27 Mar 2012: SEQ: Time to get the Gold Coast 'back on track'

[ozbob]

Media release 27 March 2012

SEQ: Time to get the Gold Coast 'back on track'

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the recent State election results are a clarion call for the new government to focus on critical front line services like public transport.

Steven Jamieson, Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"With all Gold Coast seats now held by the LNP, there is a tangible mood for change in the air."

"While the previous government commenced building the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system, purchased new trains and contributed to implementing valuable new bus services such as Routes 702, 747 and 761 and YourBus, it failed to significantly improve the local public transport network in the short term.  There remains much to be done to improve public transport for the entire Gold Coast - whether commuting locally, or travelling between the Gold Coast and the rest of the South-East."

"Numerous bus services in the central Gold Coast area have languished in recent years, with outdated timetables, limited frequency and poor services available from the early evening onwards.  Drivers are finding it harder and harder to keep to time as a result of on-road congestion, a lack of bus priority and ongoing construction works.  Connections between bus and bus or bus and train are often poorly timetabled, and poor frequency outside the Gold Coast highway deters significant patronage.  We appreciate the efforts of local MPs for bringing these matters to the public's attention so far."

"There are also critical infrastructure back-logs, like the missing second rail track between Coomera and Helensvale.  This will prevent any significant improvement in the capacity of Gold Coast train services during peak times."

"While TransLink's previously indicated 15% annual fare increases have now been wound down to 7.5% per annum, we still consider that this is far too high for an agency which has not articulated a network plan or vision to the travelling public.  There is little to no consultation or detail available over how this extra revenue has been used, or will be used in future, to improve services for the Gold Coast - which is especially galling when a large proportion of Gold Coast commuters travel over inter-city distances each day."

We call on the LNP to develop a strategy to:

- Ramp up the bus network before Gold Coast Rapid Transit commences operating in 2014;
- Commit to funding and delivering more buses to deliver higher frequency cross-town and off-peak services, in the same manner as the "500 new buses for Brisbane" campaign which has recently been completed;
- Design bus timetables that coordinate with each other and with train services;
- Improve way-finding signage at bus stops, bus interchanges and railway stations for tourists, visitors and locals alike to make it easier for passengers to make connections;
- Fast-track the duplication of the Coomera River bridge section of the Gold Coast line to allow more trains to operate on the line in peak periods, and more reliably; and
- Investigate options for extending the reach of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit system in future years, in particular to accommodate the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- Work constructively with the new Gold Coast City Council following the imminent local government elections to fund the planning and expansion of public transport throughout the city.
- Work with New South Wales agencies to develop a seamless bus network and a cross-border ticketing system using TransLink's go card for all Surfside bus services, whether operating in New South Wales or Queensland.
- Commit to finding efficiencies within TransLink and the Department of Transport and Main Roads and requiring the publication of a detailed TransLink Network Plan setting out network improvements for implementation in the short, medium and long term, including allowing for detailed public consultation on an annual basis.

"As we always say, public transport must be frequent, direct and reliable to encourage patronage growth - bottom-line.  It is time to reverse the inertia that has set in over the last decade and make positive changes for the entire Gold Coast so public transport becomes a choice for getting around, not something to avoid." Mr Jamieson concluded.

Reference:

1. Building a Core Frequent Network  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

Contacts:

Steven Jamieson
Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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