14 Apr 2014: SEQ: BaT - it is just not cricket!

[ozbob]

Media release 14th April 2014

SEQ: BaT - it is just not cricket!



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 cautiously reviewed the BaT design only to conclude the project is attempting fix a bus congestion problem that ought not exist.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The BaT Project seeks to fix the chronic bus congestion caused by BCC's refusal to adopt leading practice network design such as those operating in Aukland, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland - to name just a few 'world' cities. The design concessions such as no Park Road Station, no connection to the northern or airport lines and no feeder network capacity enhancement mean the BaT is more about the buses than rail."

"As we have said all along, the current bus network is unsustainable. It is operationally unsustainable because adding more and more buses to the system is causing huge congestion and delays in the city centre. It is financially unsustainable because we cannot keep paying ever increasing fares, amongst the world's highest, and also some of the world's highest taxpayer subsidies for services that leave some Brisbane Suburbs such as Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest in the dark."

"The current bus system is anti-patronage and doesn't serve the needs of the city. A simpler, frequent and more reliable bus network as proposed in the Translink Network Review in 2013 would significantly reduce the current bus congestion problems, increase patronage, minimise waste and allow the BaT investments to maximise the benefits for the entire public transport network."

"We can sit back and let the same investment fix a problem that ought not exist and provide the network with a sub-optimal outcome or instead adopt leading practice bus network design and maximise the rail and overall network benefits."

References:

1. SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community -   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.0

2. SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10146.0

3. SEQ: BCC Bus Review Fail a Raw Deal for Brisbane and SEQ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10285.0

4. Bus and rail tunnel all show and no substance: transport expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus-and-rail-tunnel-all-show-and-no-substance-transport-expert-20131118-2xrab.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion BaT --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9972.msg141051#msg141051

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th June 2014

Will BaT actually be built?

Greetings,

Strong community action re the BaT and potential demise of Dutton Park Railway station, and politics means Dutton Park railway is to remain.

One wonders how rigorous transport planning processes are in Queensland and Australia.  Changes are constantly made for what are not necessarily the best outcomes overall.

The changes to BaT do beg the question.  How rigorous is transport planning in Queensland and Australia?

CRR is presented as the solution, validated by rigorous years of work by Infrastructure Australia.

BaT is changed, from a former position of no changes possible.  One wonders ...

The lack of UBaT connection at Park Road/Boggo now will be locked in by the looks of things.

A small win re Dutton Park.  The fundamental issues remain.  Now add into the mix the vacillation by the Greens to block the fuel excise increase.  This now means that less money will be made available to the states and the states will now probably be forced to further prioritise roads over sensible transport options.

Will BaT actually be built?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 14th April 2014

SEQ: BaT - it is just not cricket!



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 cautiously reviewed the BaT design only to conclude the project is attempting fix a bus congestion problem that ought not exist.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The BaT Project seeks to fix the chronic bus congestion caused by BCC's refusal to adopt leading practice network design such as those operating in Aukland, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland - to name just a few 'world' cities. The design concessions such as no Park Road Station, no connection to the northern or airport lines and no feeder network capacity enhancement mean the BaT is more about the buses than rail."

"As we have said all along, the current bus network is unsustainable. It is operationally unsustainable because adding more and more buses to the system is causing huge congestion and delays in the city centre. It is financially unsustainable because we cannot keep paying ever increasing fares, amongst the world's highest, and also some of the world's highest taxpayer subsidies for services that leave some Brisbane Suburbs such as Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest in the dark."

"The current bus system is anti-patronage and doesn't serve the needs of the city. A simpler, frequent and more reliable bus network as proposed in the Translink Network Review in 2013 would significantly reduce the current bus congestion problems, increase patronage, minimise waste and allow the BaT investments to maximise the benefits for the entire public transport network."

"We can sit back and let the same investment fix a problem that ought not exist and provide the network with a sub-optimal outcome or instead adopt leading practice bus network design and maximise the rail and overall network benefits."

References:

1. SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Community -   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10458.0

2. SEQ: Bus review shambles confirmed by RTI - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10146.0

3. SEQ: BCC Bus Review Fail a Raw Deal for Brisbane and SEQ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10285.0

4. Bus and rail tunnel all show and no substance: transport expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus-and-rail-tunnel-all-show-and-no-substance-transport-expert-20131118-2xrab.html

Contact:

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

[techblitz]

Strong community action re the BaT and potential demise of Dutton Park Railway station, and politics means Dutton Park railway is to remain.

oh yeah....can i get a pp  can i get a pp 

people power,political power you name it....it will continue to show its face.
If people think it wont show its face come bus tender time next year they are kidding themselves.
power to the P!

[SurfRail]

Why should it matter? 

Tendering won't change the number of buses, or probably even the bus routes, for a long time until after it happens.  Some people are just precious about things being in public hands even though BT is just about the least efficient operator in Australia on several metrics - dead running, fleet utilisation, network complexity, redundant routing etc.  They'll push it through after taking back government in March. 

Even STA is picking up its game since it was threatened with the same stick.  ACTION is pretty awful too but at least the ACT has the network planning more or less right - the issues are more industrial in nature than the whole philosophy and organisational culture.

More and more people seriously need to be put on a plane to Perth to look at how the pros do it.  Feeder buses every 10 minutes from suburbs less dense than anywhere in Brisbane's south anybody?

[techblitz]

The issue here is change and its something that has been shown time and time again....QLDers dont like....this dutton park achievement is yet another of many examples.....i must admit...i thought they had buckleys chance of pulling it off but they did. 

Tenders will go ahead but will it be SEQ bus review MKII? Probably so.Anyone who thinks its going to be an easy,flick of the switch  "hey who wants this bus contract?" and be done with it scenario and everybody keeps quiet is living too far in the realm of hope.
The tendering process needs to come up with well planned proposals or expect another inala or massive dont cut route 411 petition...or  how about woolen bus stops and councellors talking up lowly used routes.Take your pick!