Opposition Statement: Not so tweet feedback for Minister for Transport

[ozbob]

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=622

Not so tweet feedback for Minister for Transport

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Frustrated South East Queensland commuters have turned to Twitter to vent their frustration about systemic failures on the region's public transport system, the LNP said today.

Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Fiona Simpson said if Transport Minister Rachael Nolan still believed Go Cards and the public transport system was working she should read the tweets of regular commuters that showed otherwise.

"TransLinkSEQ provides an absolute litany of delay updates each day for its Twitter followers but the regular tweets from frustrated commuters left stranded by late trains and missing buses far outnumber the official posts.

"Twitter users are reporting regular problems with Go Cards registering, late trains and buses and disbelief at the constant lines, signals and power faults.

"If the Minister won't catch a train or a bus to see the problems firsthand, than the least she can do is log on to Twitter and follow the frustrated feedback.

"Better yet, the Minister for Transport should create her own Twitter account so that commuters can raise their concerns with her directly.

"Commuters don't trust the excuses they are being fed by TransLink — if the Minister wants to encourage more people to use public transport she needs to address these concerns in an open and accountable manner.
"In November the Minister for Transport apologised for the failures of the system, now its time she ensures that system shutdowns like the ones that occurred on Friday and Sunday do not happen again."

Recent tweets from frustrated commuters responding to @TransLinkSEQ (http://twitter.com/home#search?q=translinkseq)

felixthinks:@TransLinkSEQ why do none of my buses have all their go card machines working? I have been misticketed every other day for a fortnight!

cambosaurus:Yet more delays by QR. Joy..... NOT! Was bad enough with all yesterdays delays.#Translink#QRFail@translinkseq what is the deal? Explain?

heidiponting:@TransLinkSEQ Are you going to give a REASON for the cancellations?!?!?!

BenMosh_DCM8:so finally, after the first train broke (once again, gg@TranslinkSEQ) it looks like I may get home at a decent hour

AlbionLoveDen:RT@kinshasha: RT@calrion:@TransLinkSEQ When QR infrastructure faults happen this often, it's not bad luck, it's bad management!#bnept

angeraaa:@TransLinkSEQ u guys are always getting power faults these past couple days

AishaGlen:@translinkseq looks like track work to me not a power outage why lie?what other excuses do u have up ur s

a1ex_mayfield:@TransLinkSEQ continual stuff-ups by QR. not surprising really.

PinballLes:@TransLinkSEQ how bout u get public transport working 1st then start charging us the 40% increase. Trains aren't working & bus doesn't show

TakenByHand:@TransLinkSEQ im gonna miss my bus because of you guys. cheers for that.

birdman4512:@TransLinkSEQ 30 minutes is not a minor delay. once again translink I am delayed because of you! That's over 12 hours of delays in 3 months

ferrous:A 12 minute long mobile call to@TransLinkSEQ to get about $1 refunded to my goCard. The economics are doubtful.

nathanobrien:@TransLinkSEQ I can save $431 by NOT using a Go card next year (12-month 1 zone ticket). When will Go card fares actually be worth it?

Aydsman:@NicoleJensen A workmate just had to buy a new GO Card cause his was "hotlisted".@TranslinkSEQ were useless, said it was OK on their system

raejada:@NicoleJensen Indeed! I get charged $5 for no reason on a regular basis. A good $ making scheme hey! & takes 2 wks to get back@translinkseq

laviela:I DO NOT like this. It happens to me buses, V unreliable! RT@NicoleJensen Just got charged $5 for no reason on my Go Card.@translinkseq.