Campaign priorities Queensland votes!

[Gazza]

http://www.news.com.au/national/katter-australia-party-may-delay-shelve-major-projects/story-e6frfkp9-1227206538056

"We have been promised an inland highway for the last 10 years," Mr Knuth said.
"Every year, that Bruce Highway gets cut off, people try to access that inland highway, but the bridges are too low.
"We're getting sick and tired of hearing they're gonna look into funding the inland highway and when it comes to election time, they talk about sports stadiums."
The KAP says the stadium is not a priority.
"We're basically not interested in sports stadiums," Mr Knuth said.
"They're a good thing, of course, but we want to build an inland highway so it relieves traffic congestion off the coast and it brings life to those small country towns."

"But from our point of view, I think there needs to be a bit of debate about whether we ... and not 'go', shelve it," he continued.
"I'm happy for it to be built, Brisbane needs tunnels, you need livability but is it a priority for the state? I question that."

[Stillwater]

I wonder weather an ALP government (or maybe an LNP one) would package up some projects as BOOT projects (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer).  Private sector builds and operates, transfers to government ownership -- it is the opposite of sale of state assets.

The 'spin' around BOOT projects would be that the private sector is building assets that taxpayers eventually would own.

CRR Mark Whatever could have built-in concessions for private enterprise.  (LNP was going down this path with BaT -- sale of airspace above the tunnel.)

[#Metro]

I wonder weather an ALP government (or maybe an LNP one) would package up some projects as BOOT projects (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer).  Private sector builds and operates, transfers to government ownership -- it is the opposite of sale of state assets.

Private sector?


http://blog.healthkismet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/hysteria.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th February 2015

Re: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

Greetings,

Looking very much like the ALP will form Government.

If the LNP and Mr Emerson had sorted the failed fare structure for SEQ, as the caretaker Premier indicated in the January 2013 six month action plan, they would have won the election clearly.

Part of the problem was the easy ride Mr Emerson was given by the some of the Brisbane media ('journo mate'). They really failed to hold him to account for the bus review failure, the fare system failure for SEQ and the botched Tertiary Transport Concession Card implementation. The now junked Bus and Train tunnel (BaT) was seriously flawed but again apart from Brisbanetimes, no real serious scrutiny or questioning.  These issues built up much resentment with voters and the results speak for themselves.

Have a great day!  I will ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

29th January 2015

Re: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

Greetings,

The election is on a knife edge.  It should not be scream the pundits.

Two major items from our election campaign priorities remains ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11066.0 ) viz. fare and network reform for SEQ.

Both the Greens and ALP have indicated they will move to sort these issues.  LNP has not indicated what it will do with respect to fare and network reform for SEQ.

Consider this:

Labor's governing majority between 1989 to 2012 was built on its dominance in greater Brisbane. After its re-election under Anna Bligh in 2009, Labor held 34 of the 40 seats in greater Brisbane, having held as many as 39 in 2001 and 2004. When Labor won only 31 greater Brisbane seats at the 1995 election the Goss government was left clinging to power, and 33 seats delivered Labor's only minority government in 1998. Labor was reduced to only four greater Brisbane seats in 2012, which indicates where Labor has the opportunity to make most gains in 2015.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-17/2015-qld-election-preview/5937752

Not rocket science.  Paid spin doctor armies fail to see the obvious hey?

Vote early.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

25th January 2015

Re: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

Greetings,

It is some what disturbing that SEQ still has a failed fare system.  There can be no doubt about that, TransLink's own KPIs show that affordability is unacceptable and has been a factor in the patronage dropping off.

Related to this the very poor network design for the bus network in Brisbane.

One week to go to voting day.  The Greens have put forward a good plan for fare & network  reform.  See Lower Fares, Better Services-->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11136.msg151843#msg151843

Labor have a one liner in a 2014 policy document. '7.62 Labor will review the public transport fare system to improve affordability in South East Queensland' --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11178.msg151090#msg151090

LNP have a vague committment " ... there's more to do " .. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11201.msg151372#msg151372

The failure of the fare system for SEQ has been obvious for years.  In fact in January 2013, the Premier Campbell Newman in the Six Month Action indicated that there would be a new fare structure for SEQ by June 2013.

"Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland." http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

Another broken promise.

We are still waiting. A 5% fare cut (courtesy of carbon tax repeal) and not increasing fares in the face of an election is NOT a new fare structure. Increasing fares 3 times CPI instead of 6 times CPI is NOT a new fare structure.

The last time a Government pulled the fare freeze con in the shadows of an election they were eventually sent to political oblivion.

QLD Election 2015: Will the punters be hit with 20% plus fare increases after the show? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11195.0

The public of SEQ is being treated like idiots by the LNP and ALP.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 24th January 2015

SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis - fare & network reform needed!

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 said the TransLink performance snap shot data for December 2014 has again confirmed that fare 'affordability' remains at crisis levels. Worst KPI is ' affordability ' by a huge measure. Where are the detailed policy plans to sort out this disaster from the LNP and the ALP?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010 - January 2014 (1). A recent 5% decrease in November has only had a marginal effect. The Affordability KPI remains most unsatisfactory and is a standout failure."

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 10% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases  stagnated and falling patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then no surprise then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs for December 2014 (3).

"It is a great disappointment to our members, and to many informed public transport users that rather than take the big steps to sort out the failed fare system and the network once and for all, in the shadows of the election a charade poll was put to the public - suggesting that a windfall gain from the cancelled carbon tax can be used to fund cut in fares of 5%."

"Fares on qconnect and TransLinkQLD (Cairns) urban buses are around half to a third the cost of fares in SEQ.  Service improvements would be far more important for these jurisdictions, but they were simply done over by the numbers in SEQ on the poll."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place immediately for SEQ, rather than just a notional cut.  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all demographics.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all, the TransLink Affordability KPI attests to that.  It is just a massive rort and a drain on the fare box! (4)"

"We have seen fuel prices fall lately.  This in time is going to mean that more people will abandon public transport in SEQ due to the very poor anti-public transport fare system.  Road congestion will only worsen.  Road trauma costs will further exacerbate."

"Will we see some moves to sensible fare and network reform as part of the forthcoming Queensland election?  The Greens have outlined a plan, the LNP and ALP are yet to do so."

"There are very big cost savings to be made to the economy by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system and a truly connected network.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive. Token fare cuts do very little without real reform.  Time to act decisively, SEQ votes soon!"

Contact:

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


1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-Dec-snapshot.pdf  pages 1 & 14

4. 16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

5. KPI Summary December2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/summarydec14.jpg


6. KPI Affordability December 2014
http://backontrack.org/images/tl/affordabilitydec14.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th February 2015

Bus Reform: BaT Tunnel Terminated

Image: RAIL Back on Track analysis of the Coronation Drive corridor, revealing expensive waste and duplication within Brisbane City Council's bus network.


Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) is  a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers again calls for an Inquiry into Public Transport and Bus Reform now that the scrapping of BaT has been announced.

Lawrence Springborg has now confirmed on radio that the BaT tunnel project is scrapped due to lack of funding. Does The Queensland Government have the funding supply to deliver major projects?

The BaT proposal had major shortcomings (see http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9972.msg152759#msg152759 ). Briefly, first and foremost, Park Road station and Boggo Road busway were not going to have a connection, greatly reducing the utility of the tunnel for students who could no longer access UQ Lakes without backtracking. Secondly, the financials of the BaT project was inferior to the previous Cross River Rail proposal (significantly lower indicators of benefit - NPV and BCR). Thirdly, the bus component, in our opinion, would have further facilitated the hi-waste, cost-explosive policies adopted by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Brisbane City Council, which pushed fares up by 15% and 20%.

With the BaT proposal scrapped, Brisbane City Council's wasteful bus network must undergo bus reform. Brisbane's CBD will be choked with thousands of wall-to-wall buses, and escalating, unaffordable fares without it. The problems with Brisbane City Council's bus network, including waste, duplication, black-holes and inefficiency are well documented by RAIL Back on Track, TransLink's 2013 bus review report and the BrizCommuter Blog.

RAIL Back on Track members have developed the New Bus Network Proposal to reform the bus network, which can be found here.

New Bus Network Proposal ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current BCC Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Bus Reform must be one of the first and major orders of business for the new Queensland Government.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Real concerns with the Bus and Train Tunnel - the BaT
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9972.msg152759#msg152759

BaT Tunnel Plans Scrapped
http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/video-news/video-qld-news/bat-tunnel-plans-scrapped-6242197.html

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

Brisbane buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141104-11gxl3.html

BrizCommuter http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/

[ozbob]

Media release 10th February 2015

Queensland:  Congratulations ALP & Mr Peter Wellington

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 congratulated Premier Elect Annastacia Palaszczuk, Mr Peter Wellington and the Queensland Labor Party on now being in a position to form Government.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Congratulations Premier Elect Annastacia Palaszczuk, Mr Peter Wellington and the Queensland Labor Party on being in a position to form Government."

"Queensland Labor does have a good transport policy platform (1)."

"Queensland Labor has been approachable in the past on public transport matters and we look forward to working with the new Government to progress public transport in Queensland."

Contact:

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

References:

1. ALP Queensland - Policy Platform http://www.queenslandlabor.org/wp-content/uploads/2014QldPolicyPlatform_web.pdf  7.50 - 7.96 on http://www.queenslandlabor.org/policy/

7.50
Labor will deliver integrated regional transport plans in conjunction with regional land
use plans in all urban areas across Queensland.

7.51
Labor will implement targets to increase public and active transport usage.

7.52
Labor will consider demand management measures where appropriate and equitable.

7.53
Labor will consider increased penalties for wilful damage to transport infrastructure,
noting the safety and efficiency costs.

7.54
Labor recognises the particular vulnerability of public transport workers to physical
assault and will improve safety and security. Labor will increase penalties for people
found guilty of assaulting public transport workers.

7.55
Labor will maintain Queensland Rail and Brisbane Transport as vertically integrated,
publicly owned providers of public transport services.

7.56
Labor will build an inner city rail solution consistent with the Cross River Rail capacity
outcome as part of a broader vision to revitalise and transform rail services. It will
increase frequency and provide more express services. It will also deliver new links,
including to Kippa-Ring, Flagstone, Ripley, Coolangatta, Maroochydore and through
the North West Rail Link along the Trouts Road corridor, consistent with the SEQ
Connecting 2031 transport strategy.

7.57
Labor will extend Brisbane's world-class busway network, including completing the
Eastern and Northern Busways and CoastConnect on the Sunshine Coast, and rolling
out more high frequency routes and bus priority lanes.

7.58
Labor will complete the Gold Coast light rail from Helensvale to Coolangatta and
consider the feasibility of light rail in other corridors

7.59
Labor will upgrade public transport stops and station infrastructure to ensure safety,
accessibility, amenity and additional park and ride facilities for those who use and
operate the system.

7.60
Labor will maintain public transport concessions and extend them to recipients of the
Newstart allowance.

7.61
Labor will continue to subsidise and improve public transport services, including
in provincial centres, with a funding requirement being world's best practice by
contractors.

7.62
Labor will review the public transport fare system to improve affordability in South East
Queensland

7.63
Labor will ensure that all communities have access to public transport services to
connect them to the rest of Queensland, including Traveltrain and long distance bus
and air services.

7.64
Labor will release regular public reports against both performance measures and
funding provided for all subsidised public transport services

7.65 Labor will maintain regulation of the taxi industry to ensure it meets high standards of
safety, service quality, responsiveness and accessibility.

7.66 Labor will consider options to enable competing taxi companies in a single market to
cooperate where there is benefit for users.

7.67 Labor will investigate the use of taxis to provide public transport where other services
are not viable.

7.68 Labor will roll out additional secure taxi ranks where required.

7.69 Labor will ensure that all taxi districts have adequate provision of wheelchair
accessible taxis, including providing incentives for conversion, and it will implement a
passenger lift fee.

7.70 Labor will regularly publish taxi performance measures where government subsidies
are provided

7.71 Labor will expand the dedicated cycling network along key corridors, including
disused rail lines, and ensure that active transport facilities are included in all new and
upgraded roads.

7.72 Labor will pursue measures to ensure end of trip facilities are included in new
buildings where appropriate, to encourage active transport.

7.73 Labor will encourage greater use of public and active transport for school travel.

7.74 Labor will implement strategies to increase mode share for rail freight on defined
strategic rail freight networks.

7.75 Labor understands there is community concern regarding coal dust adjacent to rail
corridors in Brisbane.  Labor supports an independent, scientific review of mitigation treatments and will
implement best practices and support further technological improvements in this area.
Labor supports consultation with the relevant industry, union and community groups
as the coal industry grows in Queensland.

7.76 Labor will develop and publish a plan for the progressive priority upgrade of the North
Coast Rail Line to improve safety, efficiency and reliability.

7.77 Labor will support construction of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and Gowrie
to Grandchester rail line, with other levels of government and the private sector.

7.78 Labor will invest in removing conflicts between passenger and rail freight movements
where they share the same corridor.

7.79 Labor will enable construction of the Surat Basin Railway with appropriate provision for
its potential future role as part of an inland railway.

7.80 Labor will plan, design and build roads that are fit for purpose, future-proofed, and to
standards that meet the needs of road users and the wider community.

7.81 Labor understands that road infrastructure is critical to sustaining regional and
rural communities and will therefore ensure that a fair proportion of road funding is
allocated to regional Queensland.

7.82 Labor will always engage in public consultation and integrated planning approaches
to new road works.

7.83 Labor will continue to provide fair and just compensation for private property owners
directly and adversely affected by road construction.

7.84 Labor will develop and publish a plan for the progressive priority upgrade of the
Bruce Highway and the construction and upgrade of other major roads that will unlock
Queensland's economic potential, such as the Warrego Highway, the Toowoomba
Second Range Crossing and the Ipswich Motorway.

7.85 Labor will review and consider reforms to calculating motor vehicle registration.

7.86 Labor will implement strategies based on world's best practice and thorough research
to reduce the road toll and improve road safety.

7.87 Labor will expand the coverage of security services and officers across the public
transport network to improve safety for users, constructors, operators and maintainers.

7.88 Labor will regulate the hours of work for train crew to ensure safety and investigate
regulation of hours of work for other transport operators.

7.89 Labor will maintain and strictly enforce chain of responsibility legislation for the
trucking industry and implement a regulatory system to provide adequate and
ongoing training to heavy vehicle operators to an accredited standard.

7.90 Labor will prioritise and progressively deliver grade separations and other safety
measures at rail level crossings.

7.93 Labor will lobby the Australian Government to provide increased transport funding for
Queensland based on the decentralised nature of the State, with a particular emphasis
on the Bruce Highway and North Coast Rail Line.

7.94 Labor will lobby the Australian Government to maintain the Road Safety Remuneration
Tribunal as an important safety initiative.

7.95 Labor will encourage the Australian Government to proceed with a premium
performance and 21st century alignment of Inland Rail through to Brisbane.

7.96 Labor will encourage the Australian Government to include purchase of public
transport tickets in salary packaging arrangements.