3 Jan 2010: SEQ: Public transport fare increases and extra services

[ozbob]

Media Release 3 January 2010

SEQ:  Public transport fare increases and extra services

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 called for the  immediate introduction of extra Citytrain  services as commuters begin to pay up to 40% more for their paper tickets or 20% more for go card daily travel from Monday 4th January 2010 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The TransLink Customer Service Charter says in part 'At the TransLink Transit Authority we are committed to delivering a high quality customer service experience.' (2) Long suffering commuters would like some evidence of this commitment thanks."

"For commuters travelling on the Rosewood line Monday to Friday there is a service that leaves Ipswich for Rosewood at 4.38pm, the next service for Rosewood is 5.51pm!  A gap that is worse than off peak times.  How does this encourage commuters to use public transport?  This farce must be addressed forthwith."

"On the Sunshine Coast line, the PM late peak evening timetable for Nambour has trains leaving Central at 6.07pm, then 7.27pm and next service at 9.28pm.  What an abysmal third world train frequency!"

"Government and TransLink have made a big deal in trying to justify the punitive fare price increases with commitments of 301,000 additional public transport seats per week (3,4).  Commuters would like to see some evidence of this commitment.  Apart from the obvious need for extra peak and off peak services on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines and the network generally, the major gaps on Rosewood and Nambour lines must be addressed promptly, tomorrow would be nice."

References:

1.   New fare structure   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2010.php

2.   http://download.translink.com.au/about/081101_customerservicecharter.pdf

3.   http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

4.   http://download.translink.com.au/ticketing/100104_fares.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[somebody]

"For commuters travelling on the Rosewood line Monday to Friday there is a service that leaves Ipswich for Rosewood at 4.38pm, the next service for Rosewood is 5.51pm!  A gap that is worse than off peak times.  How does this encourage commuters to use public transport?  This farce must be addressed forthwith."

'Tis only 13 minutes worse than off peak.  The inbound frequency gap between Corinda & the city between 5:03pm and 5:30pm (measured at Indooroopilly) is 12 minutes worse than daytime off peak.  Why get so worried about Rosewood?  It's got a tiny patronage, and the dwell at Ipswich would be much more annoying overall than this particular gap (except for people who just miss the 4:38pm, of course)

[ozbob]

The PM peak gap is a major problem for Rosewood line commuters and potential Rosewood commuters.  I know a few from interactions at the Ipswich CRG.  Folks who finish work at Ipswich after 4.30 or so have to wait till 5.51pm for a service home.  Would anyone like that on their line?  When Sadliers Crossing Bridge was being repaired they actually put one rail service and two bus services in that gap with the temporary timetable.  When they resumed the normal timetable they reinstated the gap.  

It is of major concern to Rosewood line commuters and one of the reasons patronage is not higher.  Unacceptable, I support them.