17 May 2014: SEQ: Time for a public transport shake-up

[ozbob]

Media release 17th May 2014

SEQ: Time for a public transport shake-up

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 has said a failure to sort the fares, the failing public transport network, the failure of the bus reviews and the lack of transparency with public transport data has now reached a critical conjunction.  The public transport network is a shambles (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Despite the spin on the improved peak train performance recent network disruptions have meant that event has lost its gloss with many passengers.  Tired of constant network disruptions, missed connections, no show or late trains and buses it is becoming very difficult for passengers to be confident that time deadlines can be met (1, 2)."

"This is costly.  It often means extra child care expenses for some, missed appointments for others. Loss of wages and or salary and in some cases loss of employment. Students are late for schools and tertiary studies and sometimes examinations.  Extremely stressful."

"The Transport authorities are more concerned with promoting spin and bluster than sorting out the issues.  Fare affordability in SEQ is in a crisis and they simply blunder on with a failed paradigm (3). Unemployed in Queensland are particularly victimised by Government with the lack of concession fares (4)."

"Real public transport data is hidden way in the cloisters of George St, a superficial spin set is made available so to carry on with the charade (5).

"Infrastructure dreams and concrete fantasies are not a substitute for sorting out the basic network issues.  Time to act to sort the fundamentals."

References:

1. Service interruptions  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg141729#msg141729

2. Bus delays http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.0

3. SEQ: Fare affordability crisis continues ... http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10701.0

4. Queensland: High Cost Public Transport Set To Destroy Needy ... http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10720.0

5. Queensland: Come clean with the real public transport data http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10641.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Opinion: Is it just me, or has Brisbane's urban planning gone off the rails?

Not it is not you Margaret, it is right off the rails!!