7 Aug 2009: SEQ: Well done TransLink Tracker

[ozbob]

Media Release 7 August 2009

SEQ:  Well done TransLink Tracker

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has congratulated TransLink and all operators on the release of the TransLink Tracker (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the information that has been made available publicly in the TransLink Tracker.  We congratulate TransLink and note that the provision of data on the performance of the public transport network is to become a quarterly feature of TransLink?s reporting and information. A great initiative."

"We note in the report that the go card usage has reached a plateau and now has fallen in absolute terms and particularly relative to the number of go cards issued.  It is crystal clear that a new fare structure for the go card is needed to drive uptake.  RAIL Back On Track has previously suggested we believed this was the case (2)."

"The perception of performance of the various modes of public transport is interesting.  According to the TransLink Tracker bus on time performance is better than Citytrain on time performance. This is not what the customers are perceiving clearly in terms of reliability and frequency as detailed in the report.  On time bus performance from our observations and feedback received is no where near 96%.  What are the actual performance criteria for on time running of all modes?  This should be detailed in the report so that valid comparisons can be made."

"The fact that operators are fined when performance targets are not met makes little sense to us.  Level crossing incidents, signal and track failures are not within the control of QR Passenger. Similarly road congestion and traffic incidents are beyond the control of bus operators.  What is the point of government fining itself in the case of QR Passenger?  Can someone please explain the logic of that?  Further, reducing funding of an operator just leads to more service shortfalls.  Rather than cutting funding, funding should be increased to improve service frequency and reliability."

"The TransLink Tracker is a great move forward.  Well done!"


References:

1.   http://www.translink.com.au/resources/tracker/TransLinkTracker_0809Q4.pdf

2.   26 June 2009 SEQ:  Commuters are abandoning the go card   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2447.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

TransLink Tracker discussion here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2583.0