8 Sept 2013: SEQ: Federal Election a Public transport catastrophe for Queensland

[ozbob]

Media release 8th September 2013



SEQ: Federal Election a Public transport catastrophe for Queensland Government

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers says SEQ's Public Transport system will break down with the cancelling of Cross River Rail.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"With Tony Abbott elected and his 'roads only' policies, SEQ faces a public transport catastrophe."

"Perth's trains already carry more passengers than ours and at cheaper fares and double the frequency on all lines to most stations all day."

"We continue to slip further behind in international city liveability rankings."

"Our bus network is a royal mess, the product of Brisbane City Council political interference. The fares are a mess and the fare price increase of 7.5% in three months time will be extraordinarily unpopular with the public."

"Affordability is already at rock bottom and continues to be at rock bottom despite all the fare gimmicks like 9-then free."

"The cycle of fare increases, patronage exodus leads to rising costs and falling revenues."

"Now with the new Federal government, it is safe to say both the Lord Mayor's bus tunnel project and Cross River Rail are both dead. When world leaders visit Brisbane for the G20, and Commonwealth Games, a perfect example of how not to run a city public transport network will be available for all the world to see."

"Where else but Queensland!"

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Fairfax radio news has followed up. Thanks for the interest 

[ozbob]

This release is actually highlighting the state failure and the problem of reliance on Feds, and the sad state of PT in SEQ.

Federal election is just a hook .... the point I have made today on radio is that the state should move into the funding space, particularly as major road projects will be funded largely by the Feds.

By the way, Perth has received IA funding for PT, as has Adelaide, Victoria and Queensland.

Feds are still part funding MBRL (outside IA) ...

There are many ways to skin a cat ...

[ozbob]

I meant to also say, there is now real pressure mounting on the State Government to actually do something.

Interesting that the Editor of Brisbanetimes has picked this up too ...

Brisbanetimes --> Queenslanders in a cloud of dissent

... What this result in Queensland does do, however, is send a message to the Newman Government that while it might have been fiscally responsible to put government employees out of work, it's now time to listen to the priorities of the people.

The pre-election mandate on asset sales needs to be kept. Government appointments should be open and transparent. Management of education, health, infrastructure and other state services needs to ensure services are accessible to all ...

The tide is beginning to turn, the state government can no longer just follow along the flawed models.  The bus review was an attempt to start but we know what happened there.  All I can say for now is "Watch this space ..."  I think we might be all surprised at how things go from here ...

[SurfRail]

I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at developments in the next 9 months.  That's all I'll say for now.

[Golliwog]

I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at developments in the next 9 months.  That's all I'll say for now.

I'll second that. Time to play the waiting game for now though.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 10th September 2013 page 2

Transport a mess, says rail lobbyist