Q1 2012 Passenger Load Survey

[Fares_Fair]

Passenger Load Survey found here:

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2012-q1-passenger-load-survey.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th July 2012

Q1-2012  Passenger load survey

Greetings,

After missing in action for a few years a detailed Passenger load survey Q1-2012 was released yesterday.  Thank you.
See --> http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2012-q1-passenger-load-survey.pdf

It is not good reading however, patronage growth is stunted.  Principally we believe because of the failing fare structure for public transport on the TransLink network and a generalised failure to address service improvements.  The rail network in south-east Queensland operates at very poor service frequencies out of peak.  Frequency improvements on all lines must be a priority.  The fare structure needs a full review.  We have been suggesting this is the case for years and now the evidence is becoming overwhelming.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 7th July 2012 page 15

Ipswich railway squeeze eases

[somebody]

"Ipswich Line is well supported by feeder buses" - A surprising quote.

[ozbob]

"Ipswich Line is well supported by feeder buses" - A surprising quote.

Read it properly. Time you got the blinkers off Simon, and stopped looking for nit picks in everything.
It refers specifically to Richlands.  My comment was that Richlands is well supported by feeder buses.

[ozbob]

Had a longer look at this today.  It is a lot of information, even if only peak and contra-peak.  Despite the overall stagnation there are some bright spots.   Some of the return travel is clearly not captured by the methodology.  In time go card data would give a good snap shot around the clock.

Not sure how the apparent averages are calculated.  I checked page 14 and without including Richlands (67.4%)  average of segment growth was -0.32% as a simple mean.  The spreadsheet they use might be weighted some how.

[somebody]

My comment was that Richlands is well supported by feeder buses.

Ok.  Still could be better at Richlands.  5 inbound trips of the 465 arriving before 9am.

[Cam]

"The number of passengers using the Ipswich Line morning peak hour services since 2007 has dropped 7%". The population of Ipswich City increased 17% between 2007 & 2011 and the patronage dropped 7% on the Ipswich line. These figures are absolutely embarrasing for TransLink. Many commuters have clearly spoken with their feet and will not pay such high fares - including me. I only pay when I can't obtain a lift close to/from my destination.

There is plenty of excess capacity on morning services from Ipswich but many commuters with another option simply are not prepared to pay current fares, let alone two consecutive 7.5% per year fare increases.

[#Metro]

Yes, but the motorway was also upgraded during that time too!

[ozbob]

"The number of passengers using the Ipswich Line morning peak hour services since 2007 has dropped 7%". The population of Ipswich City increased 17% between 2007 & 2011 and the patronage dropped 7% on the Ipswich line. These figures are absolutely embarrasing for TransLink. Many commuters have clearly spoken with their feet and will not pay such high fares - including me. I only pay when I can't obtain a lift close to/from my destination.

There is plenty of excess capacity on morning services from Ipswich but many commuters with another option simply are not prepared to pay current fares, let alone two consecutive 7.5% per year fare increases.

I don't necessarily disagree, however it is worth pointing out that the load survey is a peak (contra-peak) time snap shot.  To get the full picture would need to consider out of peak loadings as well, which in the case of the Ipswich line can be significant as well.  Some of that apparent peak reduction (and remember there has been all sorts of adjustments due to ticketing changes and how that is counted) may well be just time shifts.

[david]

My comment was that Richlands is well supported by feeder buses.

Ok.  Still could be better at Richlands.  5 inbound trips of the 465 arriving before 9am.

Don't forget the 460s and 462s as well!
Richlands feeder services have been designed well. Pity Darra hasn't had the same treatment, despite double the frequency there   

[somebody]

My comment was that Richlands is well supported by feeder buses.

Ok.  Still could be better at Richlands.  5 inbound trips of the 465 arriving before 9am.

Don't forget the 460s and 462s as well!
Richlands feeder services have been designed well. Pity Darra hasn't had the same treatment, despite double the frequency there   

I guess it's probably adequate between Forest Lake Shops and Richlands from 7am-8:30am.  Outside of those times or beyond that point on either is less good.  466 could improve too.

It would be interesting to see the break up of modes to access Richlands.  The peak patronage is more than double the size of the car park, and I don't see much walk up, if any.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/qr-passenger-load-survey-awful-truth.html
QR Passenger Load Survey - The Awful Truth!
(or the bit they missed out between Q3 2008 and Q3 2009)

[Arnz]

Looking from the Nambour-Elimbah point of view

Morning Peak:
Q3 2011 Boardings: 1104
Q3 2012 Boardings: 959
2011 > 2012 : -13%

Afternoon Peak
Q3 2011 Alightings:  938
Q3 2012 Alightings: 1070
2011 > 2012: +14%

I see the surveyors are still not recording Yandina - Gympie North.  Overall however, there has been stagnation to very little growth thanks to the fare rises with some folks only catching trains in the afternoon, then making their own arrangements home.  But nonetheless the Sunshine Coast commuters has been persistent despite the reoccuring delays on both the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines from time to time.

[somebody]

2011 > 2012 : -13%
2011 > 2012: +14%

It's not just the Nambour line which shows this trend.  Perhaps people are heading home earlier to get the off peak discounts.

[Arnz]

2011 > 2012 : -13%
2011 > 2012: +14%

It's not just the Nambour line which shows this trend.  Perhaps people are heading home earlier to get the off peak discounts.

The decrease was from the morning boardings.  The increase came from the afternoon alightings, and in relation to your "heading home earlier to get the off-peak rate", the 3:30pm ex-RS train to Nambour (3-car unit), which is counted as a peak hr train in the load survey, is from my experience usually varying between a 80-90% seated capacity (out of 225 seats in the 3-car unit) between Caboolture and Glasshouse Mtns (where people start to get off until it empties out at Landsborough) in this 3-car unit, including those chosing to stand instead of sitting in a number of (available) backward facing seats. 

I can't see that many people on the Nambour line leaving earlier to catch the 3:30pm service.

[somebody]

A tad under 200 seats is enough to maintain the difference!  You can get off peak if you use the 3:30pm ex-RS so long as you touch on before 3:30pm.  I'm sticking with my explanation.

[ozbob]

Been a while this this was updated ..

--> Passenger Load Survey http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/PassengerLoadSurvey.aspx

[Set in train]

Doesn't appear to be happening. Perhaps a question on notice needs to be asked in parli?

[longboi]

Doesn't appear to be happening. Perhaps a question on notice needs to be asked in parli?

lol. Slight overkill there.

It has been done (i.e. the people went out and collected the data). My guess is the "rationalisation" of QR has taken priority over other tasks or there is going to be a wait until Springfield is online. Note that it is not quarterly anymore, it is bi-annually.