26 June 2009: SEQ: New financial year, more Citytrain services?

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 June 2009

SEQ:  New financial year, more Citytrain services?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for an indication as to what improvements in rail services can commuters expect in the coming financial year. Peak and off peak services need increased service frequency to drive commuters from cars to public transport. Recent commitments by the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Transport have indicated that we can expect more services. This is necessary to start to get congestion under some sort of control.

The release of Information Sheet number 31 by The Commonwealth's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics titled 'Urban passenger transport: how people move about in Australian cities' confirms why south-east Queensland must continue to maximise our rail transport, light and heavy rail. (1)

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Across the eight Australian state capitals in the period 2004 to 2008, in terms of public transport,  heavy rail use increased by 23%,  light rail increased by 10%, and bus increased by 11%. Nationally, urban public transport increased by 18%.   Use of cars, motor cycles and commercial vehicles increased by only by 1% during the same period.

"This damning analysis exposes the gross distortions and waste of public funds on road expenditure when in fact we should be investing in public transport.

"Heavy and light rail is where the bulk capacity to continue to provide economical, safe, sustainable mass transit public transport will be gained.

"In a joint statement on the 2nd June by the Queensland Premier and the Treasurer it was recorded that  'The Premier said that passenger rail services played an increasingly important part in the role of Government. Passenger rail is an essential public service and public services cannot be run solely to make a profit. We will not only retain control of Queensland Rail's passenger services but we commit to restructuring and improving these services in the years to come.' (2)

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the commitment by the Premier and Treasurer to improve rail services. Time now for action.

"The new financial year is days away.  What we can we expect in terms of the urgently needed services?  A complication on the Ipswich line will be the impact of the Hale St link project. We need to get cracking!"

Reference:

1.  http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/05/Files/IS31.pdf

2.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=64179

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

No risk to SEQ's trains despite tense talks

No risk to SEQ's trains despite tense talks
Tony Moore
June 26, 2009 - 5:30AM

There is no risk of train delays despite tense negotiations for the next service agreement, says the manager of South-East Queensland's buses, trains and ferries.

The existing contract between Queensland Rail and TransLink expires on June 30, but TransLink has insisted rail commuters in the region will not be affected.

"There will be no impact to customer services as funding for services will continue while negotiations are on-going," a spokesman said.

Translink is the semi-government authority which manages 18 contracts to supply buses, trains and ferries in South-East Queensland.

As part of the service agreement, Queensland Rail must ensure at least 92.4 per cent of passenger rail services reach their destination on time.

It was fined $6.7 million for not meeting this mark in 2007-08.

Queensland Rail was also below the performance standard in the March 2009 quarter.

Delays last month were expected to make it difficult to meet requirements in the 2008-09 financial year.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan yesterday afternoon confirmed a commercial agreement had not yet been signed.

"Queensland Rail and Translink are currently in negotiations for the next service contract," Ms Nolan said.

"There will, of course be some argy-bargy in that negotiation process."

She said her role as Minister was to make sure services were continually improved and that rail commuters got best value from the money invested into Queensland Rail.

"That is what this process is about. My role is not to do the day-to-day negotiation."

TransLink declined to comment on the negotiation process.