Re: XPT Whinge,(cont)

[David Langley <del@ancc.com.au>]

Barry Campbell wrote:

> It would not be that difficult to provide the service to bus/air passengers.
> When I worked for the SRA which was nearly 20 years ago pensioners simply
> had coupons for their free fares which were sent out with their pension
> cards. When tickets were issued the coupon was remitted to the state
> treasury for payment. The government doesn't want to extend it because it
> would cost even more money than it does now.
>
> Barry Campbell

Well maybe the rail option is preferred because a discount fare is actually
charged back to the govt because the govt says it will (being the owner) whereas
with the private companies they would charge the full rate in order to make
something out of the exercise. So yes I guess I agree with you.

Some years ago when I worked for the Victorian Railways I took my family on the
XPT when a day return journey from Albury to Goulburn was possible (they crossed
near Moss Vale) and on the return the conductor was heard to say that there were
only two fare paying passengers in the fully booked XF carriage. 99% of the rest
were free travel pensioners and a smattering of railway employees.

I think in those days the pensioners got two coupons for free travel per year.
Do they still?

DEL.