25 Apr 2009: SEQ: Ramp up rail now!

[ozbob]

Media Release 25 April 2009

SEQ:  Ramp up rail now!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for an immediate increase in funding for rail infrastructure and resources.  Increasing failures on the suburban and urban network are a clear sign of a failure to adequately plan and resource by Governments.

Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Connex, the operator of the suburban rail system in Melbourne has now admitted it cannot fix the system woes in Melbourne (1).  A failure of Victorian Governments to properly resource the rail system is now hitting home hard.  We are seeing the same thing happening in south-east Queensland."

"Average on time Citytrain peak performance this month so far has been 87.1% (2).

"Average on time peak performances for the last three years were 2005/06 93.98%, 2006/07 92.49%, 2007/08  91.20% respectively (3),  a downhill slide.

"Is this acceptable?  Of course not!  Commuters now have a greater than 10% chance that their train will be delayed or cancelled.   This is not satisfactory.  QR Passenger does a valiant job with the resources at its disposal, but increasing network failures and technical faults are making it very difficult.  Has there been a real reduction in maintenance expenditure?

"QR Passenger must be given the necessary authority to run the network effectively.   Government must redirect funding from roads into sustainable transport options.

"Sir Winston Churchill said in a 1941 BBC radio broadcast 'Give us the tools and we will finish the job'. Give QR Passenger the tools to do the job! It is now time to resource for a proper transport future.

"If as a community we don't re-arrange our transport priorities we will no longer be a 'smart' state, but in a failed state!"

References:

1.   http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25367782-661,00.html
2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2091.0
3.   Queensland Transport's Annual Report  2007-8 Sec1:173 (175-216)

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Fares_Fair]

hear hear...

we know that patronage has increased, and is increasing - but that is no excuse for not planning, maintaining and resourcing the network to accommodate these increases.
If the plans need to be brought forward, then bring them forward when needed, not in 2026.

On a brighter note it's great to see Rachel Nolan, MP, Member for Ipswich and the new Minister for Transport considering the changes to the GoCard fares for off-peak services and capped fares as well, similar to the paper ticket fare structures.

Well done to Bob and the RAIL- Back on Track team for highlighting these issues in the media,
and having a positive impact.

Since it has been reported that only 28% of train commuters use GoCard,
these changes may well help to increase it's attractiveness to commuters.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 1st May 2009 page 2

QR offers late show