20 Sep 2014: Queensland: ALP Queensland broad policy platform released

[ozbob]

Media release 20th September 2014

Queensland: ALP Queensland broad policy platform released

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 welcomed the public release of the Policy Platform by ALP Queensland (1, 2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The ALP has listed priorities in Government in their policy platform. Of much interest to us particularly are those policies that relate to Public Transport, Taxis, Active Transport, Freight, Roads, Safety and Security."

"A committment to a proper fare review for SEQ is very welcome. The former ALP Government set up the failed fare structure, and the LNP Government has just continued on with the failure, despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan to sort it. The fare structure for SEQ is now nothing but an anti-public transport, high cost diabolical mess!"

"The policy platform will contribute to debate and  better policy outcomes for public transport as campaigns proceed for the next state election."

"The Bus and Train tunnel (BAT) versus Cross River Rail (CRR) is a key issue for SEQ and for the forthcoming state election. Good to see that the ALP have recognised this in their policy platform.  The BaT tunnel is by no means certain (3)."

"We would like to see a committment to a proper bus review process and implementation  for Brisbane in the policy platform!  A proper redesign of the bus network will remove the need for a bus tunnel!"

"Well done Queensland Labor for a very worthwhile policy platform!"

References:

1. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/policy/

2. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf

3. 14 Sep 2014: SEQ: Will the BaT fly? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10955.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10960.msg146557#msg146557

[Stillwater]

Public Transport

7.55 Labor will maintain Queensland Rail and Brisbane Transport as vertically integrated, publicly owned providers of public transport services.

7.56 Labor will build an inner city rail solution consistent with the Cross River Rail capacity outcome as part of a broader vision to revitalise and transform rail services. It will increase frequency and provide more express services. It will also deliver new links, including to Kippa-Ring, Flagstone, Ripley, Coolangatta, Maroochydore and through the North West Rail Link along the Trouts Road corridor, consistent with the SEQ Connecting 2031 transport strategy.

7.57 Labor will extend Brisbane's world-class busway network, including completing the Eastern and Northern Busways and CoastConnect on the Sunshine Coast, and rolling out more high frequency routes and bus priority lanes.

7.58 Labor will complete the Gold Coast light rail from Helensvale to Coolangatta and consider the feasibility of light rail in other corridors.

7.59 Labor will upgrade public transport stops and station infrastructure to ensure safety, accessibility, amenity and additional park and ride facilities for those who use and operate the system.

7.60 Labor will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the Newstart allowance.

7.61 Labor will continue to subsidise and improve public transport services, including in provincial centres, with a funding requirement being world's best practice by contractors.

7.62 Labor will review the public transport fare system to improve affordability in South East Queensland.

7.63 Labor will ensure that all communities have access to public transport services to connect them to the rest of Queensland, including Traveltrain and long distance bus and air services.

7.64 Labor will release regular public reports against both performance measures and funding provided for all subsidised public transport services.