Article: Cash squeeze to hit public transport jobs

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 18th July 2009 page 7

Cash squeeze to hit public transport jobs

[ozbob]

This is the first public indication that TransLink is actively trying to cut all operators funds.  It is perverse, and is directly opposite what the Premier and the Minister for Transport have been saying.  QR Passenger has been grossly under funded for years.  To force TransLink's own mediocre performance onto operators is another sign of a failing authority and government.  The go card is a leaky financial boat.  They appear to be unable to stem the loss of fare revenue as a result.   Isn't it time that TransLink were hauled to account?

=================

Media Release 14 July 2009

SEQ: Is the TransLink Transit Authority of value?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport has called for a review of the TransLink Transit Authority (TTA) operations and structure.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The TTA board structure has no direct representative of the rail operator but has a representative of the major bus operator (1). This may explain in part the failure to utilise all modes of public transport properly.  During the last week I spent a number of days using the public transport system in Melbourne and the VLine country rail services in Victoria (2).  What a revelation, heavy rail, light trail - trams, and bus being used in a proper sustainable integrated manner.  Something sadly lacking in transport poor south-east Queensland with its fixation on bus and roads."

"I also took the time to observe aspects of the myki electronic ticketing system project and its roll out (3). The myki is Melbourne's equivalent of TransLink's go card.  Again a revelation in how to do it. A simple example, at Carnegie railway station in Melbourne there are four myki readers in place for passengers to touch off at the main exit from the city. This is so delays for commuters will be minimal at peak during touch off. Contrast this with the situation at Oxley railway station, one reader on the main stairs forces commuters to queue and experience frustrating delays for touch off at peak.  Fares for the myki will have capping from the outset.  The go card is still labouring along with a fare structure that actively discourages its use. It is little wonder that after 6 years of the 12 year go card contract we are still only at 30% of all journeys being undertaken by go card. Is this acceptable?"

"From our calculations QR Citytrains now has some capacity to introduce additional PM peak services.  Despite promises from the Minister for Transport and the Government, commuters are still being treated with contempt and forced to endure chronic congestion and inconvenience. It is little wonder many still choose to take their chances on the roads."

"Feedback received at RAIL Back On Track suggests that many citizens see the TTA as a disengaged authority unable to respond in a timely manner to their needs.  Furthering this perception is the call centre which seems to act as a firewall between the public and the TTA."

"RAIL Back On Track calls for a review of the TransLink Transit Authority with respect to its structure and function.  Is the considerable amount of public funds it takes to run the TTA money well spent, or should those funds be directed into providing more urgently needed public transport services?"

"Rather than more promises and spin we call on the Queensland Premier and Minister for Transport to urgently introduce more rail services to provide commuters with decent public transport options.  We have had enough of transport mediocrity."


Reference:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/board.php

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2482.0

3 . http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=655.msg12080#msg12080

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

The following correspondence has been dispatched to media and others:

---------------------------------

18th July 2009

Greetings,

There is an article on page 7 of today's Courier Mail (18th July 2009, page 7 Cash squeeze to hit public transport jobs ) that should ring alarm bells in every editors office.

See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2500.msg12168#msg12168

This is the first public indication that TransLink is actively trying to cut all operators funds.  It is perverse, and is directly opposite what the Premier and the Minister for Transport have been saying.  QR Passenger has been grossly under funded for years.  To force TransLink's own mediocre performance onto operators is another sign of a failing authority and government.  The go card is a leaky financial boat.  TransLink appears to be unable to stem the loss of fare revenue as a result.   Isn't it time that TransLink was hauled to account?

Every $1 invested in rail saves $4.  Every $1 invested in bus saves $2.   Efficiencies are one thing, cutting quality of services and not introducing more desperately needed services in the guise of self serving managerial  ' hocus pocus' is another.  TransLink's role is  not to micro-manage  operators and duplicate staff in the various operators.  Clearly a huge waste of public funds in the layers of duplication and bureaucracy being set up in TransLink.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

=================

Media Release 14 July 2009

SEQ: Is the TransLink Transit Authority of value?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport has called for a review of the TransLink Transit Authority (TTA) operations and structure.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The TTA board structure has no direct representative of the rail operator but has a representative of the major bus operator (1). This may explain in part the failure to utilise all modes of public transport properly.  During the last week I spent a number of days using the public transport system in Melbourne and the VLine country rail services in Victoria (2).  What a revelation, heavy rail, light trail - trams, and bus being used in a proper sustainable integrated manner.  Something sadly lacking in transport poor south-east Queensland with its fixation on bus and roads."

"I also took the time to observe aspects of the myki electronic ticketing system project and its roll out (3). The myki is Melbourne's equivalent of TransLink's go card.  Again a revelation in how to do it. A simple example, at Carnegie railway station in Melbourne there are four myki readers in place for passengers to touch off at the main exit from the city. This is so delays for commuters will be minimal at peak during touch off. Contrast this with the situation at Oxley railway station, one reader on the main stairs forces commuters to queue and experience frustrating delays for touch off at peak.  Fares for the myki will have capping from the outset.  The go card is still labouring along with a fare structure that actively discourages its use. It is little wonder that after 6 years of the 12 year go card contract we are still only at 30% of all journeys being undertaken by go card. Is this acceptable?"

"From our calculations QR Citytrains now has some capacity to introduce additional PM peak services.  Despite promises from the Minister for Transport and the Government, commuters are still being treated with contempt and forced to endure chronic congestion and inconvenience. It is little wonder many still choose to take their chances on the roads."

"Feedback received at RAIL Back On Track suggests that many citizens see the TTA as a disengaged authority unable to respond in a timely manner to their needs.  Furthering this perception is the call centre which seems to act as a firewall between the public and the TTA."

"RAIL Back On Track calls for a review of the TransLink Transit Authority with respect to its structure and function.  Is the considerable amount of public funds it takes to run the TTA money well spent, or should those funds be directed into providing more urgently needed public transport services?"

"Rather than more promises and spin we call on the Queensland Premier and Minister for Transport to urgently introduce more rail services to provide commuters with decent public transport options.  We have had enough of transport mediocrity."


Reference:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/board.php

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2482.0

3 . http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=655.msg12080#msg12080

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[brad C]

Did anyone notice one of the CM Blogs on Wed 15th where it was reported that the former Translink Executive Director (Luke Franzmann??) was compiling the strategic public transport plan for SEQ??
God help us all!!!

[Derwan]

So... the TTA was set up to FIX the nightmare that is public transport in Brisbane... and they do this by telling the providers to cut costs.   

The TTA has been established for just over a year.  Have we seen ANY improvement whatsoever?  Have we even seen policies, plans or goals?  What is their directive?  What is the TTA trying to achieve?

At the moment, it appears as though the TTA is a figurehead - set up to look good in the eyes of the voting public - with no additional aim or powers than what TransLink had when it sat under Queensland Transport.  The TTA has done nothing but exhaust the resources that would have been better spent providing more services to the public.

[ozbob]

Yes Derwan, a shocker!

TL is restricting not only rail services (QR Passenger has the capacity for more peak services immediately), they are also restricting bus services.  For example the Boggo Road busway routes are not confirmed as I understand it.

Time the Government reviewed the TTA urgently.  As far as Queensland Transport goes, the Queensland Auditor General has said it all.

[Paul.Zenon]

At the moment, it appears as though the TTA is a figurehead - set up to look good in the eyes of the voting public - with no additional aim or powers than what TransLink had when it sat under Queensland Transport. 

The TTA has done nothing but exhaust the resources that would have been better spent providing more services to the public.

Not sure they are looking too good in the eyes of many of us travellers. The TTA was launched by the Premier with a lot of fanfare - but it seems like a lame duck to me. I'm not seeing too many improvements or differences in my daily commute and my go card still has way too many read errors on the buses than it should have at this stage of the implementation???