Canberra Public Transport Audit

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Canberra not on track to achieve goals for faster, more convenient public transport network, audit finds

The ACT Government is not on track to deliver its ambitious 2012 vision for a faster, more convenient public transport network by 2031, an audit has found.

On Friday ACT auditor-general Maxine Cooper delivered a scathing assessment of the ACT Government's progress in meeting the goals outlined in its long-term transport policy, Transport for Canberra.

"Achievement of modal shift targets is an important part of the ACT Government's Transport for Canberra [policy]," she said.

"The targets are not being achieved and there is a significant risk that actions may not be sufficient to facilitate their achievement over the planning period to 2031."

In the 2012 Transport for Canberra policy the ACT Government committed to adopting a "frequent network" — serviced by buses and light rail — that would be "the backbone of an integrated transport system".

Parts of the frequent network are currently serviced by ACTION Buses' rapid routes.

The long-term vision was for the frequent network "to establish permanent public transport corridors with 15-minute or better frequency for people travelling across and within the city" by 2031.

However Dr Cooper's audit of the policy and the frequent network found numerous flaws in the Government's plan to achieve this vision, as well as its implementation so far.

She was also critical of the fact that light rail was not factored into the 2010 cost benefit analysis for the frequent network, which indicated that for every $1 invested in the frequent network $3.59 in benefits could be realised.

"Now that a light rail is to become part of the frequent network an updated analysis would provide more accurate information for decision-makers and the community," she said.
'Bus driver pay dispute must be resolved'

Dr Cooper's audit made seven recommendations, four of which were identified as high priority.

As a matter of urgency, Dr Copper recommended the frequent network corridors be embedded in the Territory Plan and National Capital Plan, so they would be factored into future planning decisions for Canberra.

"An important action that has not occurred is embedding the frequent network in the Territory Plan and National Capital Plan," she said.

"Embedding the frequent network corridors in planning documents is important in providing certainty as bus routes can be readily changed.

"Location certainty is needed to guide and foster government and non-government investment in the right locations to achieve sustainable transport."

She also recommended the Government make more buses and depots a priority, as well as the resolution of long-running enterprise bargaining disputes with bus drivers, to help deliver greater flexibility in bus operations.

The audit recommended improvements to governance and administration for the transport policy and the frequent network, which it found to be ineffective, and that there was no evidence that the inter-agency working groups asked to oversee them were doing so.

It also found that official reporting on the implementation of the policy had been difficult and inaccurate, and recommended better monitoring and public reporting.

Less urgent recommendations included the creation of a household travel survey of ACT residents to help better inform public transport policies, regular performance reviews of the frequent network, and an updated cost benefit analysis of the of the frequent network factoring in the impact of the light rail.

Opposition transport spokesman Alistair Coe said Dr Cooper's audit provided more evidence that the ACT Government's plans to move ahead with light rail were foolish.

"The auditor-general's report reinforces the fact that this government is poorly managing buses and that the case for light rail has been significantly weakened," Mr Coe said.

The ACT Government was contacted for comment.

[ozbob]

ACT AUDITOR–GENERAL'S REPORT
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: THE FREQUENT NETWORK
REPORT NO. 9 / 2015

>> https://t.co/NlpnaPfyHG

[Stillwater]

Please, please, can the Queensland Auditor-General investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of the BCC buses and value for money versus patronage levels, frequency and route coverage?  The A-G has the power under legislation to investigate local government and local government enterprises.  Please, please? 

[verbatim9]

http://m.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-government-looks-to-sydneys-opal-card-for-canberra-public-transport-20151112-gkxynh.html

The ACT government will consider bringing Sydney's Opal smartcard system to Canberra as part of upgrades to public transport services and the development of the Gungahlin light rail line.  

[#Metro]

Phasing out paper tickets hey? Supposed to happen in QLD ages ago! 

[verbatim9]

Hopefully we can roam in NSW and ACT with our Go Cards. I reckon NSW ACT and QLD will become paperless with open payment this coming upgrade 👍

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th November 2015

Call for an audit into the transport failure of SEQ

Good Morning,

We bumble along with patronage plummeting, fare affordability worsening, and a lack of political will to reform the failing bus network for Brisbane, in SEQ.

The Australian Capital Territory has recently conducted an Audit into Public Transport in the ACT See http://www.audit.act.gov.au/reports2015.htm

'The ACT Government's policy on public transport is clearly expressed in its long-term overall transport policy; Transport for Canberra: Transport for a Sustainable City 2012-2031 (Transport for Canberra). This provides transparency and sets the direction for the delivery of the Frequent Network, which is the backbone of Canberra's integrated transport system. However, the effective delivery of this network is at risk as needed actions are not being progressed in a timely manner and some are inadequate'.

It is clear that action is needed now to sort the mess in SEQ.  Other jurisdictions do find the courage to call it as it is, and do something about it.

The big issue that must be addressed is the way Brisbane City Council rides rough shod over proper network planning.

Perhaps an audit into the public transport failure in SEQ is needed.  Is there the political courage?

Best wishes
Robert

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