23 Jul 2014: SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?

[ozbob]

Media release 23rd July 2014



SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?

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 called for genuine reform, fares, bus and rail.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fare and subsidy cost explosions led to highly unpopular fare increases by the previous administration and the inability to promise 15-minute frequent trains across SEQ. There is little doubt that this was a strong contributor to the election loss of the previous administration. The same trend is seen in Melbourne, for example."

"Fare unaffordability is now at the worst levels ever as measured by TransLink Key Performance Indicators (1)."

"The failure to put Queensland Rail (QR) on a path to driver only operation means that our trains cost 100% more to operate than in Perth. Perth uses identical trains made in the same factory as those used by QR. We are getting much less bang for our buck here in Queensland than Perth residents are. We are getting higher fares and a lack of service as a result."

"The failure to reform the Brisbane City Council (BCC) bus network has locked the network into a death spiral. While a taxi-style bus network is direct, it also comes with the need to charge taxi-style fare levels (and $400/year from ratepayers). Auckland (NZ) is managing their TransLink-style bus review very well, and ironically it is managed by a Brisbane firm. Meanwhile, residents of Yeronga, Centenary, Bulimba and Albany Creek are paying more than ever for the same old inadequate service."

"Passenger subsidy has gone up, patronage has gone down and fare affordability is at the worst level on record, confirming our death spiral theory."

"It is a sad irony that the people that went around claiming that they were concerned about representing the interests of the disadvantaged and needy are the same people now responsible for causing a massive cost explosion that is slamming low income, the disadvantaged, refugees, people on the minimum wage and those on Centrelink payments."

"The BCC bus network must be reformed and QR must be put on a path to driver only operation. This way fares can come down or at least passengers can be compensated with increased frequent services. The '9-then-waste' scheme should be terminated and funds diverted into concession fares for all health care card holders.

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all and a reverse of falling patronage and lead to a better fare-box with less subsidy (2, 3).

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

2. SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Refugees
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10502.msg138196#msg138196

3. Failed Fare System Knocks the LNP off the rails at ballot box
http://backontrack.org/docs/qt/qt_21jul14_p23.jpg

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg144482#msg144482

[Andrew]

Hate to break it to you fellas but your % figure for efficiency re driver only operation is wrong. There has to be supporting infrastructure such as TV screens and mirrors for the driver to see all parts of thr platform. This will cost money and maintenance costs. Driver Only operation I think puts unnecessary pressure on the driver to remember wheelchair passengers etc. I have seen the downside to this in Melbourne where the driver forgot.

[ozbob]

Costs are marginal compared to the labour costs.  I regularly use Melbourne trains.  DOO is fine.  There are problems with two person crews as well.

Perth manages well.  DOO will be a progressive thing here on the SEQ suburban network, will not happen overnight.  BaT (or CRR) trains may well be the first DOO services I expect.

[#Metro]

1. 2013 Traincrew agreement QIRC
http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/resources/pdf/certified_agreements/cert_agreements/2013/ca71_2013.pdf

SEQ Guard, flat rate, +$ 84 000. Almost as much as the driver.

Real costs are probably closer to + $100 000 each as you have to consider super and other things as well.

[#Metro]

Source: http://www.worldtransitresearch.info/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5848&context=research

Rail Patronage Management - effectiveness in practice, and new theoretical frames
Hale & Charles
12th WCTR, July 11-15, 2010 – Lisbon, Portugal

And this was before the large fare cost escalations as well...

[ozbob]

^  thanks LD.  Useful information.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th July 2014

Re: SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?

Greetings,

Just to substantiate our claims re: Perth residents are getting more bang for their buck out of their rail networks than we are, we present the following information.

A guard adds around $80 000+ in costs, see this table:

QR Wages table



The operating costs per passenger within QR are about double that of Perth. Perth is comparable city and network to SEQ, in terms of urban form, population, density, rail gauge, trains used, electrification and mix and distances of lines.

QR operating costs are about twice that of TransPerth.

QR Vs Transperth



Interesting to note that the same pattern emerges when comparing Sydney (Guards) and Melbourne (no Guards). Costs in Sydney approximately twice that of Melbourne.

Both comparable cities with comparable rail networks.

Guards may be progressively converted to train drivers as the network and service frequencies expand.

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

1. SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10836.0

2. 2013 Traincrew agreement QIRC
http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au/resources/pdf/certified_agreements/cert_agreements/2013/ca71_2013.pdf


3. Rail Patronage Management - effectiveness in practice, and new theoretical frames
Hale & Charles
12th WCTR, July 11-15, 2010 – Lisbon, Portugal
http://www.worldtransitresearch.info/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5848&context=research

Media release 23rd July 2014



SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?

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 called for genuine reform, fares, bus and rail.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fare and subsidy cost explosions led to highly unpopular fare increases by the previous administration and the inability to promise 15-minute frequent trains across SEQ. There is little doubt that this was a strong contributor to the election loss of the previous administration. The same trend is seen in Melbourne, for example."

"Fare unaffordability is now at the worst levels ever as measured by TransLink Key Performance Indicators (1)."

"The failure to put Queensland Rail (QR) on a path to driver only operation means that our trains cost 100% more to operate than in Perth. Perth uses identical trains made in the same factory as those used by QR. We are getting much less bang for our buck here in Queensland than Perth residents are. We are getting higher fares and a lack of service as a result."

"The failure to reform the Brisbane City Council (BCC) bus network has locked the network into a death spiral. While a taxi-style bus network is direct, it also comes with the need to charge taxi-style fare levels (and $400/year from ratepayers). Auckland (NZ) is managing their TransLink-style bus review very well, and ironically it is managed by a Brisbane firm. Meanwhile, residents of Yeronga, Centenary, Bulimba and Albany Creek are paying more than ever for the same old inadequate service."

"Passenger subsidy has gone up, patronage has gone down and fare affordability is at the worst level on record, confirming our death spiral theory."

"It is a sad irony that the people that went around claiming that they were concerned about representing the interests of the disadvantaged and needy are the same people now responsible for causing a massive cost explosion that is slamming low income, the disadvantaged, refugees, people on the minimum wage and those on Centrelink payments."

"The BCC bus network must be reformed and QR must be put on a path to driver only operation. This way fares can come down or at least passengers can be compensated with increased frequent services. The '9-then-waste' scheme should be terminated and funds diverted into concession fares for all health care card holders.

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all and a reverse of falling patronage and lead to a better fare-box with less subsidy (2, 3).

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

2. SEQ: BCC Bus Cost Explosion Engulfs Refugees
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10502.msg138196#msg138196

3. Failed Fare System Knocks the LNP off the rails at ballot box
http://backontrack.org/docs/qt/qt_21jul14_p23.jpg

Contact:

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