24 Sep 2014: SEQ: Can we please see out of and into buses, trains and trams!

Sent to all outlets:

4th November 2018

Call to remove ad-wrap from windows of public transport vehicles

Greetings,

There are significant problems with ad-wrap on buses, trains, ferries and trams blocking windows vision. Public transport vehicles are built with windows for a reason, so passengers and others can see into and out of them. Public transport vehicles are not built window-less are they? The windows should not be blocked. This is very disorientating for passengers, particularly at night and/or when wet, and also makes it very difficult if not impossible to see into the vehicle. The blocking of window vision could have very serious safety and security implications as well.

We have been calling for its removal for many years now. The calls have largely fallen on deaf ears. There is a growing national awareness of need to bring back clear windows on public transport vehicles. Some recent reports on Twitter:

NSW: https://twitter.com/FixNSWTransport/status/976257279321190400

Sydney bus

Victoria: https://twitter.com/tonybmorton/status/994702094174113792

Melbourne tram

Queensland: https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/999760549683519488

Brisbane train

South Australia:

Nice new tram line - but, because of the window-covering advertising, you can&#39;t see where you are. And this is looking straight through the window on a sunny day - it&#39;s much worse trying to look forward on an angle or at night or in the rain. pic.twitter.com/WTEKoALhqr
— Australian Rail Maps (@railmaps) November 3, 2018

Adelaide tram

Australian Rail Maps on twitter made this comment yesterday:

" Advertising on windows of buses, trains and trams betrays a prejudice that those outside the vehicle are more important than those inside. It's insulting. And to make it worse, when you object, the response is so often "But they're transparent". No, they're not."

Advertising on windows of buses, trains and trams betrays a prejudice that those outside the vehicle are more important than those inside.
It's insulting.
And to make it worse, when you object, the response is so often "But they're transparent". No, they're not.
— Australian Rail Maps (@railmaps) November 3, 2018

We agree strongly. It is a sign of disrespect and contempt for public transport passengers to block their vision by covering up windows with ad-wrap. Time to get rid of it. Advertisements can still be placed on public transport vehicles preserving the revenue, but leave the windows clear please!

Thank you!

Best wishes,

Robert

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

ozbob · November 04, 2018, 01:52:35 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1058748645074382848

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1058840764203982849

ozbob · November 04, 2018, 12:39:54 PM

Something else that is directly related to this ad-wrap issue. A well respected source has told me
that mothers have complained that their autistic children freak out in public transport vehicles that
have the windows blocked with ad-wrap. So there are health impacts to consider as well.
I am confident there would be other individuals with PTSD etc. that would also have difficulties.

But seriously, why do they turn public transport vehicles into tin cans? They are built with windows for a reason.

Time it was removed!

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1058912246313639936

ozbob · November 13, 2018, 17:18:43 PM

https://twitter.com/FixNSWTransport/status/1062242672079888384

ozbob · December 06, 2018, 10:23:40 AM

http://www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/542

Removal of ads from BCC bus windows

Residents draw to the attention of the Lord Mayor, problems with visibility and safety caused by advertising covering bus windows.

Your petitioners therefore request that BCC discontinues the practice of covering bus windows with advertising wraps.

Council response

In the current financial year, Council expects to provide a Public Transport Operating Subsidy of $126.5 million, which supports the operation of quality bus and ferry services across the city and suburbs. Revenue from advertising on buses assists Council in providing this high level of funding support for public transport. Without advertising revenue, Council would need to consider reducing public transport service levels or increasing general rates to fill any funding gap.

It is important to note, however, that Council already takes steps to ensure that external advertising on buses does not unreasonably impact on passengers. Council currently has more than 1,200 buses in its bus fleet, however, relatively few buses have advertising that fully covers windows.

The most common form of external commercial advertising used is a Portrait Side display, which is a 1.4 metre wide advertisement positioned on the side of a 12.5 metre-long bus. Council also makes use of the rear of its bus fleet, which is generally window-free, for advertising purposes.

The number of fully-wrapped buses represents only five percent of the entire fleet. The majority of these wraps are used for Council and community purposes, including to identify the iconic Blue and Maroon CityGlider services, the Spring Hill Free Loop, commemorating the Centenary of Anzac Day and to promote the 2019 INAS Global Games.

The wrap used on Blue CityGlider buses has recently been updated and refreshed to allow improved passenger visibility, with significantly less window coverage. Council is currently reviewing the wrap being used on the Maroon CityGlider buses and will initiate a similar update program commencing in 2019.

Council acknowledges that some passengers may have concerns about visibility from bus windows. At present, the material being used for bus advertising is perforated, with hundreds of pin holes allowing passengers to be able to see through the artwork. The product being used is the only commercially available product which meets the Australian Design Standards. The product is used by a number of different transport agencies throughout Australia and around the world.

Therefore, Council does not support the removal of advertising from Council bus windows at this time.

SurfRail · December 07, 2018, 04:57:26 AM

Garbage response. If the majority of fully wrapped vehicles are vanity projects only, then the imposition on the public is not bringing in any money to justify it (which itself is a paper thin excuse - note they don't say how much the advertising actually brings in, and what proportion is attributable to wraps).

Cazza · December 17, 2018, 18:17:45 PM

I would like to point out that there were almost buses with ads covering the windows at all. The only ads are down the sides of the bus, below the windows and on the backs. Can't see why this is too much of a stretch for BCC.

verbatim9 · January 11, 2019, 16:47:21 PM

Changes to all over wrap for the Glider service.

https://www.facebook.com/35421541164/posts/10157110287206165/

#Metro · January 11, 2019, 19:21:54 PM

This is news, how??

SurfRail · January 12, 2019, 19:57:09 PM

What's more newsworthy out of the above is that the Cityglider fleet is itself being renewed with the newest deliveries to replace the more clapped out articles current assigned to the route.

Arnz · January 12, 2019, 20:55:22 PM

Quote from: SurfRail on January 12, 2019, 19:57:09 PM
What's more newsworthy out of the above is that the Cityglider fleet is itself being renewed with the newest deliveries to replace the more clapped out articles current assigned to the route.

Which in turn those clapped out vehicles currently on the Cityglider route are replacing their older gas powered brothers earmarked for transfer over to GC to replace the even older gas Scanias fleet currently in the process of being phased out/withdrawn from service.

ozbob · January 13, 2019, 01:48:56 AM

Sent to all outlets:

12th January 2019

Updated wrap for the Blue CityGlider

Greetings,

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced a new updated wrap for the Blue CityGlider.

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1083608319997005825

We are particularly pleased that Cr Schrinner and Transport for Brisbane have taken note of feedback concerning the loss of window visibility with all over ad-wraps over windows of public transport vehicles. The new wrap does provide much better visibility into and out of the buses, for us an important point. Thanks.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

ozbob · January 13, 2019, 06:18:36 AM

ozbob · January 13, 2019, 10:26:41 AM

Sent to all outlets:

13th January 2019

Can we please see out of and into buses, trains, ferries and trams!

Good Morning,

While acknowledging the sensible improvement in the visibility of the new wrap for the Blue CityGlider there continues to be a problem with windows of public transport vehicles generally, be they buses, trains, ferries or trams being blocked by advertising material. Authorities say the wrap complies with this standard and so forth, but fact is even the compliant wraps block vision into and out of the public transport vehicles, and it becomes even more obstructed in inclement weather and in poor light conditions. This can be very disorientating for passengers and we believe is a safety risk. Public transport vehicles are constructed with windows for a reason - specifically to allow people to see into and out of the vehicles. They are not constructed as window-less submarine like vehicles, so why make them like that by obliterating visibility through windows?

There is no reason why windows of trains should be blocked at all. There is plenty of non window area for advertising wraps and the like.
Buses should have at least 80% of the windows clear in our view, similarly trams and ferries.

It is time the transport authorities followed the lead of Transport for Brisbane and started treating their passengers with courtesy.

Please clean up the windows on ALL public transport vehicles. We have no objection to advertising material on the body of vehicles away from windows.

Thank you.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

Media release 24th September 2014 SEQ: Can we please see out of and into buses, trains, ferries and trams!
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10971.0

Quote from: ozbob on January 13, 2019, 01:48:56 AM
Sent to all outlets:

12th January 2019

Updated wrap for the Blue CityGlider

Greetings,

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced a new updated wrap for the Blue CityGlider.

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1083608319997005825

We are particularly pleased that Cr Schrinner and Transport for Brisbane have taken note of feedback concerning the loss of window visibility with all over ad-wraps over windows of public transport vehicles. The new wrap does provide much better visibility into and out of the buses, for us an important point. Thanks.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

ozbob · January 13, 2019, 10:55:44 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1084252506471813121

ozbob · January 13, 2019, 12:21:19 PM

Facebook, very strong response in a short time ..

ozbob · January 14, 2019, 12:58:42 PM

^

Lot of interest in ad-wrap blocking windows!

1,026 People reached, 512 Engagements

>> https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2414884818525691

ozbob · January 14, 2019, 13:00:26 PM

ozbob · January 19, 2019, 13:56:58 PM

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1086312421873004544

ozbob · February 06, 2019, 12:30:53 PM

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1092972706872479744

SurfRail · October 08, 2019, 10:01:18 AM

https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/116256432/ads-coming-back-to-wellington-bus-windows-as-revenue-opportunity-trial-given-green-light

They don't operate under the same revenue constraints we do but even still they have been paying proper attention to passenger feedback on this issue.

ozbob · November 14, 2019, 04:47:01 AM

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1194457231636385793

ozbob · December 09, 2019, 01:04:13 AM

https://twitter.com/railmaps/status/1203594607491076097

ozbob · December 09, 2019, 04:53:02 AM

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1203691582571991041

ozbob · August 03, 2020, 10:39:24 AM

Sent to all outlets:

Well done Cr Murphy and BCC for removing wrap from CityCat windows

3rd August 2020

Good Morning,

Congratulations to Cr Murphy (Brisbane City Council public and active transport chair) and BCC for the decision to remove wraps from the windows of CityCats as reported today by Brisbanetimes.

'Council panned for 'senseless' decision to scrap colourful CityCat wraps'
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/council-panned-for-senseless-decision-to-scrap-colourful-citycat-wraps-20200802-p55htd.html

RAIL Back On Track has long campaigned to have advertising wrap and other wraps removed from the windows of public transport vehicles.

24th September 2014 Can we please see out of and into buses, trains, ferries and trams!
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10971.0

Advertising and other wraps can be placed on body work keeping windows clean. There are significant problems with ad-wrap on buses, trains, ferries and trams blocking windows and clear vision. Public transport vehicles are built with windows for a reason, so passengers and others can see into and out of them. Public transport vehicles are not built window-less are they? The windows should not be blocked. This is very disorientating for passengers, particularly at night and/or when wet, and also makes it very difficult if not impossible to see into the vehicle. The blocking of window vision could have very serious safety and security implications as well.

We have been calling for its removal for many years now. The calls have largely fallen on deaf ears. There is a growing national awareness of the need to bring back clear windows on public transport vehicles. Lets not stop at CityCats, please make the windows clean on ALL public transport vehicles.

Thank you.

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

ozbob · August 03, 2020, 10:42:28 AM

Facebook ...

ozbob · August 03, 2020, 10:45:31 AM

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1290086281922273281

News:

24 Sep 2014: SEQ: Can we please see out of and into buses, trains and trams!