Ministerial Statement: Have your say on new transit authority

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
11/03/2008

Have your say on new transit authority

Minister for Transport John Mickel told Parliament this morning Queenslanders will be invited to have their say about the new Southeast Queensland transit authority which will be operational from 1 July, 2008.

"The new Translink Transit Authority has been approved by the State Government as a one-stop shop for public transport services, customer service and feedback.

"It will have greater control over service delivery, with the power and flexibility to improve services, convenience and reliability," the Minister said.

People can have a say about the Translink Transit Authority online at http://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/consultqld/

"We're asking people their expectations of the transit authority and providing a forum for them to suggest improvements or to say what is working well for them," Mr Mickel said.

There is also an email address for people who want to ask specific questions about the TransLink Transit Authority - TTA@transport.qld.gov.au

The authority features a single point of contact for customer service and information and integrated scheduling and ticketing.

It will also integrate public transport services, and deliver and manage the infrastructure on which those services operate.

"It will have the freedom and power to co-ordinate services, redeploy resources such as buses based on demand, and ensure the smooth introduction of new technology across the network," Mr Mickel said.

The new authority will become the one point of contact for the 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in the region.

Commuters will be able to ring the 13 12 30 information number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, always with the option of speaking to a person.

March 11, 2008

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[ozbob]

It does seem that the name will be the Translink Transit Authority (TTA),  the name used by the Premier a few weeks ago in Parliament.

A TTA that is truly responsive to public transport users is requirement number one.

Improved integration of services will be possible done right.

I would encourage all public transport users to put forward their views as invited by Minister Mickel.

Cheers
Ozbob

[Derwan]

The TransLink Transit Authority isn't an option on the "Get Involved" site as yet.  Hopefully it'll be there soon.

Submitted to TTA@transport.qld.gov.au...

My question on the new TransLink Transit Authority relates to the option to salary sacrifice Go Card top-ups (or fares in general) for Queensland Government employees.

Currently QLD Government employees are able to salary sacrifice electricity expenses - up to $1,333.33 per FBT year.  The reason given for this ability is that the government owns the generators that supply the electricity, so can offer it as a fringe benefit.

Will a similar option be available for Public Transport fares for QLD Government employees once the TTA is established?  As per the Ministeral Statement released today (11 March 2008), the TTA will "integrate public transport services, and deliver and manage the infrastructure on which those services operate."  If the QLD Government is delivering and managing the infrastructure, it should hopefully be able to offer its services as a fringe benefit to employees.

The ability to salary sacrifice public transport expenses would encourage QLD public servants to use public transport and would result in the QLD government leading the way and setting an example for encouraging public transport uptake in Brisbane.

I look forward to your response.

[ozbob]

From http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/media_transitauthority_jan08

new TransLink Transit Authority approved

what is the new TransLink Transit Authority?

The Queensland Government has approved the new TransLink Transit Authority to start operations on Tuesday, 1 July 2008.

The new authority will be a one-stop shop for public transport scheduling, customer needs and complaints, with responsibility for the public transport needs of South East Queensland.

The TransLink Transit Authority will build on the success of TransLink since its formation in 2004, with greater powers to integrate scheduling and redeploy resources.

To find out more about the TransLink Transit Authority, call TransLink on 13 12 30 or email tta@transport.qld.gov.au.

who will the TransLink Transit Authority involve?

The transit authority will have responsibility for the South East Queensland public transport network from Gympie North/Noosa to Coolangatta and west to Helidon.

The authority will oversee and coordinate the services provided by 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in the region.

For the passenger, this will mean better public transport scheduling and one point of contact for all your inquiries and needs.

TransLink operators:

    * Bribie Island Coaches
    * Brisbane Bus Lines
    * Brisbane City Council Ferries
    * Brisbane Transport
    * Buslink
    * Caboolture Bus Lines
    * Logan City Bus Service
    * Hornibrook Bus Lines
    * Kangaroo Bus Lines
    * Mt Gravatt Bus Lines
    * Park Ridge Transit
    * QR Citytrain
    * Southern Cross Transit
    * Sunshine Coast Sunbus
    * Surfside Buslines
    * Thompson Bus Service
    * Veolia Transport
    * Westside Bus Co. Pty Ltd


If you wish to have your say visit ConsultQld.

what will the transit authority do?

The transit authority will have responsibility for:

    * improving and expanding the range of public transport services in the region
    * coordinating, scheduling and integrating all TransLink public transport services across modes in the region
    * establishing a single point of contact for customer service issues, including the provision of service information and complaints handling
    * managing the introduction of new technology to improve TransLink public transport services, including real time passenger information and widespread use of go card technology across the region


If you wish to have your say visit ConsultQld.

how will the transit authority be structured?

The Government considered a variety of models which drew together different modes of transport. While the model chosen is not the same as any of those studied, it borrows something from each to create our specific model.

The TransLink Transit Authority will be a statutory body with a board of nine members including the Chief Executive Officers of Queensland Transport and Queensland Treasury and a non-elected representative from at least one local government that substantially funds passenger transport services.

Other members of the board will provide a broad representation across areas such as consumer interests, employee interests, transport coordination and operational planning, public transport network planning, law, accounting, economics, social policy, customer relations, and commercial and marketing development.

The board will recommend a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the authority.

If you wish to have your say visit ConsultQld.

we value your input

For all other comments on the new TransLink Transit Authority please visit ConsultQld to have your say.

It is a done deal. What point is the community consultation if it is already determined what the structure will be?
Typical Government nonsense on community consultation.

It seems the poor communication and lack of community relevance and contact that the community sees in Translink is in grave danger of being propagated with the new regime.

WHERE ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMUTERS?  ARE THESE THE CONSUMER INTERESTS? OR MATES OF THE GOVERNMENT??

Looking on the bright side, another 9 people we can write too!   

[ozbob]

I just completed some feedback on the ConsultQld site.

Whether or not the feedback from citizens is going to be used by the new TTA is debatable.  But no harm in trying!

Cheers
Ozbob

[ozbob]

12 March 2008

Sent to TTA, Minister and Translink

Greetings,

Congratulations on the announcement of the Translink Transit Authority.

RAIL Back On Track supports the  Translink Transit Authority (TTA) formation as it promises improved coordination and integration of public transport in south-east Queensland.

Of concern to commuters has been the poor communication and feedback from Translink, and a failure to actually address consumer complaints.

It is important that the TTA is genuinely responsive to feedback and complaints. The TTA has a responsibility to ensure that public
transport is properly resourced. The system is already struggling and sorting out the congestion issues must be an immediate priority of the new authority.

At a user level making sure buses coordinate with rail is also important. For example, how often have arriving passengers on a train watched as their bus leaves without them on board!

We look forward to improved public transport in Queensland.

Best wishes

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Here is a copy of my initial feedback to the ConsultQld forum.

Submitted:      11 March 2008
Published:     12 March 2008
Location:    Greater Brisbane

What are your expectations for the new transit authority? Please select the option most important to you.

Improving and expanding public transport services in the region

Please explain why.

Translink's big success was the introduction of the integrated paper ticketing. Unfortunately since then, poor communication and feedback practices to the public transport community have lead to a loss of confidence in Translink. The diabolical rollout of the Go Card has been a disaster principally because of the flawed initial fare structure. The lack of real transport expertise and empathy for the community has lead to very poor outcomes.

Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve bus transport in South East Queensland?

Better integration with rail services. More lateral feeders and local feeders to railway and bus stations so the car parking problems for residents and businesses near stations is minimised.

Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve train transport in South East Queensland?

There is an URGENT need to get more trains and actually build new lines (eg Darra to Springfield, Petri to Kippa-Ring, Ferny Grove to Dayboro) and continue to upgrade existing tracks eg. quadruplication of railway line from Corinda to Ipswich. Extend electrification of western line to Gatton. Rail is the bulk passenger mover and is the sustainable transport solution for the future.

Translink is fixated on buses, and has contributed to the public transport congestion that has resulted from a failure to properly resource rail.

The CBD underground rail extension is absolutely necessary.

Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve ferry transport in South East Queensland?

Extend ferry services up the river to Riverview.

What do you think South East Queensland's public transport network should offer in 10 years time?

Frequent, accessible, affordable heavy and light rail, integrated bus feeding key transport hubs.

Smart card ticketing that has differential fare pricing to help manage congestion. A smart card ticket that has equitable fares for the whole community.

Are there any other comments you would like to make about the formation of a new public transit authority in South East Queensland?

Unfortunately the name Translink does not resonate well with the majority of public transport commuters in SEQ. A key function of the TTA must be to establish timely and proper feedback mechanisms with the public and work towards re-establishing commuter confidence. I also hope that the key stakeholder in public transport, the commuter actually has some genuine representation on the board. How many board members use public transport daily?

[ozbob]

Media Release 12 March 2008

SEQ:  RAIL Back On Track welcomes the Translink Transit Authority

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 welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister John Mickel that the new Translink Transit Authority will operational from the 1st July 2008.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?Congratulations to the Queensland Government on the announcement of the formation of the Translink Transit Authority.?

?RAIL Back On Track supports the formation of the Translink Transit Authority (TTA) as it promises improved transport services and better coordination and integration of public transport in south-east Queensland.?

?Of concern to commuters has been the poor communication and feedback from transport authorities, and a failure to actually address consumer complaints.?

?It is important that the TTA is genuinely responsive to feedback and complaints.?

?The TTA has a responsibility to ensure that public transport is properly resourced.?

?The public transport system is struggling and sorting out the congestion issues must be an immediate priority of the new authority.?

?As well as the strategic level decision making it is important to ensure that concerns are addressed at a user level. An example is making sure buses coordinate with rail. How often have arriving passengers on a train watched as their bus leaves without them on board!

?We look forward to improved public transport in Queensland!?

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[mufreight]

It would seem that the name change to TTA is the main change that the community will see as the outcome of the creation of the Translink Transit Authority (Toy Trains Almost)
Same staff with another level of doorstops and seat polishers added so they will cost more and justify doing less.
Same laxative, new packet, so while there is hope that things might improve the reality is that Translink is life expired.  They did well introducing intergrated ticketing and that is about it, the introduction of the Go Card which should have been a relatively simple exercise once the tecnology was sorted out is a farce, not avaliable at all major stations (much less all rail stations) on roll out, a higher cost and more inconvenient fare structure, lack of meaningful communication with commuters, just big heaps of spin (good for growing Mushrooms,Strawberries or puting on the roses but little else) and frequently individual complaints or queries made by commuters are responded to with misinformation,

Translink as a name is somewat beyond redemption and should be scraped as should the entire senior staff and the new authority should try a new set of staff with practical knowledge of public transport from the real world then we might see some practical realistic and innovative improvements to an underfunded and over stressed public transport system in the South Eastern section of the State.

Make your thoughts known, then maybe we might see some results, as the recent council elections have shown there is always the ballot box.

[Fares_Fair]

Submitted:    18 March 2008      
Published:    19 March 2008      
Location:                Sunshine Coast      
          
What are your expectations for the new transit authority? Please select the option most important to you.       
Improving and expanding public transport services in the region       
Please explain why.       
The Sunshine Coast is severely neglected in regards to regular services to Brisbane, especially when compared to the Gold Coast.       
Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve bus transport in South East Queensland?       
Yes, bring back the 10 Trip Saver tickets removed under the new GoCard.       
Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve train transport in South East Queensland?       
Yes, bring accountability back to commuter contacts with the proposed Authority.
Answer peoples' questions, do not send them GoCard 'spin'.       
Is there another priority you think should be addressed to improve ferry transport in South East Queensland?       
No, I am unfamiliar with the CityCat / Ferry network.       
What do you think South East Queensland's public transport network should offer in 10 years time?   
Express services from the Sunshine Coast e.g. Landsborough right through to Bowen Hills.
Complete track triplication through to Nambour.       
Are there any other comments you would like to make about the formation of a new public transit authority in South East Queensland?       
Yes, I fear that we are in for more of the same treatment at the hands of the Translink Transit Authority as we have been with Translink. What will this authority be like when it becomes it's own master - out from under the umbrella of Queensland Transport ?
Translink's actions in their treatment of the commuting community has been nothing short of reprehensible!

I have documentary evidence of their contempt for Questions received from the public. I have 9 emails ( to-ing and fro-ing ) before they answered a simple yes or no question. Their answer after 9 emails was, "Yes, your calculations are correct." Their contempt with which they treated me is nothing short of astounding for a so-called 'responsible' government department.

I mentioned this issue in a letter to the Hon. John Mickel, Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations. It's been six weeks since my letter to him, and no reply. Total silence. Is this the kind of consultation we can expect?