21 Jun 2008: SEQ - Goodbye and thanks to Translink, welcome TTA

[ozbob]

Media Release 21 June 2008

SEQ:  Goodbye  and thanks to Translink, welcome TransLink Transit Authority

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has thanked Translink for the many worthwhile initiatives of the past years, and looks forward to  further progress and improvements in public transport in south-east Queensland under the new TransLink Transit Authority (TTA).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?RAIL Back On Track looks forward to the TTA becoming operational on the 1st July 2008.?

?Since the formation of Translink there has been the progressive integration and upgrade of public transport in south-east Queensland.  Perhaps the greatest success was the introduction of the integrated paper ticketing system and the Translink zone system. That was well done.?

?Communication with public transport users has been poor by Translink. Feedback systems are often perceived as untimely, inaccurate and overall disappointing.?

?Of some concern to RAIL Back On Track is the apparent lack of direct public transport commuter representation with the new structure of the TTA.?

?One of the initial priorities for the TTA should be to put in place good communication channels with public transport users.  The other of course is to address the ongoing issues with the roll out of the go card. ?

?Thank you Translink.?

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Goodbye Translink!

[Otto]

Hello TransLink Transit Authority. 

[ozbob]

Good on you Otto!

This is the dawn of a new era in public transport!!

[ozbob]

The following message has been sent to the TTA, cc. to the Minister for Transport

Congratulations TransLink Transit Authority


Dear TransLink Transit Authority,

Congratulations on coming online today, 1st July 2008.

On behalf of all members of RAIL Back On Track we extend greetings and invite you all to visit our web site at http://backontrack.org where we have a busy discussion forum promoting and commenting on various aspects of rail and public transport.

Best wishes.

Robert

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

[dwb]

I called the TTA tonight just to see if they'd answer the phone.

There is a new recorded voice message that takes about 45 seconds of your time to do its spiel before you can choose your selection (why does this have to be there?!  If I'm on a mobile I have to pay for that!). I asked for operator as soon as I could and it transfered me to one rather bored and lonely sounding girl who answered my fake journey enquiry.

Hopefully the staff will spend their off time in the evening answering all those "lost" emails as I can't imagine many people will be calling the TTA at 2am in the morning asking about the next non-existent evening service (excluding Fri/Sat).