26 June 2009: SEQ: Service agreements, railways and spin

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 June 2009

SEQ:  Service agreements, railways and spin

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 expressed alarm at media reports this morning that the service agreement for ongoing Citytrain services between TransLink and QR Passenger is still not in place for the next financial year (1).  This is despite assurances by Government, Premier, Minister for Transport and the  Treasurer of further improvements in Citytrain services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"When the Premier was announcing the sale of Queensland taxpayers assets, there were firm commitments for improved services in passenger rail services."

"Why is it that the service agreement between TransLink and QR Passenger is still not in place?  Are there attempts to cut funding for QR Passenger services?  This would be a disaster, particularly now in the context of the documentation of the flawed urban congestion management that has been inflicted on south-east Queensland by Queensland Transport, TransLink and the Government."

"Fining QR Passenger for late running trains is lunacy!  Network control is not under QR Passenger control.  How often we are stuck in trains behind coal and other freight trains. How often do errant motorists drive into boom gates?  Why hasn't the maintenance of the track, power and signal systems been kept up to speed? The Government is happy to siphon off the revenue from coal and freight and but reluctant to actually resource QR Passenger and the suburban network properly.  If you want to fine QR Passenger how about fining TransLink for the abysmal roll out of the go card?"

"Fare evasion is rampant on the TransLink network, all modes.  Only this morning I observed FIVE TransLink Transit Officers chatting and half heartedly checking tickets at the one paper ticket exit at Roma St station.  Why aren't these Officers out on the buses, ferries and trains actually doing real efforts to counter fare evasion? (2)

"Citizens are concerned.  What on earth is going on?"

Reference:

1.  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-risk-to-seqs-trains-despite-tense-talks-20090625-cy61.html

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2377.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=556

Fiona Simpson MP  Member for Maroochydore

Translink agreement bungle not good enough

Friday, 26 June 2009

News that a service agreement between Translink and QR Passenger is yet to be signed is the latest in a long list of Labor Government bungles.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Fiona Simpson said the lack of planning the State Government continues display is astounding.

?You have to wonder if this Government can get anything right when it comes to transport,? Ms Simpson said.

?We have one planning bungle after another and it is commuters who continually suffer for it.

?The Auditor General's report earlier this week revealed a lack of coordination and planning in SEQ, then came the news that Ministers can?t even be bothered to attend planning meetings.

?Now we see a last minute rush to sign a rail agreement which reveals there are serious problems in delivering services to meet the growing needs of commuters.?

Ms Simpson said the community had every right to be fed up with the ongoing transport problems of South East Queensland.

?If the State Government?s ?phone a friend? Ministers can?t lift their game and start getting the basics of planning right then motorists and commuters had better get used to traffic stand-stills.

?The excuses and promises to do better when no action is taken to improve the situation are simply not good enough.

?This Government can?t plan, can?t build and definitely can?t deliver.?