Queensland Transport to return $30m in carbon tax savings as lower fares or incr

[#Metro]

Queensland Transport to return $30m in carbon tax savings as lower fares or increased services

The Sunday Mail can reveal the Government will spend about $30 million in carbon tax savings gleaned from the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail on public transport, in a pre-election sweetener aimed to woo commuters and show the Government is listening when it comes to cost-of-living pressures.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-transport-to-return-30m-in-carbon-tax-savings-as-lower-fares-or-increased-services/story-fnihsrf2-1227042380700

BUY BRISBANE TRANSPORT OFF BCC with the 30 million! Once uploaded to the state government, reorganise the bus network. If desired, you can then sell it off, recoup the 30 million!

I hope that if they choose new services, they actually reorganise the network rather than amplify the old one (making it more difficult to change later).

[ozbob]

There will be an online survey opening later today at TransLink.

[ozbob]

Media release 31st August

SEQ: Fare relief or increased services?  We can have both!

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 State Government's move to finally consult public transport users via a survey on how carbon tax savings can be used for fare and or network improvements (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The failure of the bus review in 2013 has restricted the opportunity for fare affordability improvements on the SEQ TransLink network."

"Fare unaffordability has never been worse than now in SEQ (2, 3, 4). Rather than simple fare-cuts, reorganise the network along the lines proposed in 2013 to drive the massive savings in operating costs, which together with the carbon tax savings can then be used for a much better balanced and affordable fare system for all demographics, with improved connectivity and improved frequency in poorly served areas of SEQ."

"Simple fare cuts alone will not fix the fundamental issues with the failing network.  Real leadership is needed to fix it for the long term, not just buy votes for the next state election."

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-transport-to-return-30m-in-carbon-tax-savings-as-lower-fares-or-increased-services/story-fnihsrf2-1227042380700

2. 23 Aug 2014: SEQ: Fare failure on the political agenda
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10917.0

3. 1 Aug 2014: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10881.0

4. 23 Jul 2014: SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10836.0

Contact:

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

[#Metro]

These 'sweeteners' are like junk food - tastes great, but bad later (i.e. 9-then-free). I really hope they do not BUZ legacy routes without reorganisation - that makes it even harder to fix up. Four year fixed terms would go some way to resolve things, would introduce some more stability and at least two years of solid work for whichever of blue or red team get into the job.

* Feeder BUZ from Albany Creek to Ennoggera Station
* Feeder BUZ from Centenary to Indooroopilly

Bulimba could be BUZzed but not without reorganisation first.

Concessions should be extended to HCC holders if the 'fare cut' option is taken.

[ozbob]

"There was movement at the station .... "

[ozbob]

A survey looking for a political excuse?

Hello ...   

Cheaper fares or more services? --> http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say

Will not sort the underlying issues with the network .. sadly ...  until that is done the situation will simply become increasingly unaffordable and worse.

[#Metro]

I would suggest more services. Fares will come down automatically if the bus network is reorganised (and QR get ATP and DOO eventually).

Time cost is the largest cost, putting the money there would reverse the death spiral.

* Add Yeronga BUZ to the list.

[ozbob]

I went for more services.  Be interesting the results albeit a bit of a flawed survey.

Will we ever really know?   

[STB]

Obviously there's an election in the air!

What really worries me about this survey is that it's so vague, without really asking anything of note.  I went for more services, but we all know the public transport system needs a complete overhaul, particularly with Brisbane Transport.  What it needs isn't more money thrown about, but smarter thinking with the planning, and the rewards of that will flow afterwards.

[ozbob]

Seond part of today's Editorial Sunday Mail --> RAIL FARE CUTS A BOON

HOW refreshing that the Newman Government will ease the burden on long-suffering rail commuters by slashing fares and increasing services.

The fare cuts and extra trains are part of the Government's commitment to use a $150 million windfall from the abolition of the carbon tax.

Rail fares in Queensland are among the highest in the Western world. Reducing them, even if it is only by 5 per cent, is a boon for the tens of thousands of regular commuters. Increasing services on busy routes will also be welcomed.

Travellers using the Gold Coast-Roma St route refer to it as the Bombay Express because it is so crammed.

^

Oh dear .. 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

Do you want to cut fares by 5% or increase services? Make your choice at http://translink.com.au  or ring 13 12 30

[ozbob]

Might explain the tardiness of the July 2014 snap shot data as well ...  'affordability' must be bad

pre-election carrots are starting to float to the top of the political soup ..

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

Do you want to cut fares by 5% or increase services? Make your choice at http://translink.com.au  or ring 13 12 30

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @scottemersonmp According to the SM ed can have both, we agree > http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-we-must-fight-this-threat-to-world-peace/story-fnihsr9v-1227042363071 ... & > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10930.msg145788#msg145788 ... #qldpol #farefailSEQ

[ozbob]

Understand that a press conference is presently underway with Premier et al.  Sure to be more to follow on this ..

Queensland Votes soon huh?

[Jonno]

I went for fares bit it is a very tough decision.  My logic was lower the fare (albeit marginally) and hopefully we see a patronage increase, which supports case for redesigning fares, which further increases patronage which drives redesign/additional services.  Probably dreaming I suspect!!

[ozbob]

Good points. 

As we all know, cuts alone is just going to get us in the same situation next cycle.  Need proper fare and network reform.

Noticed what blog comments etc. around there is a lot of cynicism from the masses ..

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/8/31/savings-fund-cheaper-transport-fares-or-more-services

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Savings fund cheaper transport fares or more services

Queensland families will enjoy cheaper public transport fares or more services following a decision to re-invest savings from the scrapped carbon tax towards public transport.

Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said members of the public would decide whether they want to pay less for their travel or would prefer increased bus, train and ferry frequency.

"With the carbon tax gone the Government now has more money to improve services for families," Mr Newman said.

"We are calling on Queenslanders to tell us how the carbon tax savings should be spent, a five per cent reduction in fares or more public transport services.

"This announcement is part of our strong plan to lower the cost of living for families and revitalise frontline services, creating a brighter future for commuters.

"Under Labor, public transport fares increased while services declined, but we've been working hard over the last two and a half years to turn that around.

"Over the next two weeks we are asking for feedback from all Queenslanders on how best to spend the carbon tax savings, which are about $30 million a year."

Mr Emerson said that whatever the public chose would be a win for public transport as we continued to improve affordability, frequency and the reliability of the network.

"We promised at the election to improve affordability and never go back to the bad old days of Labor where they put fares up by 15 per cent year after year," Mr Emerson said.

"If people choose a reduction in fares, a passenger travelling from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast each week day could save an additional $320 a year.

"That's a saving of $2000 a year compared to Labor's policy of on-going 15 per cent fare increases.

"The other option could see approximately 1000 more public transport services allocated across Queensland per week.

"As well as re-investing these savings, up to 80,000 passengers will continue to benefit from our successful free travel after nine weekly journeys initiative."

An online survey opens on Sunday, 31 August and closes at midnight Sunday, 14 September via the TransLink website http://translink.com.au or call on 13 12 30.

[ENDS] 31 August 2014               

[ozbob]

Understand ALP Opposition has called a press conference now as well.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @qldgovmedia If there is a fare reduction say of 5% November will fares still increase 2.5% Jan 2015? ping @scottemersonmp @jackietrad

[ozbob]

...
"As well as re-investing these savings, up to 80,000 passengers will continue to benefit from our successful free travel after nine weekly journeys initiative." ...

Sure will, rorting will now be more of a fine art too .. 

Can we beat Kenny?

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @qldgovmedia If there is a fare reduction say of 5% November will fares still increase 2.5% Jan 2015? ping @scottemersonmp @jackietrad

Twitter

QLD Gov Media Office ‏@QGovMO 6m

. @Robert_Dow No. It would be an immediate 5% reduction and then no increase in January.

[ozbob]

Nine News --> Qld to pass carbon savings to commuters

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Qld to pass carbon savings to commuters

[ozbob]

All in all a pretty slick political stunt, day carefully chosen. 

Setting up for QLD Votes.   Be interesting to see if the ALP come back with anything now that the LNP have declared their hand.

Critical balanced media coverage?  WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 

[Gazza]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @qldgovmedia If there is a fare reduction say of 5% November will fares still increase 2.5% Jan 2015? ping @scottemersonmp @jackietrad

I thought fares were only supposed to be 3% next year?

[ozbob]

No, capped at 2.5% for the next three years was the latest promise by the Government prior to today. 

That will now be scrapped if the 5% reduction is carried and I think it will.

[dancingmongoose]

I went for fares, mainly because the services description was very vague. "benefitting different parts of Queensland" is extremely vague. For all I know that could just mean that Translink reforms Toowoomba bus system the way the have with Cairns, while I don't have a problem with that happening it doesn't affect me or any of the much higher density TL SEQ region. One thing I do know is that it won't be an increase in train services because we don't have the rollingstock!

[ozbob]

Fairfax radio news have followed up.  Thanks for the interest ... 

[BrizCommuter]

The fares issue would could be solved by a complete redesign of the fare structure, and bus network redesign.
The increase in services is somewhat limited by lack of trains and buses, and again a bus network redesign is required here.
Of course, giving Brisbane Transport a big slap is not an option in the survey.

More laughable spin from the LNP. BrizCommuter refuses to vote.

[ozbob]

The fares issue would could be solved by a complete redesign of the fare structure, and bus network redesign.
The increase in services is somewhat limited by lack of trains and buses, and again a bus network redesign is required here.
Of course, giving Brisbane Transport a big slap is not an option in the survey.

More laughable spin from the LNP. BrizCommuter refuses to vote.

Indeed Briz.  Without proper network and fare reform, the ice cream is soon melted. 

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

7 News --> Qld to pass carbon savings to commuters

... Opposition MP Yvette D'Ath called the announcement a "bandaid vote grab" designed to win over Queenslanders ahead of next year's election.

Ms D'Ath said Labor welcomed improvements in public transport but she questioned the government's investment in public transport infrastructure.

"I think what we see here is no real forethought," she said on Sunday.

"They haven't put any policy around this, they've just come out, they've made an announcement to try to win support out there in the community.

"What we want to see is proper policy, strategic policy, being announced by this government."

[ozbob]

What a coincidence, 1984 ...

Unless there is real reform we have of course  ..

[Gazza]

Might as well reduce fares.
Its at a point that a mindset has gotten into peoples heads that "fares are expensive" and while that is true I think people tend to exxagerate that expensiveness.


The only way to really fix it at this point is through a cut.

But why do they speak of lowering fares in cairns? They are already cheap there.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Might as well reduce fares.
Its at a point that a mindset has gotten into peoples heads that "fares are expensive" and while that is true I think people tend to exxagerate that expensiveness.


The only way to really fix it at this point is through a cut.

But why do they speak of lowering fares in cairns? They are already cheap there.

Yo, fares outside TransLinkSEQ for qconnect and TransLinkQld are most affordable, particularly with daily and weekly options for some.

[Fares_Fair]

I would expect a 5% cut in the fares to win out.

The cuts affect all, whereas 1000 extra services would affect a limited few (comparatively speaking).
Some areas, like Sunshine Coast rail cannot get much improvement (at this time - but hope to see that sorted soon).

Be interesting to see the response.
If people knew where or how the 1000 extra services would be deployed - that would help them make a more informed (perhaps difficult) choice.

[Fares_Fair]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @qldgovmedia If there is a fare reduction say of 5% November will fares still increase 2.5% Jan 2015? ping @scottemersonmp @jackietrad

I thought fares were only supposed to be 3% next year?

Reply to Gazza
No, 2.5% for the next 3 years was what was announced.
This 5% reduction also removes the 2.5% increase due in January 2015.

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter has temporarily come out of exile to comment on this charade of a vote:
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/brizcommuter-special-fare-decrease-vs.html

[SurfRail]

Given the need to at least give some kind of direction, my vote was for services. 

It beggars belief that Cairns can have better headways and span of hours 7 days a week on nearly its entire system than most Gold Coast routes off the high-frequency grid.