5 Mar 2010: SEQ: Congestion and public transport

[ozbob]

Media Release 5 March 2010

SEQ:  Congestion and public transport

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the Infrastructure Australia report 'The State of Australian Cities 2010' highlights the need for public transport improvements now (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a statement on the 15th October 2009 by the Minister for Transport 'Paperless public transport a smarter way to go' it was stated 'Mr Lucas said extra funds would be used to help add more than 301,000 additional passenger capacity a week to the SEQ network by July next year'.  This commitment was to help offset the reaction to the significant fare increases for public transport."

"It is now March and we have only seen a small number of these promised seats introduced; 10% of the promised bus seat increases, 19% of the promised increases in ferry seats, and nothing for rail! (3)"

"The State of Australian Cities 2010 reports highlights the lack of proactive public transport implementation. Reports are fine but what is needed is action to provide high frequency services, particularly rail so that public transport becomes first choice. The reactive public transport policies are a major disincentive for transport change, what is needed is a dramatic increase in service frequency which will make public transport attractive. Long waits on rail stations are not conducive for change.  A failure of buses to meet rail services is not conducive for change. Overloaded trains buses and ferries are not conducive for change."

"We look forward to the extra trains, buses and ferry services that were promised last October.  The 1st of July is fast approaching."

References:

1.  http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/files/MCU_SOAC.pdf

2.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

3.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3241.msg18996#msg18996

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

12th March 2010

Greetings,

Tensions between public transport operators and the transport authority and government has spilled out to the media.  What can only be described from our perspective as concerning, public transport commuters look on in abject amusement at the failure to actually match promises with action hits home. Is the constant tension disrupting service delivery?  Does it really matter what colour buses are?  What is important is to have a proper integrated public transport network that truly meets the needs of our community we would have thought.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

Media Release 5 March 2010

SEQ:  Congestion and public transport

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the Infrastructure Australia report 'The State of Australian Cities 2010' highlights the need for public transport improvements now (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a statement on the 15th October 2009 by the Minister for Transport 'Paperless public transport a smarter way to go' it was stated 'Mr Lucas said extra funds would be used to help add more than 301,000 additional passenger capacity a week to the SEQ network by July next year'.  This commitment was to help offset the reaction to the significant fare increases for public transport."

"It is now March and we have only seen a small number of these promised seats introduced; 10% of the promised bus seat increases, 19% of the promised increases in ferry seats, and nothing for rail! (3)"

"The State of Australian Cities 2010 reports highlights the lack of proactive public transport implementation. Reports are fine but what is needed is action to provide high frequency services, particularly rail so that public transport becomes first choice. The reactive public transport policies are a major disincentive for transport change, what is needed is a dramatic increase in service frequency which will make public transport attractive. Long waits on rail stations are not conducive for change.  A failure of buses to meet rail services is not conducive for change. Overloaded trains buses and ferries are not conducive for change."

"We look forward to the extra trains, buses and ferry services that were promised last October.  The 1st of July is fast approaching."

References:

1.  http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/files/MCU_SOAC.pdf

2.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

3.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3241.msg18996#msg18996

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 5 March 2010 re-released 18 March 2010

SEQ:  Congestion and public transport

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the Infrastructure Australia report 'The State of Australian Cities 2010' highlights the need for public transport improvements now (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a statement on the 15th October 2009 by the Minister for Transport 'Paperless public transport a smarter way to go' it was stated 'Mr Lucas said extra funds would be used to help add more than 301,000 additional passenger capacity a week to the SEQ network by July next year'.  This commitment was to help offset the reaction to the significant fare increases for public transport."

"It is now March and we have only seen a small number of these promised seats introduced; 10% of the promised bus seat increases, 19% of the promised increases in ferry seats, and nothing for rail! (3)"

"The State of Australian Cities 2010 reports highlights the lack of proactive public transport implementation. Reports are fine but what is needed is action to provide high frequency services, particularly rail so that public transport becomes first choice. The reactive public transport policies are a major disincentive for transport change, what is needed is a dramatic increase in service frequency which will make public transport attractive. Long waits on rail stations are not conducive for change.  A failure of buses to meet rail services is not conducive for change. Overloaded trains buses and ferries are not conducive for change."

"We look forward to the extra trains, buses and ferry services that were promised last October.  The 1st of July is fast approaching."

References:

1.  http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/files/MCU_SOAC.pdf

2.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

3.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3241.msg18996#msg18996

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org