19 Oct 2010: SEQ: Catch the plane, now where's my train?

[ozbob]

Media release 19th October 2010

SEQ: Catch the plane, now where's my train?

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 calls on the Queensland Government to subsidise evening services on the Airtrain line and give the citizens of South East Queensland a decent scope of service.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The continued and very public outpouring of dissatisfaction with the Airtrain continues in the media with Channel 7 news and ABC Brisbane Radio highlighting poor Airtrain frequencies and scope of service(1,3).

"There is no rail service after 8 pm from Brisbane Airport, leaving people arriving at Brisbane Airport to be gouged. The ticketing 'anomalies' with go card, requiring passengers to break their journeys to avoid paying additional fare costs are also unacceptable."

"It was revealed earlier today that the cost of an extra train service would be a mere $460, and require just 40 passengers to break even (1)."

"World class cities have world class public transport. Brisbane does not have world-class rail frequency, it has worst-class rail frequency. Indeed, Brisbane's Airtrain frequencies are the worst in the world for comparable rail systems (2). Rail frequencies on the rest of the QR network also leave much to be desired."

"Airtrain built the line at zero cost to the Queensland Government and operates trains during the day at zero cost to the Queensland Government. The least that could be done is that the $460 per service is subsidised after 8pm and new services are put on. Public transport across the world is subsidised by governments and for good reason, private operators operating 'profit only' services would give an unacceptable level of service to the public as is the case post 8pm with the rail service to and from Brisbane Airport."

"Services should be half hourly from 8.30pm to 11pm.  This will also encourage passengers to use the Airtrain during the day as they can be sure of a return journey with a returning later flight."

"Brisbane is taking 'king hits' with the negative impacts of the present poor service on tourism and locals alike. It must be sorted.  Bus is not the answer as the rail line is there waiting to be used, and rail services allow seamless connection with the rest of the Queensland Rail network."

"The difference between world-class and worst-class transport systems is service frequency and scope of service. RAIL Back on Track has always said that services must be frequent and convenient, bottom line. Can the government help find $460?"

References:

1. Airtrain Answers its critics
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2010/10/airtrain-answers-its-critics.html?site=brisbane&program=612_breakfast

2. Take me to the Airport by car
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-me-to-airport-by-car.html

3. Seven News, Monday night 18th October http://au.news.yahoo.com/local/qld/#fop

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4582.msg36041#msg36041


Details of the fare ripoff --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.0

[ozbob]

You might be aware that there is a directive for public servants and other Government representatives to use the Airtrain for travel to and from BNE.  The savings in cab charges for travel between 8 and 11pm would go a long way to pay for the subsidy?  Food for thought ..

=========

Queensland Government Title: Air Travel  http://www.qgm.qld.gov.au/09_travel/resources/AirTravelPolicy.pdf

Transport to and from Brisbane Airport

Employees must use the Airtrain service http://www.airtrain.com.au/timetable.php when travelling to and from the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane's domestic and international airport terminals during the operating hours of the service.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th October 2010

Greetings,

As I understand it there is a directive for public servants and other Government representatives to use the Airtrain for travel to and from BNE.  The savings in cab charges for travel between 8 and 11pm would go a long way to pay for the subsidy?  Food for thought ..

Cheers
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

Media release 19th October 2010

SEQ: Catch the plane, now where's my train?

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 calls on the Queensland Government to subsidise evening services on the Airtrain line and give the citizens of South East Queensland a decent scope of service.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The continued and very public outpouring of dissatisfaction with the Airtrain continues in the media with Channel 7 news and ABC Brisbane Radio highlighting poor Airtrain frequencies and scope of service(1,3).

"There is no rail service after 8 pm from Brisbane Airport, leaving people arriving at Brisbane Airport to be gouged. The ticketing 'anomalies' with go card, requiring passengers to break their journeys to avoid paying additional fare costs are also unacceptable."

"It was revealed earlier today that the cost of an extra train service would be a mere $460, and require just 40 passengers to break even (1)."

"World class cities have world class public transport. Brisbane does not have world-class rail frequency, it has worst-class rail frequency. Indeed, Brisbane's Airtrain frequencies are the worst in the world for comparable rail systems (2). Rail frequencies on the rest of the QR network also leave much to be desired."

"Airtrain built the line at zero cost to the Queensland Government and operates trains during the day at zero cost to the Queensland Government. The least that could be done is that the $460 per service is subsidised after 8pm and new services are put on. Public transport across the world is subsidised by governments and for good reason, private operators operating 'profit only' services would give an unacceptable level of service to the public as is the case post 8pm with the rail service to and from Brisbane Airport."

"Services should be half hourly from 8.30pm to 11pm.  This will also encourage passengers to use the Airtrain during the day as they can be sure of a return journey with a returning later flight."

"Brisbane is taking 'king hits' with the negative impacts of the present poor service on tourism and locals alike. It must be sorted.  Bus is not the answer as the rail line is there waiting to be used, and rail services allow seamless connection with the rest of the Queensland Rail network."

"The difference between world-class and worst-class transport systems is service frequency and scope of service. RAIL Back on Track has always said that services must be frequent and convenient, bottom line. Can the government help find $460?"

References:

1. Airtrain Answers its critics
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2010/10/airtrain-answers-its-critics.html?site=brisbane&program=612_breakfast

2. Take me to the Airport by car
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/09/take-me-to-airport-by-car.html

3. Seven News, Monday night 18th October http://au.news.yahoo.com/local/qld/#fop

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org