2014 fares

[techblitz]

What a load of nonsense! Fare evasion on Brisbane Transport buses is massive, the drivers often just wave pax through, I have seen it countless times. Are their data collection techniques capturing this or is this a case of 'not recorded, didn't happen'.

indeed... i see many free rides given too.....also see 200-400 bux at a time lost from faulty gocard readers on trips along ENTIRE route. But as usual...BT/BCC seem to be unphased with these issues 

[HappyTrainGuy]

What a load of nonsense! Fare evasion on Brisbane Transport buses is massive, the drivers often just wave pax through, I have seen it countless times. Are their data collection techniques capturing this or is this a case of 'not recorded, didn't happen'.

indeed... i see many free rides given too.....also see 200-400 bux at a time lost from faulty gocard readers on trips along ENTIRE route. But as usual...BT/BCC seem to be unphased with these issues 

It's not their problem. They still get paid regardless

[bcasey]

I know I'm repeating what has been said before many times on this forum, but they need to focus on the primary issue that has caused the fare hike, and that is improving the efficiency of the network.

The cost of fare evasion and rorting is small compared to the amount of money that is being wasted on the current hi-waste bus network. Its pretty obvious to us that once the network is improved with high-frequency lines and less duplication, plus a reduction in fare prices, patronage will go up and thus require less subsidisation, but obviously the politicians are more after the quick-and-dirty "wins" (if you would call them that) rather than doing what is right for the public.

If the state government had stuck with their network reform plan last year, rather than bowing to pressure from BCC, we would be in a far better position right now.

[HappyTrainGuy]

BUZ THE 370!

[James]

I know I'm repeating what has been said before many times on this forum, but they need to focus on the primary issue that has caused the fare hike, and that is improving the efficiency of the network.

The cost of fare evasion and rorting is small compared to the amount of money that is being wasted on the current hi-waste bus network. Its pretty obvious to us that once the network is improved with high-frequency lines and less duplication, plus a reduction in fare prices, patronage will go up and thus require less subsidisation, but obviously the politicians are more after the quick-and-dirty "wins" (if you would call them that) rather than doing what is right for the public.

If the state government had stuck with their network reform plan last year, rather than bowing to pressure from BCC, we would be in a far better position right now.

Of course this is the case, but BCC continues with its hi-waste anti-transfers bus network because it honestly does not give a sh%t. It gets paid on route-km, not on how many passengers per service it gets. All it wants is to send buses everywhere and pretend to be providing a good service to the residents of Brisbane, when in fact it is refusing to provide frequent services to huge swathes of Brisbane.

On the note of 9 then free, I think the big thing which kills it is the fact that so many people are still using PT on the weekends - but instead of paying for it, they're getting it for free! Routes like the 412 would have a worse farebox than the 411 on a Sunday I'd say JUST BECAUSE of all the people on free trips! Of course you could argue that people on PT is better than people driving - but more people would get on PT simply by charging reasonable fares and a reasonable FUD (not one which gives free trips after 9 paid journeys).

BUZ THE 370!

Don't talk such rubbish. It is quite obvious the western suburbs are grossly under-serviced, so we will start with a BUZ 416 and a BUZ 417. These routes both have a 'High' value for money, pass down Coronation Drive and serve a few people in high rises in Toowong/Taringa, so obviously they need to be BUZed immediately.

[ozbob]

4BC News Talk 1116 Mornings with Patrick Condren

Transport Fare change gets red light

4BC Mornings: Transport Minister Scott Emerson speaks with Patrick Condren about his rejection of  change in the Translink fare structure. Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track also comments.  [My comments are not up].

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

Savage blog comments ...

--> http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-fare-structure-change-says-transport-minister-20140302-33tlz.html#comments

[ozbob]

^

[Stillwater]

Mr Emerson is still peddling the line 'I am only chopping off one of your arms, Labor would have chopped off both.'

And why are we not hearing from the Premier on this?  We are being told that Mr Emerson has rejected a Translink fare review ... the review promised by Premier Campbell Newman.  Since when does a transport minister 'reject' a Premier's promise?  In Queensland, that's unheard of.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Newswatcher ‏@newswatcherqld 21m

Question from @jackietrad to Premier re: review of fare structure. #qt #qldpol

Looks like a question was asked in QT in parliament today.  Didn't hear it or the response.  My guess is response will be spin and that the 7.5% represents the new fare structure.  It doesn't of course, that was in train prior to Jan 2013.

Hansard will be available this evening.

[minbrisbane]

He's saying the exact same thing he's been saying.  "Bla bla bla labor bad, bla bla bla reliability bla bla bla labor bad."

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard 4 March 2014
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2014/2014_03_05_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Newman Government, Public Transport Fare Structure
Ms TRAD: My question without notice is to the Premier. I refer to the Premier's comments that 2014 is the year 'that it all comes together' and I refer also to the LNP's election commitment to review the public transport fare structure in South-East Queensland, and I ask: is the Premier aware that the transport minister has unilaterally ruled out a change to the fare structure, saying he had no intention of reviewing it? Isn't this just another broken LNP promise?
Mr NEWMAN: I thank the honourable member for her question, and clearly those opposite are noticing that 2014 is the year when it all comes together for Queensland. I am glad we got their attention. We have the attention of those opposite about what a great year it is going to be for Queensland, whether it be the economy or public services; now we just have to get the rest of Queensland thinking about the same thing and involved in that conversation, because do members know what? If they are talking about it, that is great. That is great, because we are on the way to letting people know the great things that are happening in Queensland. So I thank the opposition for observing and listening as much as we will be doing this year—that is, observing and listening to what we are saying. In relation to public transport fares, there were two commitments that we made in relation to fare structures. What were they? Firstly, there was the issue of the former transport minister's 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent fare increases and what we have seen under Labor is a 15 per cent, 15 per cent, I think 15 per cent increase and under this government 7½ per cent and 7½ per cent. So that is the first thing we said we would do, and we have done it.

What was second thing we said we would do? We said that, after people had taken nine journeys in a week, all remaining journeys in the week would be free on the go card. I ask members rhetorically: have we delivered on that promise?

Government members: Yes.

Mr NEWMAN: Yes, we have indeed. I thank the honourable members for confirming that important commitment.
So what does that mean? For the benefit of those people from the Redcliffe peninsula—this is a figure that is in my mind—it means that the savings from our initiatives are giving back to a person who commutes from the Redcliffe peninsula at least $800. In fact, it is $850 a year in savings from the Redcliffe peninsula. That is a big achievement and that is a big reduction in the cost of living, exactly as we said we would do.
I contrast that to the Labor Party not just in terms of the sphere of public transport issues but also petrol. What did we have with Labor? In 2009—or prior to the election—we had a commitment that there would be a fuel subsidy. What did they do? It went. We had a commitment that they would not sell assets, but they sold assets. We had the member for Mulgrave passionately defending the need to sell assets because it was a good thing to do, but now he is against it. They had a strong position supporting the criminal gang laws, then they were slightly against them but they said they would not repeal them and now they are going to repeal them even though we are seeing dramatic reductions in crime on the Gold Coast and in other places throughout Queensland.

Madam SPEAKER: The time for questions has finished.

[ozbob]

^ ROFL

Time they got some new spinners ....

More contempt for the masses.  No doubt will come back and bite!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6 March 2014

Fare failure SEQ - Question in Parliament

Greetings,

Interesting question without notice in Parliament yesterday.

Queensland Parliament Hansard 5 March 2014
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2014/2014_03_05_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Newman Government, Public Transport Fare Structure
Ms TRAD: My question without notice is to the Premier. I refer to the Premier's comments that 2014 is the year 'that it all comes together' and I refer also to the LNP's election commitment to review the public transport fare structure in South-East Queensland, and I ask: is the Premier aware that the transport minister has unilaterally ruled out a change to the fare structure, saying he had no intention of reviewing it? Isn't this just another broken LNP promise?

Mr NEWMAN: I thank the honourable member for her question, and clearly those opposite are noticing that 2014 is the year when it all comes together for Queensland. I am glad we got their attention. We have the attention of those opposite about what a great year it is going to be for Queensland, whether it be the economy or public services; now we just have to get the rest of Queensland thinking about the same thing and involved in that conversation, because do members know what? If they are talking about it, that is great. That is great, because we are on the way to letting people know the great things that are happening in Queensland. So I thank the opposition for observing and listening as much as we will be doing this year—that is, observing and listening to what we are saying. In relation to public transport fares, there were two commitments that we made in relation to fare structures. What were they? Firstly, there was the issue of the former transport minister's 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent, 15 per cent fare increases and what we have seen under Labor is a 15 per cent, 15 per cent, I think 15 per cent increase and under this government 7½ per cent and 7½ per cent. So that is the first thing we said we would do, and we have done it.

What was second thing we said we would do? We said that, after people had taken nine journeys in a week, all remaining journeys in the week would be free on the go card. I ask members rhetorically: have we delivered on that promise?

Government members: Yes.

Mr NEWMAN: Yes, we have indeed. I thank the honourable members for confirming that important commitment.
So what does that mean? For the benefit of those people from the Redcliffe peninsula—this is a figure that is in my mind—it means that the savings from our initiatives are giving back to a person who commutes from the Redcliffe peninsula at least $800. In fact, it is $850 a year in savings from the Redcliffe peninsula. That is a big achievement and that is a big reduction in the cost of living, exactly as we said we would do.
I contrast that to the Labor Party not just in terms of the sphere of public transport issues but also petrol. What did we have with Labor? In 2009—or prior to the election—we had a commitment that there would be a fuel subsidy. What did they do? It went. We had a commitment that they would not sell assets, but they sold assets. We had the member for Mulgrave passionately defending the need to sell assets because it was a good thing to do, but now he is against it. They had a strong position supporting the criminal gang laws, then they were slightly against them but they said they would not repeal them and now they are going to repeal them even though we are seeing dramatic reductions in crime on the Gold Coast and in other places throughout Queensland.

Madam SPEAKER: The time for questions has finished.

A new fare structure has not been delivered.  Fares in south-east Queensland are in meltdown.  The fare increases, 9 and free, were already in train prior to January 2013.

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this commitment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Jonno]

What a complete non-answer. This Premier is all talk, all PR, no delivery.  I am surprised he even attends question time as I am sure he sees no reason for it. He has all the answers!!!

[ozbob]

What a complete non-answer. This Premier is all talk, all PR, no delivery.  I am surprised he even attends question time as I am sure he sees no reason for it. He has all the answers!!!

[#Metro]

I have to say the political paralysis and absolute inertia is just BREATHTAKING. It's like they don't know what to do and are stuck between two polar opposite decisions. Everybody knows that when you price something more than it is worth to the people who use it, they stop buying! Duh!!

It's not rocket science how to fix this!

Oh well, perhaps another fare increase to REALLY get the protests spill into the street is required, no?

High Cost Fares #1 dinner table discussion around SEQ.

The State Opposition / Oppositionette needs to be pressed and prodded on producing a plan. Both sides are guilty as the other. Should have taken BT when Campbell Newman offered Brisbane Transport on a silver platter to the ALP when they were in office!

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-wants-state-government-to-run-buses/story-e6freoof-1225839337936

[ozbob]

Twitter
Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow
http://t.co/51IQKC2uvr  - Fare policy in SEQ. Affordability at crisis point, rorting rife, fare evasion out of control .. #qldpol #auspol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th March 2014

SEQ - public transport is a mess

Greetings,

Fare affordability has never been worse.   
Minister confirms Premiers commitment re fares rubbish -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg139664#msg139664

Bus network is a shambles, cuts to many regions causing much local grief. This is essentially the result of not standing up to BCC and allowing BCC to run rough shod over TransLink and all other bus regions.
BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.msg137338#msg137338

Data that is made readily available in other states such as around the clock performance for all modes, detailed patronage by mode and route and so forth is hidden from the public in Queensland.  Something to hide?
Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data  -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10357.msg134665#msg134665

Despite the puff pieces in the media all is not what is seems hey? Looking forward to election 2015?  We are ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th March 2014

SEQ - public transport is a mess

Greetings,



^ Transport policy in SEQ

Fare affordability has never been worse.   
Minister confirms Premiers commitment re fares rubbish -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg139664#msg139664

Bus network is a shambles, cuts to many regions causing much local grief. This is essentially the result of not standing up to BCC and allowing BCC to run rough shod over TransLink and all other bus regions.
BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.msg137338#msg137338

Data that is made readily available in other states such as around the clock performance for all modes, detailed patronage by mode and route and so forth is hidden from the public in Queensland.  Something to hide?
Call for transparency and accuracy with public transport data  -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10357.msg134665#msg134665

Despite the puff pieces in the media all is not what is seems hey? Looking forward to election 2015?  We are ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Derwan]

Sent to all outlets:

15th March 2014

SEQ - public transport is a mess

That photo was a great candidate for publicity on Facebook.  Please like/share the post: http://4nd.de/1o3mM59

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th March 2014

SEQ - public transport is a mess

That photo was a great candidate for publicity on Facebook.  Please like/share the post: http://4nd.de/1o3mM59

Thanks, has driven a lot of hits ..     Public is not as stupid as George St thinks we all are ...

[#Metro]

Where Else But Kweensland!

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane

Bill Breakdown - Train tickets

How is the cost of travelling on a QR train determined?

Tonight Rebecca Levingston spoke with Qld's Transport Minsiter Scott Emerson to try to get to the bottomline of train travel.

--> http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/03/bill-breakdown-train-tickets.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th March 2014

Fixing the fares in SEQ

Greetings,

Last evening on 612 ABC Radio  Rebecca Levingston spoke with Qld's Transport Minister Scott Emerson about fares. See --> http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/03/bill-breakdown-train-tickets.html

Congratulations to both Rebecca and Minister Emerson for an excellent interview.

Sadly though, the Minister although acknowledging that fare affordability is an issue, again there was no real indication that it will be sorted. Feedback to the station again highlighted the UN-affordability of the fares. TransLink's KPIs also confirm that fare affordability has never been as worse as it is now.  See --> http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jan-snapshot.pdf  page 14

Public transport is subsidised but so are roads, massively.  Investment in public transport actually saves money.  All major cities have well developed public transport networks as to not have public transport is simply not achievable practically or economically or sustainable from the transport point of view.

Rather than play the political blame game, it is now time to sort it. The fare system is a failure. An interim fare fix is as follows:

Clearly, base fares (the flagfall) is simply too high.  Daily capping is problematical because of the wide variation in journey lengths in terms of zones.  A dynamic daily cap could be done if the system could cope.

The concept of free after " x " paid journeys in a week is seriously flawed.  The system is too easily rorted and it is a fools paradigm.  During the go card roll out 50% fares after " x " paid journeys was in place.  It was a crass political move by the former Government to introduce the free after 10, which was easily trumped by the LNP as free after nine.  Both the 50% fares and the free after " x " journeys reflect the limitations on the system, and difficulty with simple capping with huge zonal variation.  So reverting back to 50% fares after " x " journeys is probably the  best of the worst of the options available.

Withdraw paper singles January 2015.

As interim measure I think they should adjust the go card fare table for all zones.  Set zone one peak at $3. 

Increase off peak discount to 30%.

Reintroduce 50% discount after 9 paid journeys in a week.

Keep the present two paid journey daily cap for Seniors but work towards a simple flat fare, similar to Sydney and Melbourne.

Allow children to travel free with a fare paying adult on weekends and holidays.

This would turn around the falling patronage and improve the fare box and reduce the direct subsidy.   And then give some space for the next generation ticketing system which is due in 2016 I understand.  A proper community consultative fare review should be undertaken prior to 2016.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[#Metro]

You would get savings if you fed buses to train stations. The longer a bus route is, the more it will cost.

The second is guards, these should be phased out in areas where possible (i.e. Springfield line, Gold Coast line, Airport Line)

[ozbob]

TransLink attempted to sort the bus network, we know what happened there ..

DOO is clearly a move to make but the LNP has said previously they do not support it.  This position may change.

Fares can be sorted this coming weekend.  Sorting out the network is going to take a bit longer ...

[#Metro]

There is very little room to move now, the public dissatisfaction is enormous. Subsidies are some of the highest in the world, and this isn't a badge of quality, it is an indicator of a network that is spreading itself far to thinly across too many routes. Fare costs are explosive, and it is strange to think a bus load of people cost more per passenger than 1 person doing the same trip in their car!

It is easy to gauge when you listen to conversations on the train, at the bus stop and around dinner tables, it is all about the fares.

The longer a bus route is, the more it will cost, because longer lines take more time to drive than shorter ones. This is why sending every single bus to the CBD wastes money in two ways - first you have to pay the driver to drive all the way to the CBD, second, you have to pay for the corresponding air parcel carried on the train where those passengers in the bus would have been. Not every bus trip is train contestable, but having said that, many are.

[techblitz]

theres no room to move on...they just dont care.....the new facebook page has become THE  place to air complaints re fares and bus issues...and is also garnering a lot of public transport discuaaion.....im sure a few higher uppers would be browsing it any chance they get......complaints wont phase them though....

[ozbob]

They do care TB , but they care in the shadows of the election.  The fare card will be played then no doubt.

They are however doing a lot of damage to themselves electorally, a lot of damage to public transport generally, impacting on the morale of TransLink, TMR and operators.  Real leaders would move now and sort it.

Real leaders they are not.  The pathetic performance by the Treasurer re the SCL is just further evidence.

Bring on the revolution!!

[HappyTrainGuy]

You would get savings if you fed buses to train stations. The longer a bus route is, the more it will cost.

The second is guards, these should be phased out in areas where possible (i.e. Springfield line, Gold Coast line, Airport Line)

Cough 330

[ozbob]

Been booked 6am this morning 4BC Newstalk 1116 re fare affordability data for Jan 2014  and George St station UBAT ... 

[ozbob]

Been booked 6am this morning 4BC Newstalk 1116 re fare affordability data for Jan 2014  and George St station UBAT ...

Thanks Ian and Loretta, 4BC.  Good discussion on fare affordability the not so good news, and George St station better news.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 21st March 2014 page 17

Rail fares zone system is in need of a rethink

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 24th March 2014 page 13

Passengers are going off the rails after frequency increase

[Jonno]

Every commuter trip not on public transport is costing us a minimum of twice as much in construction costs alone.  Bike and walking it is 100 fold.

http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/ARA_Public_Transport_Investment_Info-Sheet-WEB.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th March 2014

February 2014 public transport performance data

Greetings,

The  February 2014 Public transport performance data is now available!

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf page 14



As we expected, affordability continues to worsen, worst affordability level all modes ever!

It really is time to sort out this mess.  How to do it -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

27th March 2014

February 2014 public transport performance data

Greetings,

Looking forward to the February 2014 Public transport performance data.  Not yet available.
See --> http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

It is usually made publicly available late Friday, obviously in an attempt to minimise adverse media publicity.

The lack of detailed public transport data in Queensland is a major concern.  Other states make detailed data readily available, not in Queensland.  Obviously a lot to hide hey?

What is made publicly available is a very superficial data set.  We know this as in 2011 TransLink mistakenly put up the ' Minister's TransLink Tracker ' on their web site instead of the sanitised public version of the TransLink Tracker for a short time  ...  [The TransLink Tracker was the equivalent of today's Public transport performance data].

Failed fare system, failed bus reviews, little wonder secrecy and contempt is the game.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media release 29th March 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

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 said the TransLink performance snap shot data for February 2014 has confirmed that affordability has reached the worst level ever.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is the standout failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5)."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The  February 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf page 14

[ozbob]

As we have seen in SEQ, too much of jump will not improve the fare box but rather reduce it relatively ...

Once people perceive that driving is cheaper than the PT, massive on costs follow as can now be noted around SEQ.

Investing in PT as subsidies is actually a wise investment.

Perth fares are about half of those in SEQ.  Victoria is going the other way, already affordable are going down down in cost, driven by political panic though.

[ozbob]

A point worth noting (again) in SEQ is that the stated aim of the Five Year fare path from 2010=2014 of ' decreasing the public subsidy of PT ' was utter bullsh%t.  It was a patronage capping strategy.  They are all liars, ALP, LNP or whatever ...

Our elected representatives and the bureaucracy were quite to happy to punish those who can least afford it and force more people onto dangerous roads. 

A few carrots might be rolled out in the shadows of the next state election campaign.   But basically no one really gives  a f%%k, politicians, media or bureaucracy ..