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7 Dec 2009: SEQ: Public transport fail apologies are not enough

Started by ozbob, December 07, 2009, 04:01:41 AM

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ozbob

Media Release 7 December 2009

SEQ:  Public transport fail apologies are not enough

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 previously called for some sort of compensation scheme be put in place to allow some redress of the financial impacts of a rail service constantly disrupted due to mainly network problems and buses overloaded and often not showing up (1).  Public transport users are facing very significant fare increases from the 4th January (2). Why should commuters pay more for a service not delivering? Also of great concern is the overall state of the go card ticketing system (3).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Many public transport commuters are at breaking point.  A public transport network that is beset with failure and looming massive fare increases.  Why should commuters pay massive fare increases for constant failure?"

"Apologies are wearing thin.  How about some clear statements as to what the real cause of the disruptions are and more importantly what is going to be done to sort it?  We have had enough!  Government is failing, as is Queensland Transport.  The botched nature of transport planning was identified recently by the Queensland Auditor General.  Will the real culprits come forward?  Hardly likely, more spin and bluster is the modus operandi."

"The constant disruption on bus and rail is costly for many commuters (4).  There is a need for a formal scheme for commuters to claim back some of the personal financial impacts such as loss of wages, emergency taxi fares,  missed appointments, additional child care costs and so forth when there is disruption."

"Public transport operators are performing at heroic levels as they desperately cope with constant infrastructure failures be it rail or the hopelessly inadequate road network.  At the front line of commuter disenchantment and frustration they continue to provide a service that does get the majority around the majority of the time.  The problem is though that constant disruption and the uncertainty of travel is having a significant impact on many, and causing  great hardship for the community and must be affecting the morale of the operators."

"Rather than simply dismissing calls for compensation how about consideration of the real impacts?  Consult with the community, inform the community, listen to constructive suggestions.  Move out of the 'silos' of isolation into the 'fields' of improvement.  QR Passenger has a shown a lead with Community Reference Groups (5), time others got with it."

References:

1.   1 May 2009: SEQ:  Call for a public transport compensation scheme for poor service outcomes by TransLink and its Operators http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2211.0

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2010.php

3.   13 Nov 2009: SEQ: Please fix the go card system http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3009.0

4.   10 Oct 2009: SEQ: Rail commuters concerned with rail network reliability http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2849.0

5.   Community Reference Group http://www.citytrain.com.au/promotion/crg/overview.asp

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

'Sorry for train delays? We're sick of hearing it'

Quote'Sorry for train delays? We're sick of hearing it'
MARISSA CALLIGEROS
December 7, 2009 - 7:51AM

Queensland's peak commuter lobby group says "apologies are wearing thin" over lengthy stoppages to rail services after Brisbane commuters were forced to endure a seven-hour shut down yesterday.

Queensland Rail once again said sorry to passengers left stranded at platforms in the searing heat after a power outage shut down the city's three major inner-city stations - Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills - between 6am and 1pm.

More than 100 services were delayed, leaving hundreds of concert-goers heading for the Stereosonic music festival at Eagle Farm race track stranded.

Commuter lobby group Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said Brisbane commuters were sick and tired of the mea culpas issued by rail authorities over "almost daily" disruptions to the network.

"Apologies are wearing thin.  How about some clear statements as to what the real cause of the disruptions are and more importantly what is going to be done to sort it?  We have had enough," Mr Dow said.

He said the lobby group's own on-time performance data showed reliability of Brisbane and Gold Coast trains was "abysmal".

"Government is failing, as is Queensland Transport. The botched nature of transport planning was identified recently by the Queensland Auditor-General.

"Constant disruption and the uncertainty of travel is having a significant impact on many, and causing great hardship for the community and must be affecting the morale of the operators."

Yesterday, over-crowded buses ferried passengers between Albion and Roma Street stations and Mitchelton and Bowen Hills stations after power was cut about 6am.

Power was not restored until 1pm.

Mr Dow renewed calls for commuters to be given refunds as compensation for the frequent delays.

Last month, thousands of weekend travellers were caught up in disruptions to the Cleveland, Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines, after debris falling over power lines during thunderstorms knocked out electricity supplies, leaving Queensland Rail no choice but to shut down train services.

"The constant disruption on bus and rail is costly for many commuters. There is a need for a formal scheme for commuters to claim back some of the personal financial impacts such as loss of wages, emergency taxi fares, missed appointments, additional childcare costs and so forth when there is disruption," Mr Dow said.

A QR spokeswoman apologised to commuters yesterday on behalf of the department, saying the network was undergoing a substantial upgrade.
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From the Brisbane mX 7th December 2009 page 2

Call for rail compo

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Transport for London  - refunds

QuoteTransport for London
Tube refunds
Customer Charter refund pledge

If you experience a delay to your journey of more than 15 minutes, for reasons within our control, we will refund you with a voucher to the value of the single delayed journey. Please note that refunds cannot be made if a delay is beyond our control or that of our contractors such as security alerts, third party action or adverse weather conditions. This also applies to service changes advertised in advance.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/tickets/refunds/tuberefund/default.aspx

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