11 Aug 2013: SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI

[ozbob]

Media release 11th August 2013



SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers is calling on the Brisbane Lord Mayor to explain why Brisbane Transport's network planners were instructed not to attend network planning sessions with Translink staff as part of TransLink's review of the entire SEQ bus network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A recent RTI request by the State Opposition has revealed a TMR briefing note on the review which states that under instruction, Brisbane Transport declined to attend strategic network planning sessions with Translink on at least 6 separate occasions (1)."

"We believe the uninformed political interference from BCC Councillors is the main reason for the Minister for Transport's announcement  on the back down and lack of support for TransLink when he said that no changes would be made to Brisbane Transport routes without approval of the council. Is this putting political mates before the real community need?  Is this weak leadership?  Certainly is!"

"Can the Lord Mayor explain why he and his council blocked TransLink from reviewing the network they are charged with organising, and instead had their own insufficient review done which has led to a continuation of the waste and failure the review was meant to help reduce?"

"Further more, can the Minister for Transport also explain why the situation was allowed to arise in the first place, and why more wasn't done to get BCC and Brisbane Transport involved in the review from the start, rather than the haphazard and mis-matched mediocre series of reviews that has now occurred?"

"It is the view of our members that the lack of a proper review of the Brisbane Transport network is leading to ongoing waste and duplication across the public transport network which is limiting patronage growth and the expansion of public transport services across SEQ."

"It is time for Premier to step into this festering mess and sort it.  As the Premier indicated in 2010 when Lord Mayor of Brisbane, in the interests of all citizens the State Government needs to run the buses to stop the failure and position public transport in Brisbane and SEQ for a better future, free from petty self interest from Brisbane Councillors."

Reference:

1.  RTI  http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/rti13501772.pdf

2.  Lord Mayor Campbell Newman wants State Government to run buses
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-wants-state-government-to-run-buses/story-e6freoof-1225839337936

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg130036#msg130036

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th February 2014

SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI

Greetings,

We have a fare affordability crisis on the TransLink network in SEQ.  The political failure to support the TransLink bus review has now lead to service cuts in all bus regions.

A terrible mediocre outcome, particularly when we have one of the worlds worst fare structures.  An outcome which is fundamentally the fault of BCC and the lack of political courage to stand up to them.  The evidence is clear.

It is time the Premier of Queensland and the Minister for Transport got out of the comfort zone, and directed the responsible authorities to sort out the public transport mess.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

==========================================

Media release 11 August 2013 re-released 6 February 2014

SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers is calling on the Brisbane Lord Mayor to explain why Brisbane Transport's network planners were instructed not to attend network planning sessions with Translink staff as part of TransLink's review of the entire SEQ bus network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A recent RTI request by the State Opposition has revealed a TMR briefing note on the review which states that under instruction, Brisbane Transport declined to attend strategic network planning sessions with Translink on at least 6 separate occasions (1)."

"We believe the uninformed political interference from BCC Councillors is the main reason for the Minister for Transport's announcement  on the back down and lack of support for TransLink when he said that no changes would be made to Brisbane Transport routes without approval of the council. Is this putting political mates before the real community need?  Is this weak leadership?  Certainly is!"

"Can the Lord Mayor explain why he and his council blocked TransLink from reviewing the network they are charged with organising, and instead had their own insufficient review done which has led to a continuation of the waste and failure the review was meant to help reduce?"

"Further more, can the Minister for Transport also explain why the situation was allowed to arise in the first place, and why more wasn't done to get BCC and Brisbane Transport involved in the review from the start, rather than the haphazard and mismatched mediocre series of reviews that has now occurred?"

"It is the view of our members that the lack of a proper review of the Brisbane Transport network is leading to ongoing waste and duplication across the public transport network which is limiting patronage growth and the expansion of public transport services across SEQ."

"It is time for Premier to step into this festering mess and sort it.  As the Premier indicated in 2010 when Lord Mayor of Brisbane, in the interests of all citizens the State Government needs to run the buses to stop the failure and position public transport in Brisbane and SEQ for a better future, free from petty self interest from Brisbane Councillors."

Reference:

1.  RTI  http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/rti13501772.pdf

2.  Lord Mayor Campbell Newman wants State Government to run buses
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-wants-state-government-to-run-buses/story-e6freoof-1225839337936

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg138778#msg138778

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th September 2014

Can Brisbane's Buses be saved?

Greetings,

Interesting snippet in today's Sunday Mail.  Mr Peter Cameron is particularly well informed I have noted.

Sunday Mail 28th September 2014 page 15.



Let's examine briefly how this has come about.  TransLink set about reforming the bus network for SEQ, including Brisbane in 2012/13.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate fully with TransLink in the preparation of the bus review.  See page 79 of this RTI at http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/rti13501772.pdf

As a direct result of this, and lack of political leadership to support TransLink,  the proposed bus review changes for Brisbane were not proceeded with.  The changes proposed for the rest of SEQ bus network have largely gone ahead, except where BCC's intransigence compromised some of the proposed improvements.  Regions outside SEQ have also had some service cuts in hours of operation and frequency to prop up the failing Brisbane bus network.  Hardly equitable I would suggest.

Brisbane Transport has the ability to deliver an improved network for Brisbane, particularly in full cooperation with TransLink and the rest of the bus network in SEQ and other operators. This should be allowed to occur now.

Brisbane City Council should eat some humble pie.  Lets move ahead with the original proposals as put together by TransLink in 2013.  This will then put in place a much improved network, which will drive significant passenger numbers, probably around 20 million a year as more parts of Brisbane will have direct access to frequent and connected bus routes, and rail is better supported with connections and feeder buses. This will then remove the need for Brisbane Transport to be sacrificed on the alter of 'competitive tenders'.

There will be a better fare box which in turn allows for proper reform of the fare system.

There you have it.  A path to rescue public transport in SEQ, which at present is in a crisis.  No-brainer really.

Have a nice day.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10665.msg146938#msg146938

[ozbob]

Media release 11 August 2013 re-released 6 February 2014 re-released 29 September 2014



SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers is calling on the Brisbane Lord Mayor to explain why Brisbane Transport's network planners were instructed not to attend network planning sessions with Translink staff as part of TransLink's review of the entire SEQ bus network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A recent RTI request by the State Opposition has revealed a TMR briefing note on the review which states that under instruction, Brisbane Transport declined to attend strategic network planning sessions with Translink on at least 6 separate occasions (1)."

"We believe the uninformed political interference from BCC Councillors is the main reason for the Minister for Transport's announcement  on the back down and lack of support for TransLink when he said that no changes would be made to Brisbane Transport routes without approval of the council. Is this putting political mates before the real community need?  Is this weak leadership?  Certainly is!"

"Can the Lord Mayor explain why he and his council blocked TransLink from reviewing the network they are charged with organising, and instead had their own insufficient review done which has led to a continuation of the waste and failure the review was meant to help reduce?"

"Further more, can the Minister for Transport also explain why the situation was allowed to arise in the first place, and why more wasn't done to get BCC and Brisbane Transport involved in the review from the start, rather than the haphazard and mismatched mediocre series of reviews that has now occurred?"

"It is the view of our members that the lack of a proper review of the Brisbane Transport network is leading to ongoing waste and duplication across the public transport network which is limiting patronage growth and the expansion of public transport services across SEQ."

"It is time for Premier to step into this festering mess and sort it.  As the Premier indicated in 2010 when Lord Mayor of Brisbane, in the interests of all citizens the State Government needs to run the buses to stop the failure and position public transport in Brisbane and SEQ for a better future, free from petty self interest from Brisbane Councillors."

Reference:

1.  RTI  http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/rti13501772.pdf

2.  Lord Mayor Campbell Newman wants State Government to run buses
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-wants-state-government-to-run-buses/story-e6freoof-1225839337936

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

28th September 2014

Can Brisbane's Buses be saved?

Greetings,

Interesting snippet in today's Sunday Mail.  Mr Peter Cameron is particularly well informed I have noted.

Sunday Mail 28th September 2014 page 15.



Let's examine briefly how this has come about.  TransLink set about reforming the bus network for SEQ, including Brisbane in 2012/13.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate fully with TransLink in the preparation of the bus review.  See page 79 of this RTI at http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/aboutus/rti/disclog/rti13501772.pdf

As a direct result of this, and lack of political leadership to support TransLink,  the proposed bus review changes for Brisbane were not proceeded with.  The changes proposed for the rest of SEQ bus network have largely gone ahead, except where BCC's intransigence compromised some of the proposed improvements.  Regions outside SEQ have also had some service cuts in hours of operation and frequency to prop up the failing Brisbane bus network.  Hardly equitable I would suggest.

Brisbane Transport has the ability to deliver an improved network for Brisbane, particularly in full cooperation with TransLink and the rest of the bus network in SEQ and other operators. This should be allowed to occur now.

Brisbane City Council should eat some humble pie.  Lets move ahead with the original proposals as put together by TransLink in 2013.  This will then put in place a much improved network, which will drive significant passenger numbers, probably around 20 million a year as more parts of Brisbane will have direct access to frequent and connected bus routes, and rail is better supported with connections and feeder buses. This will then remove the need for Brisbane Transport to be sacrificed on the alter of 'competitive tenders'.

There will be a better fare box which in turn allows for proper reform of the fare system.

There you have it.  A path to rescue public transport in SEQ, which at present is in a crisis.  No-brainer really.

Have a nice day.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org