16 Dec 2009: SEQ: TransLink Tracker first quarter 2009 - 2010

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 December 2009

SEQ:  TransLink Tracker first quarter 2009 - 2010

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 welcomed the release of the TransLink Tracker for the first quarter of the current financial year.  Additional data provided is more meaningful and better indicates how public transport is tracking along.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The overall figures suggest a fall in public transport patronage for the quarter.  This is due in part no doubt to a change in the method of tallying trips but also reflects problems with bus congestion, rail disruptions and poor frequency of service  and coordination of bus and rail services.  There has also been major regular track closures and this would also have an effect. A decrease in ferry trips is probably also due in part to a depressed tourist market in the quarter."

"Go card usage did not show a significant increase in use either.  Overall trips on the Go card were around 32% of all trips. This again highlights why additional fare options are needed for the go card - capping and periodical options."

"The definition used for assessing whether a train is overloaded is rather odd, namely 'the number of trains outside 20 minutes from Central station where a passenger is standing'. Using this definition some lines may well have significant overloading but the figures will never reflect it, for example, the Ferny Grove and Doomben lines. Long haul lines are far more likely to have high overload figures. Nevertheless, increasing congestion on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines needs to be addressed with better placed peak and off peak services."

"Overall, the publication of the TransLink Tracker is from our perspective very welcome.  Well done TransLink. We note the commitment to rolling out the extra 301,000  weekly seats on public transport services.  This is now critical, particularly in view of community expectations which will be generated as the new high cost fare strategy kicks in from the 4th January 2010."

"Making public transport first choice is about frequency of services, accessibility of services and at a fare cost that is affordable.  Let's go!"

References:

1.   http://download.translink.com.au/about/0910q1_tracker.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

"The definition used for assessing whether a train is overloaded is rather odd, namely 'the number of trains outside 20 minutes from Central station where a passenger is standing'.

I read a comment on CM IIRC yesterday questioning this definition.
If a train is full at Central and nobody can get on, the train is technically not overcrowded until it travels 20 minutes worth of time outside of the City and has passengers still standing. This is intuitively bizarre.

This means that ,by definition, it is impossible for a train to be overcrowded at Central, F/Valley, Bowen Hills, Roma St, South Bank, Milton etc no matter how many people are stuffed onto it! I think what QR is measuring isn't overcrowding, but how much time it takes for the train to empty. 

Its not the only quirky metric QR has. Try "on time performance" which doesn't include anything outside of peak hour, counterflow trains and IIRC, cancelled services!

Personally I think something like the Derwan Scale is great. Possibilities below:
1. A train is overcrowded when a passenger waits more than 30 seconds attempting to board the service
2. A train is overcrowded when it is at designed capacity
3. A train is overcrowded when people can't get off and miss their station
4. Do a focus group and find out what people intuitively think an overcrowded train is.

Time to re-think the statistics to give the whole truth, not just a portion of it.