15 Dec 2009: SEQ: Public transport report card 2009

[ozbob]

Media Release 15 December 2009

SEQ:  Public transport report card 2009

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and advocate for public transport commuters has compiled a public transport score card assessing the public transport performance in SEQ for 2009.  The results can be viewed on line here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=41.0

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Thanks to all our public transport staff for their constant efforts to transport citizens in a safe and timely manner in 2009."

"RAIL Back On Track members have rated public transport for 2009. QR Citytrain network, the major bus regions, the river ferry system and the Go card have been given an aggregate score on a scale of out of 10. The major factors considered for the different parts of the network are the timetable, congestion, parking, stations, and bus integration as appropriate for each sector. The Go card was rated on overall performance for 2009 on all modes - bus, ferry and rail."

"The value of this exercise are the relative comparisons and it clearly identifies the areas of the public transport that need further significant improvements from the point of view of the user."

"Brisbane river transport, the ferries and CityCats, are the public transport 'quiet achievers' of SEQ. Limited in absolute capacity river transport performs well and is highly regarded by commuters overall."

"The public consolidation of the Go Card continued throughout 2009.  Most of our members use the Go card daily and are an informed user base.  The Go Card is a major project and despite some shortcomings it is in active use and this is a significant achievement. Recently the 500,000 card was issued. On rail the Go card is reliable; there are some ongoing issues on bus and ferry.  There is also a need for better fares including capping and a periodical option to the Go card and capping, and improved administrative practices with the Go card support. Overall, the Go card did not rate that well, this is primarily because of the issues on buses, confounded by the administrative difficulties experienced by users. In 2010 it is essential to address the issues with the Go card and drive it forwards as it will be the only ticketing choice for public transport by 2011."

"Constant improvements to many bus routes facilitated by the introduction of more buses into service has helped improve bus transport.  Unfortunately, road traffic congestion impacts on buses, and there are still too many passengers left stranded at bus stops as full buses pass by as well.  Better integration with other transport modes should be an aim for 2010, with the continued introduction of feeder bus routes to key rail and bus stations. The introduction of the pre-paid bus routes was a good move. Busways work well, but are approaching some capacity constraints at peak times."

"QR Citytrain has had a solid year overall.  A number of significant timetable improvements have also increased performance on some lines, notably the Ipswich and lately the Gold Coast line.  The ontime performance has been influenced by factors largely outside the control of the operator, and peak passenger congestion remains an issue at times.  Trains run 365 days a year from early morning to late evening and even past midnight.  Improved service frequency during wider peak times should be the immediate aim for 2010.  The Caboolture and Ipswich lines need more services as a priority. QR Citytrain continued their excellent community engagement through a large number of Community Reference Groups and this is a most welcome initiative from users' point of view."

"Since the track upgrades on the southern line, the introduction of a new timetable with extra services, and the roll out of the new series Interurban Multiple Unit (IMU) trains, the Gold Coast line is no doubt one of the best in the land and now extended to Varsity Lakes. High speed between the Coast and Brisbane, frequent express services Beenleigh to the CBD with IMU trains as the rule is something I think everyone would like emulated on the other long haul lines."

"Closely linked to the Gold Coast services is the Airtrain.  Gold Coast trains run through to the Airport.  A constant criticism of the Airtrain service is the relative high costs of fares compared to the rest of the network, some hidden fare cost imposts for rail users who use a Go card or purchase a joint ticket from their home station direct to the Brisbane Airports, and the restricted hours of operation.  Properly priced, with hours of service that match the actual flights the railway line to the airports could be a real congestion buster."

"Again we have confirmed the dismal situation with the Sunshine coast line.  The frequency is abysmal.  Time for some serious support for these commuters.  Western district bus improvements must also be a priority for TransLink.  For too long these commuters have had to put up with late and irregular bus services."

"The new fare strategy with very significant cost increases for many commuters from the 4th January 2010 will create an expectation of improved delivery.  Promises must be met with action and delivery of improved services."

"In summary, there is a limited capacity to expand river and bus mass transit.  To get the bulk capacity for mass transit rail must be expanded in terms of track capacity, and further increases in rolling stock and crew.  We must also use the present resources to the maximum utility. The present suburban rail system can increase capacity easily if properly resourced.  This will in turn take pressure of the other public transport modes and will allow more direct bus feeder routes."

"Best wishes to all for continuing success in 2010!"

Summary of Scores

Above 8  = very good overall performance
7 to 8  = acceptable performance, minor improvements needed
6 to 7 = significant improvements required
Below 6 = urgent major improvements needed

Average scores as indicated.

Citytrain

Lines

Gold Coast 7
Rosewood 6.3
Ipswich 6.1
Ferny Grove 6
Airport 6
Shorncliffe 5.7
Beenleigh 5.6
Caboolture 5.4
Cleveland 5.4
Doomben 5.4
Nambour 5
Gympie North 4.5

Bus

Brisbane south 6.6
Brisbane west 6.3
Brisbane east 6
Brisbane north 5.8
Brisbane central 5.7


Sunshine Coast 6.3
Gold Coast 4.8

Northern 6.6
Southern 5.8
Eastern 5.6
Western 4.4

River

City Cat 7.6
Ferry cross river 6
Ferry inner city 6

Go Card 6.5

QR Passenger 6.7
BCC - Active transport 6.3
TransLink 5.4


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Article from the Brisbanetimes click here!

Sunshine Coast rail services 'abysmal': lobby group

Sunshine Coast rail services 'abysmal': lobby group
DANIEL HURST
December 15, 2009 - 12:30PM

Public transport authorities must fix "abysmal" rail services to the Sunshine Coast and tackle problems with unreliable buses west of Brisbane, a lobby group says.

Rail: Back on Track called for the improvements after releasing its annual scorecard on South-East Queensland's public transport network this morning.

The results, based on votes by the commuter lobby group's members, present a mixed picture on services across the region.

Nambour and Gympie North rail lines were rated the worst in South-East Queensland - with scores of 5 and 4.5 out of 10 respectively - while the newly extended Gold Coast line was judged "the Rolls-Royce" of the train network with a score of 7.

Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said rail services ran at "pretty poor frequency" on the Sunshine Coast and it was time commuters had some relief.

"Western district bus improvements must also be a priority for TransLink," he said.

"For too long these commuters have had to put up with late and irregular bus services."

Mr Dow labelled CityCats and cross-river ferries the quiet achievers of the public transport network, saying while their capacity to carry commuters was lower than other forms of travel they were a reliable and well-liked option.

But he renewed his calls for improvements to be made to Go Card readers on the ferry and bus services following reports of problems with some of the displays and a lack of beeping when commuters touched on or off.

Despite "shortcomings", the rollout of Go Cards had been a significant achievement, Mr Dow said.

Commuters would expect further improvements as fares rose early next year ahead of the phasing out of paper tickets.

The Rail: Back on Track scorecard takes into account bus and rail connectivity, capacity, frequency of services, congestion levels and station facilities.

Mr Dow conceded some of the scorecard results were based on the votes of only a handful of people, but likened the feedback to an "online focus group".

He said dedicated group members actively used various forms of public transport in various regions as part of the survey.

Comment was being sought from TransLink.

[ozbob]

This long thread is interesting reading for those with an interest in the Sunshine Coast line ...

--> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1999.0

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Public transport scorecard

Public transport scorecard
December 15, 2009 - 12:30PM

Public transport lobby group Rail Back on Track has released the following scorecard on network performance in South East Queensland for 2009.

Summary of Scores

Above 8 = very good overall performance

7 to 8 = acceptable performance, minor improvements needed

6 to 7 = significant improvements required

Below 6 = urgent major improvements needed


Citytrain

Gold Coast line 7

Rosewood 6.3

Ipswich 6.1

Ferny Grove 6

Airport 6

Shorncliffe 5.7

Beenleigh 5.6

Caboolture 5.4

Cleveland 5.4

Doomben 5.4

Nambour 5

Gympie North 4.5

Bus

Brisbane south 6.6

Brisbane west 6.3

Brisbane east 6

Brisbane north 5.8

Brisbane central 5.7

Sunshine Coast 6.3

Gold Coast 4.8

Northern 6.6

Southern 5.8

Eastern 5.6

Western 4.4

River

CityCat 7.6

Ferry cross river 6

Ferry inner city 6

Miscellaneous

Go Card 6.5

Queensland Rail Passenger 6.7

Brisbane City Council active transport initiatives 6.3

TransLink 5.4

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Ipswich line is on the right track

Ipswich line is on the right track

Chris Garry | 17th December 2009

A REPORT card by lobby group Rail Back on Track has rated the Ipswich train line as the third best in Queensland Rail's (QR) network.

A REPORT card by lobby group Rail Back on Track has rated the Ipswich train line as the third best in Queensland Rail's (QR) network – but said there was still room for improvement.

Group spokesman Robert Dow said an increase in peak-hour services had significantly improved the Ipswich line for commuters but added there was still scope for more services.

"The morning peak hour has improved dramatically thanks to additional train services so that's been good news for commuters," Mr Dow said.

"Those extra services have relieved a lot of pressure on the line, however, there still is significant congestion on some trains.

"But if you compare it from how it used to be to how it is now, there is a considerable difference in quality now."

On a scale from 1-10, Ipswich was rated a 6.1, bettered only by the Rosewood (6.3) and Gold Coast (7) lines.

Mr Dow said improvements to bus services in Ipswich and increased rail services on the Rosewood line should be a priority for QR and Department of Transport and Main Roads.

"The bus service in Ipswich is one of the worst in the state and that could be fixed if more thought went into the timetables – they are too tight and don't allow for any hold-ups," he said.

Along with Rail Back on Track's report, Translink Tracker's quarterly report also was released this week, showing bus patronage in Ipswich had increased by about 10 per cent.

Transport Minister and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the improved train score and increased bus patronage was a result of some hard work and planning by her department.

"We've worked to increase services on the Ipswich line, the Ipswich train station has also been significantly upgraded and we're progressively improving parking at stations," Ms Nolan said yesterday.

"The next step will be completing the park and ride at Dinmore and the track triplication between Corinda and Dinmore."

The Translink Tracker report revealed the number of recorded train trips on the QR network fell 4.7 per cent to 15.7 million.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 16th December 2009 page 4

TransLink's bad report

[#Metro]

The main issues I have with TL is
- action response to overcrowding (i.e. Northside 333, extra services for extended Nth Busway)
- omitted data about efficiency metrics ($/passenger-km) etc like WA's PTA discloses
- 13 12 30 service does not extend to non-BNE buses, can't understand transfers and one generally needs to resort to the operator...

[ozbob]

Communication (timely, accurate and relevant) with the public has not been TransLink's strongest point IMHO.  The overall rating is for the year.  The last couple of months I have noticed improvements in communication both publicly and privately.  I would very much like to see carried forward to a much higher level, and active community support for public transport users. Particularly as folks start to shift to the go card.

They can do much to change some folks perceptions by getting out there regularly and with empathy for the punters.

I would like to see regular Community Reference Groups held by TransLink.