The Newman Government - successes and failures re public and active transport

[ozbob]

Ok ..  a few to get rolling ...

Successes

Southern Moreton Bay Island Ferry go card ticketing

15 minute train frequencies on some lines

Commitment re future fare increases

Positive steps for Next Generation Ticketing

Reduced some of the infrastructure gold plating

Reduced Queensland Rail operating costs

Failures

Have not sorted out the present fare system for SEQ - unaffordability has worsened

Failed to properly support bus review process

Have emasculated TransLink

Have stalled with train ATP

Patronage has stalled/fallen, related to failed fare system in large part


Not exhaustive, just a start.

[#Metro]

Bus Review - belongs in both categories. It really lifted the lid and let the sunlight in. No idea that BCC was running 50% air buses in peak hour through CC, for example. Also showed the groundwork for a new network.

Pity not able to get it through, too much grandstanding and puffing. Identical review done at the same time in NZ, not so much puffery, it is progressing nicely.

BaT tunnel. Belongs to both categories. Yes people cringe at this and some people have objections to the twin tunnels etc, but the SE busway will be permitted to be converted to subway under this arrangement. That will be very important in the future.

Main thing is that they haven't really talked up the train frequency improvements. That's a big positive, like putting on 4 new BUZ services. A frequent network map would make it tangible. The eternal pain in the bum Doomben line was finally sorted out as well with standard 30 min frequency.

Failures

Fares
Ran with ALP policy, and actually extended it and made it worse - 9 then free. This is an obvious election vote bribe, only function of that policy IMHO. Cannot be justified on welfare or patronage (pax will go home on Fri anyway) grounds. NO CONCESSION DISCOUNT to HCC holders - this is not good.

[STB]

For me.

Successes

- Implementing a limited 15min rail frequency in the inner city area and Ferny Grove line.  Although this was planned way back in 2007/08, just that the final implementation of it didn't happen until 2014 for various reasons, and going by the higher ups who were planning it, it was lucky that it even did happen in the first place with the LNP's position on public transport.

- Full bus network review by TransLink was quite comprehensive in terms of fixing the network.

- Opening of the G Link project

Failures

- The 9 and free policy is badly flawed

- The ongoing botched implementation of the TTCC and then the denials by both TransLink and the Transport Minister of any issues despite overwhelming evidence going against that.

- Fares are still not fixed, far too high for the average person

- Scott Emerson not having the courage to take on Brisbane City Council in allowing TransLink to do what they are meant to do and review the network, plus not allowing TransLink to do their job properly with proper resources and too limited timeframes in order to fix the network

- BaT Tunnel has multiple technical and practical issues with it and frankly I think it needs to be scrapped and replaced or revisited by the new Government post 2015.

- Ongoing issues with the Sunshine Coast line and the single track.

[James]

Successes

- The idea of the TTCC (reducing fare evasion is a brilliant idea)

- TransLink Bus Review up until handing it to BCC in Brisbane in Stage 3

- Sector II timetables (incl. 15 minute frequency)

- Actually doing something with respect to CRR (even if it is pretty ordinary)

Failures

- Retaining the existing fares system (to retain the status quo is stupidity)

- Emerson's handing of Stage 3 of the bus review post-release - I am of the opinion that this was a political thing - LNP (state) will not bash up LNP (council). If ALP was in council, I suspect Emerson and co. would have gone out guns blazing and modified the Brisbane City Council Act to rip BT from BCC's hands, and labelled it as "LNP is champion of reducing ALP waste"

- Implementation of the TTCC (a total shambles)

- Continuing to follow BCC's flawed direct service/buses everywhere wasteful bus network through the BUM tunnel. I would support BaT if it weren't for that stupid bus tunnel. Just rip BT out of BCC already and you will not have a capacity problem!

The rest are just continuation of the mediocre status quo left by the ALP over the past 10 years (SCL duplication, half-baked busways etc.)

[Simon Lovell]

Agree with the above on TTCC and 15 minute frequencies.  Yes, 9 then free is stupid, but it's a political promise.

Additional successes:
- Significantly more counter peak services to South Brisbane, South Bank and Park Road.
- Stabling expansion out to tender
- Removal of 32 minute dwell at Varsity Lakes, with a reduction in the dwell at Domestic Airport too - freeing up a train.

Failures:
- Service slowdowns in the sector 2 timetables.  This has resulted in Beenleigh in particular becoming a disgrace; or at least more of one than before.
- Inaction on speeding up sector 1 timetables & improving counter peak frequency, particularly to Milton, Toowong and Indooroopilly.  15 minute frequency doesn't really cut it for a connection in peak hour, I say.
- 90 minute frequency on the SCL gets the worst of all possible worlds - not clockface, requires crossing move, limits freight capacity
- Inaction on Melbourne St portal - the state should take control of this if BCC won't move.  The plans for a wider portal won't prevent West End bound from delaying South Bank bound and vice versa
- Failure to promise a more rational fare structure for the next term.

[Cam]

Failure:
Rescheduling the XPT for a 4.55am departure for 6 months of the year. For passengers without private transport to Roma Street, you need to catch a taxi. Otherwise it's a late night bus/train service & wait for hours in the CBD.

The 3.53am arrival time during daylight saving is also inconvenient.

[ozbob]

Continuing MBRL has to be considered a success I guess.

[ozbob]

Grade separations at Geebung and Telegraph Road successes.

[Gazza]

Failure:
Rescheduling the XPT for a 4.55am departure for 6 months of the year. For passengers without private transport to Roma Street, you need to catch a taxi. Otherwise it's a late night bus/train service & wait for hours in the CBD.

The 3.53am arrival time during daylight saving is also inconvenient.

I count that as a win. It puts the needs of the majority of Brisbane day to day commuters ahead of the minority using the marginal XPT services.

[ozbob]

Dropping the bicycle path through to Springfield Central was a fail ...