6 Nov 2014: Brisbane: Ministers flee BCC Bus Cost Explosion

[ozbob]

Media release 6th November 2014

Brisbane: Ministers flee BCC Bus Cost Explosion

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 bus reform as a major issue for the Ashgrove Electorate as ministers flee the fallout of BCC's bus cost explosion.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back on Track is now running a survey to gauge community thoughts and responses to our New Bus Network proposal. Survey Form here http://goo.gl/forms/p0TSHaR9vG It is telling from the non-response from Brisbane City Council and Queensland Government Ministers that Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus network just doesn't work. Everyone can now see the quality of BCC's bus service from their home computer, and how insisting on running all buses all to the CBD deprives other suburbs of decent bus service. It is interesting that Ministers have now gone into hiding about genuine bus reform after the launch of our proposal."

"The failure to abolish Brisbane City Council's public transport responsibilities or deal with genuine network reform could now have dire consequences for the next Queensland Government election and Premier Campbell Newman. Bus reform would see two upgraded high frequency services transit directly through the centre of Ashgrove electorate with a key interchange point at Ashgrove. The 911 UQ CityConnector begins at Brookside Shopping Centre, travels through Mitchelton, Ashgrove, Bardon, Toowong and on to UQ via Metroad 5. It is formed from the amalgamation of the current BCC 411 and Great Circle Line. The 380 The Gap along a new Payne Road alignment also runs through Ashgrove and the key interchange point at Ashgrove will permit passengers from both 385 The Gap and our proposed 380 The Gap to access this 911 UQ CityConnector service without having to travel to the Brisbane CBD and then out again. It is formed from the amalgamation of 379, 380, 381 and other services. Does Campbell Newman and electorate challenger Kate Jones support bus reform and upgraded services for the Ashgrove Electorate?"

"Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as staunchly opposing bus reform and intermodal connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange? Will the Lord Mayor fund and run BCC buses into Ipswich and Springfield Central instead? Does the Lord Mayor support or reject the 230 BulimbaGlider and the proposed 400 CentenaryGlider services? CityGlider services are initiatives of Brisbane City Council, as it says on the side of CityGlider buses. These services are formed out of existing resources so we believe that little or no new funding is required to put these services on. New services could be introduced first and then once settled the old ones changed or removed."

"Will the Queensland Government accept Brisbane City Councils bus tender even if it refuses to run a proper network that includes connections as has been indicated by the Lord Mayor? Does it make sense to sign up an operator if it bluntly states that it will not run services that it is paid to operate?"

"As we have said, only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

References:

1. Bus Reform: Auckland City Council versus Brisbane City Council
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11016.0

2. "Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

3. Auckland: how network redesign can transform a city's possibilities
http://www.humantransit.org/2012/10/auckland-how-network-redesign-can-transform-a-citys-possibilities.html

4. 5 Nov 2014: Brisbane Bus Reform: New Bus Network Proposal
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11046.0

5. Interview 4BC Drive -
' Filling black holes '
http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/2014-4bc-drive-audio-blog/filling-black-holes/20141105-3jo7e.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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