6 June 2010: SEQ: Public transport delays ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 6 June 2010

SEQ:  Public transport delays: Improved and specific communication and compensation needed

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 the power line issues on Saturday at Northgate and the subsequent major rail disruptions, and the recent bus delays due to congestion further highlight the need for rapid and specific advice to commuters that there are significant delays to their travel. Commuters also need some assurance that under some circumstances they could reasonably apply for reimbursement of personal travel expenses e.g. taxi fares, when faced with no alternative in order for them to make a critical appointments.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Yesterday, rail delays impacted on a number of tertiary students who were travelling for examinations at university. Other commuters were heading off to work and appointments. Public transport systems need to have some resilience and reliability. It seems though that of late bus and rail is becoming unreliable. Previous calls for some form of compensation have been dismissed by authorities (1).  Perhaps it is now time to reconsider that where a commuter is forced to seek alternate transport, such as a taxi as they are unable to wait for alternative arrangements to be put in place, that some consideration be given to a claim for reimbursement."

"Specific advice concerning rail delays is generally available through erail alerts (2) and updates on the TransLink web site.  A similar system for erail needs to be made available for bus commuters when there are significant bus delays. Additionally greater awareness of delays by enlisting the support of radio stations and perhaps local volunteers would also assist."

"Most stations are not staffed outside peak morning hours. A panel of local 'volunteers' could be recruited who could be called in when there are problems and pass on messages to the stranded patrons.  They could be given special vests that have a bright colour and indicate they are volunteers. Volunteers could be contacted by mobile and briefed and then they could pop down to the station and let people know."

"Public transport commuters are mindful that delays do occur from time to time.  The problem lately is that delays seem to be happening very frequently and this is causing stress, and means that people now have to leave hours earlier than they would normally have to in anticipation of delays to meet critical appointments."

References:

1. SEQ:  Public transport commuter compensation scheme and consultation needed http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3014.0

2. http://erail.qr.com.au/erail

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[mufreight]

The levels of unreliability of public transport for whatever reasons are unacceptable.
I have to make frequent trips from North Ipswich to PA Hospital for medical appointments, the stage has now been reached that I have to allow 4 hours to make a journey that in actual traveling time takes about one hour and ten minutes.
The time taken using public transport Bus then Train then Bus is due to a lack of co-ordination of services a little over two hours but due to the unreliability of services it has become necessicary to allow four hours prior to the appointment time to ensure that I will arrive in time for my appointments.
By car at worst the journey takes 50 minutes,
The failings of this much flawed public transport administered by Translink are apparent to all.
QR Passenger does its best despite most of the failings with its services being due to circumstances beyond that  entity's control.
Infrastructure failures such as the recent incident at Northgate are the responsibility of QR Network who has failed to adequately maintain infrastructure or provide redundency in it, there are four tracks through this section and the failure should have only had effect on at worst two tracks which if isolated would then left the other two tracks still avaliable for service, that this did not happen is a further indictment of the do it on the cheap policies of the senior management of QR Network who have failed and continue to fail to provide infrastructure fit for purpose and to adequately maintain the existing infrastructure due to the constraints placed upon them by this current Government and Minister by failing to provide adequate funding.