Public Transport Queensland - An Independent Transport Authority

[ozbob]

Errrr we don't write the articles

Concerning the LNP culpability in this mess we have pointed it out constantly

You don't seem to understand that the media only publishes edited comments we and others might make.

Get on the blog at Brisbanetimes

[ozbob]

Is it time for a stand-alone public transport body in Queensland?
> https://t.co/CcRl0XKicJ#qldpol @QLDLabor @LNPQLD sure is hey ...

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 28, 2017

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 29th May 2017 page 19

TransLink busy with sorting the rail fail

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th June 2017

Comment: Public Transport Queensland Required Yesterday

Greetings,

The Palaszczuk Government is losing credibility each day that #RailFail continues.

A government that cannot run trains on time or a full normal service timetable cannot govern Queensland.

There are only so many times a Minister can recite the words "angry", "sorry" and "disappointed".

Continued apologetics over Queensland Rail, and the transport portfolio generally, will not wash with voters.

We call on the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad to introduce legislation into the Queensland Parliament to set up a dedicated public transport authority, Public Transport Queensland (PTQ).

This could be a new agency or one created through the conversion of an existing agency such as the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.

All public transport functions and infrastructure assets should also be transferred from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to the new authority. We believe that this is the first step to getting things right.

Good oversight is worth paying for. In this regard, copying the Perth WA model of a dedicated public transport agency - the Public Transport Authority Western Australia (1, 2), is the right approach to sorting out the basket case that is now public transport.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Public Transport Authority http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/

2. Public Transport Queensland? https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/880489423854383105

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Dow calls for dedicated public transport body to fix mess

IPSWICH-based public transport advocate Robert Dow has launched a scathing attack on the Palaszczuk Government's dire performance at providing a reliable train service while also outlining a vital first step needed to fix the current mess.

The chaos that unfolded on the south-east Queensland train network on Wednesday afternoon at peak hour, which left passengers stranded, was another black mark on a government that Mr Dow said was "losing credibility each day that Rail Fail continues".

The latest debacle has led Mr Dow to reiterate his call for the setting up of a dedicated public transport authority to rectify the situation.

"A government that cannot run trains on time or a full normal service timetable cannot govern Queensland," Mr Dow said in a statement to the media.

"There are only so many times a Minister can recite the words 'angry', 'sorry' and 'disappointed'.

"Continued apologetics over Queensland Rail, and the transport portfolio generally, will not wash with voters."

"We call on the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad to introduce legislation into the Queensland Parliament to set up a dedicated public transport authority, Public Transport Queensland (PTQ).

"This could be a new agency or one created through the conversion of an existing agency such as the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.

"All public transport functions and infrastructure assets should also be transferred from the Department of Transport and Main Roads to the new authority. We believe that this is the first step to getting things right."

Mr Dow explained in depth to the QT why the current government structures around public transport were not working.

"We need a proper statutory authority which has the resources, and the actual authority, to deliver public transport for Queensland," he said.

"What we have currently got is a series of silos. We have got Queensland Rail (QR) and Brisbane City Council - an important player in this because they are a big public transport provider and a but unique in the Australian context - and we have got Translink.

"Translink is just a collection of desks at DTMR. That is meant to be the organisation that looks after public transport but how can they? They have no authority.

"It used to be a statutory authority but the Newman Government took that away and brought it under the Transport and Main Roads auspices.

"Transport and Main Roads is really a roads focussed organisation. The amount of people they have involved with heavy rail you could count on one hand."

Mr Dow said QR tried to do things "but get blocked" and there were "ongoing communication problems with Transport and Main Roads".

"So is it any wonder things are going off the rails," he said.

"Transport and Main Roads have botched the new generation rolling stock program and they have botched the new railway line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring, just two examples of poor outcomes."

Mr Dow has ridden and analysed all rail network systems in the nation and said the one in Perth worked best.

"Good oversight is worth paying for," he said.

"In this regard, copying the Perth model of a dedicated public transport agency - the Public Transport Authority Western Australia - is the right approach to sorting out the basket case that is now public transport.

"That organisation looks after all public transport in Western Australia and there is no interference from a body like Transport and Main Roads.

"They have got the authority, they have got the resources and they have got the means to deliver public transport."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/880566871602233345

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/880904431058829312

[Cazza]

Bandaids don't fix bullet holes...

[ozbob]

Bandaids don't fix bullet holes...

  I like that very much, do mind if I use it please when the time is right? 

[Cazza]

Bandaids don't fix bullet holes...

  I like that very much, do mind if I use it please when the time is right? 

Yeah sure thing. Believe it or not, it's a line from one of Taylor Swift's songs!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd July 2017

Band-aids do not fix bullet holes ...  or why we need Public Transport Queensland

Good Morning,

Unless there is new structure for the delivery and management of public transport in Queensland, the ongoing festering mess will never be sorted.

We will be challenging and asking political party candidates, independent candidates, as to what they propose for truly fixing the trains and public transport generally. Public transport is going to be a major issue for the forthcoming state election, and a possible surprise Federal election.

The neglect of Ipswich public transport by Government and TransLink will also be an issue for the August Ipswich Mayoral election as well.

The Queensland Times has published an article (30th June 2017) that says it all really. Where are real competent leaders?

Queensland Times --> Dow calls for dedicated public transport body to fix mess



Unless there is full rail service delivery by late January 2018, it will be time for a new Government and a new rail operator!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg194733#msg194733 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/881563722392543232

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/881564554097860608

[#Metro]

Worth going back to the Strachan Report, and how they forecast supply (pages 21-22)

From this analysis, Queensland Rail has concluded that it will have train crew to deliver the full timetabled
services by:

 Late 2018, assuming 10 per cent overtime
 Mid- to late 2019, assuming no overtime.

Until such time, Queensland Rail will continue to operate with reduced services and high levels of overtime.
The Commission notes that Queensland Rail's forecasts appear to contain overly optimistic assumptions,
particularly pertaining to overtime, attrition, planned leave, training durations and impacts of the new
enterprise agreement.

Drivers and guards will progressively graduate from this program. The provided dates are for the last expected graduate.

200 Drivers - All recruited 30 April 2018

200 Drivers - All training commenced - 30 June 2018

200 Drivers - All qualified 30 June 2019

It's really not so obvious how this can be accelerated any faster. Given that the Commonwealth Games are in April, the full recruitment won't be complete until the games are over.

I wonder what progress has been made since the Strachan report came out, and where the CRU has benchmarked QR's progress now.

Also if the NGR trains are introduced, then people need to be trained specifically on that model (?) where are they going to get the time to do that, and how can they do that given that the trains are not in service (and the bulk of them are not even manufactured yet and shipped??)

[ozbob]

^ they simply have to expedite their training times.  Those assumptions are based on the old training models.

They have since shortened the training times apparently and are pushing through more, quicker. 

Other operators can do it within a 6-9 month time frame.

NGR crew training is well advanced.

We simply cannot wait until sometime in 2019 for an acceptable rail frequency.  Queensland Rail is doing serious damage to public transport and they must be held to account. They have put it back decades, and have probably managed to torpedo Cross River Rail as well through their failure.

If there is not a full timetable in place by January 2018, they are finished IMHO.  That is the ' red '  line in the sand for me.  This the view the Government should take.  But they lack the balls to sort it by the look of things.  So be it, it will be bye to them as well.

Even the Chairman of the Board accepts failure when he comments we cannot introduce  ' sectorisation ' till after 2019 and the next EB.  How about breaking out of the unionisation straight jacket and get an EB variation?  This is a damn crisis not an exercise in pontification and maybes.  The rail network service is an utter shambles!

Failure at that point (January 2018) will see me campaign relentlessly for a new competent operator.  At that point they would have had 14 months.  Enough of the bullsh%t and incompetence.

[ see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg194854#msg194854 for further discussion these OT posts ]

Anyway this thread is on PTQ.   Unless we get essential macro-reform the mess will continue to fester and worsen ..

Micro-reform alone will not deliver the goods!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th August 2017

How to sort the public transport crisis in SEQ ...

Good Morning,

Public transport is in such a mess that a complete restructure is needed.  TransLink and DTMR have just delivered failure sadly, with grave risks for our transport networks leading up to and during the Commonwealth Games, let alone for the period after the games.

The solution to really coming to terms with the situation is to create a proper statutory authority, e.g. Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) that administers and delivers  public transport.  Completely free of DTMR and its incompetence.  An excellent model for the PTQ is the Public Transport Authority  of Western Australia (PTA-WA).  Transperth the agency for delivering public transport for Perth runs rings around TransLink.  Frequent rail services ( all lines 15 minutes out of peak, peak better of course) with proper connected feeder bus networks.  It is embarrassing how bad our public transport network is in SEQ by comparison. Even Adelaide (Adelaide Metro) is leaving us behind.

Band-aids, spin and bluster are not going to fix the root problems in Queensland.  Proper reform will.

>> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg194842#msg194842



Best wishes,
Robert

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

[Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12090.msg196206#msg196206 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/893884602414022657

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/893887674498531328

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th August 2017

Monopolies First Policy: Queensland Government Can't Enforce Its Own Public Transport Standards

Greetings,

Another week gone, and problems galore.

It has become clear to us that transport operators no longer need to deliver adequate, reliable, or frequent service. Mediocre customer service and communications appear to be acceptable too. Will contract renewals be signed off by Transport Minister Jackie Trad and the Queensland Government, no matter what? Of course they will.

In addition to the complete absence of the prospect of contract termination, fines against public operators such as Queensland Rail are also ineffective. Fining such an operator simply results in the Queensland Government fining itself. Essentially, some numbers move around on Treasury's budget accounting sheet, and that is it.

Insisting on a "monopoly only" contracting policy means that the need to renew the contracts of incumbent operators takes absolute precedence over passenger service standards and past performance. In other words, TransLink's standards are essentially unenforceable. Renewal can be expected, irrespective of performance, with no evaluation or comparison with alternatives, based on the fact that the current operator is the current operator.

The Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Transport Minister Jackie Trad need to spell out to Parliament exactly what the economic or social purpose or benefits of this "monopolies first" policy actually are.

If an operator messes up the timetable, causes massive cost explosions, leaves passengers behind for hours, fails to supply reliable and punctual services, cancels a large proportion of its timetable, breaks connections to its services network-wide, randomises the timetable by having different services on different days of the week at different times of the year... and the list goes on... not only might fines be skipped, but their service contract renewal will be signed yet again. Why?

Can the Queensland Government bring itself to terminate a poorly performing operator, whether that is bus or rail or whatever mode? It seems it would prefer to have the entire transport network collapse than fire an incompetent incumbent operator.

And this isn't about whether an operator is public or private. For example, the Queensland Government also extends this very generous "monopolies first" policy to for-profit commercial bus operators over large areas of South East Queensland. Competitors cannot challenge incumbents unless they buy the current operator out. The Queensland Government is essentially extending a government guarantee of a private business' commercial profits!

Passengers will continue to suffer, and the ' toothless ' regulator TransLink will continue to be ignored, until such time that the Queensland Government gives TransLink ( Public Transport Queensland? ) the powers to open the market to competition, fire poorly performing transport operators, and choose among the alternative.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Latest: Monopolies First Policy: Queensland Government Can't Enforce Its Own Public Transport Standards
> https://t.co/WwcKoiSPdN#qldpol pic.twitter.com/nafqmaaLLI

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) August 13, 2017

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th September 2017

Time to change the paradigm - Public Transport Queensland now!

Good Morning,

Public transport is in such a mess that a complete restructure is needed.  TransLink and DTMR have just delivered failure sadly, with grave risks for our transport networks leading up to and during the Commonwealth Games, let alone for now and the period after the games.

The solution to really coming to terms with the situation is to create a proper statutory authority, e.g. Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) that administers and delivers  public transport ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  Completely free of DTMR contagion and its now demonstrated incompetence.  An excellent model for the PTQ is the Public Transport Authority  of Western Australia (PTA-WA) - > http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/.  Transperth the agency for operating public transport for Perth runs rings around our operators (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.msg189563#msg189563 ).  Frequent rail services ( all lines 15 minutes out of peak, peak better of course) with proper connected feeder bus networks.  It is embarrassing how bad our public transport network is in SEQ by comparison. Even Adelaide (Adelaide Metro) is leaving us behind. Queensland Rail is now delivering the worst rail service frequency of any suburban rail operator in Oceania!

Band-aids, spin and bluster are not going to fix the root problems in Queensland.  Proper structural reform will.

Add in the political uncertainty with respect to projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro.  Little wonder that we are very concerned.

All we have seen is failure, with very limited success.  Time to change the paradigm.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg197776#msg197776 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/907282789413691393

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/907284466808143873

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/907285489438285824

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd October 2017

Enough of failure: Public Transport Queensland now!

Good Morning,

Public transport is in such a mess that a complete restructure is needed.  TransLink and DTMR have delivered much failure sadly, with grave risks for our transport networks leading up to and during the Commonwealth Games, let alone for now and the period after the games.

The solution to really coming to terms with the situation is to create a proper statutory authority, e.g. Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) that administers and delivers  public transport ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  Completely free of DTMR contagion and its now demonstrated incompetence.  An excellent model for the PTQ is the Public Transport Authority  of Western Australia (PTA-WA) - > http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/.

The PTA and Transperth, the agency for operating public transport for Perth, runs rings around our agencies and operators (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.msg189563#msg189563 ).  Frequent rail services ( all lines 15 minutes out of peak, peak better of course) with proper connected feeder bus networks.  It is embarrassing how bad our public transport network is now in SEQ by comparison. Even Adelaide (Adelaide Metro) is leaving us behind. Queensland Rail is now delivering the worst rail service frequency of any suburban rail operator in Oceania!  The sad and sorry  spectacle of two hour rail services on the Sunshine Coast line the past two days has been the final straw for many.

Under a PTQ model Queensland Rail would sit in a heavy rail division as a streamlined operator.  Put on notice that in 3 years rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender.  As would all operators including Transport for Brisbane.

Band-aids, spin and bluster are not going to fix the root problems in Queensland.  Proper structural and organisational reform will.

Add in the political uncertainty with respect to projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro.  Little wonder that we are very concerned.

All we have seen is much failure ( particularly the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and New Generation Rollingstock, failed bus network reform, collapse of the rail network), with very limited successes.  Time to change the paradigm.

Is there a political party that will place Queensland on a proper footing for future public transport success?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12090.msg198640#msg198640 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/914885176295133184

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/914901006986526721

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/916044147999383553

[pangwen]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/916044147999383553

I'm not sure I follow E Rowe? All of the Gold Coast seats are LNP seats (mostly safe LNP seats as far as I recall). Does E Rowe mean that Labor should focus on their own safe seats "in Brisbane and beyond"  instead? If that's the case, Marcoola (electorate of Maroochydore) isn't on the list either.

[ozbob]

^ it is a tad confusing.  Sometimes letters get editorialised and can no longer make sense ( it happens to me from time to time ). 

But the comments re public transport are valid.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th October 2017

Public Transport Queensland - the way forward

Good Morning,

Public transport is in such a mess that a complete restructure is needed.  TransLink and DTMR have delivered much failure sadly, with grave risks for our transport networks leading up to and during the Commonwealth Games, let alone for now and the period after the games.

The solution to really coming to terms with the situation is to create a proper statutory authority, e.g. Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) that administers and delivers  public transport ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  Completely free of DTMR contagion and its now demonstrated incompetence.  An excellent model for the PTQ is the Public Transport Authority  of Western Australia (PTA-WA) - > http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/.

The PTA and Transperth, the agency for operating public transport for Perth, runs rings around our agencies and operators (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.msg189563#msg189563 ).  Frequent rail services ( all lines 15 minutes out of peak, peak better of course ) with proper connected feeder bus networks.  It is embarrassing how bad our public transport network is now in SEQ by comparison. Even Adelaide ( Adelaide Metro ) is leaving us behind.

Under a PTQ model Queensland Rail would sit in a heavy rail division as a streamlined operator.  Put on notice that in 3 years rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender.  As would all operators including Transport for Brisbane.

Band-aids, spin and bluster are not going to fix the root problems with public transport in Queensland.  Proper structural and organisational reform will.

Add in the political uncertainty with respect to projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro.  Little wonder that we are very concerned.

We have seen much failure ( particularly the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and New Generation Rollingstock, failed bus network reform, collapse of the rail network ), with very limited successes.  The New Generation Rollingstock trains cannot be introduced into revenue service because an exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act from the Australian Human Rights Commission has to be obtained. This is a very serious blunder and warrants a full forensic examination of the true circumstances. This is needed to stop such a travesty occurring again.

Our calls for an audit into this project declined by the Queensland Auditor General.  Calls for a Commission of Inquiry into all circumstances of the botched NGR project ignored.  Why?  Because the LNP and the ALP are both culpable in our view.  DTMR has failed abysmally.  They all are trying to bury the truth.

Time to change the paradigm.

Is there a political party that will place Queensland on a proper footing for future public transport success? Or just more petty politics and knee-jerk policy initiatives based on pork-barrels rather than real need?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/917789511379148801

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/917865605763493888

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/917945239720955904

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 12th October 2017 page 13

Public transport is in dire need of shake-up

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/918217362041593856

[ozbob]

6th November 2017

Why we need a proper public transport authority for Queensland

Good Morning,

A little bit of history:

31 July 2012: Transport and Main Roads to cut 2000 full-time jobs and Translink to be abolished as stand alone authority in major departmental restructure

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/transport-and-main-roads-to-cut-2000-full-time-jobs-and-translink-to-be-abolished-as-stand-alone-authority-in-major-departmental-restructure/news-story/e7b209ba3b01057ba9dd5272758cf541

This signalled the descent into public transport failure sadly.  We have seen failures with the proposed bus network reform, the signalling problems with the  Redcliffe Peninsula line, and the major failure with the New Generation Rollingstock trains (not DDA and DSAPT compliant).  We also have observed the collapse of the rail network under DTMR's watch.  These are compelling examples of why the organisational structure moved to in 2012 has completely failed and put back public transport at least a decade.  TransLink is under-resourced and lacks any real authority. There is also a  high chance now that Cross River Rail will be stopped.  A disastrous outcome for Queensland.

Until public transport management and delivery is under the auspices of a stand alone statutory authority, for example Public Transport Queensland, properly resourced and organised, we will continue to see ongoing failure which has been the calling card of TransLink and DTMR these past five years.

The Queensland Greens have this policy.  All parties and independents should support this.

https://greens.org.au/qld/betterPT

The Greens would appoint a minister for Public Transport. This minister would have ultimate responsibility for all public transport infrastructure and services across the state. Victoria currently has a Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allen.

The Greens would create a new Public Transport Authority for Queensland (PTAQ) reporting directly to the Minister for Public Transport. This authority would deliver public transport services for Queensland urban areas, including those currently in TransLink's service area (South East Queensland, Cairns, Mackay, Toowoomba), and QConnect areas including Townsville and other regional centres. PTAQ would have responsibility for the provision of public transport services as well as for the tendering and acceptance of new infrastructure, rolling stock, and vehicles.

More of the same bumble will just deliver more failure.  Time to bite the bullet and fix the mess once and for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

====================================================

3rd October 2017 resent 6th November 2017

Enough of failure: Public Transport Queensland now!

Good Morning,

Public transport is in such a mess that a complete restructure is needed.  TransLink and DTMR have delivered much failure sadly, with grave risks for our transport networks leading up to and during the Commonwealth Games, let alone for now and the period after the games.

The solution to really coming to terms with the situation is to create a proper statutory authority, e.g. Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) that administers and delivers  public transport ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  Completely free of DTMR contagion and its now demonstrated incompetence.  An excellent model for the PTQ is the Public Transport Authority  of Western Australia (PTA-WA) - > http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/.

The PTA and Transperth, the agency for operating public transport for Perth, runs rings around our agencies and operators (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12368.msg189563#msg189563 ).  Frequent rail services ( all lines 15 minutes out of peak, peak better of course) with proper connected feeder bus networks.  It is embarrassing how bad our public transport network is now in SEQ by comparison. Even Adelaide (Adelaide Metro) is leaving us behind. Queensland Rail is now delivering the worst rail service frequency of any suburban rail operator in Oceania!  The sad and sorry  spectacle of two hour rail services on the Sunshine Coast line the past two days has been the final straw for many.

Under a PTQ model Queensland Rail would sit in a heavy rail division as a streamlined operator.  Put on notice that in 3 years rail operations would be opened up to competitive tender.  As would all operators including Transport for Brisbane.

Band-aids, spin and bluster are not going to fix the root problems in Queensland.  Proper structural and organisational reform will.

Add in the political uncertainty with respect to projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro.  Little wonder that we are very concerned.

All we have seen is much failure ( particularly the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and New Generation Rollingstock, failed bus network reform, collapse of the rail network), with very limited successes.  Time to change the paradigm.

Is there a political party that will place Queensland on a proper footing for future public transport success?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached:  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12090.msg198640#msg198640 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/927209911221600256

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/927412872849776640

[Arnz]

The suggestion could be extended to all SEQ operators if RACQ wants to go the full-hog with this suggestion. 

That would mean paying the $$ out (if required) to the to the current private operators to bring all the buses, trains and ferries under the 1 government operator.

[ozbob]

https://live.racq.com.au/2017/11/integrated-public-transport-ease-commuter-pain/

Integrated public transport to ease commuter pain

RACQ has called for the Government to scrap its multiple transport agencies in favour of one integrated public transport authority to oversee the delivery of all services across Queensland, saving commuters time and money.

The motoring body's Paul Turner urged both sides of politics to commit to the plan, which would improve reliability, reduce congestion and deliver savings, before voters headed to the polls.

"Recent data shows patronage on buses, ferries and trains has fallen by 2.7 million trips in the 12 months to June, with a growing number of commuters sick of dealing with a fractured system that is notoriously unreliable," Mr Turner said.

"We need to bring Queensland into line with other world-class cities like Helsinki, London, and even Perth where there is a Public Transport Authority. The roll out of an integrated public transport system is the first step.

"Commuters want seamless end-to end services on trains, ferries and buses, that will get them to their destination on time. Current services are unable to deliver door-to-door journeys, which leaves many commuters frustrated and more likely to jump in their cars."

Mr Turner said the integration of Translink, Queensland Rail, Transdev and Brisbane City Council's transport subsidiary would also see administrative costs slashed, saving millions of dollars which could be reinvested into improved services.

"This stand-alone authority will keep pace with the growth of our State and ensure commuters are delivered reliable, cost effective, end-to-end transport," he said.

"Investing in public transport goes hand in hand with RACQ's priority roads projects to reduce congestion and ensure Queensland is future-proofed."

[ozbob]

The suggestion could be extended to all SEQ operators if RACQ wants to go the full-hog with this suggestion. 

That would mean paying the $$ out (if required) to the to the current private operators to bring all the buses, trains and ferries under the 1 government operator.

RACQ doesn't quite get it.  The Authority organises and manages Public Transport.  There would of course be private and public operators as for now, and as for other jurisdictions.

[red dragin]

RACQ doesn't quite get it.  The Authority organises and manages Public Transport.  There would of course be private and public operators as for now, and as for other jurisdictions.

Not quite, no.

But when the "cars cars cars and everything about them" peak lobby group is talking about public transport and it's integration with roads, you know something is wrong and even they can see that more roads aren't the answer.

[SurfRail]

I'm going to assume the reference to "Transdev" is really only meant as a reference to "the ferry operator".

Agree with comments above - right basic idea, but sloppy articulation of it.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th November 2017

Bumbling along ...

Greetings,

The reality is both the ALP and the LNP have handled the public transport portfolio poorly since 2009.

Unless we have complete structural re-organisation along the lines of a proper statutory authority, we suggest Public Transport Queensland ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ), with the transport authorities and operators being truly held to account,  the band-aid bumble failing approach will continue to deliver mediocrity.

The 2017 election does not really offer much hope without a committment to fixing the root problems. Just more ongoing bumble seems the likely outcome.

We will continue to press for proper reform.

Vote early, but do not vote often!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

23rd November 2017

RAIL Back On Track - Policy position assessment for #qldvotes

Greetings,

Here is a visual assessment of the possible public transport policy positions we put forward at the commencement of the election period.

There are many issues that could be addressed, even at this late stage.

Without Cross River Rail, SEQ will face transport collapse.  Labor did mention the possibility of a proper statutory authority - Public Transport Queensland, but has not committed to that as policy.  The botched New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train project needs a full and comprehensive examination into all the circumstances that lead to this monumental failure.  No major political parties have the courage to commit to that. Might expose their failure.

There are of course other issues, but these are the main ones we believe should be addressed now.

Policy assessment


Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

29th October 2017

The public transport crisis in SEQ and the November state election

Good Morning,

According to media the Premier will call the Queensland State election for 25th November 2017.

The mess that public transport is in SEQ is going to be a big issue I have little doubt.  The majority of seats are in SEQ after all.  Rail fail and the botched New Generation Train project will no doubt hurt.  Countering this is the fact that Labor has introduced a much better fare structure for SEQ.  Also considerable progress with Gold Coast Light Rail and completion of the duplication of heavy rail Coomera <> Helensvale.  Redcliffe Peninsula Line was botched however, but at least it is now in operation.

Our non negotiable policy positions:

1. Cross River Rail - this project must proceed after constant dumb partisan games for the last 10 years.

2. Upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Line, first stage Beerburrum to Landsborough North.

3. Extension of Springfield Central line to Redbank Plains south.

4. Bus network reform - for all regions including Brisbane. Support for the ' Brisbane bi-articulated bus Metro ' project.

5. Full rail service timetable for SEQ, sooner than later.  Continuing service reductions are having a disastrous impact on our public transport network.

6. Formation of Public Transport Queensland -  a proper statutory authority to administer and deliver all aspects of public transport in Queensland.  TransLink, and the Department of Transport and Main Road are dysfunctional under the present organisational structures.  They have failed Queensland.

7. A Commission of Inquiry into the botched New Generation Rollingstock - NGR (a.k.a. Not Going Right) train project. This is an outrage this bungled project.

8. Support for the roll out of Automatic Train Protection (European Train Control System) on the SEQ suburban and interurban rail network.

9.  Continued upgrade of all stations to meet DDA requirements.

10.  Public transport fare freeze for all of Queensland for at least two years (2018 and 2019).

Additional Vote-winners:

1. A policy to remove all advertising and other wraps from the windows of public transport vehicles.  Windows are provided in public transport vehicles for people to see into and out of the vehicles.  They are not built as windowless tin cans. Blocked window vision is a potential major security risk as well.

2.  All door bus boarding on all high frequency / busway bus routes.

3.  A level-crossing removal program.

4.  A review into ' bridge strikes '.  This constant scourge must be brought under control.

5.  Acceleration of the Next Generation Ticketing project.

There is more but just concentrate on the issues listed for now.

Best wishes,
Robert

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