Article and discussion: No-buses trial could end soon (Ipswich)

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

No-buses trial could end soon

No-buses trial could end soon

Zane Jackson | 4th March 2011

IPSWICH MP Rachel Nolan has called on the new Transport Minister to end the 12-month FlexiLink trial period and immediately review the controversial service.

The much-maligned service was introduced just months ago by Ms Nolan herself when she was Transport Minister.

It saw three bus routes – the 505, 510 and 523 – scrapped and replaced by a taxi service operated by Yellow Cabs.

But since its December 13 introduction the service has been dogged with complaints, with users reporting booking issues and complaining that taxis are often late, among other problems.

Ms Nolan said it was always going to be a trial at first, but said the ongoing complaints from users had prompted her to seek an immediate review from new Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk.

She said introducing the service was not a mistake, as she had an obligation to tax-payers to run cost-effective public transport, but she was unhappy that TransLink and Yellow Cabs had not delivered on what was initially promised.

"I have asked the Minister to cut the trial as soon as possible so that an evaluation can take place," she said.

Ms Nolan said she called on the review after persistent feedback from residents, including her former teacher and Basin Pocket resident Catherine Wood.

Mrs Wood, 86, said she was against the FlexiLink service right from the start but decided to give it a go, but was unhappy with the results and logged a long list of complaints.

She said she was happy the review could be pushed forward, and hoped for one simple outcome.

"Our buses back – I can't see anything that will work better than having a bus back at our disposal," she said.

Another problem identified by commuters is that some people who used to catch a bus right near their doorstep somehow were not included in FlexiLink zones.

Vida Leane, 76, used to be able to catch a bus near her Bundamba home, but now has to walk more than 20 minutes to catch the closest bus.

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said they had received the approach from Ms Nolan and would consider it in the coming days.

Yee haa!!

[mufreight]

From the Queensland Times click here!

No-buses trial could end soon

No-buses trial could end soon

Zane Jackson | 4th March 2011

IPSWICH MP Rachel Nolan has called on the new Transport Minister to end the 12-month FlexiLink trial period and immediately review the controversial service.

The much-maligned service was introduced just months ago by Ms Nolan herself when she was Transport Minister.

It saw three bus routes – the 505, 510 and 523 – scrapped and replaced by a taxi service operated by Yellow Cabs.

But since its December 13 introduction the service has been dogged with complaints, with users reporting booking issues and complaining that taxis are often late, among other problems.

Ms Nolan said it was always going to be a trial at first, but said the ongoing complaints from users had prompted her to seek an immediate review from new Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk.

She said introducing the service was not a mistake, as she had an obligation to tax-payers to run cost-effective public transport, but she was unhappy that TransLink and Yellow Cabs had not delivered on what was initially promised.

“I have asked the Minister to cut the trial as soon as possible so that an evaluation can take place,” she said.

Ms Nolan said she called on the review after persistent feedback from residents, including her former teacher and Basin Pocket resident Catherine Wood.

Mrs Wood, 86, said she was against the FlexiLink service right from the start but decided to give it a go, but was unhappy with the results and logged a long list of complaints.

She said she was happy the review could be pushed forward, and hoped for one simple outcome.

“Our buses back – I can’t see anything that will work better than having a bus back at our disposal,” she said.

Another problem identified by commuters is that some people who used to catch a bus right near their doorstep somehow were not included in FlexiLink zones.

Vida Leane, 76, used to be able to catch a bus near her Bundamba home, but now has to walk more than 20 minutes to catch the closest bus.

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said they had received the approach from Ms Nolan and would consider it in the coming days.

Yee haa!!

Could be this is the obituary notice for Flexilink

[Stillwater]

Flexilink has its place - maybe not so at Ipswich, where taxis replaced an established bus run.  However, where there is no PT service at all, Flexilink becomes a good means of building up patronage for an eventual bus run.  Also, where Flexilink operates on the Sunshine Coast, taxis become free after their Flexilink run in hinterland areas.  In some places, it was not unusual to wait 60-90 minutes for a normal cab to come after being ordered.  The taxi had to come from Maroochydore, Caloundra or Noosa.  With taxis being available before and after their 'bus' run, they are better able to provide a more efficient normal cab service.  That is a side benefit of the Flexilink operation.

In Ipswich, what should have happened, but didn't, was that Translink should have notified people to 'use it or lose it' (their bus service) to give people the opportunity to increase their travel by bus over, say, a 12-month period.

[mufreight]

Sorry Stillwater but the Flexilink system as implimented in Ipswich was doomed to failure from day one.
It was designed to deter commuter usage and the cost cutting was just so much bull, the operating costs of this inconvenient and unreliable exercise in intransigent stupidity are higher than the bus services that were withdrawn.
There were other options to improve the bus services within the Ipswich area without the withdrawal of services bearing in mind that the Government and Translink as an agency of the Government is obliged to provide public transport as a social obligation to the community, it is beyond belief that with the then Transport Minister being a local member that this debarcle was allowed to happen, her intransigence and arrogance and failure to adequately represent the views and needs of her own constituents has not improved matters and will inevitably cost the Government three seats in the Ipswich region at the election.

[Stillwater]

The extension of that thinking, sadly, is that Labor will act (and is acting by virtue of the letter from Ms Nolan to the new Minister to have the Ipswich Flexilink trial cut short) because it fears an electoral backlash.  The backlash will occur on the Sunshine Coast also, but the difference is that a Labor government holds no seats there.  So Labor can ignore the pleas of Sunshine Coast commuters about the standard and frequency of their rail service.  If you are correct, Mufreight, we must work to remove the politics from the delivery of effective PT outcomes in SEQ.

[mufreight]

Unfortunately over the last 50 or so years of my life public transport has been a means of government selectively cultivating voters, mostly this blatant porkbarreling has not lead to any improvements in the levels or standards of public transport, often the reverse.
Ms Nolan now the penny has dropped is now in survival at any cost mode, unfortunately too little, too late.
Panic mode will set in after LABOR gets the boot in the NSW elections at the end of this month with public transport there as it was in Victoria a driving and deciding issue.
The abmismal track record of the current government here on public transport has provided a fault line for the opposition to exploit which they undoubtedly will.
Because of the numbers of voters affected by public transport issues public transport will become increasingly politicised.  The surgon is yet to be born who could seperate the two.

[colinw]

It always has been thus.  The railways and politics have been intimately tied together ever since the first train turned a wheel in this country.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Buses make comeback

Buses make comeback

Zane Jackson | 5th March 2011

NEARLY three months of frustration with the FlexLink taxi service could be over for Ipswich commuters, with the service facing the axe by the end of the month.

New Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has cut short what was going to be a 12-month trial into a three-month trial after the service copped constant commuter criticism.

The trial will now end on March 13 and for two weeks from that date, Ipswich residents can give their feedback on the service.

Ms Palaszczuk said if that feedback was overwhelmingly negative, the service could be axed and the buses from former routes 505, 510 and 523 would go back on the streets.

"If the community says they don't want it, buses will be put back on," Ms Palaszczuk said. "I will make a decision by March 31."

Residents are being urged to contact their state MPs after March 13 to give their feedback.

Ms Palaszczuk was asked to end the trial this week by Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan, who as Transport Minister introduced the service to replace the three bus routes late last year.

Ms Nolan said she was unhappy that TransLink and Yellow Cabs had not delivered on what was initially promised when the system was introduced.

Ms Palaszczuk said Ms Nolan showed initiative in looking at some "creative options" for public transport issues, but said they weren't going to satisfy everyone all of the time.

Some of the campaigners against the scrapping of the three bus routes said FlexiLink should never have been introduced in the first place, but yesterday's development was a step in the right direction.

Michelle Radunz, who with husband Ray Radunz has been a vocal critic of the service, said affected commuters should make sure they get their feedback in.

"It's too important to leave it to the next person, just thinking that someone else will do it – everyone affected should give feedback," Mrs Radunz said.

Fellow campaigners Louise Fullarton and Patricia Petersen said they won't stop the fight against FlexiLink until it is definitely scrapped. Ms Palaszczuk said residents in Karalee, who had not had a bus service, but were included in FlexiLink zones, had the option of keeping the taxi system.

[Stillwater]

Many here commend QR for its Community Reference Group approach and lament that Translink, similarly, is not listening as intently.  It is not political interference, but effective executive management, when a Minister directs her Translink CEO to attend go-card CRG meetings, for, what she is saying is 'I want you to listen to the voice of the people'.  It is not political interference if a Minister says to her senior management team 'why is it that SEQ is the only jurisdiction in Australia that does not have daily capping or periodic ticketing systems – bring me a comparison of go-card with other ticketing systems within Australia and prepare a briefing paper for me that examines the technical and financial implications of introducing, say, the Canberra-based system of fares in SEQ and/or options that take account of the needs of long-distance commuters – and I want this done so we can feed the most suitable change into the budget process for 2011-12.'

It is political interference of sorts, I suppose, if a Minister cuts short a trial (i.e. Flexilink in Ipswich), but you have to look at the motivation.  If the sole consideration is that Labor will take a bath at the next election unless a decision is reversed, then it most definitely is politically motivated.  If, however, a trial has created so much customer angst that it is obvious what the outcome of the trial will be, before it has ended, that could be said to be 'effective listening'.

It most certainly is political interference when a government makes specific promises to implement a project (i.e. track duplication to Landsborough and a start on CAMCOS to Caloundra) – both financial and time wise – when a Labor Member (Ms Carolyn Male MP) holds the seat of Glass House that includes most of the affected stations, then abandons those commitments – against all departmental and technical advice to the contrary – when the seat is deemed to be unwinnable for Labor.  The political sin is compounded when the Minister involved is the Deputy Premier.

[#Metro]

Are you serious? I can't believe I am reading this. 

[mufreight]

Stillwater, right on the mark and pertinent to the subject.   

[somebody]

It is not political interference, but effective executive management, when a Minister directs her Translink CEO to attend go-card CRG meetings,

Or, maybe find a CEO who doesn't need to be told such things!

But why is the Go Card the only thing which there is a CRG for?

[somebody]

From the Queensland Times click here!

IPSWICH MP Rachel Nolan has called on the new Transport Minister to end the 12-month FlexiLink trial period and immediately review the controversial service.

Had a good laugh when I read this.  She wasn't able to prevent it going in, but as soon as it's not her portfolio she wants someone else to dump it!

[ozbob]

Media Release 6 March 2011

SEQ:  Halt to Ipswich FlexiLink trial welcomed!

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 is delighted that the new Transport Minister has called a halt to the FlexiLink trial to replace the withdrawn bus routes in Ipswich (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following the withdrawal of the bus routes 505, 510 and 523 there has been constant criticism of the replacement FlexiLink services (2)."

"We encourage all citizens to give direct feedback to TransLink and the Minister for Transport on the impacts of the bus route withdrawal and the failings of the FlexiLink replacement."

"We have indicated previously that rather than punish the citizens of Ipswich for a failure to fix the bus timetables and then allow a reliable service to embed in the community, the abrupt withdrawal of routes 505, 510 and 523 just lead to much grief, hardship and despair."

"We are delighted that this now looks like being turned around.  Thank you!"

"The contentious issue of the 503 bus and the servicing of both the public and private hospitals in Ipswich also needs fixing (3)."

References:

1. http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/03/05/buses-make-comeback-ipswich/

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5130.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5446.0


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[justanotheruser]

Sorry Stillwater but the Flexilink system as implimented in Ipswich was doomed to failure from day one.
It was designed to deter commuter usage and the cost cutting was just so much bull, the operating costs of this inconvenient and unreliable exercise in intransigent stupidity are higher than the bus services that were withdrawn.
There were other options to improve the bus services within the Ipswich area without the withdrawal of services bearing in mind that the Government and Translink as an agency of the Government is obliged to provide public transport as a social obligation to the community, it is beyond belief that with the then Transport Minister being a local member that this debarcle was allowed to happen, her intransigence and arrogance and failure to adequately represent the views and needs of her own constituents has not improved matters and will inevitably cost the Government three seats in the Ipswich region at the election.

The biggest problem came when taxi drivers were refusing to take flexilink fares to administrative problems.  This greatly reduced the number of taxis available making it extremely unreliable. That there are flexilink services working just fine in some places is evidence that flexilink is not a bad idea.  It just needs to be done right in appropiate places.

Unfortunately over the last 50 or so years of my life public transport has been a means of government selectively cultivating voters, mostly this blatant porkbarreling has not lead to any improvements in the levels or standards of public transport, often the reverse.
Ms Nolan now the penny has dropped is now in survival at any cost mode, unfortunately too little, too late.
Panic mode will set in after LABOR gets the boot in the NSW elections at the end of this month with public transport there as it was in Victoria a driving and deciding issue.
The abmismal track record of the current government here on public transport has provided a fault line for the opposition to exploit which they undoubtedly will.
Because of the numbers of voters affected by public transport issues public transport will become increasingly politicised.  The surgon is yet to be born who could seperate the two.

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them so what makes this time different? I will believe it when and IF it happens. Same thing federal level. Howard was proven time and time again to have lied to us and break promises but he offered the biggest tax cut so people voted for him.

[mufreight]

The biggest problem came when taxi drivers were refusing to take flexilink fares to administrative problems.  This greatly reduced the number of taxis available making it extremely unreliable. That there are flexilink services working just fine in some places is evidence that flexilink is not a bad idea.  It just needs to be done right in appropiate places.

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them so what makes this time different? I will believe it when and IF it happens. Same thing federal level. Howard was proven time and time again to have lied to us and break promises but he offered the biggest tax cut so people voted for him.

From your comments justanotheruser I would assume that you have neither used nor attempted to use the Flexilink service as implimented here in Ipswich, that you do not reside in Ipswich nor have you had or taken the opportunity to talk to those Ipswich residents who have suffered the imposition of this apology for a bus relacement.
Your are more than entitled to your opinion and the concept of Flexilink has some merit, the form of Flexilink that was implimented here was doomed to failure from day one and this failure was exacerbated by the PR disaster called Translink and the intransigence and refusal to listen of local members and the then Transport Minister Nolan who as a local member did not act in the interests of her own constituents
Local opinion is that this could not only see the removal of the Flexilink service here in Ipswich but post the election could be the nail in the coffin of Translink.
As for people continuing to vote for the current government, Ipswich has always been a LABOR stronghold, no longer they will lose all three seats here at the next elextion, there is a limit to what even LABOR supporters can or will endure, that limit has been passed.

[somebody]

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them 

Are you referring to the last QLD election?  The opposition does have to be credible to be voted in!  That was largely how Howard stayed in for so long.  Do you remember when Latham was the opposition leader?

[mufreight]

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them 

Are you referring to the last QLD election?  The opposition does have to be credible to be voted in!  That was largely how Howard stayed in for so long.  Do you remember when Latham was the opposition leader?

Most definately the next election that we are not going to have this year, watch the panic when the results are in from the NSW elections.
If we did not have to foot the bill for their incompetence and stupidity it would be comical.

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/buses/flexilink-ipswich

FlexiLink services will continue during March 2011 review

Ipswich's FlexiLink services will be reviewed in March 2011, services will continue to operate until further notice. Any changes to FlexiLink services will not occur until the review, community consultation and engagement period has finished.

TransLink has received calls from customers concerned that services would be removed in coming weeks without any alternative public transport options. If changes to FlexiLink services are recommended then options will be put to the community before any service changes are implemented.

Feedback gathered from the community and as part of the local consumer reference group will form part of the review.

The FlexiLink service was introduced 13 December 2010, with 16 restructured bus routes across Ipswich to provide reliable, on-time connections between key locations, residential areas and the Ipswich train line ...

[justanotheruser]

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them 

Are you referring to the last QLD election?  The opposition does have to be credible to be voted in!  That was largely how Howard stayed in for so long.  Do you remember when Latham was the opposition leader?

Most definately the next election that we are not going to have this year, watch the panic when the results are in from the NSW elections.
If we did not have to foot the bill for their incompetence and stupidity it would be comical.

NSW....glad you bring that up. That is an excellent case in point for what I was saying.  The unhappiness with NSW labor has been far more intense than here yet they still kept getting elected. 

Sure the opposition have to be credible.  however is the opposition credible? From what I see here many are complaining that they have no policy on PT or if they do they won't reveal it so it can't be looked at too closely.  Sounds just like previous elections.   

[justanotheruser]

The biggest problem came when taxi drivers were refusing to take flexilink fares to administrative problems.  This greatly reduced the number of taxis available making it extremely unreliable. That there are flexilink services working just fine in some places is evidence that flexilink is not a bad idea.  It just needs to be done right in appropiate places.

I reckon your dreaming. Queenslanders have shown that they won't vote labor out despite being really unhappy with them so what makes this time different? I will believe it when and IF it happens. Same thing federal level. Howard was proven time and time again to have lied to us and break promises but he offered the biggest tax cut so people voted for him.

From your comments justanotheruser I would assume that you have neither used nor attempted to use the Flexilink service as implimented here in Ipswich, that you do not reside in Ipswich nor have you had or taken the opportunity to talk to those Ipswich residents who have suffered the imposition of this apology for a bus relacement.
Your are more than entitled to your opinion and the concept of Flexilink has some merit, the form of Flexilink that was implimented here was doomed to failure from day one and this failure was exacerbated by the PR disaster called Translink and the intransigence and refusal to listen of local members and the then Transport Minister Nolan who as a local member did not act in the interests of her own constituents
Local opinion is that this could not only see the removal of the Flexilink service here in Ipswich but post the election could be the nail in the coffin of Translink.
As for people continuing to vote for the current government, Ipswich has always been a LABOR stronghold, no longer they will lose all three seats here at the next elextion, there is a limit to what even LABOR supporters can or will endure, that limit has been passed.

Based on previous results it is more likely to be the 2014/15 state election before labor goes.  People always talk of voting against a party but come election day it is often revealed as nothing but talk.
What seats are you talking about that will be lost? Can you name them please. Ipswich itself requires such a massive swing probably never seen before in Australian politics for the seat to be lost I doubt that will be lost.  Bundamba is the same.  For both of those seats it was only the last election where the labor candidates did not get three times the amount of votes of its closest rival (the coalition in both cases) and even then it was only just a couple of % points short.  In ipswich west there is a better chance of a change.  So while it is possible that there might be a change in government I would be surprised if ipswich or bundamba changed hands.

[mufreight]

Well since you asked justanotheruser I think that come election day you are going to be sadly surprised, these three Ipswich seats, Ipswich, Ipswich West and Bundamba, where the key issues are, Transport, rail asset sales, and members who have failed to listen to or act in the interests of their constituents.  These are seats that have all been traditionaly LABOR, at the present time a white rat would have more chance of taking these seats in an election over any LABOR or Greens candidate and there are credible candidates gearing up to stand at the present time.

[somebody]

NSW....glad you bring that up. That is an excellent case in point for what I was saying.  The unhappiness with NSW labor has been far more intense than here yet they still kept getting elected. 

Labour were reasonably popular the entire time that Bob Carr led them.  They only won the 2007 election without him.  There was an election where the Libs had a chance of getting in with Kerry Chikarovski leading, but the electricity sell off and distribution of the proceeds to voters irked their supporters.

Bob Carr was a bit of a Peter Beattie character.  Didn't do much, but was an adept politician.

[justanotheruser]

Well since you asked justanotheruser I think that come election day you are going to be sadly surprised, these three Ipswich seats, Ipswich, Ipswich West and Bundamba, where the key issues are, Transport, rail asset sales, and members who have failed to listen to or act in the interests of their constituents.  These are seats that have all been traditionaly LABOR, at the present time a white rat would have more chance of taking these seats in an election over any LABOR or Greens candidate and there are credible candidates gearing up to stand at the present time.

why do you say sadly???  You really seem to have a chip on your shoulder about anything and anyone who has a different opinion to you

[Stillwater]

Personally I try to avoid using Yellow Cabs, because I find the other companies more reliable.  Maybe the review of Flexilink in Ipswich should look at Yellow Cab's ability to service the contract.  We will forever wonder what would have been the case had another cab company got the contract.

While I am prepared to accept that Flexilink is not for Ipswich, there are circumstances where it is useful.  When I have used Flexilink on the Sunshine Coast, for instance, the cab has always turned up and always on time.  The first day was amusing, however, when I sat in the passenger seat, Flexilink map in hand, educating the driver as to the route he was to follow.

An information session for cabbies overcame that initial glitch.

[justanotheruser]

Personally I try to avoid using Yellow Cabs, because I find the other companies more reliable.  Maybe the review of Flexilink in Ipswich should look at Yellow Cab's ability to service the contract.  We will forever wonder what would have been the case had another cab company got the contract.

While I am prepared to accept that Flexilink is not for Ipswich, there are circumstances where it is useful.  When I have used Flexilink on the Sunshine Coast, for instance, the cab has always turned up and always on time.  The first day was amusing, however, when I sat in the passenger seat, Flexilink map in hand, educating the driver as to the route he was to follow.

An information session for cabbies overcame that initial glitch.

except in ipswich there is no other cab company.  A black and white cab can pick people up from the rank or if hailed on the street if they happen to be out here but they won't take radio jobs. the only way around this is for the drivers to switch companies but then again that probably won't fix things. In any case the biggest problem is having to book 24 hours in advance.  The same applies to yellow cabs from brisbane. They also are not allowed to take radio jobs in ipswich only rank and hail jobs. Maybe one day it will finally be acknowledged that brisbane abd ipswich are close enough to be treated as the same area for cabs just like in sydney a city cab can take radio jobs in penrith despite being seperate cities with another city inbetween!

[mufreight]

Well since you asked justanotheruser I think that come election day you are going to be sadly surprised, these three Ipswich seats, Ipswich, Ipswich West and Bundamba, where the key issues are, Transport, rail asset sales, and members who have failed to listen to or act in the interests of their constituents.  These are seats that have all been traditionaly LABOR, at the present time a white rat would have more chance of taking these seats in an election over any LABOR or Greens candidate and there are credible candidates gearing up to stand at the present time.

why do you say sadly???  You really seem to have a chip on your shoulder about anything and anyone who has a different opinion to you

Lets wait and see, time will tell, the general consensus of opinion around Ipswich appears to be that LABOR has past it's use by date and this is comming from people who have been lifelong supporters.

[somebody]

Maybe one day it will finally be acknowledged that brisbane abd ipswich are close enough to be treated as the same area for cabs just like in sydney a city cab can take radio jobs in penrith despite being seperate cities with another city inbetween!

I'm fairly sure there would be about 10 council areas in between.  It's silly to define a city based on the council area when it is largely an anachronism.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

The great bus debate


http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2011/03/08/IQT_09-03-2011_NEWS_14_NO0310WD_t325.jpg

Rachel Nolan says she regrets the inconvenience caused in the FlexiLink trial.

The great bus debate

Zane Jackson | 9th March 2011

READER debate has raged on The Queensland Times website in reaction to Ipswich MP and former Transport Minister Rachel Nolan calling on the FlexiLink taxi service to be reviewed nine months early.

Current Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk backed her calls and will end a trial into the service this coming Sunday.

The public transport developments, covered in two stories published in the QT newspaper and website last week, attracted more than 50 online comments.

A poll on the QT website showed 89% of responders believed Ms Nolan should apologise for introducing the FlexiLink service.

Six per cent said no while the remaining 5% was split between "undecided" or "don't really care".

In response to the calls, Ms Nolan said she sincerely regretted that people had been inconvenienced.

"The intention was not to leave people worse off but to replace the under-patronised bus service with something better and more direct," Ms Nolan said.

"That's not working, and that's why I'm getting on the front foot and calling for the trial to end nine months early, on behalf of the people affected."

[justanotheruser]

Well since you asked justanotheruser I think that come election day you are going to be sadly surprised, these three Ipswich seats, Ipswich, Ipswich West and Bundamba, where the key issues are, Transport, rail asset sales, and members who have failed to listen to or act in the interests of their constituents.  These are seats that have all been traditionaly LABOR, at the present time a white rat would have more chance of taking these seats in an election over any LABOR or Greens candidate and there are credible candidates gearing up to stand at the present time.

why do you say sadly???  You really seem to have a chip on your shoulder about anything and anyone who has a different opinion to you

Lets wait and see, time will tell, the general consensus of opinion around Ipswich appears to be that LABOR has past it's use by date and this is comming from people who have been lifelong supporters.

yep wait and see is the approach I've been taking all along yet you condemned me for.

[justanotheruser]

Maybe one day it will finally be acknowledged that brisbane abd ipswich are close enough to be treated as the same area for cabs just like in sydney a city cab can take radio jobs in penrith despite being seperate cities with another city inbetween!

I'm fairly sure there would be about 10 council areas in between.  It's silly to define a city based on the council area when it is largely an anachronism.

true but in sydney council areas and cities are not the same thing. When I said there was a city inbetween I meant the City of Parramatta.  There may actually be another city before Penrith City but I wasn't sure

[Stillwater]

If Ipswich is a 'one cab company' town, then perhaps the Flexilink contract should have been let to another company to increase competition.  Another company would be as keen as mustard to see it work.  Where is the incentive for Yellow Cabs to make Flexilink work?  When a Flexilink cab-bus does not turn up when ordered, what do people do?  They ring Yellow Cabs (bacause they can't do anything but) and pay the full cab fare for the trip.  Nice one!

[mufreight]

If Ipswich is a 'one cab company' town, then perhaps the Flexilink contract should have been let to another company to increase competition.  Another company would be as keen as mustard to see it work.  Where is the incentive for Yellow Cabs to make Flexilink work?  When a Flexilink cab-bus does not turn up when ordered, what do people do?  They ring Yellow Cabs (bacause they can't do anything but) and pay the full cab fare for the trip.  Nice one!

Nice to see that someone else has arrived at the same conclusion for the same reason, now the question becomes if anyone was getting a kickback for arranging such a cosy situation for the taxi operator and if so who?  The obvious candidates would have to be either in the authority which organised this suspect arrangement or the working in the portfolio that approved it.
Except for the cost either a royal commission or an independent commission of inquery could be enlightening.

[somebody]

If Ipswich is a 'one cab company' town, then perhaps the Flexilink contract should have been let to another company to increase competition.  Another company would be as keen as mustard to see it work.  Where is the incentive for Yellow Cabs to make Flexilink work?  When a Flexilink cab-bus does not turn up when ordered, what do people do?  They ring Yellow Cabs (bacause they can't do anything but) and pay the full cab fare for the trip.  Nice one!

Nice to see that someone else has arrived at the same conclusion for the same reason, now the question becomes if anyone was getting a kickback for arranging such a cosy situation for the taxi operator and if so who?  The obvious candidates would have to be either in the authority which organised this suspect arrangement or the working in the portfolio that approved it.
Except for the cost either a royal commission or an independent commission of inquery could be enlightening.

Far easier to blame incompetence than malice on this one IMO.

[justanotheruser]

If Ipswich is a 'one cab company' town, then perhaps the Flexilink contract should have been let to another company to increase competition.  Another company would be as keen as mustard to see it work.  Where is the incentive for Yellow Cabs to make Flexilink work?  When a Flexilink cab-bus does not turn up when ordered, what do people do?  They ring Yellow Cabs (bacause they can't do anything but) and pay the full cab fare for the trip.  Nice one!

Nice to see that someone else has arrived at the same conclusion for the same reason, now the question becomes if anyone was getting a kickback for arranging such a cosy situation for the taxi operator and if so who?  The obvious candidates would have to be either in the authority which organised this suspect arrangement or the working in the portfolio that approved it.
Except for the cost either a royal commission or an independent commission of inquery could be enlightening.

although taxi drivers have said to me that the problem is with payment system. They seem to think it is a software problem between eftpos machine and taxi computer.  If your struggling to get payment for doing the job it is easy to understand why one would not want to use it.

[mufreight]

The majority of taxis operating in the Ipswich area are company cabs not owner drivers so payment is not a deciding factor for drivers avoiding Flexilink services.

[justanotheruser]

The majority of taxis operating in the Ipswich area are company cabs not owner drivers so payment is not a deciding factor for drivers avoiding Flexilink services.

actually if you can't get the machine to recognise you have taken the fare then you won't get paid.

[mufreight]

The majority of taxis operating in the Ipswich area are company cabs not owner drivers so payment is not a deciding factor for drivers avoiding Flexilink services.

actually if you can't get the machine to recognise you have taken the fare then you won't get paid.

The driver writes out a docket that shows the fare on the meter for the trip, no machine involved, any payment delays are between Translink paying the taxi company and then any further delay in payment by the taxi company to the owner drivers

[justanotheruser]

The majority of taxis operating in the Ipswich area are company cabs not owner drivers so payment is not a deciding factor for drivers avoiding Flexilink services.

actually if you can't get the machine to recognise you have taken the fare then you won't get paid.

The driver writes out a docket that shows the fare on the meter for the trip, no machine involved, any payment delays are between Translink paying the taxi company and then any further delay in payment by the taxi company to the owner drivers

well there must be confusion amongst the taxi drivers because the drivers have never mentioned paper dockets to me

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/buses/flexilink-ipswich

Review of FlexiLink and service options

You are invited to comment on the service options by attending our information sessions to be held at:

    * Thursday 17 March 9am to 11am
      Ipswich Civic Centre, Cunningham Room
      Corner Limestone & Nicholas Streets, Ipswich

    * Saturday 19 March 9am to 11am
      Ipswich RSL, Coral Sea & Bouganville Rooms
      5A Lowry Street, North Ipswich