11 Nov 2013: SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

[ozbob]

Media release 11 November 2013



SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

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 has called for the routine public release of detailed and accurate, performance and load data for public transport, as in other states of Australia (1,2,3,4).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Detailed load and performance data for public transport in south-east Queensland is not made publicly available as in other states."

"Data made available on the TransLink website is a 'sanitised' version of a more complete version for non-public use. We would much prefer the non-sanitised version!"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available timely and accurate performance and load data for all railway lines, bus and ferry routes, peak and non peak."

"Bus performance data has not been published for some time, when it was it was grossly inaccurate and a farce. Other states manage to publish bus data, what's the problem in Queensland?  Incompetence, secrecy or cover-up?"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available complete ticketing and  go card data, including the number of free trips made on each day of every week."

"Why is it necessary to resort to Right To Information requests for data that is made readily available in other states?"

References:

1.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/facts-and-figures/

2.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/track-record/track-record-monthly-performance-bulletin-trains-metropolitan/

3.  http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/Surveysandstatistics/Archivedontimerunningstatistics.aspx

4.  http://www.cityrail.info/about/our_performance/otr_summary.jsp

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Media release 11 November 2013 re-released 23 January 2014



SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

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 has called for the routine public release of detailed and accurate, performance and load data for public transport, as in other states of Australia (1,2,3,4).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Detailed load and performance data for public transport in south-east Queensland is not made publicly available as in other states."

"Data made available on the TransLink website is a 'sanitised' version of a more complete version for non-public use. We would much prefer the non-sanitised version!"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available timely and accurate performance and load data for all railway lines, bus and ferry routes, peak and non peak."

"Bus performance data has not been published for some time, when it was it was grossly inaccurate and a farce. Other states manage to publish bus data, what's the problem in Queensland?  Incompetence, secrecy or cover-up?"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available complete ticketing and  go card data, including the number of free trips made on each day of every week."

"Why is it necessary to resort to Right To Information requests for data that is made readily available in other states?"

References:

1.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/facts-and-figures/

2.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/track-record/track-record-monthly-performance-bulletin-trains-metropolitan/

3.  http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/Surveysandstatistics/Archivedontimerunningstatistics.aspx

4.  http://www.cityrail.info/about/our_performance/otr_summary.jsp

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th February 2014

SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

Greetings,

It is time that complete data was made available for public transport in Queensland.  Why the secrecy?

Today there has been another significant disruption with a train fire incident  in the CBD core section.  This in turn disrupts most of the network.

Disruptions out of peak times are very significant too for those traveling.  Poor out of peak frequency means that  if a train or bus is late, say by only ten to 15 minutes, this may in turn mean a subsequent missed connection - bus or rail, with perhaps a wait of up to an hour or more for the next connecting service?  This can lead to missed appointments and other deadlines. 

We have no idea what the overall on time performance is for rail or bus, or ferry for that matter around the clock.  Public transport users need to be told so that can factor in overall reliability for their travel plans.

Go card  and paper ticketing data made available publicly is also very minimal.   Is it really a state secret?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 11 November 2013 re-released 23 January 2014



SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

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 has called for the routine public release of detailed and accurate, performance and load data for public transport, as in other states of Australia (1,2,3,4).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Detailed load and performance data for public transport in south-east Queensland is not made publicly available as in other states."

"Data made available on the TransLink website is a 'sanitised' version of a more complete version for non-public use. We would much prefer the non-sanitised version!"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available timely and accurate performance and load data for all railway lines, bus and ferry routes, peak and non peak."

"Bus performance data has not been published for some time, when it was it was grossly inaccurate and a farce. Other states manage to publish bus data, what's the problem in Queensland?  Incompetence, secrecy or cover-up?"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available complete ticketing and  go card data, including the number of free trips made on each day of every week."

"Why is it necessary to resort to Right To Information requests for data that is made readily available in other states?"

References:

1.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/facts-and-figures/

2.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/track-record/track-record-monthly-performance-bulletin-trains-metropolitan/

3.  http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/Surveysandstatistics/Archivedontimerunningstatistics.aspx

4.  http://www.cityrail.info/about/our_performance/otr_summary.jsp

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 4 March 2014 page 9

Data kept secret

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th March 2014

SEQ - public transport is a mess

Greetings,

Fare affordability has never been worse.   
Minister confirms Premiers commitment re fares rubbish -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg139664#msg139664

Bus network is a shambles, cuts to many regions causing much local grief. This is essentially the result of not standing up to BCC and allowing BCC to run rough shod over TransLink and all other bus regions.
BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.msg137338#msg137338

Data that is made readily available in other states such as around the clock performance for all modes, detailed patronage by mode and route and so forth is hidden from the public in Queensland.  Something to hide?
Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data  -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10357.msg134665#msg134665

Despite the puff pieces in the media all is not what is seems hey? Looking forward to election 2015?  We are ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd March 2014

All is not what it seems hey?

Greetings,

Real public disclosure of detailed public transport data is not done in Queensland as for other states.  [ SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10357.0 ]

It is contemptible the way the public is treated by the transport authorities. 

One can only assume this is so that spin statements like the one by the Minister of Transport on 20th March 2014 (below) can remain unchallenged by the majority.  Well we are not the majority we care for the future of our public transport network and despise the petty attempts to mislead, spin and bluster.  No can really confirm if the claims are true.  We are not told the real data.

27,000 extra trips a week hey?   How about providing an analysis of how many of those trips are actually the result of rorting on the go card? A failed fare system indeed.

How many of those trips are the result of Queensland Rail staff being moved onto corporate go cards?

What mode are these trips occurring?

Coming clean with the real data would be the correct thing to do.  As we have seen this week, doing the right thing in the transport portfolio is a rare event.

The limited public transport performance data that is provided is still not available for February 2014.  Still working out how to dress it up for spin?

Best wishes
Robert

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

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/3/20/more-passengers-get-on-board-new-timetable

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, March 20, 2014

More passengers get on board new timetable

Two months on and passengers have embraced the Newman Government's overhaul of the rail timetable with more people choosing to catch public transport.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the new timetable included an additional 1000 rail services a week.

"Since the new timetable was implemented more than 27,000 extra trips have been taken a week compared to the same time last year," Mr Emerson said.

"Passengers are clearly taking advantage of the more frequent and consistent services as we continue our efforts to improve front line services for Queenslanders.

"Trains are continuing to run on time with our peak reliability record at 95.36 per cent since the new services started on January 20.

"This is in stark contrast to Labor's poor record of the lowest on-time running in three years."

Mr Emerson said the LNP was delivering its promise to improve the frequency, reliability and affordability of the network and the increase in patronage proves we are well on track.

"While we have made significant improvements to the network we acknowledge more needs to be done, particularly when it comes to affordability," he said.

"I can guarantee passengers that we will not go back to the bad old days of the former Labor Government that saw 15 per cent fare increases year after year.

"We understand affordability remains a challenge and will continue to find the savings to drive down the cost of fares."

[ENDS] 20 March 2014

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 26th March 2014 page 13

Transport data details secret to let 'spin' go unchallenged

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th March 2014

February 2014 public transport performance data

Greetings,

Looking forward to the February 2014 Public transport performance data.  Not yet available.
See --> http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

It is usually made publicly available late Friday, obviously in an attempt to minimise adverse media publicity.

The lack of detailed public transport data in Queensland is a major concern.  Other states make detailed data readily available, not in Queensland.  Obviously a lot to hide hey?

What is made publicly available is a very superficial data set.  We know this as in 2011 TransLink mistakenly put up the ' Minister's TransLink Tracker ' on their web site instead of the sanitised public version of the TransLink Tracker for a short time  ...  [The TransLink Tracker was the equivalent of today's Public transport performance data].

Failed fare system, failed bus reviews, little wonder secrecy and contempt is the game.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 11 November 2013 re-released 23 January 2014



SEQ: Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data

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 has called for the routine public release of detailed and accurate, performance and load data for public transport, as in other states of Australia (1,2,3,4).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Detailed load and performance data for public transport in south-east Queensland is not made publicly available as in other states."

"Data made available on the TransLink website is a 'sanitised' version of a more complete version for non-public use. We would much prefer the non-sanitised version!"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available timely and accurate performance and load data for all railway lines, bus and ferry routes, peak and non peak."

"Bus performance data has not been published for some time, when it was it was grossly inaccurate and a farce. Other states manage to publish bus data, what's the problem in Queensland?  Incompetence, secrecy or cover-up?"

"We call on TransLink to make publicly available complete ticketing and  go card data, including the number of free trips made on each day of every week."

"Why is it necessary to resort to Right To Information requests for data that is made readily available in other states?"

References:

1.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/facts-and-figures/

2.  http://corp.ptv.vic.gov.au/managing-victoria-s-public-transport-network/track-record/track-record-monthly-performance-bulletin-trains-metropolitan/

3.  http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/Surveysandstatistics/Archivedontimerunningstatistics.aspx

4.  http://www.cityrail.info/about/our_performance/otr_summary.jsp

Contact:

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