13 May 2010: SEQ: Where are the promised rail services?

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 May 2010

SEQ:  Where are the promised rail 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 said time is running out for the implementation of the train services promised on the 15th October 2009 when the new fare increases were announced.  A commitment was given in a statement by the Minister for Transport of 83,400 additional weekly rail seats by July this year (1,2).  This equates to around 167 additional six car services per week or about 35 additional 6 car daily services.  Only a handful have been implemented since the commitment was given.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Congestion is increasing on the rail network.  Many timetable gaps, coupled with the overall poor train service frequency means that there are opportunities to place the promised rail services. An increased train frequency will ease the pressure on radial bus routes as it affords the opportunity for more satellite and feeder bus routes. An increase in peak and off peak train frequency means more pax and increased fare box to amortise the fixed costs."

"The other morning, I struggled to board the 7.49am service from Corinda to the CBD due to overloading.  Inner city peak overload is becoming a major problem.  There is the opportunity to deploy more sweeper services to ease the pressure on the long haul services."

"Rail commuters have done their part.  Despite loss of their affordable periodical paper options and the poor user interface for the go card they have moved over to the go card.  During the fog this week, two of the three go card readers on platform 3 Oxley were non readable due to internal moisture.  How much longer do we have to wait for a fix?  We have been highlighting this problem for near on three years."

"We have noted the commitment given by the CEO of TransLink that a new train timetable is being considered (3).  This clarifies the previous incorrect comments published in local media on the 16th April (4).  Public transport users are a tolerant lot, however they do expect though that they are kept in the loop in an honest manner.  Spin and subterfuge just builds resentment.  What is needed now is a demonstration of a real commitment to public transport and the immediate implementation of increased train frequency. The obvious gaps in the timetable need fixing."

"We have noted the TravelSmart campaign presently under way (5). This is a great initiative but will fail unless there are public transport services for people to use. It is time that action was taken to implement more rail services."

References:

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

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

3. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-squeeze-on-buses-trains/story-e6freoof-1225863842978

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3703.msg25047#msg25047

5. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3805.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

Are people allowed to photograph the congestion?

[ozbob]

QR Photography policy is here.  Media regularly take happy snaps of congestion and other situations.

[#Metro]

Rail enthusiasts and amateur photographers are not permitted to film during peak periods and/or at busy stations and may be asked by QR staff to vacate the premises.

http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/Filming/Filming.asp

[ozbob]

Follow up sent to all outlets:

17th May 2010

Greetings,

Yesterdays celebration of the auto mobile gave some citizens cause for concern.  State governments continue to prioritise roads instead of the necessary public transport infrastructure.

Mees et al said in their paper ' Travel to work in Australian capital cities, 1976-2006: an analysis of census data, Paul Mees, Eden Sorupia & John Stone December 2007' in part

Transport investment decisions in South East Queensland have worked against the recent
improvements in public transport mode share. Rail extensions and service enhancements have
been placed on the 'back-burner' despite rapid growth in patronage. One reason is substantial
investment in a series of busways, which largely parallel the existing rail system. A more
serious concern is the still larger diversion of investment funds to an extensive program of
motorways, tunnels and bridges, which will directly compete with the rail and busway systems
for customers.

There is capacity on the rail network for increased frequency of services today ( 8 May 2010: SEQ: There are solutions   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3812.0 ).

Increased frequency of rail services will drive an increase in the load share of all modes of public transport.  The bus system is approaching a congestion meltdown.

It is time to properly utilise the public transport infrastructure for the benefit of all.  Driving more and more people onto ever congested roads and exposing them to the grave safety risks is not sound.

Best wishes
Robert

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

RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:

Media Release 13 May 2010
 
SEQ:  Where are the promised rail 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 said time is running out for the implementation of the train services promised on the 15th October 2009 when the new fare increases were announced.  A commitment was given in a statement by the Minister for Transport of 83,400 additional weekly rail seats by July this year (1,2).  This equates to around 167 additional six car services per week or about 35 additional 6 car daily services.  Only a handful have been implemented since the commitment was given.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Congestion is increasing on the rail network.  Many timetable gaps, coupled with the overall poor train service frequency means that there are opportunities to place the promised rail services. An increased train frequency will ease the pressure on radial bus routes as it affords the opportunity for more satellite and feeder bus routes. An increase in peak and off peak train frequency means more pax and increased fare box to amortise the fixed costs."

"The other morning, I struggled to board the 7.49am service from Corinda to the CBD due to overloading.  Inner city peak overload is becoming a major problem.  There is the opportunity to deploy more sweeper services to ease the pressure on the long haul services."

"Rail commuters have done their part.  Despite loss of their affordable periodical paper options and the poor user interface for the go card they have moved over to the go card.  During the fog this week, two of the three go card readers on platform 3 Oxley were non readable due to internal moisture.  How much longer do we have to wait for a fix?  We have been highlighting this problem for near on three years."

"We have noted the commitment given by the CEO of TransLink that a new train timetable is being considered (3).  This clarifies the previous incorrect comments published in local media on the 16th April (4).  Public transport users are a tolerant lot, however they do expect though that they are kept in the loop in an honest manner.  Spin and subterfuge just builds resentment.  What is needed now is a demonstration of a real commitment to public transport and the immediate implementation of increased train frequency. The obvious gaps in the timetable need fixing."

"We have noted the TravelSmart campaign presently under way (5). This is a great initiative but will fail unless there are public transport services for people to use. It is time that action was taken to implement more rail services."

References:

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

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

3.  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-squeeze-on-buses-trains/story-e6freoof-1225863842978

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3703.msg25047#msg25047

5.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3805.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Follow up 2nd June 2010

Greetings,

A month to go!  Promises made when announcing the new fare hikes are looking increasingly unlikely ...

Our numbers:  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3241.msg27834#msg27834

Bus:
New seats per week: 18 270
Total new weekly seats (to end May): 140 071
% of seats promised so far: 69.7%

Ferry:
New seats per week: 0
Total new weekly seats (to end May): 3 240
% of seats promised so far: 19%

Train:
New seats per week: 0
Total new weekly seats (to end May): 7210
% of seats promised so far: 5.5%

Only one month left!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

Media Release 13 May 2010
 
SEQ:  Where are the promised rail 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 said time is running out for the implementation of the train services promised on the 15th October 2009 when the new fare increases were announced.  A commitment was given in a statement by the Minister for Transport of 83,400 additional weekly rail seats by July this year (1,2).  This equates to around 167 additional six car services per week or about 35 additional 6 car daily services.  Only a handful have been implemented since the commitment was given.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Congestion is increasing on the rail network.  Many timetable gaps, coupled with the overall poor train service frequency means that there are opportunities to place the promised rail services. An increased train frequency will ease the pressure on radial bus routes as it affords the opportunity for more satellite and feeder bus routes. An increase in peak and off peak train frequency means more pax and increased fare box to amortise the fixed costs."

"The other morning, I struggled to board the 7.49am service from Corinda to the CBD due to overloading.  Inner city peak overload is becoming a major problem.  There is the opportunity to deploy more sweeper services to ease the pressure on the long haul services."

"Rail commuters have done their part.  Despite loss of their affordable periodical paper options and the poor user interface for the go card they have moved over to the go card.  During the fog this week, two of the three go card readers on platform 3 Oxley were non readable due to internal moisture.  How much longer do we have to wait for a fix?  We have been highlighting this problem for near on three years."

"We have noted the commitment given by the CEO of TransLink that a new train timetable is being considered (3).  This clarifies the previous incorrect comments published in local media on the 16th April (4).  Public transport users are a tolerant lot, however they do expect though that they are kept in the loop in an honest manner.  Spin and subterfuge just builds resentment.  What is needed now is a demonstration of a real commitment to public transport and the immediate implementation of increased train frequency. The obvious gaps in the timetable need fixing."

"We have noted the TravelSmart campaign presently under way (5). This is a great initiative but will fail unless there are public transport services for people to use. It is time that action was taken to implement more rail services."

References:

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

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

3. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-squeeze-on-buses-trains/story-e6freoof-1225863842978

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3703.msg25047#msg25047

5. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3805.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org