1 Jan 2015: Brisbane Bus Reform: New Year, New Bus Operators?

[ozbob]

Media release 1st January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: New Year, New Bus Operators?

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 reaffirms its strong support for bus reform, including competitive bus contracting and bus network reform. Our members expect to see new bus operators announced for Brisbane in 2015.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In our opinion, bus reform will remove local government politics out of the equation so that Auckland-style network reforms can proceed and patronage falls and cost-explosive fares driven by hi-waste bus network design can be arrested and reversed. Reinvestment of all cost savings as new or improved bus services are an additional benefit for passengers."

"Brisbane City Council (BCC) was given carte blanche in 2013 to reform bus services.

"In our opinion, the problems still remain:

* Entire suburbs not properly serviced (Yeronga, Bulimba, Centenary, Albany Creek) or services not matching resident distribution (i.e. The Gap)
* High levels of network waste (SE Busway, Old Cleveland Rd, Gympie Rd, Coronation Drive)
* High levels of network complexity (too many bus routes with too many variations. i.e. 15 different bus services to Centenary Suburbs; none are frequent)
* High levels of inefficiency (50% air buses during peak hour through Cultural Centre, too many buses going to the destination 'Sorry Not In Service')
* Too many buses converging on the CBD leading to gross congestion and high costs
* Too few buses in the suburbs leading to long waits and loss of passenger revenue
* Major opposition to connections ('transferring') which leaves multi-destinational passengers stranded. For example, how are Centenary residents expected to reach jobs and services in Ipswich and Springfield if their bus does not connect to the local train station?
* Major opposition to driving buses across BCC boundaries where Brisbane's suburbs have sprawled and expanded outside BCC jurisdiction in response to BCC planning policies.
* Major unwillingness to implement bus reform
* Strong political, organisational and financial incentives for obstructionism.

"Perth underwent bus reform in the 1990s and New Zealand (Auckland) is undergoing bus reforms now. An extensive body of independent Australian research shows bus reform leaves passengers better off. We trust that the Queensland Government does its homework to identify basic 'design principles' necessary for successful reform in Brisbane."

RAIL Back on Track suggests a new operator should show:

* Strong support for implementing a new bus network (non-negotiable)
* Respect for integrated network planning
* A recognition for the need for bus reform
* Service livery united with the TransLink Network
* Customer service improvement, specifically, drivers knowing the basic rail and hi-frequency bus routes so as to recommend basic travel routes to passengers making 'bus door' enquiries.
* Moves to larger super-buses on high-volume corridors (150+ passenger capacity buses)

"Competitive contracting works by taking poorly performing operators out of service. This isn't a failure of the system, it is the system working. The Queensland Government must ensure bids that are too low are excluded, that clear roles, risks, expectations and responsibilities are defined, that transition arrangements are available in the unlikely event an operator is taken out of service, that monopolies do not redevelop, and that well performing operators can extend their contract without re-tendering for a limited period."

"As patronage is mostly influenced by government-controlled factors such as population density, network planning, service quality (frequency, span of service), service type (patronage or coverage), and transit corridor quality (speed, stop spacing, congestion), the inclusion of any 'incentive payment' for increased patronage needs to be rigorously justified."

"RAIL Back on Track looks forward to seeing new bus operators for the Brisbane area in 2015 and the problems listed above, resolved."

"Happy New Year!"

Contact:

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

References:

1. The contracting of urban bus services - Recent Australian developments; Research in Transportation Economics 48 (2014) 48-61 http://www.worldtransitresearch.info/research/5426/

2. RAIL Back on Track - New Bus Network Proposal (Map available for Google Earth Download)
http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

3. Bus Reform Media Releases Grouped
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0

4. Competition Reform of Transperth Bus Services Report No 3 – June 1997 Performance Examination https://audit.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/report97_03.pdf

5. Bus Reform: Further down the road A follow-on examination into competition reform of Transperth bus services Performance Examination Report No. 6 June 2000 https://audit.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/report2000_06.pdf

6. Bus Reform: Competition Reform of Transperth Bus Services, Report 3 – June 1997 https://audit.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/1997-Insert-BusReform.pdf

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