24 Jan 2015: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

[ozbob]

Media release 24th January 2015

SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for December 2014 has again confirmed that fare 'affordability' remains at crisis levels. Worst KPI is ' affordability ' by a huge measure. Where are the detailed policy plans to sort out this disaster from the LNP and the ALP?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010 - January 2014 (1). A recent 5% decrease in November has only had a marginal effect. The Affordability KPI remains most unsatisfactory and is a standout failure."

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 10% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases  stagnated and falling patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then no surprise then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs for December 2014 (3).

"It is a great disappointment to our members, and to many informed public transport users that rather than take the big steps to sort out the failed fare system and the network once and for all, in the shadows of the election a charade poll was put to the public - suggesting that a windfall gain from the cancelled carbon tax can be used to fund cut in fares of 5%."

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

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place immediately for SEQ, rather than just a notional cut.  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all demographics.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all, the TransLink Affordability KPI attests to that.  It is just a massive rort and a drain on the fare box! (4)"

"We have seen fuel prices fall lately.  This in time is going to mean that more people will abandon public transport in SEQ due to the very poor anti-public transport fare system.  Road congestion will only worsen.  Road trauma costs will further exacerbate."

"Will we see some moves to sensible fare and network reform as part of the forthcoming Queensland election?  The Greens have outlined a plan, the LNP and ALP are yet to do so."

"There are very big cost savings to be made to the economy by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system and a truly connected network.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive. Token fare cuts do very little without real reform.  Time to act decisively, SEQ votes soon!"

Contact:

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


1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-Dec-snapshot.pdf  pages 1 & 14

4. 16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

5. KPI Summary December2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarydec14.jpg


6. KPI Affordability December 2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitydec14.jpg

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11160.msg151885#msg151885

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th January 2015

Re: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

Greetings,

It is some what disturbing that SEQ still has a failed fare system.  There can be no doubt about that, TransLink's own KPIs show that affordability is unacceptable and has been a factor in the patronage dropping off.

Related to this the very poor network design for the bus network in Brisbane.

One week to go to voting day.  The Greens have put forward a good plan for fare & network  reform.  See Lower Fares, Better Services-->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11136.msg151843#msg151843

Labor have a one liner in a 2014 policy document. '7.62 Labor will review the public transport fare system to improve affordability in South East Queensland' --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151090#msg151090

LNP have a vague committment " ... there's more to do " .. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11201.msg151372#msg151372

The failure of the fare system for SEQ has been obvious for years.  In fact in January 2013, the Premier Campbell Newman in the Six Month Action indicated that there would be a new fare structure for SEQ by June 2013.

"Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland." http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

Another broken promise.

We are still waiting. A 5% fare cut (courtesy of carbon tax repeal) and not increasing fares in the face of an election is NOT a new fare structure. Increasing fares 3 times CPI instead of 6 times CPI is NOT a new fare structure.

The last time a Government pulled the fare freeze con in the shadows of an election they were eventually sent to political oblivion.

QLD Election 2015: Will the punters be hit with 20% plus fare increases after the show? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11195.0

The public of SEQ is being treated like idiots by the LNP and ALP.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 24th January 2015

SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for December 2014 has again confirmed that fare 'affordability' remains at crisis levels. Worst KPI is ' affordability ' by a huge measure. Where are the detailed policy plans to sort out this disaster from the LNP and the ALP?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010 - January 2014 (1). A recent 5% decrease in November has only had a marginal effect. The Affordability KPI remains most unsatisfactory and is a standout failure."

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 10% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases  stagnated and falling patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then no surprise then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs for December 2014 (3).

"It is a great disappointment to our members, and to many informed public transport users that rather than take the big steps to sort out the failed fare system and the network once and for all, in the shadows of the election a charade poll was put to the public - suggesting that a windfall gain from the cancelled carbon tax can be used to fund cut in fares of 5%."

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

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place immediately for SEQ, rather than just a notional cut.  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all demographics.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all, the TransLink Affordability KPI attests to that.  It is just a massive rort and a drain on the fare box! (4)"

"We have seen fuel prices fall lately.  This in time is going to mean that more people will abandon public transport in SEQ due to the very poor anti-public transport fare system.  Road congestion will only worsen.  Road trauma costs will further exacerbate."

"Will we see some moves to sensible fare and network reform as part of the forthcoming Queensland election?  The Greens have outlined a plan, the LNP and ALP are yet to do so."

"There are very big cost savings to be made to the economy by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system and a truly connected network.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive. Token fare cuts do very little without real reform.  Time to act decisively, SEQ votes soon!"

Contact:

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


1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-Dec-snapshot.pdf  pages 1 & 14

4. 16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

5. KPI Summary December2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarydec14.jpg


6. KPI Affordability December 2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitydec14.jpg