22 Oct 2014: Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council

[ozbob]

Media release 22nd October 2014

Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council

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 highlights a unique natural experiment comparing bus reform in Auckland to Brisbane.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a unique natural experiment, we can have a taste of what could have been had Brisbane City Council not stymied bus reform. Brisbane's sister city, Auckland, is progressing well with its own bus reform revolution and the New Zealand version of our BaT/Cross River Rail tunnel."

"Auckland City Council recently announced consultation for major bus reform in West Auckland. What a contrast it is to Brisbane. A Brisbane firm with its office on Coronation Drive was hired by Auckland City Council to reform Auckland's bus network along the same lines as the TransLink bus review did. Here is a excerpt from Auckland Transport's website:



"What was the Lord Mayor and BCC's position on bus reforms?*:

'We do not, on this side, endorse the changes that are proposed and we never will.'

'There are many students of public transport, many operators of transport systems who very much support intermodal and, indeed, transfers between the same mode as part of public transport journeys. I don't.'

"The Lord Mayor says he is against connections. Is the Lord Mayor also against traffic lights, roundabouts or intersections connecting roads together? In the same way road intersections and traffic lights or roundabouts might cause motorists a brief wait, but are essential for connecting roads together to form a network, smart use of connections are essential for public transport. We know there is demand for buses to train stations because train station car parks and surrounding local streets are overflowing with cars."

"Worldwide, cities are reforming their bus networks. In the last five years a major shift in thinking has swept cities worldwide on how to run public transport. Perth runs buses to specially designed bus-rail interchanges. The Gold Coast runs buses to Light Rail with passenger connections and it has been a success. Brisbane is being left behind, clinging to yesterdays failing paradigm and falling bus patronage."

"In our opinion, TransLink should be very mindful when choosing contractor(s) for the bus network. A cheap but anti-bus reform contractor might ultimately cost the State Government significantly more money over the life of the contract if it is uncooperative and locks the bus network into a costly, redundant 'legacy mode' that is too infrequent for most purposes, thus causing fares to explode or bus driver redundancies from failing to attract patronage from car users. Patronage on the bus network is falling, bus reform is needed to reverse it."

"Fare cuts have been achieved only by 'loosening the belt', but further increasing the subsidy with no improvement to bus service quality. This is just charging us more through the back door for the same old services."

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

References:

Auckland Transport, Auckland City Council, New public transport network (image) https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4395 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 February 2013 at 2pm

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4399 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 March 2013 at 2pm

West Auckland new network consultation http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/10/21/west-auckland-new-network-consultation/

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg147805#msg147805

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd October 2014

Passengers flee BCC Bus Cost Explosion- Are Jobs Under Threat?

Greetings.

Very concerning the latest news re: bus patronage diving. We suggested that this would happen. A pity sound advice is ignored. Are driver redundancies going to follow?

In our opinion, the greatest threat to bus driver's jobs is BCC itself. Failure to implement proper bus reform means that patronage is now diving, and as we all know, empty buses don't need drivers.

Patronage fall is actually worse than it appears as a significant number of trips are just the result of people rorting the failed go card fare structure and taking unnecessary trips to reach the 9 and free threshold early in the week!

Why did the previous and current State Governments increase fares so much? Perhaps it have something to do with BCC's increasing supply costs, a result of not reforming the bus network.

Bus reform needs to be undertaken. Across 'the ditch', Auckland City Council in New Zealand is moving forward with bus reform. Brisbane??

RAIL Back on Track calls for all parties to affirm bipartisan support for bus contracting and wholesale bus reform. BCC had its chance to show that it could do a better job than TransLink at bus reform and it comprehensively and spectacularly failed.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all.

Facts not spin please?

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Fewer commuters using Brisbane buses than previous year http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/fewer-commuters-using-brisbane-buses-than-previous-year/story-fni9r0hy-1227097897268

Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11016.msg147804#msg147804

Brisbane's most dangerous bus routes revealed https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/video/watch/25305043/brisbane-s-most-dangerous-bus-routes-revealed/

Media release 22nd October 2014

Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council

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 highlights a unique natural experiment comparing bus reform in Auckland to Brisbane.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a unique natural experiment, we can have a taste of what could have been had Brisbane City Council not stymied bus reform. Brisbane's sister city, Auckland, is progressing well with its own bus reform revolution and the New Zealand version of our BaT/Cross River Rail tunnel."

"Auckland City Council recently announced consultation for major bus reform in West Auckland. What a contrast it is to Brisbane. A Brisbane firm with its office on Coronation Drive was hired by Auckland City Council to reform Auckland's bus network along the same lines as the TransLink bus review did. Here is a excerpt from Auckland Transport's website:



"What was the Lord Mayor and BCC's position on bus reforms?*:

'We do not, on this side, endorse the changes that are proposed and we never will.'

'There are many students of public transport, many operators of transport systems who very much support intermodal and, indeed, transfers between the same mode as part of public transport journeys. I don't.'

"The Lord Mayor says he is against connections. Is the Lord Mayor also against traffic lights, roundabouts or intersections connecting roads together? In the same way road intersections and traffic lights or roundabouts might cause motorists a brief wait, but are essential for connecting roads together to form a network, smart use of connections are essential for public transport. We know there is demand for buses to train stations because train station car parks and surrounding local streets are overflowing with cars."

"Worldwide, cities are reforming their bus networks. In the last five years a major shift in thinking has swept cities worldwide on how to run public transport. Perth runs buses to specially designed bus-rail interchanges. The Gold Coast runs buses to Light Rail with passenger connections and it has been a success. Brisbane is being left behind, clinging to yesterdays failing paradigm and falling bus patronage."

"In our opinion, TransLink should be very mindful when choosing contractor(s) for the bus network. A cheap but anti-bus reform contractor might ultimately cost the State Government significantly more money over the life of the contract if it is uncooperative and locks the bus network into a costly, redundant 'legacy mode' that is too infrequent for most purposes, thus causing fares to explode or bus driver redundancies from failing to attract patronage from car users. Patronage on the bus network is falling, bus reform is needed to reverse it."

"Fare cuts have been achieved only by 'loosening the belt', but further increasing the subsidy with no improvement to bus service quality. This is just charging us more through the back door for the same old services."

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

References:

Auckland Transport, Auckland City Council, New public transport network (image) https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4395 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 February 2013 at 2pm

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4399 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 March 2013 at 2pm

West Auckland new network consultation http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/10/21/west-auckland-new-network-consultation/

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th October 2014

Bus Reform Sweeps Auckland, Falling Patronage Sweeps Brisbane

Greetings.

The petty claims of 'cuts cuts cuts', scares and BCC councillors going on revolt look all a little bit silly now hey? Auckland City Council in NZ is shaping up to be an embarrassing comparison for Brisbane City Council; Brisbane is Auckland's sister city and is making bus reform look like a walk in the park. The New Zealanders are using a Brisbane firm to completely reorganise the bus network from the ground up. While the Brisbane Lord Mayor protests connections, his NZ counterpart in Auckland City Council is getting on with the job of bus network reform, introducing connections and sending buses to train stations.

Video: How you'll need to change your travel in West Auckland

Has the penny dropped at BCC yet? Or does patronage have to fall a few million more?

Where are BCC's improved bus services to Yeronga, Bulimba, the entire Centenary Suburbs and Albany Creek? Under the 2013 TransLink review these areas would have had high quality frequent bus services by now.
Bus patronage would be 20 million more annually, not falling.  Roads less congested. Bus drivers being recruited no doubt.  Sadly, failing network design and high cost fares see the system in a downward spiral.

Auckland Transport is engaged in local public consultation, a good effort to communicate the changes and build public understanding and support. What is Brisbane doing? Spin, sugar fixes and fare gimmicks, blame games between different levels and previous governments while sky high fares and the same old services destroy patronage and threaten bus driver's jobs.

All academic really, a very sorry outcome and predicted by us and others (see article below  Courier Mail 11 April 2012)

Don't miss the bus like Brisbane!

Best wishes
Robert

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


ARTICLE: City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19






The New Bus Network: a step change for Auckland
http://transportblog.co.nz/2012/09/19/the-new-bus-network-a-step-change-for-auckland/

Sent to all outlets:

23rd October 2014

Passengers flee BCC Bus Cost Explosion- Are Jobs Under Threat?

Greetings.

Very concerning the latest news re: bus patronage diving. We suggested that this would happen. A pity sound advice is ignored. Are driver redundancies going to follow?

In our opinion, the greatest threat to bus driver's jobs is BCC itself. Failure to implement proper bus reform means that patronage is now diving, and as we all know, empty buses don't need drivers.

Patronage fall is actually worse than it appears as a significant number of trips are just the result of people rorting the failed go card fare structure and taking unnecessary trips to reach the 9 and free threshold early in the week!

Why did the previous and current State Governments increase fares so much? Perhaps it have something to do with BCC's increasing supply costs, a result of not reforming the bus network.

Bus reform needs to be undertaken. Across 'the ditch', Auckland City Council in New Zealand is moving forward with bus reform. Brisbane??

RAIL Back on Track calls for all parties to affirm bipartisan support for bus contracting and wholesale bus reform. BCC had its chance to show that it could do a better job than TransLink at bus reform and it comprehensively and spectacularly failed.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all.

Facts not spin please?

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Fewer commuters using Brisbane buses than previous year http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/fewer-commuters-using-brisbane-buses-than-previous-year/story-fni9r0hy-1227097897268

Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11016.msg147804#msg147804

Brisbane's most dangerous bus routes revealed https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/video/watch/25305043/brisbane-s-most-dangerous-bus-routes-revealed/

Media release 22nd October 2014

Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council

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 highlights a unique natural experiment comparing bus reform in Auckland to Brisbane.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a unique natural experiment, we can have a taste of what could have been had Brisbane City Council not stymied bus reform. Brisbane's sister city, Auckland, is progressing well with its own bus reform revolution and the New Zealand version of our BaT/Cross River Rail tunnel."

"Auckland City Council recently announced consultation for major bus reform in West Auckland. What a contrast it is to Brisbane. A Brisbane firm with its office on Coronation Drive was hired by Auckland City Council to reform Auckland's bus network along the same lines as the TransLink bus review did. Here is a excerpt from Auckland Transport's website:



"What was the Lord Mayor and BCC's position on bus reforms?*:

'We do not, on this side, endorse the changes that are proposed and we never will.'

'There are many students of public transport, many operators of transport systems who very much support intermodal and, indeed, transfers between the same mode as part of public transport journeys. I don't.'

"The Lord Mayor says he is against connections. Is the Lord Mayor also against traffic lights, roundabouts or intersections connecting roads together? In the same way road intersections and traffic lights or roundabouts might cause motorists a brief wait, but are essential for connecting roads together to form a network, smart use of connections are essential for public transport. We know there is demand for buses to train stations because train station car parks and surrounding local streets are overflowing with cars."

"Worldwide, cities are reforming their bus networks. In the last five years a major shift in thinking has swept cities worldwide on how to run public transport. Perth runs buses to specially designed bus-rail interchanges. The Gold Coast runs buses to Light Rail with passenger connections and it has been a success. Brisbane is being left behind, clinging to yesterdays failing paradigm and falling bus patronage."

"In our opinion, TransLink should be very mindful when choosing contractor(s) for the bus network. A cheap but anti-bus reform contractor might ultimately cost the State Government significantly more money over the life of the contract if it is uncooperative and locks the bus network into a costly, redundant 'legacy mode' that is too infrequent for most purposes, thus causing fares to explode or bus driver redundancies from failing to attract patronage from car users. Patronage on the bus network is falling, bus reform is needed to reverse it."

"Fare cuts have been achieved only by 'loosening the belt', but further increasing the subsidy with no improvement to bus service quality. This is just charging us more through the back door for the same old services."

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

References:

Auckland Transport, Auckland City Council, New public transport network (image) https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4395 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 February 2013 at 2pm

* Brisbane City Council Meeting Minutes The 4399 meeting of the Brisbane City Council, held at City Hall, Brisbane on Tuesday 12 March 2013 at 2pm

West Auckland new network consultation http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/10/21/west-auckland-new-network-consultation/

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th October 2014

Re: Bus Reform Sweeps Auckland, Falling Patronage Sweeps Brisbane

Greetings,

It appears that Lord Mayor Quirk is still locked into a direct service model for the bus network.  ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg147956#msg147956 )

Lord Mayor, no one is suggesting that all buses will stop running direct to the CBD, far from it.  Simply there needs to be better connections, coverage and frequency of services.

This will be achieved by re-casting the bus network along the lines proposed by TransLink in 2013.  This will in turn drive very significant patronage increases, it will make the public transport truly integrated.  It will provide a basis for proper fare reform.

Sadly, the Lord Mayor's position further highlights why planning for public transport needs to be removed from Brisbane City Council  and properly given to the domain of TransLink.  Unless Brisbane Transport is allowed to move to a connected network framework, there is no way they will be competitive for the tendering process.

It is time that petty political serfdoms stop over-riding sound policy.  Why should every bus region other than Brisbane suffer cuts and lack of span hours to prop up the  Brisbane's bus region duplication, waste and air!

Food for thought.

Best wishes
Robert

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

^

Sent to all outlets:

24th October 2014

Re: Bus Reform Sweeps Auckland, Falling Patronage Sweeps Brisbane

Greetings,

Ok.  How to sort it.

Brisbane Transport staff to sit down with TransLink bus staff.  Go through the 2013 bus review, fine tune it in a cooperative way.

Roll out with a proper education campaign, with high quality service maps.

No need to waste more money on more reviews.

Simple.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg147947#msg147947