The trainspotter who changed the way we travel

[Derwan]

From Brisbane Times (sourcing from Sun Herald).

The trainspotter who changed the way we travel

ROBERT DOW is Brisbane's chief trainspotter.

He runs the public transport users' website and lobby group, Rail: Back on Track, which has put two Queensland cabinet ministers, Paul Lucas (Infrastructure and Planning) and John Mickel (Transport), under the microscope.

Mr Dow loves trains. When he was a boy, his grandfather took him on rail trips and young Robert built models while growing up in Victoria.

He also loves the intricate workings of timetables.

"Queensland Rail is probably one of the world's great railway networks," he says. "It's a fantastic outfit when you look at what is happening up north - the railway servicing the coalmines."

These days, Mr Dow, a medical industry teacher at Queensland University of Technology, sees himself as the voice of the humble Brisbane commuter, frustrated at the agonisingly slow pace of reform on the suburban rail network.

Rail: Back on Track started in Brisbane in 2006, before the state election. The founders wanted to force change and were frustrated at writing letters to ministers, Queensland Rail and newspapers as individuals.

"A couple of us were sitting on the train one day and said, 'Things aren't improving real quick are they? We're getting more and more people on the trains and we don't seem to be getting any more trains,' " Mr Dow says, sitting on the platform at Oxley station in Brisbane's south-west. "We thought, well, if we got together and collectively lobbied as a community group, we might get a better impact."

Mr Dow insists Rail: Back on Track comprises "normal Brisbanites" without a political barrow to push.

"We are just normal commuters," he says.

"There are obviously some rail enthusiasts who are part of our group, but the majority of our group are just everyday public transport users.

"Most of them are rail users, but we certainly have our bus- and ferry-orientated people as well."

Mr Dow served 23 years in the Australian Army as a medic and pathology scientific officer - including active service in Vietnam.

After he left the army in the early 1990s, he worked at the Mater Hospital before joining QUT.

Mr Dow acquired the computer skills to run websites while completing his further studies in the army. He also runs a site for the Australian Institute of Medical Sciences. He lives with his wife and two daughters at Oxley, where to his delight the massive upgrading of the rail line from Corinda to Darra is his territory.

Mr Dow says Rail: Back on Track has raised several problems with the "go card" electronic ticketing system in meetings with former Translink chief Luke Franzmaan; questioned the short-sighted ideas of delaying a rail line to Springfield and then not including stations; and more recently suggested how better to use Brisbane's inner-city stations. The lobby group and Mr Dow would love to see a connection - possibly underground - between Woolloongabba, the University of Queensland and Indooroopilly when the State Government finally releases concepts from its Inner City Rail Study.

Queensland Rail would make no comment, simply confirming the study is due to be released midyear.

"People are starting to listen to us," Mr Dow said. "We are starting to get some results."

Source: The Sun-Herald

Well done Bob!!   

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2008/06/29/350trainspotting.jpg

It began as a hobby for Robert Dow, but now he's the voice of the humble Brisbane commuter. 

Just a couple of corrections  , I live at Darra and just a humble trainspotter ...

But thanks to Brisbanetimes for supporting commuter concerns as they do.
Appreciated by all.

[ButFli]

When I saw this on Brisbanetimes this morning I thought ozbob was dead and this was his obituary. Clearly not.

[Mozz]

Well done to Bob and the forum membership

Let us continue on the journey to improve public transport outcomes for the community.

[ozbob]

Thanks, original article from the Sun Herald click here!  PDF

Thanks for the support Sun Herald.

Support of all our members has been critical in helping to get improvements.
Every comment, post, email contributes.
If nothing else, we have raised the profile of rail and public transport matters.
Interesting days ahead ...

[Skeetbris]

Yes indeed, thanks to Ozbob for using his computer skills to develop this site. It is a great way to express ideas and highlight issues with public transport  in Brisbane for commuters in general. It is good to see the Govt and Brisbane City Council are getting more committed to commuters in SEQ. I hope those new trains and buses hurry up and are commissioned for service ASAP!

[Otto]

Have to agree... It's a job well done !!  Thanks ozbob 

[ozbob]

10 years coming up for RBoT ...

[Mozz]

Woohoo - 10 years... well done Bob and also to all the forum membership !!!