30 Dec 2009: SEQ: Public transport commuter priorities for 2010!

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 December 2009

SEQ:  Public transport commuter priorities for 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 put forward a number public transport priorities for 2010! (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track Members are active public transport commuters on all modes. The key priority for 2010 is increased frequency of services, particularly rail. Gaps of 30 minutes and even an hour or more are a disincentive for travel. We note Government and Translink commitments to an extra 301,000 new public transport seats every single week (2). Where are these services?"

"To allow higher volume of trains at higher frequencies there must be ongoing capacity building such as grade separation, sectorisation, crossing conflict removal and further track duplications and triplications. The Cross River rail project is a key priority.  The Moreton Bay rail link and the line to Springfield need to be brought forward." 

"The Sunshine Coast line needs an urgent timetable review and extra rail services. Gaps and a failure to capitalise on the track upgrade between Caboolture and Beerburrum are a positive disincentive to public transport use. Why are trains without toilets frequently rostered on long haul services to Nambour?  This is very difficult for many commuters."

"Reliability of public transport must be improved."

"Improper, faulty and misleading statistics need correcting - on time performance, train overcrowding; and the omission of efficiency metrics needs fixing up. Benchmarking with Melbourne, Sydney and Perth should also be standard."

"The number of buses using the northern busway must be increased to adequately handle the counter peak congestion.  There are often long waits for commuters at both RBWH and RCH Herston busway stations.  Why build expensive busways if you are not going to run adequate services on them?"

"A 100% Go card ticketing environment requires prompt repair of broken equipment.  Improved administrative support for go card users is also needed.  A number of railway stations need more go card readers and the placement of the ticket machines in the bus stations and key bus interchanges must be done forthwith.  Fare capping and periodical options for the go card are needed to encourage maximum use of public transport."

"It is clear that the road centric transport fixation in south-east Queensland is in leading to a congestion meltdown, with a horrific impact to the community in terms of injury and death. Bus lanes should be introduced on all major roads with a moratorium on freeway construction. More roads is just encouraging more and more congestion. Redirect funding to true sustainable transport solutions."

"It is highly likely that increasing oil prices will have a significant impact in 2010 and beyond.  Now is the time to move forward with proper public transport investment to future proof transport in south-east Queensland."


References:

1. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3190.0

2. http://download.translink.com.au/ticketing/100104_fares.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 December 2009  re-released 21st January 2010

SEQ:  Public transport commuter priorities for 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 put forward a number public transport priorities for 2010! (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track Members are active public transport commuters on all modes. The key priority for 2010 is increased frequency of services, particularly rail. Gaps of 30 minutes and even an hour or more are a disincentive for travel. We note Government and Translink commitments to an extra 301,000 new public transport seats every single week (2). Where are these services?"

"To allow higher volume of trains at higher frequencies there must be ongoing capacity building such as grade separation, sectorisation, crossing conflict removal and further track duplications and triplications. The Cross River rail project is a key priority.  The Moreton Bay rail link and the line to Springfield need to be brought forward."

"The Sunshine Coast line needs an urgent timetable review and extra rail services. Gaps and a failure to capitalise on the track upgrade between Caboolture and Beerburrum are a positive disincentive to public transport use. Why are trains without toilets frequently rostered on long haul services to Nambour?  This is very difficult for many commuters."

"Reliability of public transport must be improved."

"Improper, faulty and misleading statistics need correcting - on time performance, train overcrowding; and the omission of efficiency metrics needs fixing up. Benchmarking with Melbourne, Sydney and Perth should also be standard."

"The number of buses using the northern busway must be increased to adequately handle the counter peak congestion.  There are often long waits for commuters at both RBWH and RCH Herston busway stations.  Why build expensive busways if you are not going to run adequate services on them?"

"A 100% Go card ticketing environment requires prompt repair of broken equipment.  Improved administrative support for go card users is also needed.  A number of railway stations need more go card readers and the placement of the ticket machines in the bus stations and key bus interchanges must be done forthwith.  Fare capping and periodical options for the go card are needed to encourage maximum use of public transport."

"It is clear that the road centric transport fixation in south-east Queensland is in leading to a congestion meltdown, with a horrific impact to the community in terms of injury and death. Bus lanes should be introduced on all major roads with a moratorium on freeway construction. More roads is just encouraging more and more congestion. Redirect funding to true sustainable transport solutions."

"It is highly likely that increasing oil prices will have a significant impact in 2010 and beyond.  Now is the time to move forward with proper public transport investment to future proof transport in south-east Queensland."


References:

1. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3190.0

2. http://download.translink.com.au/ticketing/100104_fares.pdf

Contact:

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org