Quarterly SEQ network-wide patronage - Year 16/17 Q1 through to present

[ozbob]

For updated data >> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13465.msg225398#msg225398

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7.26% increase from 17/18 Q1 to 18/19 Q1.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1094158557216272384

[ozbob]

Patronage increase 17/18 Q1  to 18/19 Q1  3.33 million

In absolute terms:

Bus  +2.06 million   61.9%

Rail  +0.58 million   17.4%

Light rail  +0.70      21.0%

Ferry - 0.01          - 0.3%

In relative terms:

Bus  +7.3%

Rail  +4.2%

Light rail  +33%

Ferry -0.56%

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th February 2019

Public transport patronage for SEQ is increasing

Good Morning,

Some good news on the public transport front.  Patronage has increased as detailed in a statement by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mr Bailey on the 8th February 2019 (  http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/2/8/65-surge-in-seq-public-transport-trips-after-15th-consecutive-month-of-growth ).

We have taken the analysis a bit further to see how the individual modes are contributing to the increase.

Using the available data as published in the TransLink Trackers ( https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/translink-division-quarterly-reports ) we can confirm there was a 7.26% increase in passenger trips from year 17/18 Quarter 1, to 18/19 Quarter 1, in absolute terms this is 3.33 million trips.  Bus provided 2.06 million trips of the increase, Rail 0.58 million trips, Light Rail 0.70 million trips and ferry decreased 0.01 million trips.

In relative terms the individual mode increases (decreases) were as follows:

Bus  +7.3%

Rail  +4.2%

Light rail  +33%

Ferry -0.56%

No great surprise that Light Rail is performing well.  Stage 2 opened late in 17/18 Q2, so this expected to a degree.

Below is a graph charting the SEQ Network-wide quarterly patronage from 16/17 Q1 through to 18/19 Q1.  The new fare structure (Fairer Fares Package) was introduced 16/17 Q2, since then the trend has been increased patronage.  More needs to be done though to address high cost fares, as the main concern with SEQ public transport as reported in the TransLink Monthly Performance Snapshots is the affordability KPI.

Mode specific graphs for the same period can be found here >  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=91.0

We are confident that as the Citytrain rail timetable is restored to pre-railfail service levels and there are further service improvements,  patronage on rail will increase at a greater rate.

Overall we pleased that there is overall a steady rate of passenger trips increase.  There is still a lot to be done with bus network improvements and rail timetable restoration particularly, but this increase in trips augers well for sustained future growth.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1094328156469616640

[techblitz]

just throwing some figures around here...

assuming say 500k of that increase was tourist patronage..
that would leave the resident increase at 2.8m trips..

Given the net population grows at least 30k per year..
2.8m trips / average 600 trips per year per new commuter..
that's equating to roughly 5500 new residents onto the network.
So 18.5% of that new population onto PT.....you would have to assume at least double that onto the roads( 40% ).

I think if we are truly genuine about reducing road congestion then PT gains need to be higher than 18.5%.......I reckon at least 25% - 35% minimum.

[ozbob]

Yes, the figures are better than a loss.  However, it really is just recovering lost patronage to an extent.  Next quarters will really give us a better measure.  Now that I have set up these graphs it will be easier to follow in the future.  If you look how TransLink publishes the data in the Tracker is a jumble, the tables are all over the place in terms of periods.  They really need to represent the data in proper longitudinal series (visually) so that trends etc. are obvious, publicly.  It always seems that a measure of obfuscation and confusion is everywhere ...   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th February 2019

Better data presentation by TransLink is needed ...

Good Morning,

Representing the patronage data visually in a longitudinal series allows trends and like to be quickly grasped.  The way data is published by Translink in the Tracker makes it difficult to do that without a lot of manual compilation and so forth.  We would like to see TransLink publish better data summaries including graphs in their publications.

Examples of how we summarised each mode, including individual regional bus can be found here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=91.0

Two examples:  Rail






Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13465.msg219331#msg219331 ]

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 11th February 2019 page 15

Transport report reveals good news on numbers

[ozbob]

Been booked for an interview around 4.05pm this afternoon on ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin on this data analysis of the patronage.   

[ozbob]

Been booked for an interview around 4.05pm this afternoon on ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with Steve Austin on this data analysis of the patronage.   

Interview on ABC Radio Brisbane Drive host Steve Austin with Robert Dow RBoT discussing the patronage increase on SEQ Public Transport

11th February 2019

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_rd11feb19.mp3  MP3 21.3 MB

Preamble of a minute or two ..

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1094983907731095553

[techblitz]

was thinking to myself as I was sardine packed on an outbound 2.50pm 110 where the bus driver was forced to have people crushed up against the backdoors(clearly a no standing area) so that they couldn't leave schoolkids behind....

One thing I dislike more than the above is a politician who spruiks his patronage figures but doesn't back it up with service increases....

Seriously...3+ million extra trips equates to how many more dollars?? What have we actually seen over the last 12 -14 months? apart from a couple of new routes or extensions.....they are clearly skimping somewhere along the line...
Or is all of translinks extra revenue going into friggin rail replacement buses?
Time for answers on what they plan to do with all the extra revenue that is a result of this growth...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MathewHounsell/status/1123477268570025984

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/5/2/seq-public-transport-on-track-for-record-patronage

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Thursday, May 02, 2019

SEQ public transport on track for record patronage

Public transport patronage in the south east is on track for its second year of record growth, new data has revealed.

The Palaszczuk Government's latest TransLink Tracker Report shows more than 45.49 million trips were recorded on buses, trains, light rail and ferries during the second quarter of 2018/19 – 2.9 million more trips, or a five per cent increase, when compared with the same period last financial year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's record infrastructure investment and Fairer Fares policy was driving the jump in public transport patronage.

Between October and December 2018, 28.13 million trips were taken on buses, while trains saw 13.17 million trips, trams 2.61 million trips and ferries 1.58 million.

"Strong growth across the board shows we're well on-track to eclipse the record 182.8 million trips taken in 2017/18," Mr Bailey said.

"There were more than half a million [525,000] extra trips on the Gold Coast Light Rail, while train commuters took an additional 690,000 trips and bus patronage across the south east jumped an extra one million trips.

"What is clear is that Queenslanders are hopping on board Gold Coast Light Rail, the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and the ongoing rollout of NGR trains, while benefitting from our Fairer Fares initiative, which has saved commuters more than $153 million since it was introduced.

"What is also clear is that Queenslanders are telling the Federal Government in Canberra that we deserve a fair share of funding for major public transport projects like the Sunshine Coast rail duplication and Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A.

"The Palaszczuk Government has demonstrated that it's backing more frequent and reliable public transport for Queenslanders through the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, and it's time for our federal counterparts to hop on board.

The 10.2km Cross River Rail project will deliver a new rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills together with four new underground stations unlocking new opportunities for a turn-up-and-go transport system for the whole of South East Queensland.

"Investing in public transport means investing in how Queenslanders to work, and creating jobs. Cross River Rail alone will support up to 7,700 jobs and add to the 192,000 jobs created under the Palaszczuk Government since 2015."

For more information on public transport visit www.translink.com.au (external site)
ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1123845779972661248

[ozbob]

Updated for Q2 2018-19

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Social stigma a barrier to public transport use, study finds

Taking public transport can be a source of pride or a source of shame, according to new research which is urging urban planners to take social factors into account when developing transport options.

The researchers, from Australia, New Zealand and the UK, interviewed people from countries across Europe and Asia to find out how people with access to both a car and public transport viewed taking a bus or train.

They found that in the UK and the Nordic countries, people were largely indifferent to taking public transport over a personal vehicle, preferring whichever was the most convenient.

However, University of Queensland researcher Dr Dorina Pojani said in countries such as China and India, it was a different story.

"In Asian countries we were very surprised to find that even though they don't have a long history of car ownership – in China there was hardly any car ownership until around 1990 – but since then they have formed strong opinions about public transport," Dr Pojani said.

"In India too they were looking at public transport as a sort of mode of last resort for the poor."

Dr Pojani said Indian respondents told researchers if they travelled to a large family gathering on public transport it would be seen as an insult to the host, while Chinese businessmen said their partners would see public transport use as a sign of failure.

For Australia, she said the overall cultural feeling tended to be neutral, but all of the Anglo-Nordic countries appeared to view trains as higher-status than buses.

Figures from Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads show there were more than 183 millon trips across all forms of public transport in the state's south-east across 2017-18.

That translates to a little more than 500,000 people using south-east Queensland's public transport metwork every day.

But Dr Pojani said personal stigma wasn't the only social pressure which was influencing public transport use.

"People are aware of pollution, they're aware if climate change, congestion is getting bad, even in a small city like Brisbane," she said.

"Young people now also want to live in an urban setting, they don't necessarily want a suburban life, so I think we're moving away from our love affair with cars."

Dr Pojani, who herself takes the bus to work, said urban planners needed to find ways to overcome people's reluctance to use public transport, both in neutral countries like Australia and those with stronger feelings on the issue.

"I see these cultural barriers as even harder to overcome than technical barriers – once the attitude has set in it's very difficult to overcome, she said.

"We need public transport to be popular, particularly in Asia's megacities such as Beijing or Chennai, where citizens are also suffering from the health impacts of a rapid deterioration in air quality.

"Changing thinking around public transport can help us build a brighter future for all."

The research has been published this week in the Journal of Transport Geography.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/7/29/seq-commuter-numbers-smash-record-for-second-year-straight

Media Statements

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Monday, July 29, 2019

SEQ commuter numbers smash record for second year straight

Public transport use in Queensland's south east has hit record levels for the second year in a row, ahead of major projects like the Palaszczuk Government's Cross River Rail and $371 million smart ticketing system coming online.

Close to 190 million trips taken were on south east buses, trains, trams and ferries in 2018/19 - seven million more than the previous year.

On the week of 430 new train services hitting the track, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the 3.7 per cent increase was driven in large part by Queenslanders returning to rail and an extraordinary spike in popularity of Gold Coast's light rail.

"When we introduced Fairer Fares in 2016, we brought the costs of public transport down more than 11 per cent, and since then commuters have been embracing public transport to get around the south east," Mr Bailey said.

Rail patronage hit 55 million, growing 4.3 per cent, while bus trips grew 3.2 per cent with 117 million commuters getting on board.

"After some very dark years of public transport mismanagement under the LNP, we're seeing Queenslanders steadily coming back to rail.

"Late last year we upgraded 193 services from three-car trains to six-car trains, adding an additional 46,000 seats per week.

"This week, Queensland Rail will start 430 new weekly train services and upgraded 59 more three-car trains, adding 200,000 seats for commuters."

Light rail exceeded the overall growth figure, with patronage increasing by 13.24 per cent, or 1.26 million, from 9.49 million trips to 10.74 million trips.

Mr Bailey said it was more reason for the Federal LNP to stump up its fair share for stage 3A of G:Link.

"Here we have Australia's sixth largest city moving with their feet on light rail, and it's time the Federal LNP got serious about a fair funding offer.

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government would continue to support public transport in Queensland as part of the $23 billion Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program over the next four years.

"We know that for every person taking public transport, it means less cars on our roads, benefitting everyone.

"From Coolangatta to Cairns, we're now delivering a $371 million smart ticketing system that means all Queenslanders and those visiting our state will be able to use their smartphone, smartwatch, credit card or debit to easily catch public transport.

"Building on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2, we're delivering the Cross River Rail project, backing more frequent and reliable public transport for Queenslanders.

The 10.2km Cross River Rail project will deliver a new rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills together with four new underground stations unlocking new opportunities for a turn-up-and-go transport system for the whole of South East Queensland.

"Together with our fares initiative, which has saved Queenslanders more than $178 million, we're embarking on major public transport projects to make sure Queenslanders can continue to work, home and where they want by bus, train, ferry or tram.

"Investing in public transport means investing in how Queenslanders to work, and creating jobs. Cross River Rail alone will support up to 7,700 jobs and add to the 207,000 jobs created under the Palaszczuk Government since 2015."

ENDS

[Stillwater]

We have only just got the train frequency back to the same levels as in 2016.  The Minister's rhetoric should not get too enthusiastic.  And please, can we not see the words 'world clarse transport service' appear in the near future.  There is a lot of work to be done, such as rail-bus connectivity and an honouring of promises on the SCL.  The world doesn't start at Dutton Park and ends at Albion.

[SurfRail]

The Commonwealth's funding offer for GCLR Stage 3A is $112 million higher than the State's.

[ozbob]

Updated for Q3 18/19