The Very Un-fare Myki

by David Heath

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Page 3 of 3

So we're spending over $1B to (almost) maintain the status quo. Good use of taxpayers money, if I say so myself. (cough)

If Minister Lynne Kosky were really in favor of what was best for public transport in the state of Victoria, she'd bring back the conductors in an instant. They are a boon to the tourism industry and to the infrequent traveller; they are the best defense against fare evasion and they're cheap.

Let's do some maths. Let's assume we'd need 1000 conductors (I have no idea, I'm sure someone will offer a better number!). We'll pay them $50K (seems fair). Allowing for 50% on-costs, that's $75M per year (heck, double the number of people, that's still only $150M). Will anyone in authority go on-camera and deny that's less than the annual fare-evasion figure?

Unfortunately, ever since the Labor Party learned to cozy-up to 'big business,' when were they every in favor of supporting the ordinary working person? As I see it, they're much more business-friendly than the Libs. And FAR LESS business-savvy. Time after time, left-leaning governments get screwed by Big Business in so-called Public-Private-Partnerships.

Here's a challenge. can any reader give an example of a privately-funded infrastructure project that ended up being to the overall benefit of taxpayers? No, the cross-city tunnel in Sydney (and similar projects where the government 'distorted the facts') doesn't count.

If you're at all confused, go look at the performance of the various Infrastructure Funds controlled by the Macquarie Bank group (and other equivalent organisations). And be much less confused.

Sorry, I'm wandering. Let me return to the basic issue.

Somewhere out there is a real problem that a project such as Myki might solve. Unfortunately, Public Transport in Victoria isn't it. Our elected government is totally out of their league in this and have no idea what on earth is going on.

That's why they continue to throw OUR MONEY at it.

Long live free enterprise, at least you get what you pay for.

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