Article: Thumbs down for Queensland's public transport system

[ozbob]

Our position is justified ....  we have been warning Government and media of the poor performance for some time.

From the Courier Mail click here!

Thumbs down for Queensland's public transport system

Thumbs down for Queensland's public transport system
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Craig Johnstone

September 02, 2008 12:00am

A HIGH-level survey for the Bligh Government has confirmed that commuter satisfaction with Queensland's public transport system has plummeted.

It found public regard for the rail, bus and ferry system had "significantly decreased", both for regular users and those who travelled on public transport only occasionally.

In a blow for the Government, the survey showed that public transport's overall performance rating was at its lowest  in 10 years.

The results of the annual AC Nielsen survey come as the state's transport bosses are being accused of paying more attention to money-spinning sectors, such as freight, at the expense of passenger transport.

They also follow last week's admission by Queensland Rail that up to one in five of its peak-hour trains are overcrowded.

A report on the survey, tabled in Parliament last week, describes a public transport system that more people use but fewer are satisfied with. More than 3000 people were asked to rate public transport services on a scale of one to five on criteria such as reliability.

The survey, conducted each year since 1998, found the performance of public transport has generally rated lower each year, with the decline accelerating in recent years.

Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament last week the AC Nielsen research was a factor in her decision to establish the South East Queensland Transit Authority.

[ozbob]

Our rail network if properly resourced can triple capacity easily.  This will in turn ease the pressure on the buses and ferries.

The fact is QR Passenger Services has been under-resourced for years.  We all know that the new IMUs were the first new additions to the passenger fleet in over 7 years.  In that time there has been huge increases in passenger loading.

The data that Queensland Transport and Translink used to justify this non resourcing was outrageously flawed. Fact.

QR crew do a great job.  We hold our non performing Government ultimately responsible for this fiasco.

Our bus network is totally overloaded. The bulk capacity must be developed on rail, heavy and light. This will in turn take pressure off the radial bus routes.  More lateral bus feeders are needed to major rail heads and key bus stations.

The notion of Brisbane City Council running its own bus network is outdated.  The public transport system must not be confined by council boundaries.  Time the TTA took over the lot?

[ozbob]

Media Release 2 September 2008

SEQ:  The public transport crisis has been confirmed ?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users recently claimed that the public transport crisis had arrived in south-east Queensland (1).  The results of the latest annual AC Nielsen survey now confirms our position (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track has consistently and constructively highlighted problems on our public transport system, together with solutions! (3)"

"The results of the latest annual public transport survey confirms our claim that public transport in south-east Queensland is in crisis. Our claims are based on our observations and frustrated commuter feedback.  We actually use public transport and actively seek out congestion hot spots and comment from a position of direct observation."

"The fundamental reason for the meltdown is under-resourcing of QR Passenger Services. Rail properly resourced will give the bulk capacity that is needed in our rapidly growing state."

"Our rail network if properly resourced can triple capacity easily.  This will in turn ease the pressure on the buses and ferries."

"We all know that the new IMUs were the first new additions to the passenger fleet in over 7 years.  In that time there has been huge increases in passenger loading."

"It is not too late to turn it around!"


References:

1.    http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1284.0

2.    http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24277178-3102,00.html

3.    http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=19.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Brisbane mX 2 September 2008 page 4

Ferry good; buses, rail and taxis bad