RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public transport passenger survey

[ozbob]

Media release 10th December 2012

SEQ: RAIL Back On Track's 2012 Public Transport Passenger Survey results now available!

RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public Transport Survey Result Summary
Click --> http://backontrack.org/docs/survey_2012/RAILBoTSurveySummary2012.pdf  PDF 121KB

RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public Transport Survey Comments (question 18 of survey),  44% of those who participated in the survey made an additional comment/s.
Click --> http://backontrack.org/docs/survey_2012/RAILBoTsurveyfinalcomments2012.pdf PDF 162 KB

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 conducted a survey of how public transport passengers rate our public transport in south-east Queensland (1).  Anyone who travels on public transport in south-east Queensland was invited to participate.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Since RAIL Back On Track formed in 2006 we have conducted our own annual member surveys on how members rate public transport.  This year we again opened up our survey up to the public! There were 315 responses to our survey!"

"The survey was web based and all public transport passengers on the TransLink network in south-east Queensland were welcome to complete it.  The survey was anonymous and quick to complete."

"Results of the survey, including comments, are now publicly available on the RAIL Back On Track discussion forum (1)."

"On behalf of our members we thank those public transport passengers who took the time drop by and fill out our survey.  Information is knowledge.  Knowledge leads to improvements."

"There are three key messages from the survey:

1.  The public thinks the present fares are much too expensive, but is happier with the go card system itself, although some aspects do need improvement. Despite the introduction of free travel after 10 journeys early in 2012, followed by the introduction of free travel after nine journeys mid year, affordability has worsened.  Further fare increases are just going to worsen affordability and drive people way from public transport.  It is time for a complete review of fares.

2.  The service frequency of public transport, particularly rail out of peak and counter-peak, and bus and ferry, needs significant improvement.

3.  The on time performance of rail as reported by the public is better than bus.  This is opposite to the data that has been published in the TransLink Tracker (2).  A railway runs in its own closed corridors, free from road traffic congestion and bus-jam on the busways.  It stretches credibility to report bus on time performance as being better than a rail system.  It is clearly not according to the survey results."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9243.0

2. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/annual-and-quarterly-reports

Contact:

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

RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public Transport Survey Result Summary
Click --> http://backontrack.org/docs/survey_2012/RAILBoTSurveySummary2012.pdf  PDF 121KB

RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public Transport Survey Comments (question 18 of survey),  44% of those who participated in the survey made an additional comment/s.
Click --> http://backontrack.org/docs/survey_2012/RAILBoTsurveyfinalcomments2012.pdf PDF 162 KB

==============

Results for 2011 survey using the same methodology can be found --> here!

[ozbob]

Media release 11th November 2012

SEQ: Public transport survey now underway!

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 is conducting a survey of how public transport passengers rate our public transport in south-east Queensland (1).

Everyone who travels on public transport in south-east Queensland is invited to participate. As the year is drawing to a close it is timely to reflect on the transport report card so far. It will not be long until the LNP administration has completed a year in office.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The gains this year have been the implementation of a nascent Core Frequent Network policy, starting with the upgrade of Ferny Grove line services to weekday inter-peak high frequency  and finally a review of the entire bus network with a view to cutting inefficiencies so a new and better network can be formed (2).

"A go card product SEEQ for tourists has also debuted (3)."

"Fare affordability however has hit rock bottom and there is an urgent need for a new fare system (4)."

"However, there are still many things we would like to see in 2013:

* The abolition of paper ticketing - Melbourne is already doing this.
* All door boarding of buses - trams and trains do it, as does the CityGlider, why not buses?
* All day, every day low fares.
* Integration of GoCard with CityCycle.

"Installation of a Core Frequent Network:

* More BUZ routes to the Centenary Suburbs, Northwest and a BulimbaGlider.
* Reform the Great Circle line orbital bus line.
* A single, unified Core Frequent Network map of high frequency services, irrespective of mode.
* Train Upgrade Zone (TUZ) branding and extension of high frequency Ferny Grove services to the
weekend and after hours, and other lines.

"Many of these improvements are extremely cheap, simple and easy to implement when compared to high cost, high concrete projects such as busway extensions.

"The current administration was voted in on a lot of promises. The previous administration, while not without problems, did deliver a lot of improvements to services and frequency. We trust the current administration can match that.

"As RAIL Back on Track has always said, services must be frequent, bottom line!"

The RAIL Back On Track 2012 Public transport passenger survey can be accessed directly here --> http://railbotforum.org/lime/index.php?sid=14713 or simply follow the links from http://backontrack.org

Also our fare review petition, which has over 500 signatories already, can be found here ---> http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9243.0

2. http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1346370543

3. http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/seeq-card

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9193.msg112157#msg112157

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Previous years surveys, report cards can be found --> here!

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 12th November 2012 page 7

Rail lobby asks for rating of transport

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th November 2012

Letter to the editor: 2012 Public Transport Passenger Survey

Dear Editor,

RAIL Back On Track is a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers, is conducting a survey of how public transport passengers rate our public transport in south-east Queensland.  Everyone who travels on public transport in south-east Queensland is invited to participate.

Since RAIL Back On Track formed in 2006 we have conducted our own annual member surveys on how members rate public transport.  Since 2011 we have opened our survey up to the public.

The survey is web based and all public transport passengers on the TransLink network in south-east Queensland are welcome to complete it.  The survey is anonymous and quick to complete.

The information from this survey will be used to acknowledge the gains and inform our ongoing efforts for improvements as needed.

Results of the survey, including comments, will be published promptly on the RAIL Back On Track discussion forum after the survey closes on the 10th December 2012.

On behalf of our members we extend an invitation to all public transport passengers to drop by and fill out our survey.  Information is knowledge.  Knowledge leads to improvements.

The survey can be accessed directly here http://railbotforum.org/lime/index.php?sid=14713 or simply follow the links from http://backontrack.org

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd December 2012

Letter to the editor: 2012 Public Transport Passenger Survey

Dear Editor,

RAIL Back On Track is a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers, is conducting a survey of how public transport passengers rate our public transport in south-east Queensland. Everyone who travels on public transport in south-east Queensland is invited to participate.

Since RAIL Back On Track formed in 2006 we have conducted our own annual member surveys on how members rate public transport.  Since 2011 we have opened our survey up to the public.

The survey is web based and all public transport passengers on the TransLink network in south-east Queensland are welcome to complete it.  The survey is anonymous and quick to complete.

The information from this survey will be used to acknowledge the gains and inform our ongoing efforts for improvements as needed.

Results of the survey, including comments, will be published promptly on the RAIL Back On Track discussion forum after the survey closes on the 10th December 2012.

On behalf of our members we extend an invitation to all public transport passengers to drop by and fill out our survey. Information is knowledge.  Knowledge leads to improvements.

The survey can be accessed directly here http://railbotforum.org/lime/index.php?sid=14713 or simply follow the links from http://backontrack.org

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

[ozbob]

Survey is now closed.  Thanks for your interest.

Results will be available tomorrow, 11th December 2012.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 11th December 2012 page 6

Give us a farer deal

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Commuters say they're sick of fare increases

Commuters say they're sick of fare increases

    Kieran Banks
    14th Dec 2012 3:00 AM

IPSWICH public transport users have called for a ticket price cut as the Newman Government goes ahead with a fare hike in the new year.

Public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track released the results of its annual passenger survey, with fare affordability the pressing issue on most commuters' minds.

Of the surveyed 315 respondents, 69% rated Translink's fares as expensive.

Translink fares are set to rise by 7.5% in January, half of the original hike planned by the previous Labor Government.

Spokesman Robert Dow said over the past five years, fares under the Labor and LNP governments had increased 72.5%.

Mr Dow is calling for the government to order a fare review, and has just under 600 signatures on a petition to back his push.

"What it shows is that fare affordability has worsened in the last year going against what both governments have been saying," he said.

"The government needs to encourage a fare structure that gets commuters on to the public transport system."

A spokesperson for the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the LNP would deliver the fare policy it took to the election.

"We are committed to improving affordability after it hit its lowest point ever in the final months under Labor," the spokesman said.

"This $200 million investment over four years will provide free travel after nine weekly journeys, introduced in June, and halve Labor's 15% fare hikes in 2013 and 2014.

"When compared to the scheduled hikes, the LNP policies will save a regular commuter travelling two zones about $115 a year or $216 a year for a regular commuter from Ipswich to Brisbane."

The spokesman said while the Newman Government would like to do more in terms of fare relief, their priority would be to improve the state's finances.

TRACK FACTS

    53% rated travelling by rail as satisfactory or better.
    36.5% said rail frequency poor or worse.
    More than 60% of respondents said the Go Card system was satisfactory or better.

[ozbob]

Public Transport Matters Volume 1 number 2, 24th December 2012

Survey highlighted in this latest edition of Public Transport Matters

Click --> here!  PDF 2.2 MB