9 Oct 2013: SEQ: RAIL Back on Track supports Bulimba's call for Bulimba-Hopper

[ozbob]

Media release 9th October 2013



SEQ: RAIL Back on Track supports Bulimba's call for Bulimba-Hopper

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 stands with the residents and businesses of Bulimba in their call for free city hopper ferries and a BulimbaGlider bus to their area. Bus services to Bulimba are an embarrassment for such a vibrant, inner city suburb that has late night restaurants and entertainment to offer to the people of Brisbane.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We agree with the local councillor that all mono-hull ferry services within Brisbane should be free. The ferry service between New Farm Park and Norman Park should also be made free. After all, these ferries are performing the functions of what a bridge in the same location would do, and there's no toll for walking across any of the city's bridges. It is also important to remember that not all people cross the river to catch the bus on the other side."

"This is not the first time that the needs of the wider Bulimba community have been rejected by Brisbane City Council (BCC)."

"In 2009 the residents of raised public transport issues with Brisbane City Council's neighbourhood planning team. They complained about car congestion on Wynnum Road, Hawthorne Ferry being parked out, the frequency of all bus services needing improvement and that the cars were eroding the vibrancy of Oxford Street with people parking across driveways and excluding parking for residents' visitors. Yet, calls for a BulimbaGlider high frequency bus service were explicitly rejected by Brisbane City Council's Public and Active Chairman."

"There are almost 10,000 dwellings in Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne combined. Each ratepayer is paying $400 annually in Brisbane City Council Bus Taxes to subsidise a deficient and defective bus service to their area. Indeed Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne residents are collectively paying $4 million annually in subsidies to BCC, and thus, in part, are also paying for the free CityHopper ferries at Kangaroo Point and Maroon CityGlider to Ashgrove and Stones Corner, which are areas which already had high frequency services."

"What is the reason why Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne residents are so consistently ignored? Is it because the local councillor is of the wrong political stripe and so the greatest effort to cause maximum hassle and fuss to get any improvements in her area are made?"

"Why is it that the most bus cuts appear to fall in ALP and Independent wards of the city?"

"Why is it that BCC has been able to provide free ferries to Kangaroo Point but not Bulimba?"

"Why is it that BCC has been unable to supply the high frequency bus services to Morningside, Yeronga, The Centenary Suburbs and the Northwest outlined in TransLink's bus review?"

"Why is it that BCC has been unable to deliver 2000 daily express buses down Legacy Way despite mailing Western Suburbs residents letters saying exactly this?"

"If BCC cannot look after its own residents, legislation should be passed in State Parliament to strip Brisbane City Council of all public transport functions."

References:

1. Bulimba District Neighbourhood Plan Community Planning Team (CPT) Meeting 2 Minutes Date: 10 September 2009 Time: 6.00pm to 8:10pm Location: St Peter and Pauls Church hall, 25 Main Ave, Bulimba http://goo.gl/ec1JRj

2. Calls for BulimbaGlider rejected http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

3. Lord Mayor and BCC can no longer be trusted to run city's buses http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9895.0

4. Ferry disappointment for Bulimba-Teneriffe http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ferry-disappointment-for-bulimbateneriffe-20131008-2v5r2.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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