7 Apr 2008: Queensland - Call for dedicated Minister for Transport

[ozbob]

Media Release 7 April 2008

Queensland:  Call for dedicated Minister for Transport

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 a dedicated Minister for Transport in Queensland.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?Transport in Queensland is in a mess.?

?This has been recently acknowledged by the State Government with the creation of a special unit target growing congestion and commuter anger within the Premier?s Department.?

?Problems are acute in south-east Queensland.  The go card roll out is not going well either (1).?

?Public transport vehicles, buses and trains are regularly carrying heavy passenger loadings often over their design limit.  This is a serious safety concern (2, 3). Commuters are regularly left behind at bus and ferry stops and railway stations.?

?The evidence would suggest the present port folios for the Minister, namely Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations are too broad with too many competing issues.

?A dedicated Minister for Transport is urgently required in our opinion.?

?Meaningful consultation with commuters is also needed to move forward.  The present ?cones of silence? surrounding feedback and suggestions from public transport commuters is part of the problem.?

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=698.0

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=686.0

3. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=693.0

Contact:

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