29 Apr 2015: SEQ: Fare crisis continues - Time for fare action

[ozbob]

29th April 2015

SEQ: Fare crisis continues - Time for fare action

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time the State Government moved forward with a fare review for SEQ.  The implementation of concession fares for Health Care Card holders should be done immediately.  The unemployed need equitable and affordable access to public transport in Queensland. The March 2015 Public transport performance data again has affordability as the standout failure of the KPIs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The ALP when in opposition gave a committment to conduct a review of the failed fares for SEQ  ' to establish a future fare structure that is fair, affordable, and designed to boost patronage across the network ' (1).
The ALP have also made a committment to extend concession fares to the unemployed  ' ... will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the Newstart allowance ' (2). "

"The unaffordability of fares is the key standout failure of the latest TransLink Key Performance Indicators released today (3). There is no doubt that the previous two State Governments and TransLink have failed to deliver a fare system that is equitable, drives patronage and assists in mobilising our community. The failure to properly sort the SEQ fares  is a very sad indictment on previous Governments."

"It is important that proper community consultation be undertaken as part of a review.  Top down implementation of anti-public transport fare structures has just resulted in a failed fare mess, and has proved very costly in real dollars and in a political sense."

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Letter from Tim Mulherin 20th January 2015
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151987#msg151987

2. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2015-Mar-snapshot.pdf

KPI Summary http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarymar15.jpg



Affordability KPI http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitymar15.jpg

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11160.msg155480#msg155480

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2015

Honeymoon over ... fare action now!

Greetings,

The public has had enough.  It is time there was action on the festering mess that is public transport in SEQ.

Immediate fare relief is needed.  Reduce Zone one peak fare to $2.50, other zones adjusted to that base.

Immediate introduction of concession fares for unemployed.  Every other state and territory in Australia can do this.  Cut 'the we must help the unemployed rhetoric' and actually do something.

Increase off peak fare discount to 30%. Re-introduce 50% fares after 9 paid journeys in week.  This will stop the rorting.

All these things can be done virtually overnight on the present go card system.

This will also provide a time buffer for the new fare system due in 2016/17.  Go to full community consultation concerning the optimal fare structure for the new fare structure.

Additionally allow children to accompany a fare paying adult for free on public transport on weekends and public holidays.

Mobilising the community is an economic driver.

CanDo couldn't do and is now a CanWas ... just saying ...

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

29th April 2015

SEQ: Fare crisis continues - Time for fare action

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time the State Government moved forward with a fare review for SEQ.  The implementation of concession fares for Health Care Card holders should be done immediately.  The unemployed need equitable and affordable access to public transport in Queensland. The March 2015 Public transport performance data again has affordability as the standout failure of the KPIs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The ALP when in opposition gave a committment to conduct a review of the failed fares for SEQ  ' to establish a future fare structure that is fair, affordable, and designed to boost patronage across the network ' (1).
The ALP have also made a committment to extend concession fares to the unemployed  ' ... will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the Newstart allowance ' (2). "

"The unaffordability of fares is the key standout failure of the latest TransLink Key Performance Indicators released today (3). There is no doubt that the previous two State Governments and TransLink have failed to deliver a fare system that is equitable, drives patronage and assists in mobilising our community. The failure to properly sort the SEQ fares  is a very sad indictment on previous Governments."

"It is important that proper community consultation be undertaken as part of a review.  Top down implementation of anti-public transport fare structures has just resulted in a failed fare mess, and has proved very costly in real dollars and in a political sense."

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Letter from Tim Mulherin 20th January 2015
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151987#msg151987

2. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2015-Mar-snapshot.pdf

KPI Summary http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarymar15.jpg



Affordability KPI http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitymar15.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2015

And there is more ...

Greetings,

The bus network for Brisbane is a disgraceful mess.  We have shown how this can be sorted ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.0 ).  TransLink needs the authority to get on with it. Petty self-interest politics from BCC is killing SEQ.

Even simple things like allowing all door boarding on key bus routes is too hard for Brisbane ... the rest of world just does it.  Brisbane?  A transport backwater ... (http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11322.0 )

Serious consideration has to be given to why transport is such a mess in SEQ.  Is it the bumbling bureaucracy or self interest politics trumping proper policy outcomes?

Time for an inquiry > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11184.0

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2015

Honeymoon over ... fare action now!

Greetings,

The public has had enough.  It is time there was action on the festering mess that is public transport in SEQ.

Immediate fare relief is needed.  Reduce Zone one peak fare to $2.50, other zones adjusted to that base.

Immediate introduction of concession fares for unemployed.  Every other state and territory in Australia can do this.  Cut 'the we must help the unemployed rhetoric' and actually do something.

Increase off peak fare discount to 30%. Re-introduce 50% fares after 9 paid journeys in week.  This will stop the rorting.

All these things can be done virtually overnight on the present go card system.

This will also provide a time buffer for the new fare system due in 2016/17.  Go to full community consultation concerning the optimal fare structure for the new fare structure.

Additionally allow children to accompany a fare paying adult for free on public transport on weekends and public holidays.

Mobilising the community is an economic driver.

CanDo couldn't do and is now a CanWas ... just saying ...

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

29th April 2015

SEQ: Fare crisis continues - Time for fare action

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time the State Government moved forward with a fare review for SEQ.  The implementation of concession fares for Health Care Card holders should be done immediately.  The unemployed need equitable and affordable access to public transport in Queensland. The March 2015 Public transport performance data again has affordability as the standout failure of the KPIs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The ALP when in opposition gave a committment to conduct a review of the failed fares for SEQ  ' to establish a future fare structure that is fair, affordable, and designed to boost patronage across the network ' (1).
The ALP have also made a committment to extend concession fares to the unemployed  ' ... will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the Newstart allowance ' (2). "

"The unaffordability of fares is the key standout failure of the latest TransLink Key Performance Indicators released today (3). There is no doubt that the previous two State Governments and TransLink have failed to deliver a fare system that is equitable, drives patronage and assists in mobilising our community. The failure to properly sort the SEQ fares  is a very sad indictment on previous Governments."

"It is important that proper community consultation be undertaken as part of a review.  Top down implementation of anti-public transport fare structures has just resulted in a failed fare mess, and has proved very costly in real dollars and in a political sense."

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Letter from Tim Mulherin 20th January 2015
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151987#msg151987

2. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2015-Mar-snapshot.pdf

KPI Summary http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarymar15.jpg



Affordability KPI http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitymar15.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th May 2015

Re: Honeymoon over ... fare action now!

Good Morning,

The Courier Mail has highlighted the diabolical mess that is the fare structure for public transport in SEQ today.

>>  #GetmovingSEQ: Sotheast's public transport among most expensive in the world

Again we simply state, immediate fare relief is needed, pending a fare review with full and proper community consultation.

Concession fare entitlement needs to be rolled out immediately to health care card holders.

Also reduce Zone one peak fare to $2.50 (go card), other zones adjusted to that base.

Increase off peak fare discount to 30%. Re-introduce 50% fares after 9 paid journeys in week.  This will stop the rorting which is a fare box bleed and grossly inequitable.

Allow children to travel free when accompanying a fare paying adult on weekends and public holidays.

All these things can be done virtually overnight on the present go card system.  Don't look for excuses just do it!

This will also provide a time buffer for the new fare system due in 2016/17.  Go to full community consultation concerning the optimal fare structure for the new fare structure.

Public transport in Queensland is headlong into failure.  It is time for action not pontification up on high.  We have shown the way ...

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2015

And there is more ...

Greetings,

The bus network for Brisbane is a disgraceful mess.  We have shown how this can be sorted ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.0 ).  TransLink needs the authority to get on with it. Petty self-interest politics from BCC is killing SEQ.

Even simple things like allowing all door boarding on key bus routes is too hard for Brisbane ... the rest of world just does it.  Brisbane?  A transport backwater ... (http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11322.0 )

Serious consideration has to be given to why transport is such a mess in SEQ.  Is it the bumbling bureaucracy or self interest politics trumping proper policy outcomes?

Time for an inquiry > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11184.0

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2015

Honeymoon over ... fare action now!

Greetings,

The public has had enough.  It is time there was action on the festering mess that is public transport in SEQ.

Immediate fare relief is needed.  Reduce Zone one peak fare to $2.50, other zones adjusted to that base.

Immediate introduction of concession fares for unemployed.  Every other state and territory in Australia can do this.  Cut 'the we must help the unemployed rhetoric' and actually do something.

Increase off peak fare discount to 30%. Re-introduce 50% fares after 9 paid journeys in week.  This will stop the rorting.

All these things can be done virtually overnight on the present go card system.

This will also provide a time buffer for the new fare system due in 2016/17.  Go to full community consultation concerning the optimal fare structure for the new fare structure.

Additionally allow children to accompany a fare paying adult for free on public transport on weekends and public holidays.

Mobilising the community is an economic driver.

CanDo couldn't do and is now a CanWas ... just saying ...

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

29th April 2015

SEQ: Fare crisis continues - Time for fare action

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said it is time the State Government moved forward with a fare review for SEQ.  The implementation of concession fares for Health Care Card holders should be done immediately.  The unemployed need equitable and affordable access to public transport in Queensland. The March 2015 Public transport performance data again has affordability as the standout failure of the KPIs.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The ALP when in opposition gave a committment to conduct a review of the failed fares for SEQ  ' to establish a future fare structure that is fair, affordable, and designed to boost patronage across the network ' (1).
The ALP have also made a committment to extend concession fares to the unemployed  ' ... will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the Newstart allowance ' (2). "

"The unaffordability of fares is the key standout failure of the latest TransLink Key Performance Indicators released today (3). There is no doubt that the previous two State Governments and TransLink have failed to deliver a fare system that is equitable, drives patronage and assists in mobilising our community. The failure to properly sort the SEQ fares  is a very sad indictment on previous Governments."

"It is important that proper community consultation be undertaken as part of a review.  Top down implementation of anti-public transport fare structures has just resulted in a failed fare mess, and has proved very costly in real dollars and in a political sense."

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. Letter from Tim Mulherin 20th January 2015
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151987#msg151987

2. http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2015-Mar-snapshot.pdf

KPI Summary http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarymar15.jpg



Affordability KPI http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitymar15.jpg