Lucas backs performance of embattled transport minister

Brlsbane

ACTING Premier Paul Lucas has backed embattled Transport Minister Rachel Nolan after problems with the go card, but admitted the State Government must do better in rolling out the smartcard.
With Translink scrambling to limit the fallout over the lack of go card outlets by fast-tracking new sites at train stations today, the Opposition yesterday called for the scrapping of fare rises on paper tickets until smartcard problems were resolved.
Inspecting a new super bus with Ms Nolan in Brisbane yesterday, Mr Lucas praised Ms Nolan's efforts in the transport hot seat.
"Some of her initiatives, for example, in the area of taxi reform have been revolutionary," Mr Lucas said.
"Go card is operating whereas (in) no other state (it) is. So we have go card which operates and is stable. Rachel and I are determined to make things better and better and expect TransLink to do that."
His comments came as the first new super bus was unveiled, allowing capacity for 110 passengers instead of the 65-person capacity on a normal bus.
The $750,000 bus, with three doors and six go card readers, will be trialled from January 18 in Brisbane and Logan.
The moves to quell unrest over the lack of go card retailers at railway stations comes after The Courier-Mail reported last week that only 34 of the 144 stations in southeast Queensland sold go cards.
While Translink then promised another 94 outlets would open at train stations by March, the 34 stations with purchase points will be doubled to 68 from today.
"That means almost 90 per cent of train customers will have access to a go card at their home or destination station," Ms Nolan said.
Meanwhile, Translink has stood down two staff pending an investigation into how a customer's card credit was transferred to another person's account.