17 Dec 2010: SEQ: Public transport report card 2010

[ozbob]

Media Release 17 December 2010

SEQ:  Public transport report card 2010

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and advocate for public transport commuters has compiled a public transport score card assessing the public transport performance in SEQ for 2010.  The results and comments can be viewed on line here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=56.0

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Thanks to all our public transport staff for their constant efforts to transport citizens in a safe and timely manner in 2010."

"RAIL Back On Track members have rated public transport for 2010. QR City rail network, the major bus regions, the river ferry system and the Go card and TransLink, Department of Transport and Main Roads and the major operators have been given an aggregate score on a scale of out of 10. The major factors considered for the different parts of the network are the timetable, congestion, parking, stations, and bus integration as appropriate for each sector. The Go card was rated on overall performance for 2010 on all modes - bus, ferry and rail."

"The value of this exercise are the relative comparisons and it clearly identifies the areas of the public transport that need further significant improvements from the point of view of the user."

"Brisbane river transport, the ferries and CityCats, are the public transport 'quiet achievers' of SEQ. Limited in absolute capacity river transport performs well overall and is highly regarded by commuters overall."

"The public consolidation of the Go Card continued throughout 2010.  Most of our members use the Go card daily and are an informed user base.   There is also a need for better fares including universal capping and a periodical options to the Go card, and improved administrative practices with the Go card support. Overall, the Go card did rate well. In 2011 it is essential to address the remaining issues with the Go card and drive it forwards as it will be the only serious ticketing choice for public transport in 2011."

"Constant improvements to many bus routes facilitated by the introduction of more buses into service has helped improve bus transport.  Unfortunately, road traffic congestion impacts on buses, and there are still too many passengers left stranded at bus stops as full buses pass by as well.  Better integration with other transport modes should be an aim for 2011, with the continued introduction of feeder bus routes to key rail and bus stations. The introduction of more pre-paid bus routes was a good move. Busways work well, but are approaching some capacity constraints at peak times."

"QR City rail has had a solid year overall.  Trains run 365 days a year from early morning to late evening and even past midnight.  Improved service frequency during wider peak times should be the immediate aim for 2011. QR Citytrain continued their excellent community engagement through a large number of Community Reference Groups and this is a most welcome initiative from users' point of view."

"The contrast between the Sunshine Coast line (score 4.5 ) and the Gold Coast line (score 7.2) is striking.  The Sunshine Coast line needs major improvements including a reasonable train frequency and major infrastructure improvements."

"Closely linked to the Gold Coast services is the Airtrain.  Gold Coast trains run through to the Airport.  A constant criticism of the Airtrain service is the relative high costs of fares compared to the rest of the network, some hidden fare cost imposts for rail users who use a Go card or purchase a joint ticket from their home station direct to the Brisbane Airports, and the restricted hours of operation.  Properly priced, with hours of service that match the actual flights the railway line to the airports could be a real congestion buster."

"Continuing Western Region bus improvements must also be a priority for TransLink.  For too long these commuters have had to put up with late and irregular bus services in this region.  Recent new bus timetables in Ipswich were implemented without direct consultation with users, this has resulted in a lot of dissatisfaction in Ipswich."

"The new fare strategy with very significant cost increases for many commuters from the 17th January 2011 will create an expectation of improved delivery.  Promises must be met with action and delivery of improved services."

"In summary, there is a limited capacity to expand river and bus mass transit.  To get the bulk capacity for mass transit rail must be expanded in terms of track capacity, and further increases in rolling stock and crew.  We must also use the present resources to the maximum utility. The present suburban rail system can increase capacity easily if properly resourced.  This will in turn take pressure of the other public transport modes and will allow more direct bus feeder routes."

"The proposed draft rail timetables need to be modified based on the community consultation process recently completed and implemented with priority."

"Best wishes to all for continuing success in 2011!"

Summary of Scores

Above 8  = very good overall performance
7 to 8  = acceptable performance, minor improvements needed
6 to 7 = significant improvements required
Below 6 = urgent major improvements needed

Average scores as indicated.

Bus

Western Region 3.5

Sunshine Coast 5.3

Gold Coast 5.7

Brisbane West 5.9

Eastern Region 5.9

Brisbane North 6.2

Brisbane East  6.3

Southern Region 6.3

Brisbane South 6.6

Northern Region 6.8

Brisbane Central 7.2


Ferry

River Ferry Inner City  6.3

River CityCat 7.7

 
Go Card

Go Card 7.4


QR City rail network lines

Sunshine Coast 4.5

Rosewood 5.0

Doomben 5.0

Beenleigh 5.7

Caboolture 5.9

Shorncliffe 5.9

Cleveland 6.0

Ferny Grove 6.2

Ipswich 6.3

Gold Coast 7.2


Airtrain

Airtrain  5.5


Authorities, Departments, Key Operators

BCC 4.8

TransLink  5.6

Transport and Main Roads 5.7

Queensland Rail 7.6


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion forum area --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=56.0

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Public transport rated poorly

Public transport rated poorly

PATRICK WILLIAMS | 18th December 2010

PUBLIC transport on the Sunshine Coast has been dealt a scathing report card on its performance in 2010.

Online transport advocacy group Rail Back On Track released the damning results into the train and bus services as part of a South-East Queensland evaluation of public transport yesterday.

The Sunshine Coast link of the Queensland Rail city network was the worst in its category, scoring 4.5 out of a possible 10.

Translink's Sunbus service pulled in a 5.3 ranking, the second worst for SEQ behind the Western Region (Ipswich).

Major factors contributing to the scores included timetables, congestion, parking and stations.

Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said urgent improvements were needed.

"We don't think it's fair for Sunshine Coast commuters to have to put up with third world services," Mr Dow said.

He said better frequency with trains, more carriages with toilets and making sure train-to-bus connections link up were essential.

Maroochydore MP and Opposition Transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Bligh Government needed to act on the report.

"It's a consumer focus assessment and that's exactly what the government needs to listen to," Ms Simpson said.

Cherie Beaumont-Tyson, a spokeswoman for Transit Australia Group, which owns Sunbus, said: "We don't believe that this report is a reliable source of public transport benchmarking."

A Queensland Rail spokesperson only said they were continuously looking to improve its services for customers right across the network.

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Sunshine Coast Daily

21 December 2010

Dear Editor,

With reference to the article 'Public transport rated poorly, December 18th published in the Sunshine Coast Daily.

In that article our report card on public transport performance was reported as a direct assessment of Sunbus only for the Sunshine Coast bus region.  This is not the case.

Our members assess the various TransLink regions for bus overall.  The Sunshine Coast region for bus has a number of components, the 649 rail buses, Hinterland Connect and Sunbus for example.   The Sunshine Coast bus region rated a score of 5.3, not Translink's Sunbus as reported.

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track


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Media release -->   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5089.0

[somebody]

How did Translink get better rated than BCC???

[ozbob]

   I suppose because TransLink has a pure PT and active transport focus?

[#Metro]

BCC is building the car tunnels, that's my theory.

[ozbob]

From the South West News 12th January 2011 page 5

Fail mark highlights public transport woes in southwest