Bus Community Reference Groups

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd December 2010

A plea

Greetings,

The events concerning the changes of bus at Ipswich have been very disturbing for all.   Why did it occur?

Since 2007 there have been vague promises of fixing the western region bus around Ipswich. The fundamental issue was that the timetables did not match need or traffic situations.

As a consequence the service became increasingly unreliable and many times we received feedback and comment from citizens caught out with no shows and very late running.

It is no real surprise that patronage suffered.  Rather than just imposing route withdrawal it would have been preferable to give a warning period with a properly constructed timetable that would have allowed bus patronage to build again.  The proposed route withdrawal could have been flagged and if under a properly constructed timetable route patronage was not sufficient then so be it.

I have personally and we have publicly raised the suggestion that TransLink need to establish Bus Community Reference Groups.  Queensland Rail has had now for a number of years Community Reference Groups for all railway lines. These are very successful and is to Queensland Rail's credit.  The Minister for Transport has referred to the Go card Community Reference Group and the role that group has played in helping to move the go card forward.  The Go Card CRG is a Ministerial level group run by TransLink.

So, again we call for TransLink to establish Bus User Community Reference Groups for all bus regions.  This would lead to a more constructive relationship between TransLink, Operators and the users.  It would help to avoid the sort of situation that developed in Ipswich.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[somebody]

Well done.

Clearly Translink aren't very interested at all in listening to commuters concerns.  Perhaps because they might have to do something about them then.

Route 88 is a classic example.  The service will still be far worse than it needs to be!

[justanotheruser]

Does BCC still run these groups sort of?  they used to set up at various locations offering people a coffee and ask for their feedback. The great thing about this is that it was not getting the view of the same few people who happen to be able to attend.  I have looked into rail CRG's and I just can't make them. The times simply do not suit so my opinion is not heard.

[ozbob]

TransLink are the mob that needs to kick start bus CRGs under today's network arrangements.  One for each bus region would be a good start, use the QR CRG model.

[mufreight]

TransLink are the mob that needs to kick start bus CRGs under today's network arrangements.  One for each bus region would be a good start, use the QR CRG model.

Logical and makes constructive sense, oh sorry I have just given the Translink justification for not having BCRG's

[STB]

What have the reasons been given in the past for not creating these TransLink related CRGs?

[somebody]

I also would be very interested to hear if they have ever attempted to justify not creating these groups!

[#Metro]

Does it make sense to have groups by mode (bus/rail/ferry) or by area (western Brisbane/Eastern Brisbane/Northern/Southern).

[ozbob]

TransLink already have a Go Card CRG, and effectively an Ipswich FlexiLink CRG.

The QR Line CRGs are working well.  What is needed are bus CRGs for each region.  This would allow particular bus issues to be discussed on a region basis.  That alone is more than enough for a CRG.  Making a broad CRG for all modes for a region would be too complicated, breaking it down into mode specific CRGs means more targeted information.  In time these may well develop into broader groups.

[justanotheruser]

TransLink already have a Go Card CRG, and effectively an Ipswich FlexiLink CRG.

The QR Line CRGs are working well.  What is needed are bus CRGs for each region.  This would allow particular bus issues to be discussed on a region basis.  That alone is more than enough for a CRG.  Making a broad CRG for all modes for a region would be too complicated, breaking it down into mode specific CRGs means more targeted information.  In time these may well develop into broader groups.

it kust means people who travel across region borders get no say unless they join both CRG's.  That would be ok for those who have the time but as much as I would like to I don't have the time at the moment. In a few years no problem.

[somebody]

it kust means people who travel across region borders get no say unless they join both CRG's.  That would be ok for those who have the time but as much as I would like to I don't have the time at the moment. In a few years no problem.

Or you could just join the group that is most important/nearest you.  For instance, someone in Capalaba would travel into the Brisbane East region, most likely, but the Eastern region group would be the one they would join.

Why pick fault with what would be a positive move?  I don't think we would want an all consuming bus CRG!  You'd still have issues with the train not addressed then anyway.

[somebody]

I would also add that the lack of these groups, which I did seek out, is a large reason why I ever got involved with RailBoT. 

I don't think I am giving much away if I say that I am very unimpressed with the bus system, and that I think that it should be far better, even for the same amount of money spent, although there are a few good bits.

[Golliwog]

I don't think which region your in (for the Bus CRG) would matter too much. Yes they would generally focus on bus routes within your region, but if I were running it I would welcome suggestions about routes that may cross into other regions, or even if its a route thats in a completely different region (though these ones may jsut be used as a suggestion to run by those in that regions CRG. Thats just what I think. The impoortant thing it to have the CRG, what region its for (to me anyway) isn't overly relevant.

[justanotheruser]

it kust means people who travel across region borders get no say unless they join both CRG's.  That would be ok for those who have the time but as much as I would like to I don't have the time at the moment. In a few years no problem.

Or you could just join the group that is most important/nearest you.  For instance, someone in Capalaba would travel into the Brisbane East region, most likely, but the Eastern region group would be the one they would join.

Why pick fault with what would be a positive move?  I don't think we would want an all consuming bus CRG!  You'd still have issues with the train not addressed then anyway.

I would also add that the lack of these groups, which I did seek out, is a large reason why I ever got involved with RailBoT. 

I don't think I am giving much away if I say that I am very unimpressed with the bus system, and that I think that it should be far better, even for the same amount of money spent, although there are a few good bits.

My comment should be viewed in light of a response made which seemed to suggest it is pointless BCC getting feedback on BCC buses.