27 Dec 2011: SEQ: Call to extend the hours of the 'free' public transport ...

[ozbob]

Media release 27 December 2011

SEQ: Call to extend the hours of the 'free' public transport New Years Eve

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 welcomed the free public transport initiative on New Years Eve, but has called for the 4 hour window to be extended.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Minister for Transport has announced that public transport will be free from 9pm to 1am on New Years Eve (1,2).  This is not long enough to encourage maximum use of public transport and in so doing help reduce congestion, risks of road crashes and improve the night out for all."

"People heading into Brisbane for the first firework show at 8.30pm will still need tickets.  People who choose to leave immediately after the midnight celebrations will not be cleared by 1am. This is going to cause dangerous crowding,  anger and confusion. As was demonstrated during the 2011 Brisbane Exhibition the ticketing system cannot cope with large numbers of passengers attempting to buy single paper tickets. There is no way the passenger loads will be cleared by 1am."

"Clearly, the sensible thing to do is follow the lead of Melbourne (3).  Melbourne has free public transport from 6pm New Years Eve until the first normal scheduled services on New Years Day. A 12 hour window  This allows an orderly movement of large number of citizens to and from the celebrations."

"We call on the Minister for Transport and TransLink to urgently re-think the free public transport plans for New Years Eve. The 4 hour window is not long enough to ensure the safe movement of the public."

References:

1.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=78318

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.0

3.  http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/news-promotions/free-public-transport-on-christmas-day-and-after-6pm-on-new-year-s-eve

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.0

[ozbob]

4BC News have followed up, thanks for the interest.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announces free fares on New Year's Eve between 9pm and 1am in southeast Queensland

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announces free fares on New Year's Eve between 9pm and 1am in southeast Queensland

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    December 26, 2011 12:00AM

A four-hour window in which people can use public transport for free on New Year's Eve needs to be extended to avoid "congestion, anger and confusion" according to a commuter group.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track said while he welcomed the free public transport initiative, 9pm to 1am was not long enough to encourage maximum use of trains, buses and ferries.

He urged Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk to follow Melbourne's lead and make public transport free from 6pm to the first normal scheduled service on New Year's Day.

"People heading into Brisbane for the first fireworks show at 8.30pm will still need tickets," said Mr Dow.

"People who choose to leave immediately after the midnight celebrations will not be cleared by 1am. This is going to cause dangerous crowding, anger and confusion when they're queueing to buy return tickets."

Mr Dow said the State Government need look no further than this year's Brisbane Ekka to be reminded that the ticketing system cannot cope with large numbers of passengers attempting to buy single paper tickets.

"There is no way the passenger loads will be cleared by 1am," he said.

But Ms Palaszczuk said almost 1000 extra services had been put on throughout the evening to get people moving "on what is the busiest day of the year for public transport".

"We want people to party safe and use public transport so they get home safely," Ms Palaszczuk said.

More than 160 extra bus services will operate in the Brisbane CBD and extra services will also operate on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, with many of those running after midnight.

Additional trains will operate on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Richlands, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines. Extra CityCat and ferry services will also operate at regular intervals throughout the afternoon and evening.

The minister also said taxi fares would remain at their current level in the New Year adding it was "the first time in 18-months there had not been an increase".

But passengers were last stung by a fare hike on July 30 with the rate per kilometre rising from $1.95 to $2.06.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported that revellers would be offered four hours of free travel and almost 1000 extra public transport services this New Year's Eve.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday announced fares would be waived on the southeast's bus, train and CityCat network between 9pm and 1am.

More than 160 extra bus services will also operate in Brisbane's CBD, with extra services also scheduled for the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Many will operate after midnight.

Additional trains will service the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Richlands, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines and extra CityCat and ferry services are planned.

Meanwhile, taxi fares will remain stable in the new year, after a six-monthly review by the state's Taxi Council.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th December 2011

Re: SEQ: Call to extend the hours of the 'free' public transport New Years Eve

Greetings,

Calls to extend the 'free travel' to avoid crush congestion, confusion and anger have remained unheeded.

As was demonstrated so sadly at the Brisbane Exhibition earlier this year the present ticketing system is not able to cope with surge crowds.  The Queensland Police Service did request transport staff to open the fare gates and allow passengers to travel home for free remember?  Why is Brisbane so out of touch with community needs??

A quick scan of what other progressive cities offer in terms of free public transport is illuminating.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.msg80718#msg80718
They do this as it lowers overall community costs in terms of a reduction in road trauma and congestion, and improves the well being of the community.  They don't do as a 'feel good political stunt'.

Even Darwin has free public transport from 7pm New Years Eve until 7am New Years Day.  This highlights just what a public transport backwater south-east Queensland actually is.

For safety reasons alone, the free public transport in south-east Queensland needs to be extended to at least 5am.

One commentator has posted  with respect to the 9pm to 1am free public transport window: " Its a typical QLD gov screw up. Free public transport during the exact window where no one will be travelling. "  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.msg80738#msg80738

Time Government and TransLink acted, or stand aside and let those who will take over.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 27 December 2011

SEQ: Call to extend the hours of the 'free' public transport New Years Eve

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 welcomed the free public transport initiative on New Years Eve, but has called for the 4 hour window to be extended.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Minister for Transport has announced that public transport will be free from 9pm to 1am on New Years Eve (1,2).  This is not long enough to encourage maximum use of public transport and in so doing help reduce congestion, risks of road crashes and improve the night out for all."

"People heading into Brisbane for the first firework show at 8.30pm will still need tickets.  People who choose to leave immediately after the midnight celebrations will not be cleared by 1am. This is going to cause dangerous crowding,  anger and confusion. As was demonstrated during the 2011 Brisbane Exhibition the ticketing system cannot cope with large numbers of passengers attempting to buy single paper tickets. There is no way the passenger loads will be cleared by 1am."

"Clearly, the sensible thing to do is follow the lead of Melbourne (3).  Melbourne has free public transport from 6pm New Years Eve until the first normal scheduled services on New Years Day. A 12 hour window  This allows an orderly movement of large number of citizens to and from the celebrations."

"We call on the Minister for Transport and TransLink to urgently re-think the free public transport plans for New Years Eve. The 4 hour window is not long enough to ensure the safe movement of the public."

References:

1.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=78318

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.0

3.  http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/news-promotions/free-public-transport-on-christmas-day-and-after-6pm-on-new-year-s-eve

Contact:

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