27 Apr 2012: SEQ:Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

[ozbob]

Media release 27 April 2012

SEQ: Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council?

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 Brisbane Transport to be removed from the Brisbane City Council and uploaded to the State Government.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The state already owns the buses that Brisbane Transport uses through a lease-back agreement with Queensland Treasury and it already funds the operation of services through TransLink. No other council in Australia acts as a public transport operator, funder, network planner and beneficiary. In 2004, TransLink was created to perform the network planning functions, so we can't really see why Brisbane Transport needs to continue these functions or invent its own services."

"This conflict of multiple interests has also caused a bizarre situation where Brisbane City Council actively denies that it has a role in network planning or or delivery of new services (despite employing network planning officers) and then, contrary to it's own words, announces The Maroon CityGlider, which upon close analysis adds no new areas of high frequency mobility to the network that doesn't already have it. And of course it doesn't - TransLink didn't plan it, Brisbane City Council did!"

"Brisbane City Council's own words appear to contradict their own actions. Why is it that the Lord Mayor's campaign team is telling people that 'bus routes and frequency are handled by the State Government' while, in total contradiction, it announces a high frequency Maroon CityGlider and not only that, but also a City to Suburbs bus tunnel in the CBD, of which it pre-determines the mode, has no funding nor authority to construct, let alone alter TransLink's bus routes to use it. It is remarkable that something as wasteful as Maroon CityGliders is allowed to be funded, at a time when we pay some of the highest fares in the world, some of the highest subsidies in the world and residents within the three key public transport blackout 'no go zones' actively petition TransLink as they languish with worst-class services. Just ask the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We think the best thing to happen to Brisbane Transport is that it is separated from Brisbane City Council, and uploaded to the State Government. One option would be to merge it with TransLink and use 'ring-fencing' or other forms of corporate division to separate it from TransLink's management arms. A precedent for this model exists in Perth, Western Australia, where TransPerth contracts TransPerth trains internally to provide train services. It would also mean that new route planning would be much faster because there would be no need for TransLink network planners to talk to Brisbane Transport network planners, it would just be one, in-house, integrated operation. This is important as Brisbane's bus network needs to be recast around a Core Frequent Network (1)."

"This transfer could occur in stages, with all network planning being incorporated into TransLink first, followed by operations. This would allow Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to accept his own offer to takeover Brisbane Transport from the Brisbane City Council (2,3)."

"The public has had enough of the games.  It is time to move forward with a proper public transport system, with network planning and connectivity to maximise the use and return from public transport. Please move forward from the present mediocrity."

References:

Re: 25 Apr 2012: Brisbane: Council Elections 2012: More buses, more often!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8211.msg96110#msg96110

SEQ: Brisbane Transport buses and ferries ripe for state takeover  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4715

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]

One of the ALP policies for this BCC election is free transport on buses and ferries for Seniors off peak.  An initiative such as that needs to be network wide and not mode specific.

This policy just highlights how candidates and the Council themselves see Brisbane Transport.  A separate part of the public transport network.  We have moved on, ticketing is now integrated and not mode specific.  Time BT was made to be part of an integrated network, not used as a political tool and left as a public transport anachronism.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30 April 2012

Re: 27 Apr 2012: SEQ:Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

Greetings,

To further emphasise why the entire bus network needs to be recast, and Brisbane Transport planning control removed from BCC consider this example.

Bus route 524 which runs between Redbank Plains and Goodna has the following service characteristics.

Route: 524

Weekdays

First service inbound: 5.43am

First service outbound: 6.24am

Last service inbound:  6.51pm

Last service outbound: 8.20pm

Peak frequency: 30 minute

Off peak frequency: one hour

Days per week: 7

Weekends Public Holidays

First service inbound: 7.46 am

First service outbound: 8.24 am
Last service inbound: 4.44 pm

Last service outbound: 5.24 pm

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/timetables/110801-524,525,526.pdf


As can be noted the service frequency is abysmal, and leads to massive parking problems at railway stations such as Goodna, Wacol, and Richlands. Gailes acts as a relief with hundreds of cars parking on the road verge daily.

Rather than waste valuable funds on the extremely ill conceived ' Maroon CityGlider '  we need to fix the bus system overall.  Inner Brisbane generally has plenty of public transport,  but middle and outer suburbia doesn't.

Bus routes like the 524 need a minimum of 15 minute service frequency at peak, and 30 minutes out of peak.  With hours of operation extended, particularly on weekends.

Brisbane City Council cannot grasp the fact that the public transport network needs to be properly integrated with all modes, and that public transport requirements extend past council boundaries.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 27 April 2012

SEQ: Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council?

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 Brisbane Transport to be removed from the Brisbane City Council and uploaded to the State Government.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The state already owns the buses that Brisbane Transport uses through a lease-back agreement with Queensland Treasury and it already funds the operation of services through TransLink. No other council in Australia acts as a public transport operator, funder, network planner and beneficiary. In 2004, TransLink was created to perform the network planning functions, so we can't really see why Brisbane Transport needs to continue these functions or invent its own services."

"This conflict of multiple interests has also caused a bizarre situation where Brisbane City Council actively denies that it has a role in network planning or or delivery of new services (despite employing network planning officers) and then, contrary to it's own words, announces The Maroon CityGlider, which upon close analysis adds no new areas of high frequency mobility to the network that doesn't already have it. And of course it doesn't - TransLink didn't plan it, Brisbane City Council did!"

"Brisbane City Council's own words appear to contradict their own actions. Why is it that the Lord Mayor's campaign team is telling people that 'bus routes and frequency are handled by the State Government' while, in total contradiction, it announces a high frequency Maroon CityGlider and not only that, but also a City to Suburbs bus tunnel in the CBD, of which it pre-determines the mode, has no funding nor authority to construct, let alone alter TransLink's bus routes to use it. It is remarkable that something as wasteful as Maroon CityGliders is allowed to be funded, at a time when we pay some of the highest fares in the world, some of the highest subsidies in the world and residents within the three key public transport blackout 'no go zones' actively petition TransLink as they languish with worst-class services. Just ask the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We think the best thing to happen to Brisbane Transport is that it is separated from Brisbane City Council, and uploaded to the State Government. One option would be to merge it with TransLink and use 'ring-fencing' or other forms of corporate division to separate it from TransLink's management arms. A precedent for this model exists in Perth, Western Australia, where TransPerth contracts TransPerth trains internally to provide train services. It would also mean that new route planning would be much faster because there would be no need for TransLink network planners to talk to Brisbane Transport network planners, it would just be one, in-house, integrated operation. This is important as Brisbane's bus network needs to be recast around a Core Frequent Network (1)."

"This transfer could occur in stages, with all network planning being incorporated into TransLink first, followed by operations. This would allow Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to accept his own offer to takeover Brisbane Transport from the Brisbane City Council (2,3)."

"The public has had enough of the games.  It is time to move forward with a proper public transport system, with network planning and connectivity to maximise the use and return from public transport. Please move forward from the present mediocrity."

References:

Re: 25 Apr 2012: Brisbane: Council Elections 2012: More buses, more often!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8211.msg96110#msg96110

SEQ: Brisbane Transport buses and ferries ripe for state takeover  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4715

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]

Sent to all outlets:

15th May 2012

SEQ:Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

Greetings,

The new Parliament starts today.  Perfect opportunity for the Premier to act and fix the lack of proper integration of the public transport network in south-east Queensland.

The politicisation of public transport doesn't help anyone really.  Can Do Premier?

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

Media release 27 April 2012 re-released 15 May 2012

SEQ: Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

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 Brisbane Transport to be removed from the Brisbane City Council and uploaded to the State Government.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The state already owns the buses that Brisbane Transport uses through a lease-back agreement with Queensland Treasury and it already funds the operation of services through TransLink. No other council in Australia acts as a public transport operator, funder, network planner and beneficiary. In 2004, TransLink was created to perform the network planning functions, so we can't really see why Brisbane Transport needs to continue these functions or invent its own services."

"This conflict of multiple interests has also caused a bizarre situation where Brisbane City Council actively denies that it has a role in network planning or or delivery of new services (despite employing network planning officers) and then, contrary to it's own words, announces The Maroon CityGlider, which upon close analysis adds no new areas of high frequency mobility to the network that doesn't already have it. And of course it doesn't - TransLink didn't plan it, Brisbane City Council did!"

"Brisbane City Council's own words appear to contradict their own actions. Why is it that the Lord Mayor's campaign team is telling people that 'bus routes and frequency are handled by the State Government' while, in total contradiction, it announces a high frequency Maroon CityGlider and not only that, but also a City to Suburbs bus tunnel in the CBD, of which it pre-determines the mode, has no funding nor authority to construct, let alone alter TransLink's bus routes to use it. It is remarkable that something as wasteful as Maroon CityGliders is allowed to be funded, at a time when we pay some of the highest fares in the world, some of the highest subsidies in the world and residents within the three key public transport blackout 'no go zones' actively petition TransLink as they languish with worst-class services. Just ask the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We think the best thing to happen to Brisbane Transport is that it is separated from Brisbane City Council, and uploaded to the State Government. One option would be to merge it with TransLink and use 'ring-fencing' or other forms of corporate division to separate it from TransLink's management arms. A precedent for this model exists in Perth, Western Australia, where TransPerth contracts TransPerth trains internally to provide train services. It would also mean that new route planning would be much faster because there would be no need for TransLink network planners to talk to Brisbane Transport network planners, it would just be one, in-house, integrated operation. This is important as Brisbane's bus network needs to be recast around a Core Frequent Network (1)."

"This transfer could occur in stages, with all network planning being incorporated into TransLink first, followed by operations. This would allow Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to accept his own offer to takeover Brisbane Transport from the Brisbane City Council (2,3)."

"The public has had enough of the games.  It is time to move forward with a proper public transport system, with network planning and connectivity to maximise the use and return from public transport. Please move forward from the present mediocrity."

References:

Re: 25 Apr 2012: Brisbane: Council Elections 2012: More buses, more often!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8211.msg96110#msg96110

SEQ: Brisbane Transport buses and ferries ripe for state takeover  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4715

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]

Sent to all outlets:

2 June 2015

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council is the major obstacle to sorting out public transport in Brisbane and SEQ generally.

Bit of history.   Time marches on the mess just gets worse.  Is there any political leadership and courage left in Queensland?

Fair question don't you think ...

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th May 2012

SEQ: Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

Greetings,

The new Parliament starts today.  Perfect opportunity for the Premier to act and fix the lack of proper integration of the public transport network in south-east Queensland.

The politicisation of public transport doesn't help anyone really.  Can Do Premier?

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

Media release 27 April 2012 re-released 15 May 2012 re-released 2 June 2015

SEQ: Brisbane Transport should be removed from Brisbane City Council

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 Brisbane Transport to be removed from the Brisbane City Council and uploaded to the State Government.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The state already owns the buses that Brisbane Transport uses through a lease-back agreement with Queensland Treasury and it already funds the operation of services through TransLink. No other council in Australia acts as a public transport operator, funder, network planner and beneficiary. In 2004, TransLink was created to perform the network planning functions, so we can't really see why Brisbane Transport needs to continue these functions or invent its own services."

"This conflict of multiple interests has also caused a bizarre situation where Brisbane City Council actively denies that it has a role in network planning or or delivery of new services (despite employing network planning officers) and then, contrary to it's own words, announces The Maroon CityGlider, which upon close analysis adds no new areas of high frequency mobility to the network that doesn't already have it. And of course it doesn't - TransLink didn't plan it, Brisbane City Council did!"

"Brisbane City Council's own words appear to contradict their own actions. Why is it that the Lord Mayor's campaign team is telling people that 'bus routes and frequency are handled by the State Government' while, in total contradiction, it announces a high frequency Maroon CityGlider and not only that, but also a City to Suburbs bus tunnel in the CBD, of which it pre-determines the mode, has no funding nor authority to construct, let alone alter TransLink's bus routes to use it. It is remarkable that something as wasteful as Maroon CityGliders is allowed to be funded, at a time when we pay some of the highest fares in the world, some of the highest subsidies in the world and residents within the three key public transport blackout 'no go zones' actively petition TransLink as they languish with worst-class services. Just ask the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We think the best thing to happen to Brisbane Transport is that it is separated from Brisbane City Council, and uploaded to the State Government. One option would be to merge it with TransLink and use 'ring-fencing' or other forms of corporate division to separate it from TransLink's management arms. A precedent for this model exists in Perth, Western Australia, where TransPerth contracts TransPerth trains internally to provide train services. It would also mean that new route planning would be much faster because there would be no need for TransLink network planners to talk to Brisbane Transport network planners, it would just be one, in-house, integrated operation. This is important as Brisbane's bus network needs to be recast around a Core Frequent Network (1)."

"This transfer could occur in stages, with all network planning being incorporated into TransLink first, followed by operations. This would allow Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to accept his own offer to takeover Brisbane Transport from the Brisbane City Council (2,3)."

"The public has had enough of the games.  It is time to move forward with a proper public transport system, with network planning and connectivity to maximise the use and return from public transport. Please move forward from the present mediocrity."

References:

Re: 25 Apr 2012: Brisbane: Council Elections 2012: More buses, more often!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8211.msg96110#msg96110

SEQ: Brisbane Transport buses and ferries ripe for state takeover  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4715

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