Transport
A car is a very big expense, especially if you are unemployed, and in some cases, having a car just isn’t an option. For those of you without cars, you will know how valuable it is to know what you’re doing with Public Transport.
Translink operates Bus, Train and also Ferry services in and around Brisbane. The network stretches from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast up to Gympie on the Sunshine Coast. A series of circular zones radiate from the City (Zone 1) outwards. You therefore need to know how many zones you are travelling through, and what zone you are travelling to, to be able to buy a ticket.
Tickets are also transferable from one operator to the next. So if you get on a bus at Browns Plains to catch the train at Altandi to the City, you only need to buy one ticket to the City when you get on the bus at Browns Plains! It’s pretty handy really. You can also get daily tickets, which cover return journeys, and if you travel the same route frequently you can buy weekly and monthly tickets as well, which include discounts for regular travel.
However, probably the best idea for anyone who is going to use Public Transport frequently is to buy the GO Card. The card is available from Newsagents and online, as well as a few major train stations. The card costs approximately $10 to buy and then you need to put credit on it to buy tickets, which are at a reduced price compared to paper tickets! The card then deducts the cost of your travel from the balance on the card, and has special beeps to tell you when it’s running low. The card is so smart it can calculate any discounts for regular travel as well, so you’ll get the same benefit using it as you would a weekly or monthly ticket.
If you are a student, make sure to carry your Student ID with you at all times when using Public Transport. You can buy concession GO Cards and tickets which are generally about half the price of an adult ticket! But if you buy concession tickets and then can’t show a valid student ID to the inspectors, you will be fined, so be warned!!
For more information, to check timetables and maps, or to use the sophisticated Journey Planner, visit the Translink website.
When looking for jobs, particularly in construction, you will notice many state that you need a drivers licence to apply. This is because construction and other trades often travel to different sites of work every day, and usually start very early, which makes public transport a tough option. If you find that not having your licence is becoming a barrier to getting a job, it might be time to get it!!
In an effort to reduce fatalities on the road, the government has introduced tighter laws around gaining driving licences. This means there are quite a few steps involved in getting your provisional licence, and more to get your open licence.
- Study ‘Learner Driver Handbook’ & ‘Your Keys to Driving in Queensland’
- Written test to get your Learner Licence (min. age 16)
- 1 year to accumulate 100 logbook hours of driving including 10 hours of night driving
- Practical Driving Test to get your Provisional 1 Licence
- 1 year and Hazard Perception Test to get your Provisional 2 Licence
- 2 years to get your Open Licence
For full information on licences and the restrictions associated with them, visit the QLD Transport website.
The main thing to remember when you are learning to drive is that you are not invincible, nor are you a fantastic driver!! Being a good driver isn’t about being able to go fast or change gears like Michael Schumacher. Technical skills are one thing, but plenty of ‘technically good’ drivers die on the roads every day because they don’t use common sense or because they treat the road like a game of dodgems. Not only could you harm or kill yourself, you could harm or kill anyone else on the road who is unlucky enough to be near you, and that’s not what you need on your conscience.
Take the time to learn all of the skills that make a good driver, which include:
- patience and humility!
- confidence but NOT overconfidence
- full concentration and scanning for hazards
- knowledge of and obeying road rules and road etiquette
- driving to suit different road and weather conditions
- avoiding alcohol or drugs and not driving when tired. Better to fall asleep on the train and end up going past your stop than falling asleep at the wheel and ending up at the morgue.
Accidents do happen but statistically speaking most accidents can be avoided by driving safely – so you owe it to yourself and others to drive carefully!
Good Luck!
Ooh so once you’ve got a licence, it’s time to find yourself a sweet ride!! Your hard work and dedication has paid off, and your reward is having the freedom that goes with your very own automobile!! Of course, they’re not cheap and you need to do everything in your power to make sure you get a good deal on a good quality car. The information below should help, but there is plenty more information available on-line.
First you need to decide what sort of car you are going to look for, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Most people don’t buy brand new for their first car, it’s not a good financial option as brand new cars significantly drop in value the second they are driven out of the showroom (that’s the difference between brand new, and second-hand!) Things to look for include:
Reliability – Ask the seller why they are selling it, have they had any problems? How long have they owned the car? Has it been regularly serviced? (ask to see the Service book) Ask whether the car has been in an accident and been repaired. Sellers aren’t required to tell you this if you don’t ask but if you do and they lie then they are in trouble. You can also organise qualified pre-purchase inspections through RACQ or even ask any motor mechanics you know to give it a once over. The inspections, depending on where you get them, can seem expensive (between $200 - $300) but can save you a motsa by identifying any problems with the car that would cost you far more than that to repair once you own it!!
You also need to check the following things to make sure there are no past problems or obligations that could become yours when you buy the car.
- Ring the Police and provide the VIN number to check whether the vehicle is stolen. You have no recourse if you unknowingly buy a stolen vehicle and it could be repossessed.
- Order a Vcheck (through the Department of Transport and Main Roads) which includes information about the vehicle including whether it’s been in an accident or written-off, its registration history and also the REVS certificate (see below).
- You need a REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles search) certificate to show whether there are any outstanding debts against the vehicle. If the last owner still owes money on their loan and don’t pay it, the bank can repossess the vehicle, even if you’ve already paid for it!! Dealers are required by law to provide a REVS certificate, but if it’s a private sale you’ll need to purchase it yourself. It is provided as part of the Vcheck above.
There are a couple of pre-purchase advice guides available which you should read and use before buying a car.
RACQ have compiled a handy DIY pre-purchase checklist for performing a comprehensive inspection of the car’s condition.
The Office of Fair Trading for the QLD Government have compiled a guide to buying a car, it covers all legal issues and your responsibilities and rights in the transaction. This is a MUST-READ before buying a car whether new or second-hand.
Low fuel costs – Choose a car that’s the smallest possible for your needs. Big cars are a hazard on the road to other motorists, and unless you have a really good excuse (ie. you are an avid 4-wheel drive junkie, or you have 6 kids) you don’t need it. Small cars use less fuel and are therefore the only responsible choice for the environment as well (they also have cheaper registration costs!). Also look for cars with smaller engine capacity’s and avoid turbo (unless its diesel) and V-powered engines.
Check to make sure that a petrol car can handle E10 fuel, as some older models may not, which is unfriendly both to the wallet and the environment.
Diesel and LPG powered cars are a better choice for the environment and can be cheaper in fuel costs as well, however they may be more expensive to buy. Diesel cars are only more efficient if they are in good condition, so be careful when buying an older model Diesel car.
Low Replacements Parts cost – Generally speaking, the more common car manufacturers (eg. Holden, Ford, Toyota etc) have cheaper replacement parts, simply because they are more common! Imported, luxury or sports cars will have much higher replacement parts costs, so beware.
Low insurance costs – Before buying a car, make sure you do a complete insurance quote online. For young drivers, Just Car Insurance, and also Budget Direct may offer good deals, especially for Third Party only. Consider the value of your car when purchasing Comprehensive insurance, as sometimes it may not be worth it.
Good Value for Money – Buying a car from a used car dealer is normally more expensive, though you may have more security in that there is a statutory warranty on the car, and a cooling-off period. For a good guide to what you should be paying for a specific model of used car, check Redbook. It provides price guides for buying through dealers and through private sales (which are usually cheaper). The estimates usually range from a poor condition vehicle through to a vehicle in good condition, so keep that in mind.
Once you have purchased your vehicle, it’s a very good idea to pay for RACQ membership. It starts at around $100 per year (cheaper after the first year or if you know someone who is a member already) and if you use it just once it will have pretty much paid for itself. Basic services include break-down assistance (incl. towing 10km to a garage) and also assistance with fuel top-ups and battery jumpstarts. Perfect for when you leave your lights on, or think you’ll make it to the next fuel station... and don’t! Emergency situations can cost a fortune, so RACQ membership really is an excellent idea, and it provides snazzy discounts for many other things as well.
Make sure you have insurance coverage, and that you change the car’s registration over to your name as soon as possible.
Enjoy the ride!!
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