28 Jan 2014: SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Refugees

[ozbob]

Media release 28 January 2014



SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Refugees

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 highlights growing community damage with the public transport cost explosions.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"One year on, it is now possible to observe the long term effect of Brisbane City Councillors opposing the TransLink bus review. In our opinion BCC's opposition has contributed to a cost explosion on public transport affecting all of SEQ. BCC does not set fares, but it does set bus supplier costs and obviously, higher costs equals higher fares."

"We have recently received news that Refugee agencies are now appealing for donations to assist in covering the travel expenses of their volunteers (1)."

Examples include (taken directly from the public appeal website):

* An organisation located in Rocklea that sorts and repackages food offers clients with a volunteer opportunity. This food is distributed to vulnerable people in our community throughout Brisbane. A large number of MDA clients have been volunteered for this organisation last year, however due to increased living costs a number of clients are unable to make any future commitment.

* In Morningside there is an organisation that relies on volunteers to carry out important conservation work. They provide a volunteer opportunity for a number of MDA clients. Unfortunately this year half the clients who attended last year can not afford to continue volunteering.

"It is a sad irony that the councillors that went around claiming that they were concerned about representing the interests of the disadvantaged and needy are the same people now responsible for causing a massive cost explosion that is slamming low income and the disadvantaged into the ground, and damaging the community social fabric."

"No transit agency in the world has made its fares more affordable or improved services by retaining and protecting waste, duplication and inefficiency. The BCC bus network MUST be reformed so that fares can come down."

Examples of waste and unproductive issues surviving two rounds of bus 'review' include:

* BCC 50% air buses in peak hour at Cultural Centre

* Maroon WasteGlider from the CBD to Stones Corner

* Express Bus 161 which duplicates almost everything on the South East Busway

* Enormous service duplication and wasteful competition along Coronation Drive both against BCC's own bus routes and rail

* Enormous waste along Old Cleveland Road where an excessive 16 buses per hour pass (a bus every 3.75 minutes) in the OFF peak, mostly carrying air.

* Lack of quality service to Albany Creek, The Centenary Suburbs, Bulimba, Yeronga and Wynnum Road.

References:

1. Multicultural Development Association Inc https://give.everydayhero.com/au/giving-back-to-those-who-are-giving-back

2. BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Queensland Government http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10447.msg137073#msg137073

3. 12 Jan 2014: SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg138199#msg138199