Is it too late?

[ozbob]

This election campaign has been lack lustre IMHO.

Transport policies with a real eye to the future are scarce on the ground. 

Maybe the last three days might throw up some more transport/rail policies that will resonate with the electorate.  As it stands tonight, Labor need to lift their game.  The LNP and Greens transport policies have not been countered at all.

[Dean Quick]

Don't hold your breath oz bob. Both major parties have been guilty of ignorance on this issue as well as others in this election build up.
Its been a complete anti climax if you ask me.

[stephenk]

I have to agree that the election campaign has been very disappointing for public transport users.

Whilst the ALP are moving in the right direction with public transport, they are just moving too s-l-o-w-l-y. Infrastructure projects are half-baked and short sighted. There have been no noticeable announcements, but maybe they are waiting on federal funding for major projects?

The LNP have only announced gimmicky vote grabbing policies with no substance. The ludicrous 7-car idea. Money wasting free journeys. A Kippa Ring Line with no funding. A Sunshine Coast to Sunshine Coast railway. Oh dear!


I'm sure that if we were in Victoria, that public transport would be one of the leading issues of the election campaign.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor - 2009 Queensland Election Campaign -  Public Transport and Rail

19th March 2009

Greetings,

The 2009 State Election has generally been a policy poor campaign with respect to public transport and rail, debate and innovation.

The LNP and Greens have put forward some new policies, but there has not been much further development during the campaign itself.

We congratulate the LNP and Greens for having developed policies, but we believe there is a lot more all parties and candidates could put forward for an efficient sustainable transport future.

The ALP has so far relied on a 'steady as it goes' approach.

The problem is 'steady as it goes' is not keeping pace with the public transport demands.  We need innovation.

Below is a summary of media releases we have put forward over the campaign.  This is where the future lies.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track


23 Feb 2009: Queensland:  2009 State Election an opportunity for a sustainable transport future!
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1915.msg9089#msg9089

27 Feb 2009: Queensland: 2009 State Election - Rail for rail!
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1940.0

1 Mar 2009: SEQ: Tier timetables - the smart solution for rail
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1942.0

6 Mar 2009: SEQ: Reclaim public transport for the community
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1969.0

7 Mar 2009: Qld 2009 State Election - Where are the public transport policies?
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1976.0

8 Mar 2009: SEQ: Go card policies on the table
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1987.0

8 Mar 2009: SEQ: Call for free Sunday TransLink travel for Seniors on Go Card
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1982.0

14 Mar 09: SEQ: Call for weekend family/group tickets on the TransLink network
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2006.0

14 Mar 2009: SEQ: Short platforms improved safety on the QR Citytrain network
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2007.0

17 Mar 2009: ALP, LNP, Greens? Will you fix the Airtrain fare rip-off please?
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2017.0

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

No free rides from Labor

No free rides from Labor
Tony Moore | March 19, 2009 - 5:02AM

The ALP will not match the LNP's promise to offer free rail trips for go card customers travelling to and from the CBD before 7am or after 6pm.

In December the LNP promised its free early bird travel scheme as a $34 million section of its $414 million public transport policy.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the LNP would make rail travel fee for go card customers who touched off before 7am in the CBD, or who touched on in the CBD between 6pm and 7pm.

"The LNP's free travel plan will apply to 38 existing train services - 20 in the morning and 18 in the afternoon," he said in December.

"And by linking the program to go card use, we can ensure the free rail travel facility is used one way only."

At the time Victoria was already six months into a similar free train scheme to encourage commuters out of the standard peak periods.

On December 3, 2008, Transport Minister John Mickel criticised the LNP policy, saying it could only be financed by fare increases or cuts to services.

On the eve of Saturday's state election, Mr Mickel ruled out introducing a similar scheme on Brisbane's trains.

Queensland Transport believes more trains - rather than free off-peak trips to spread the commuter load - are needed before the scheme can be viable.

"Providing additional services and better frequency and reliability of rail services in pre-peak and post-peak times are considered better ways of increasing patronage than offering free travel," a spokesman said.

"That's the approach the Government is giving priority to."

The State Government has added extra services to the Ipswich and Caboolture lines in the past month.

"The bigger question here, though, is whether Mr Springborg will commit to continue with the Government's program to tackle overcrowding by delivering 102 new three-carriage trains and thereby increase the train fleet by 70 per cent or around 23,000 extra seats."

Last night a spokesman for Mr Springborg said the train contract would go ahead.

"We will work to get it done sooner than later," he said.

Translink said the costs of Melbourne's early commuter service outweighed the advantages, however no details were provided.

Rail commuter lobby group Rail: Back on Track said it was disappointed the ALP had not matched the LNP's promise.

Spokesman Robert Dow said the ALP had added nothing to help rail commuters in the lead-up to the state election, apart from some park and ride announcements which had been matched by the LNP.

"We think the LNP's free early-bird travel scheme is a good initiative because it does demonstrate the potential to use the go card as a congestion management tool," Mr Dow said.

Rail: Back on Track would prefer the scheme to be expanded to buses and ferries as well, suggesting an off-peak discount scheme be introduced.

"For example, if people commence a journey before 6.30am, after 9am, before 3.30pm and after 7pm, give them an off -peak discount similar to the paper ticketing already has."

[ozbob]

The Bligh Government could have seized the initiative and put forward some innovative transport policies. 

The failure to seize the moment in this campaign reflects badly on the present Government, IMHO.

Cheers
Bob