DTMR Annual Report 2016/2017

[SurfRail]

Based on the publication schedules, this will be available as a tabled paper on the Parliament website today or otherwise by Tuesday next week.  Other departments and agencies have already started, TMR always tends to be at the last minute.

Among the useful facts and figures it should disclose for 2016/2017:
- Patronage network wide (SEQ and regional, and by mode) and other performance measures
- Contract payments to operators
- Financing arrangements for GCLR, NGRs and other PPP arrangements.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/tabled-papers/online-tabled-papers/annual-reports

[ozbob]

Department of Transport and Main Roads – Annual Report 2016-17

> http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/TabledPapers//LargeDoc.asp?DocName=www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/TabledPapers/2017/5517T1844.pdf&RefNo=5517T1844&Size=66.64

[SurfRail]

Fairer Fares = no effect on patronage, interestingly.  Bus down significantly, rail and ferry down only somewhat.

The G: annoyingly carried just short of my prediction of 8m, at 7.97m - the only mode with an increase (again).

Light rail is now official termed "tram" in the performance measures to make it clearer that it is not "rail".  Good!

[ozbob]

There is no doubt that rail fail has torpedoed the new fare structure and gains in patronage, the buses are collateral damage.

If and when the rail service starts to deliver a constant reliable frequent service, with hopefully some bus reform things will improve.

[SurfRail]

My favourite part - Traveltrain carried 300,000 passengers at an eye-watering cost of over $400m - it works out to around $1,400 per passenger gross.

That is obscene.

If it was up to me - and I know this is not a terribly popular view in some quarters - I would do the following:

- Scrap the Westlander immediately.
- Scrap the Inlander immediately.
- Scrap the SOTO between Brisbane and Rockhampton and run the Rockhampton to Longreach stretch more regularly
- Use the savings to acquire additional diesel and electric tilt trains to get a more regular timetable in place, and which encourages more train travel between SEQ and the nearer regions (eg Hervey Bay)
- Use some of the other savings to improve - to the extent necessary - long distance air and bus services.
- Plumb the rest of the savings into
- - improving urban bus services in the regions, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and outer metropolitan Brisbane
- - metropolitan rail improvements (accelerate the rate of LX removals, station upgrades, line extensions etc).

[red dragin]

Does that $400m include the overhaul cost's?

[SurfRail]

I don't believe so - that's just the contract payments.

The SEQ network now costs around $1.2bn a year which is around $24 per passenger gross.  This is way too expensive.

Bus is around $5.20 per pax, tram around $5.50.  Ferry is a bit more cost effective but the running costs are quite a bit less given there is no need to maintain the perway.

[#Metro]

The SEQ network now costs around $1.2bn a year which is around $24 per passenger gross.  This is way too expensive.

Cheaper to take a taxi!

I think Perth is about $10 mark, Melbourne or Sydney around $6. May have changed a bit. Would be good to have a comparison table.

[SABB]

Back in the late 1990s, cost recovery in SEQ was less than $0.40 in the dollar. I don't think that has changed much.

[ozbob]

My favourite part - Traveltrain carried 300,000 passengers at an eye-watering cost of over $400m - it works out to around $1,400 per passenger gross.

That is obscene.

If it was up to me - and I know this is not a terribly popular view in some quarters - I would do the following:

- Scrap the Westlander immediately.
- Scrap the Inlander immediately.
- Scrap the SOTO between Brisbane and Rockhampton and run the Rockhampton to Longreach stretch more regularly
- Use the savings to acquire additional diesel and electric tilt trains to get a more regular timetable in place, and which encourages more train travel between SEQ and the nearer regions (eg Hervey Bay)
- Use some of the other savings to improve - to the extent necessary - long distance air and bus services.
- Plumb the rest of the savings into
- - improving urban bus services in the regions, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and outer metropolitan Brisbane
- - metropolitan rail improvements (accelerate the rate of LX removals, station upgrades, line extensions etc).

Every time I see the Westy roll through Goodna I do wonder how long it will be running.  The Inlander has strong Katter Party support, this may mean it survives for a while yet.  There will be some resistance out west to chopping the Westy but I think the new Government will wear it and offer improved coach services instead.