23 Oct 2011: SEQ: Brisbane Entertainment Centre public transport services ...

[ozbob]

Media release 23 October 2011

SEQ: Brisbane Entertainment Centre public transport services fall short of the mark

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 calls for improved public transport services for events at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) Boondall.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There is a need for special trains to convey passengers from events at the BEC to the CBD to connect on to other services.  The reputation of these services with respect to failed connections reduces the take up enormously, particularly since the Pink concert in 2009 (1).

"It is the events on Mondays through Thursdays which particularly lack connections. RAIL Back On Track members believe that this is totally avoidable on the major lines (2).  Express running would allow events finishing at around 11pm to have connections to the last services on most other lines, although not to the Coasts."

"Fares from those attending these events would more than pay for the variable costs of providing these services.  Also, this would improve the reputation of public transport in Brisbane generally while reducing traffic congestion leaving the Boondall car park."

"We have also noted that when extra trains are provided to special events generally, the details are not made public sufficiently early.  It seems there is a policy of concealing this information until a couple of days before the event, which seems to do nothing but discourage public transport use.  Similarly, when an event is deemed to not require extra trains, the comment 'Please check the website closer to the event ' remains until the event.  This is also annoying to intending users.

"Supporting all events with connecting public transport services is achievable, cost effective and should be implemented."

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/pink-fans-see-red-over-late-night-rail/story-e6freoof-1225766755508

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6111.msg71913#msg71913

Contact:

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