

      A well-run public transport authority would have looked at polls, and looked at the policies of the party those polls said was going to walk it in, and started preparing before the election. And well-written software has ways built into it to allow for configuration changes at short notice. The balance on your card isn't recorded in the card, it is looked up over the air, so the devices in buses are already operating on-line and should be able to be reconfigured and loaded with new software quite quickly.

      • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 15:14
        +2

        All very well for transport authority to be prepared…

        But Policies don't immediately come into force the day a new Government is elected or sworn in.

        Depending on how it is to be enacted, could require a vote in Parliament before changes can be made.

        Transport authorities can't reduce their income immediately, without financial arrangements being secured to cover shortfall in operating funds.

        So not yet!

  • the swear jar on 27/03/2022 - 14:39
    +1

    F—- sake, have to wait 28 years until I'm eligible for this. Probably longer the way they keep pushing back the age…

    • shmahoo on 27/03/2022 - 14:50
      +1

      name checks out

    • GordonD on 27/03/2022 - 15:34
      +1

      You're only 32?

      Seniors Card is available at 60. Nothing to do with age pension.

  • USER DC on 27/03/2022 - 14:57

    It will help reduce traffic congestion and lower emissions

    ??

    I wouldn't really think that many seniors like over 75's will be going by themselves in their own private vehicles themselves either.

    For seniors between 65-70 it may be the case though

    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 15:03

      Depends on State rules, but in Qld people can qualify for a Seniors Card + GoCard for free off-peak travel (depending on area) - from 60 years (as long as not in full time work).
      And those cards can be used in SA.

  • xtremehell on 27/03/2022 - 15:11
    +1

    Hopefully seniors more able to go out clubbing on the weekends now.

    • ozzguy on 27/03/2022 - 20:34
      +2

      Grab a granny night at the Arkaba will be the go to now with free transport.

  • trev likes bargains on 27/03/2022 - 15:11

    Adelaide metro says they are still charging seniors.

    https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/tickets-and-fares/seniors-c…

    • GordonD on 27/03/2022 - 15:48

      Web site takes longer to change than ticketing machines.

      No, I'm not saying they definitely aren't (or are) changing Seniors Cards holders. I'm just suggesting that unless you get on a bus and see whether the ticketing machine charges you and/or the driver waves you through, you don't know. I got on a bus, the Seniors Card people had helpfully (!!!!) refunded the balance on my card back to my bank account because I hadn't used the card for a while so there was nothing in it, and when the machine beeped me the bus driver just said "don't worry about it".

  • povertytrap on 27/03/2022 - 15:13

    Do have to be 60 or 65 plus for this deal?

  • scuderiarmani on 27/03/2022 - 15:58

    This is long overdue.

    I've wanted it for years.

    Gets people outta the house, great for health, great for everyone.

    Brilliant news.

    • muncan on 27/03/2022 - 18:01

      Great for the casino!

      • scuderiarmani on 27/03/2022 - 18:53
        +1

        Well, yeah there's that negative.

        Bit I'll try to be positive.

  • meowsers on 27/03/2022 - 16:53
    +1

    This sort of garbage should be means tested not just a Seniors Card which only requires working less than a certain amount. Why should someone who is 60 with a SMSF and millions in assets / 100k+ dividend income potentially be entitled to free public transport?

    I'm getting a bit frustrated with endless entitlements with no fiscal responsibility.

    • slacker on 27/03/2022 - 20:33

      I doubt there would be may seniors with 100k incomes wanting to use free public transport. I know I certainly wouldn't if I were in that position. Means testing has a cost. Both in the bureaucracy to enforce it, and the extra burden on the users of this service to prove they are entitled to it. It is really not worth the cost of adding means testing to this policy just for the 3 seniors in the state with 100k incomes that want to use free public transport.

    • dealman on 27/03/2022 - 21:37

      Finally someone's being sensible and thinking like an economist

  • Johnrap on 27/03/2022 - 17:13
    -7

    Maybe they worked 16 hours a day and never went on holidays and saved and never got any benefits from the government and weren't a burden on the government. (Like my parents who came to this country with nothing) and now have a small nest egg and are self sufficient and don't expect a pension.
    My neighbour on the other hand only worked 8 hours a day always spent and went on holidays and is now complaining that they don't have enough money and want the government to pay for there lifestyle (pension). So who deserves a reward?

    • BargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 17:33
      +2

      Invalid neg vote? This deal post is about trying to help the seniors to move around more freely within SA rather than relying on their own niece and nephew to help them or even from the free bus shuttles provided by the local community

      I’m not here to start a discussion but sounds like your neighbour has a spending habit, perhaps go on less holidays and they won’t complain about not enough money?

      I’ve heard that some people within the Australian system take advantage of the pension systems and those who genuinely need it sometimes get denied from their own Government.

      • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 19:02
        +1

        Community removed the invalid neg vote 👍

    • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 17:38
      +1

      So who deserves a reward?

      Guess not you. You wouldn't want or appreciate it😉

      Reminds me of a fellow student at Uni. We were sitting in the sun waiting for the next lecture. Enjoying life.

      But one mature student was fuming - why weren't we working every hour possible! (As he was!)

      After a chat, he calmed down. He was working every possible hour. So thought everyone else should. Digging deeper, he had been dumped. He didn't know how to handle it, so was trying to bury his pain - with soul destroying mindless work!!

      He failed, dropped out. If he'd been nicer, we would have helped him. Instead, everyone kept away from the "sad angry man"…

      Work is rarely the solution, especially if you're angry!

      That's why my username is Rather be Travelling, rather than Rather be Working!!

      Worked little, earnt lots per hour, understood what I want from life, & joined OzBargain to live well on less.

      For me, work gets in the way of great overseas travel & enjoying life😉

      Tell your neighbour to check out the travel Deals on OzBargain😊

    • scuderiarmani on 27/03/2022 - 18:57

      While I don't disagree with you, there's a tonne more who'd legitimately deserve and benefit from this.

  • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 18:24

    Probably a Forum post, as seems not yet available.

    • BargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 19:07

      It probably is as there was a change of government from the recent election from liberal to labor

      I’ll be back in Adl for a holiday during Easter and I can ask my dad if he managed to get any free travels

      • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 19:11

        I like Adelaide.
        Got $1 jetstar flights from Gold Coast in 2018. Only stayed a few weeks, with artists. For me - very Adelaide! Had lived there years before.
        Found people were still friendly & welcomed a chat. Very relaxed.
        Used the buses & tram!

        • BargainsGrabber on 27/03/2022 - 19:15

          I can vouch for this too mate, grew up in Adl for about 10 years then had to move to Canberra for a job

          The suburb I was in (Athelstone) had friendly neighbours who were always up for a chat and they looked after each neighbours.

          Sadly things change recently when some had to move out but we always welcome new neighbours

          • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 19:26
            +1

            @BargainsGrabber: Rarely, things remain the same - anywhere.

            Was walking along the beach & ended up in a street in Semaphore Beach with beautiful stone cottages. Was admiring a house when the proud owner invited me in to see his thoughtful renovations.

            Things change, but its nice when the new people treasure those who came before them. In the usual busy cities, people rarely have time for that.
            That's what I look for in a place to live.

          • INFIDEL on 27/03/2022 - 19:39
            +1

            @BargainsGrabber: Long ago, I lived in a beautiful bluestone squat in Norwood, advised the Council on planning & social housing, & served on a committee exploring future directions for Australia (under guidance of The Institute for Futures Studies, Sweden). Architects & academics attended my squats parties.
            "Only in Adelaide" as I would say!
            Other places wouldn't give me opportunities like that.

  • brocky2006 on 27/03/2022 - 19:07

    And other states are getting free for everyone for a while

    • muncan on 27/03/2022 - 19:40

      I rode public transport before it was free

  • dennisc on 28/03/2022 - 08:45

    Not sure this is in force. The announcement by National Seniors seems to be simply that Labor won the election and this was just one of their many promises. I would bet that anyone swiping their seniors card in peak time will still have the fare deducted. Has anyone tried it?

  • dennisc on 24/04/2022 - 09:13

    Still waiting for this in SA. Just another political promise?

  • jjj123 on 16/06/2022 - 17:44

    still no update for start date

  • crunchyhead on 28/06/2022 - 17:38
    -1

    Hey… Another fake Labor election promise!!!
    Perhaps we should have a system where governments have up to 60 days to enact all non-dated election promises or risk being ejected from office for fraud.

    We should also teach the Labor party how to spell Labour.

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