27 Jan 2010: SEQ: Public transport additional services needed

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 January 2010

SEQ:  Public transport additional services needed

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 called for the immediate introduction of extra Citytrain services on the Sunshine Coast and Rosewood lines,  and more bus services on the Inner Northern Busway. Commuters have had to pay up to 40% more for their paper tickets or 20% more for go card daily travel from Monday 4th January 2010 (1), but there is still no sign of the promised increases in public transport services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track members and public feedback have reported constant overloading and long waits for buses to board between the new busway stations at RBWH, RCH Herston, QUT Kelvin Grove, and the CBD. Towards the end of last year some passengers had to wait up to 50 minutes at RCH Herston to board a bus! As normal work routines are re-established now is the time to place the services to encourage people to get on board (2)."

"The problems of passengers not being able to board buses in timely manner is not encouraging continued use of public transport and is driving commuters back to cars. The huge public transport infrastructure investment demands maximum use of the asset."

"For commuters travelling on the Rosewood line Monday to Friday there is a service that leaves Ipswich for Rosewood at 4.38pm, the next service for Rosewood is 5.51pm!  A peak gap that is worse than off peak times!  How does this encourage commuters to use public transport?  This debacle must be addressed forthwith."

"On the Sunshine Coast line, the PM late peak evening timetable for Nambour has trains leaving Central at 6.07pm, then 7.27pm and next service at 9.28pm. Monday to Thursdays the last city bound train leaves Nambour at 6.37pm. What an abysmal train frequency!"

"Government and TransLink have made a big deal in trying to justify the punitive fare price increases with commitments of 301,000 additional public transport seats per week (3,4).  Commuters would like to see some evidence of this commitment.  Apart from the obvious need for extra peak and off peak services on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines and the network generally, the major anti-public transport gaps on Rosewood and Nambour lines must be addressed promptly, and the appalling situation on the Inner Northern Busway around Herston fixed please!"

References:

1.   New fare structure   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2010.php

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3354.0

3.   http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

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

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org