Article: Man takes on Translink over change to bus route ...

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Man takes on Translink over change to bus route that now terminates 500m before its previous destination

Man takes on Translink over change to bus route that now terminates 500m before its previous destination

   Tony Keim
   From: The Courier-Mail
   August 03, 2011 1:05PM

A BRISBANE commuter is taking on Translink amid allegations he was unlawfully discriminated against when his regular bus service route was shortened.

The Queensland Civil and Administration Tribunal, in a just published decision, said Noel Sweeney has made a complaint he was "subjected to unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age and impairment'' by Translink Transit Authority in the provision of goods and services.

Details of the case were made public when Translink applied to QCAT for leave to be legally represented in the proceedings, despite the fact Mr Sweeney was representing himself.

QCAT senior member Clare Endicott, in a three-page decision, said Mr Sweeney's complaint was "not complex'' and was  confined to an allegation his regular ``640 bus'' now stopped 500m short of its usual termination destination at the Bribie Island Shopping Centre, 70kms north east of Brisbane.

"Mr Sweeney alleges that from 27 August 2010 the 640 bus service from Woorim to the Bribie Island Shopping Centre has terminated at the Park and Ride base and not the shopping centre as it had done for some years,'' Ms Endicott said.

"Mr Sweeney alleges that he was told by a telephone service officer from Translink that they only cater for the majority of people when he called to complain about the change of the bus stop.

"Mr Sweeney alleges that he has an impairment and he is unable to walk 500 metres from the current bus stop into the shopping centre.''

Ms Endicott said QCAT had a responsibility to resolve disputes between parties in "a way that is accessible, fair, just, economical, informal and quick.''

"The tribunal meets this obligation by having the parties attend a compulsory conference to have knowledge of the circumstances of the complaint and to have the ability to resolve (it),'' she said.

"The tribunal has not been satisfied by the submissions ... (of) Translink that in this case the possession of legal expertise by a person representing (the authority) ... from a legal agency not directly associated to Translink will advance the purposes of the conference or ... the interests of justice.''

Ms Endicott, in her order, refused Translink's application for leave to be legally represented "up to and including the compulsory conference.''

[O_128]

and this is why the 222 now exists,

[AnonymouslyBad]

and this is why the 222 now exists,

The 222? I don't get the connection?

[O_128]

and this is why the 222 now exists,

The 222? I don't get the connection?

Its not a direct result but it shows that you can no longer move routes around, i.e. the 200 to buranda because someone will have a winge.

[Mr X]

197 removal at New Farm (despite a new BUZ196 with MORE PEAK, Saturday, Sunday and early morning/late night services)

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA  "

Hence we now have a dogleg 193 and 195 

[O_128]

Id like to know what his impairment it, Fat?, Lazy?, Slight limp?. Ahh the people who built this country 

[Mr X]

Oh my god.

Look at the distance on nearmap.

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.065088,153.158818&z=18&t=h&nmd=20110707



Judging by nearmap it seems to be right outside...? I call bullcrap on the 500m comment. It's 250m-300m from the centre and if the old stop was 500m away then it is probably marginally further away from the centre now. He'd well and truly walk that distance doing his shopping.

[STB]

The old stop was basically in the middle of the car park aka the front door.  This new stop looks to be approximately 100m away.

EDIT: Just as a side note; the picture was taken on a Thursday and note that only four cars are using the park and ride.