3 Nov 2014: Queensland: 5% fare cuts - election looms

[ozbob]

Media release 3rd November 2014

Queensland: 5% fare cuts - election looms

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 said the 5% fare cuts from today are a minor welcome relief for SEQ, but sadly there are no signs of proper fare system and network reform, particularly for SEQ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The latest TransLink public transport performance data snapshot confirms that fare ' affordability ' has never been worse in SEQ (2)."

"Simple fare cuts alone, will not fix the systemic issues with the fare system and failing network."

"Good policy means having the political courage to take the big steps towards proper fare and network reform."

"Fares on qconnect and TransLinkQLD (Cairns) urban buses are around half to a third the cost of fares in SEQ (3).  Service improvements would be far more important for these jurisdictions, but they were simply done over by the numbers in SEQ on the poll."

"We can only hope that the looming election for Queensland might lead to some proper reform processes being implemented.  More of the same will just lead to more chronic failure."

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say-results

2. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-sept-snapshot.pdf page 14

3. http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/sitecore/content/TMRInternet/Travel-and-transport1/qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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