28 June 2009: SEQ: Memo to Premier and Minister for Transport ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 28 June 2009

SEQ: Memo to Premier and Minister for Transport -  ten point plan to fix urban transport congestion crisis

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 said the bureaucracy has failed south east Queensland in terms of the urban congestion crisis.  Experts have failed to convince the Government that they actually need to be proactive and forward thinking. So called community consultation processes are a cosmetic sham. If they weren't, we wouldn't be in this mess.  Here is a simple ten point plan to turn around.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Here is a simple ten point plan to fix the urban transport congestion crisis, free of expensive consultancy fees!

1.  Ramp up Citytrain rail services to achieve a frequent service off peak and peak all lines.  This will take pressure off the overloaded bus system (1).

2.  Fix the go card system or junk it.  Denial of a ticketing system in crisis is not resonating with the public who observe the many issues daily.  A properly operating go card system with a high uptake will generate real time load data (2).  Place ticket machines in bus stations and ramp up pre-paid only on bus.

3.  Introduce more local 'station buses' to help alleviate  the car parking crisis that is causing its own level of chaos around bus and rail stations(3). 'Car park rage, bus rage, train rage' are all terms now in common use that reflect the impacts on individuals. This is not healthy!

4.  Introduce incentive ticketing on the go card, early late and off peak to assist in congestion management.  Further encourage variable shifts and decentralisation of the work place (4).

5.  Get serious about fare evasion.  Fare evasion is rampant basically because of the failure to drive the go card roll out properly and the complications of a dual ticketing system.  Issue all TransLink Transit Officers with mobile go card readers (5).

6.  Maximise the use of transport assets all ready in place.  For example, the Exhibition loop line provides opportunity to reduce the number of people transiting through the CBD axis with the recreation of a railway station at Normanby, linked with the bus station at Normanby and around the year service through Exhibition station (6).

7.  Introduce more lateral bus routes.  The great circle bus route is an example.  Brisbane public transport is fixated on a radial pattern which contributes to the CBD congestion.

8.  Fix the systemic problems identified in the recent urban congestion management audit.  Queensland Transport was flagged in June 2008 as a poorly performing government department (7).  How many times does the government have to be told? Step up deployment of public transport infrastructure such as the railways to Springfield and Kippa Ring. Correct the imbalance in funding and move funds from non sustainable roads to sustainable public transport.

9.  Ramp up bicycle storage facilities at rail and bus stations.  Step up the emphasis on active transport options.

10. Properly fund all public transport operators for an immediate increase in services and capacity."

"These improvements will move people off the road nightmare and free up space for commercial and other road users that truly do need to drive. They will save the community billions of dollars in reduced congestion costs, reduced environmental impacts and a reduction in costs to our health system."


References:

1.  SEQ: Ramp up rail now!  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2187.0

2.  SEQ: Commuters are abandoning the go card http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2447.0

3.  SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens, community rage - solution? http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2052.0

4.  SEQ: Go Card - manage congestion,  add off peak and incentive fares, time to GO! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2301.0

5.  SEQ: Fare Evasion rampant on TransLink network http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2377.0

6.  Brisbane: The Exhibition rail loop is another option to ease congestion! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=175.0

7.  Department is breaking down http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,23862794-3102,00.html


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Traffic expert George Hazel yet to prove his worth

Traffic expert George Hazel yet to prove his worth
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

June 29, 2009 12:00am

AN international expert paid almost as much as Premier Anna Bligh appears to have done little to solve southeast Queensland's congestion woes.

Only days after a damning Auditor-General's report found the State Government had failed to adequately plan to tackle the region's worsening congestion, it has been revealed transport expert Professor George Hazel and his company, MRC McLean Hazel, have been paid $285,634 for work over 11 months advising on congestion management.

But Queensland Transport has struggled to explain anything the British professor has recommended that may lead to a smoother transport system for the region.

Hired in a blaze of publicity, Professor Hazel was touted as bringing "international experience and best-practice thinking to our city" by Ms Bligh, but for battling motorists in the southeast, a plan to reduce the region's congestion woes is yet to materialise.

Professor Hazel was contracted with the State Government for two years from April 2008, and his payment included $40,346 for two visits to Australia in May and November last year.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan's office has issued contradictory statements regarding Professor Hazel's initiatives. One statement said he had shown that "a multi-ranged approach" targeting five key areas was necessary, implying the professor had provided some initiatives.

But when questioned earlier this year, Queensland Transport said Professor Hazel's preliminary findings "indicate the five key areas being targeted by the Queensland Government's congestion management strategy are correct", indicating the Government had come up with the initiatives and the professor had given them his stamp of approval.

A brief compiled by Queensland Transport said Professor Hazel and his team had provided "an interim report on developing a congestion management strategy and a report outlining future options for ... congestion".

Ms Nolan's office refused to release the interim report, or any working papers, saying a final report had not been compiled.

A statement by Ms Nolan said Professor Hazel had advised that more work needed to be done on demand management - a more efficient use of the current city network - which prompted the introduction of the Flexible Workplace Trial.

"A further plan including new initiatives resulting from Professor Hazel's work will be released this year," she said.

Professor Hazel did not respond to questions from The Courier-Mail.

[mch]

What Robert has said is spot on. 

The problem is that they need someone with the passion about public transport and the authority to really get it done.

The Minister for transport needs to find that person and the Minister needs the true support of the Premier to provide the authority so that this person can do it.  Unfortunately when the minister says that she doesn't want to interfere in the daily running of these areas, there is a problem.  When things are going wrong, she has to step in and bang some heads to let them know it goes beyond them and is affecting the people of Queensland to which ALL MP's have a responsibility.  It is really time for them to take responsibility.  If the people that have been put in these positions are not doing their job properly they need to get to work or be replaced.

Noel Haynes