Public Transport Queensland - An Independent Transport Authority

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934277026663428096

[ozbob]

26th November 2017

Let's get cracking ...

Greetings,

Well done Premier Palaszczuk and the ALP team.

Now it is time to deliver.  Cross River Rail will now proceed.

We noted during the election campaign that the Deputy Premier and Transport Minister was quite supportive of the call for a proper statutory authority or similar to take over the administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland e.g. Public Transport Queensland.  We wait for the Citytrain Response Unit's recommendations to this regard. It is essential that public transport be removed from DTMR.

The Sunshine Coast Line upgrade was not an explicit policy position for Labor in the election campaign.  However, Labor do support this as the business case for the first stage of the line upgrade from Beerburrum to Landsborough was submitted by Government mid year 2017.  This project stacks up and we have no doubt will receive Federal funding.  There is no reason why the Sunshine Coast Line upgrade cannot proceed now, particularly as Cross River Rail will continue.

It is time that the incoming Government commits to a Commission of Inquiry into the botched New Generation Rollingstock train project.  The LNP are hiding the truth. The scale of the blunder of this project must never be repeated.  It is essential that all facts are brought out into the clear light of day to guard against failure in the future.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934467420177047552

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934468490332848129

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/934471090109267969

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 27th November 2017 page 19

Let's get cracking on promises

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th November 2017

Not Going Right ( NGR ) trains - slow motion

Good Morning,

We note that the Australian Human Rights Commission has not updated their web site with respect to the State of Queensland temporary exemption application for the non compliant New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains ( http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth ).  The Commission requested further information many weeks ago now.  Until the requested further information is received we understand that the AHRC cannot commence the public consultation process.  A process we understand will take at least 4 weeks, possibly longer now because of the Christmas New Year holidays. At the completion of the public consultation process the AHRC will have to consider any public submissions and then finally make their determination with respect to the application. This could take many months yet.

We also understand a further two new NGR trains were moved to Wulkuraka yesterday.  This makes a total of 19 NGR trains now in Queensland, and still they are not in passenger revenue service. Are the recently arrived NGR trains still DDA DSAPT non compliant?

It is looking grim for the future rail timetable for SEQ, particularly during the Commonwealth Games.  Will there be line closures?  Where are the proposed timetables, not only for the Commonwealth Games but the looming Summer School Holiday period.  We expect there will be the now usual savage service reductions.  Stamping SEQ as a failed public transport jurisdiction. Rail fail is not yet over by a long shot.

We do earnestly hope that the incoming State Government will remove the administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland from DTMR and set up a proper independent statutory authority - for example Public Transport Queensland.  How much more proof of failure of the existing structures is needed?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/936331478375399425

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 13th December 2017 page 13

Put an end to ' public transport mediocrity '

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/940686745435193344

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/940969358251003904

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th December 2017

How to sort the public transport mess ..

Good Morning,

Interesting opinion piece in today's Couriermail:

Opinion: Queensland transport planning failure a disgrace
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-queensland-transport-planning-failure-a-disgrace/news-story/c656b6deb6f0863bbf6f6ff93719ef85

We agree.   With respect to public transport it is time to move the administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland into a proper stand alone public transport statutory authority, free of the demonstrated bungle at DTMR.  We suggest a model based on the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) ' Public Transport Queensland '. Their rail network in Perth is not subject to ' rail fail '.  All lines of their rail network have 15 minute off peak frequency and they have a properly connected bus network.  In fact, I am heading over there  to Perth for a visit on Saturday for a week or so.  I call it a ' rail fail escape holiday '.  It is a joy to use a proper public transport network, something we must continue to strive for in SEQ.  First step is to get the administration and delivery right in Queensland.  Western Australia shows us how to do it properly!



https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg200901#msg200901

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/940975081555083265

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/941050613424537601

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd January 2018

Time for action on public transport for Queensland

Good Morning,

We are now a facing an almost certain disrupted transport situation for the Commonwealth Games. We have a major crisis on our hands.

There is much community concern as they have now suffered 459 days of rail service cutbacks, particularly severe over the period 18th December 2017 through to 21st January 2018.  There has been an erosion of public confidence in the transport authorities, who frankly, have managed to deliver much failure with little success.  The present organisational structures are not working, a proper statutory authority, we suggest Public Transport Queensland (modelled on the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia) is needed. The administration and delivery of public transport and rail must be removed from DTMR.  DTMR is a failed outfit.  The evidence is substantial and stark. In another related DTMR rail fail it does appear that rail cattle trains will cease in Queensland due to DTMR botching the new cattle wagons (see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12972.0 ).

The New Generation Rollingstock train project warrants a Royal Commission.  The first two new trains were moved to Redbank Workshops for storage on the 22nd December 2017.  No public explanation.  Rumour has it they are to be scrapped.  How is this possible?  Another example of why we need a Royal Commission. The State of Queensland flaunts due legal process and runs NGR trains without the legal protection of a temporary exemption from the AHRC.  This project has long been off the rails.

Rail fail has lead to a complete loss of confidence by the travelling public in our public transport network.  For example, a quick scan of the Capital cities of Australia that have a rail service reveals the following:

Trains on 1st January - 11am or so.  Roughly equivalent railway lines in all capitals with rail.

Adelaide to Gawler every 30 minutes

Perth to Mandurah every 15 minutes

Melbourne to Dandenong every 10 minutes

Sydney to Liverpool every 7.5 minutes on average

Brisbane to Ipswich every 60 minutes

This is a good demonstration of how poor our rail frequency is in SEQ. What a sad indictment on our transport authorities.  They deliver failure. How can we have confidence in them for the Commonwealth Games?

We are tired of the duplicitous spin and bull. It is high time that Queensland Rail / TransLink stopped the ' reduced demand ' spin is why we ' reduce services '. Demand is reduced because they reduce the services basically, and run the worst rail frequency in Australia and New Zealand with failed connections be they bus or rail.   Far better when they come out with these reduced service timetables to say the truth.  " We don't have enough crew considering leave entitlements, rosters and so forth.  So we have to reduce the services. We know we are incompetent and regret that."

We have confidence in the new Transport Minister Mr Bailey will start to address this festering mess.  Mr Bailey you need to start today!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Ssent to all outlets:

7th January 2018

Failure is the hallmark of PT in SEQ

Good Morning,

Clearly it is time to restructure the organisation, management and delivery of public transport in Queensland.

We now have a succession of major rail and other failures under DTMR's watch.

1. Rail fail itself.  Now day 464 of cancellations, delays and reduced service timetables. No resolution in sight.

2. Redcliffe Peninsula Line - incompatible signalling system delayed opening and with a cost over run.

3. Cattle wagon fiasco - probably means the end of cattle rail in Queensland, with even more trucks on roads causing damage and trauma ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12972.0 ).

4. Lack of due attention to requirements of the DDA and DSAPT when it comes to infrastructure.  For example construction of a new non-compliant footbridge at Banyo.

5. The mega failure of all time - the Not Going Right aka New Generation Rollingstock train project.  Completely off the rails!

All under DTMR.  This is why rail must be removed from this failure of an organisation and a proper heavy rail division set up under a new Statutory Authority we have termed Public Transport Queensland ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  The best model is the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia in our view ( http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ).

Public transport in SEQ is now a low frequency, dysfunctional, disconnected mess sadly.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/949683004623867904

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/humantransit/status/955492533219475456

[#Metro]

German experts recommend major revamp of Queensland's public transport
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/german-experts-recommend-major-revamp-of-queensland-s-public-transport-20180312-p4z402.html

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said Queensland had three major players in public transport: Queensland Rail, the council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

"They are fairly discrete organisations and history would show that they don't co-operate that well in terms of advancing major infrastructure," he said.

SOLUTION:

1. Put Queensland Rail on a limited time contract and then throw the SEQ Passenger Rail network open to competition.
2. Put Brisbane City Council Buses on a limited time contract and then throw Brisbane area bus network open to competition.

They will co-operate if they know that if they don't do what TransLink expects, their contract renewal will be jeopardised. The certainty that comes with knowing that their service contracts will always always be renewed no matter what of is a key source of problems. Take it away!

3. All public transport assets and planning out of DTMR and into PTQ, who will be equipped with stronger governmental regulatory powers to hire, fire, and sue operators in addition to contracting out services on contestable contracts. PTQ will retain all revenue and pay for services run, not patronage.

The "softly softly" approach is not working - time do so something completely different I am afraid.

I am not at all convinced about what BrisbaneTimes wrote about the London Model where operators retain revenue. We should push back against that idea. As for the Sydney Model - well we have seen how well that worked out in the last few weeks. They don't even have integrated fares. No good! DB should have recommended the TransPerth model.

No "better clarification of roles" is necessary. If they don't know what they are doing, why they exist, or can't work together - bye bye and we get someone else thank you.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> German experts recommend major revamp of Queensland's public transport

German public transport experts have recommended an overhauled, integrated public transport system for south-east Queensland after they found a culture of mistrust between Queensland Rail and the transit authority TransLink.

The recommendations come from a stage one report, which has already been given to the Queensland government, from the man given the task 13 months ago to completely change Queensland Rail.

The ulimate shape of the new model was yet to be determined, but the German public transport consultants from firm DB Engineering reported a "general lack of trust and partnership between QR and TransLink/TMR".

That, the consultants said, could be addressed as part of the Strachan Inquiry, which they saw as an "opportunity to provide greater clarity of the respective roles and tasks, and a more effective structure, in relation to rail policy, planning and delivery on behalf of the government".

Former Rio Tinto chief executive Phillip Strachan, now Queensland Rail's chairman, was put in charge in February 2017 after identifying major flaws with Queensland Rail after a three-month inquiry.

As part of that inquiry, experts from DB Engineering completed a six-week "root and branch" analysis of Queensland Rail for Mr Strachan's CityTrain Response Unit.

"Significant work is required in order to bring QR up to world class standards, prior to progressing to a digital railway," the analysis found.

A CityTrain Response Unit spokeswoman said: "The CRU is currently consulting with government stakeholders regarding the recommendation, prior to finalising advice and submitting to the government for its consideration."

One of 36 recommendations was improved communication and in the December report from the Fixing the Trains newsletter it reports it has completed stage one of "a new, world class public transport model for Queensland."

That stage one report has been given to the Queensland government for consideration.

Mr Strachan's Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Rail included detailed studies of two public transport models considered superior to Queensland's system, Transport for London and Transport Sydney.

The UK's Transport for London model is chaired by London's mayor. Three separate businesses (underground, crossrail and surface transport) receive the fares, whereas in Queensland, state government body TransLink collects all revenue.

In both models, there is a provider of metropolitan trains, a provider of long-distance trains and a separate provider of big capital projects. Here, Queensland Rail does all three.

The concept of a new public transport system in Queensland comes as organisations respond to urban planner Phil Heywood's call on Thursday for transport planning change in Queensland.

Professor Heywood said in the past decade "short-term politics" had poorly influenced long-term public transport planning, with stage two of the Gold Coast light rail a solitary exception.

He suggested a new cross-government taskforce or delivery authority to manage new bridges and new transport plans in general, rather than individual levels of government.

In the four days since Professor Heywood's comments, the federal government promoted a fast train link between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast using Queensland government resources, while Brisbane City Council still waits on the state government to sell land for its Brisbane Metro "superbus" network.

Bicycle Queensland spokeswoman Anne Savage said obvious political decisions had led to many voters becoming "confused and distrusting" of governments.

However, she said improvements had been made since the state and local government elections.

"We support the work currently underway on Brisbane City Council's draft transport plan for Brisbane and the state government's South Brisbane transport and mobility study," she said.

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects called for infrastructure decision-making bodies to be "as independent as they possible can from the government of the day", Queensland chapter manager Georgina Scriha said.

"This would help ensure that longer term planning can take place which would be free from short term political decision making," she said

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said Queensland had three major players in public transport: Queensland Rail, the council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

"They are fairly discrete organisations and history would show that they don't co-operate that well in terms of advancing major infrastructure," he said.

Rail Back on Track backs the formation of a new public transport body similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, where TransPerth runs buses, trains and ferries and TransWA runs coaches and regional trains.

"We think that is the best model working in Australia at the moment," Mr Dow said.

"We would call it Public Transport Queensland.

"We think heavy rail needs to be removed out of DTMR and sit under a heavy rail division of the new body we call Public Transport Queensland, or PTQ, modeled on that West Australia example.

"We think it is very difficult for an organisation which is roads-focused to properly deliver for the future rail needs."

RACQ advocacy general manager Paul Turner said short-term politics had hindered network improvements and highlighted simplistic funding arguments over the M1, the Bruce Highway, the Cross River Rail and duplicating the Nambour line.

"We haven't really benefited from three levels of government all having a different idea of what's best," he said.

Mr Turner said Queensland's infrastructure priority body, Building Queensland, and the federal government's equivalent, Infrastructure Australia, needed to lift their games.

"I think we were all hoping that Building Queensland or Infrastructure Australia would provide that clear priority list that we all agreed would be funded appropriately," he said.

"So whether it is a beefed-up Building Queensland, or a combination of Building Queensland and Infrastructure Australia, we're not quite sure."

A spokesman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a new 10-year transport co-ordination plan was adopted by the Palaszczuk government last October.

"The TCP provides a strategic framework for the planning and management of transport resources in Queensland over a 10-year time frame.," the spokesman said.

And the spokesman defended the role Building Queensland played in the process.

"BQ works closely with all departments, government-owned corporations and statutory authorities to guide better infrastructure decision-making," he said.

Comment was sought from Brisbane City Council.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th March 2018

Failure is the hallmark of PT in SEQ

Good Morning,

Clearly it is time to restructure the organisation, management and delivery of public transport in Queensland.

We now have a succession of major rail and other failures under DTMR's watch.

1. Rail fail itself.  Now day 529  of cancellations, delays and reduced service timetables. No resolution in sight.

2. Redcliffe Peninsula Line - incompatible signalling system delayed opening and with a cost over run.

3. Cattle wagon fiasco - with even more trucks on roads causing damage and trauma ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12972.0 ).

4. Lack of due attention to requirements of the DDA and DSAPT when it comes to infrastructure.  For example construction of a new non-compliant footbridge at Banyo.

5. The mega failure of all time - the Not Going Right aka New Generation Rollingstock train project.  Completely off the rails! A proper Commission of Inquiry is needed into this disgrace.

All under DTMR.  This is why rail must be removed from this failure of an organisation and a proper heavy rail division set up under a new Statutory Authority we have termed Public Transport Queensland ( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.0 ).  The best model is the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia in our view ( http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ).

Public transport in SEQ is now a low frequency, dysfunctional, disconnected mess sadly.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Latest. Brisbanetimes --> German experts recommend major revamp of Queensland's public transport

At least there is a growing recognition for structural change.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973229016432885760

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973229408054947840

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973229580034035712

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973232940271337473

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973234499256332288

[SteelPan]

EVERYONE.....Relax!

The DB Engineering Report into Qld's Public Transport woes, is headed straight for the SAME filing cabinet, as all the reports over the years from the Queensland Productivity Commission!

"The Queensland Government - Turning the 21stC back a Hundred Years!"

[techblitz]

So is anna.p going to step up or what?? she has some hard decisions to make.....continue to appease the unions or just go all out and restructure....or is she just going to fence sit on the issue from here on in and only worry about infrastructure....which quite conveniently also appeases unions as it keeps the jobs flowing in...

[Stillwater]

QUOTE:
"The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects called for infrastructure decision-making bodies to be "as independent as they possible can from the government of the day", Queensland chapter manager Georgina Scriha said.  "This would help ensure that longer term planning can take place which would be free from short term political decision making," she said.

 

[ozbob]

So is anna.p going to step up or what?? she has some hard decisions to make.....continue to appease the unions or just go all out and restructure....or is she just going to fence sit on the issue from here on in and only worry about infrastructure....which quite conveniently also appeases unions as it keeps the jobs flowing in...

This is the test TB.  Unless we get proper restructuring along the lines of PTQ or equivalent, it will continue to be a basket case of mediocrity and chronic failure.   How much more evidence do they need?

SEQ is now stamped as a failed PT jurisdiction.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/973326379268808705

[#Metro]

If Cr Schrinner wants an alliance, then BT should be removed from BCC and constituted as a company where 50% of the shares are held by BCC and the other half by the State Government.

[SurfRail]

No "alliances" for SEQ where councils are involved thanks.  Stuff that.

The BCC is in a very much subordinate position, it is not a "partner" any more than GoldlinQ which also funds part of its expenses (albeit capital, not operational).  Time they started acting like it.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 14th March 2018 page 13

Something must be done about rail fail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/973600293836406785

[ozbob]

Queensland, the state of embarrassing failure wrt to public transport ..

Good to see SA storming ahead ...

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975049593556680709

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975050054737182720

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975054564305940480

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th March 2018

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

Greetings,

A change of Government in South Australia!

A sound transport plan was part of the Liberal Party of SA policy.

https://strongplan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/139-PEOPLE-FOCUSED-PUBLIC-TRANSPORT.pdf

A standout positive action is the committment to form the ' South Australian Public Transport Authority ' *[ extract below ].

This is what needs to occur in Queensland.  We suggest Public Transport Queensland.

(See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12341.msg200901#msg200901 )

Best wishes,
Robert

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


*SOUTH AUSTRALIAN
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
AUTHORITY

Functions relating to the operation of our public
transport services are currently undertaken
within the Department of Planning, Transport and
Infrastructure (DPTI). This is one of the largest
government departments with many other
functions.

Public transport needs a strong advocate within
government for its customers and DPTI is not
providing that.

We will remove public transport operations from
DPTI by creating the South Australian Public
Transport Authority. DPTI will continue to be
responsible for infrastructure delivery, while major
public transport infrastructure planning will be
the responsibility of the new Infrastructure South
Australia agency to be created by a Marshall Liberal
Government. This separation of the planning,
services and infrastructure delivery functions is
essential for a customer-centric public transport
system.

SAPTA will be dedicated to delivering efficient
public transport services for all areas of
metropolitan Adelaide and, where feasible,
providing innovative public transport options in the
regions.

SAPTA will have a Chief Executive reporting directly
to the Minister as an advocate for existing and new
public transport customers who is not compromised
by other departmental or political priorities. A
Customer Value Proposition will be prepared
based on customer needs and evidence from best
practice research to grow patronage for the long
term, and not for short-term political agendas.
The new authority will have a 'customer first focus'
in all its operations.

SAPTA's mission will be to provide public transport
services which are:

• Affordable;
• Safe and secure;
• Frequent along the key corridors;
• Clean and comfortable;
• Easy to understand and use;
• Friendly with helpful drivers and staff; and
• Inclusive, including accessible to people with
mobility challenges.

We need a public transport system which:
• Provides value for money;
• Increases the number of people who can get
around our city and suburbs more efficiently;
• Creates a greater sense of community through
more opportunities for social interaction;
• Encourages the development of more homes
and businesses along major routes;
• Provides transportation for people who cannot
drive or do not have access to a car; and
• Ensures that the bus system, tram and rail
services are integrated with passenger growth
and on-time running targets as key drivers.

The functions of SAPTA will include:
• A complete review of the public transport fare
structure within 12 months with the aim of
significantly increasing patronage;
• Submitting annual operational plans for
ministerial approval;
• Specifying annual business and service
performance targets and other measures by
which to judge service performance;
• Publicly reporting annually against the
authority's business and performance targets;
• Positive promotion of public transport as an
alternative to the car;
• Providing a single contact point for customers
wanting information about public transport
services, fares and tickets or wishing to raise
complaints or suggestions about service
delivery; and
• Undertaking regular consultation with the
public about existing public transport services
and future needs through creation of an online
advisory panel and other advanced online
engagement tools.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/975229487464955904

[verbatim9]

It's a good idea to move towards a Public Transport Authority. We need clear direction and true autonomy for planning and operation of a World Class Public Transport System in all areas of Queensland.

[#Metro]

Having an Authority isn't enough.
Transparency isn't enough.
Accountability isn't enough.

These three things are the inputs for a decision - whether to hire or fire an operator based on its history of service delivery and performance.

They are of limited use if gov't implicitly promises to renew contracts regardless of whatever information the transparency and accountability measures go on to reveal.

The way TransLink is structured at the moment - it is not an "Authority". It is a passive monitor. It reports whether outcomes are good or bad, but it cannot hire or fire based on that information.

If the information is good... the contract is renewed
If the information is bad ... the contract is renewed *anyway*

And it isn't just about public operators Queensland Rail or Brisbane Transport. There are plenty of private, for-profit bus operators that just have their contracts renewed no matter what. Why is the government procuring services like this - for everything else, there is the procurement and tendering portal.

I also get bored with hearing about how some operation is going to be reorganised to be "customer focused" whatever that actually means. If it needs to be reorganised to be customer focused, what was it actually focused on immediately beforehand?

And you have to be careful - if you ask what customers want, they will say "no transfers", "express bus from my house to the CBD" and "express train from my station to the CBD", "bus in my local street", "detour the bus to go past the front of my house".

Is the transport agency really going to give them that?

[verbatim9]

Having an Authority isn't enough.
Transparency isn't enough.
Accountability isn't enough.

These three things are the inputs for a decision - whether to hire or fire an operator based on its history of service delivery and performance.

They are of limited use if gov't implicitly promises to renew contracts regardless of whatever information the transparency and accountability measures go on to reveal.

The way TransLink is structured at the moment - it is not an "Authority". It is a passive monitor. It reports whether outcomes are good or bad, but it cannot hire or fire based on that information.

If the information is good... the contract is renewed
If the information is bad ... the contract is renewed *anyway*

And it isn't just about public operators Queensland Rail or Brisbane Transport. There are plenty of private, for-profit bus operators that just have their contracts renewed no matter what. Why is the government procuring services like this - for everything else, there is the procurement and tendering portal.

I also get bored with hearing about how some operation is going to be reorganised to be "customer focused" whatever that actually means. If it needs to be reorganised to be customer focused, what was it actually focused on immediately beforehand?

And you have to be careful - if you ask what customers want, they will say "no transfers", "express bus from my house to the CBD" and "express train from my station to the CBD", "bus in my local street", "detour the bus to go past the front of my house".

Is the transport agency really going to give them that?

^^A Public Transport Authority should be able to address those points

[ozbob]

Media release 21st March 2018

Queensland: Call for action on a new public transport authority

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 Queensland needs a new public transport authority (Public Transport Queensland) with the legislative authority and resources to get Queensland back on track.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Network improvements for public transport in Queensland have largely ground to a halt other than the Gold Coast.  TransLink lacks the resources and authority to do essential public transport improvement tasks such as bus reform for Brisbane. In our view TransLink is now greatly under-resourced and struggling to maintain even basic support services let alone improvements."

"We are going backwards in Queensland. Patronage has stalled on the wider network, road congestion is worsening by the day. There is a slow down and a policy paralysis. The SEQ rail network is in a diabolical mess, particularly as railfail drags on and on.  This is reflected in a growing level of community frustration with poor service delivery outcomes."

"A good model for Public Transport Queensland is the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (1)."

"It is interesting to note the incoming South Australian Government had as a key election committment the plan to form the South Australian Public Transport Authority (2). They stated that 'Public transport needs a strong advocate within
government for its customers and DPTI is not providing that.' This is what is happening with DTMR in Queensland."

"It is time for bipartisan support for the formation of Public Transport Queensland.  The Ciytrain Response Unit has put a model for ' a new, world class public transport model for Queensland ' to Government for consideration (3).

"Let's get cracking with this essential reform."

Contact:

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

1. http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/

2. https://strongplan.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/139-PEOPLE-FOCUSED-PUBLIC-TRANSPORT.pdf

3. Brisbanetimes: German experts recommend major revamp of Queensland's public transport https://amp.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/german-experts-recommend-major-revamp-of-queensland-s-public-transport-20180312-p4z402.html

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/976136074501083136

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/976207770805444608

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 22nd March 2018 page 15

Time to get our rail back on track

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/976504373885849600

[#Metro]

Let's get a real Authority, one with actual firepower!
You do a bad job - public or private - the Authority refuses to renew your contract. And it should be refused even if the minister jumps up and down or turns purple.

The power to refuse custom is a basic guard of product and service quality in almost every other business or industry.