Geelong ticket call

A GEELONG public transport campaigner has called for reintroduction of paper tickets after Mornington Peninsula seniors successfully lobbied State Government against Myki passes on buses.
Public Transport Users Association Geelong spokesman Paul Westcott said the Government backing down against the peninsula seniors’ bid for paper tickets contradicted previous statements that the machines previously supplying them were incompatible with the Myki system.
Mr Westcott said the Government should have “no issue” implementing the technology on services throughout Victoria, including Geelong, if paper tickets could be reinstated on Melbourne’s south-eastern services.
“Sixty per cent of people are using single-use tickets – they are the most popular – so why take that away?”
Mornington Peninsula pensioners were angered in recent months when the loss of the$3.80 Seniors Daily fare for zones three and four would cost them anywhere between $5.42 and $9.02 for a day’s travel.
The association’s president, Tony Morton, said the pensioners launched a successful campaign forcing the Government to allow them with a “special seniors’ day pass” available to purchase on two buses operating between the peninsula and metropolitan Melbourne.
“Given the system can accommodate this option, it should be made available to occasional travellers, visitors and tourists who neither want nor need to pay $6 for a Myki card that won’t be used again for months,” Mr Morton said.