Public Transport Queensland - An Independent Transport Authority

[verbatim9]

Fixing the Trains—September Quarter 2019 (PDF, 764 KB)  Page 11

Suggests that the Review 36A-C  Undertake review of transport governance is still in progress.

Progress " Continued government stakeholder consultation on a proposed new, integrated public transport model for Queensland. Work continuing on options for proposal/recommended model prior to Government consideration "

Seems to be deliberately drawn out ... has a completion target for end of 2020.  This is post election ... 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th September 2020

Public Transport Queensland

Public transport in Queensland continues to blunder on. There is little doubt that Queensland must move forward with a proper stand alone Public Transport Authority. The TransLink brand can remain as such, but a proper authority similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) is needed. Simply blundering along with the failure structures at present is only making everything worse.

The lack of timely reporting, the fire-wall between the public and TransLink (communications outsourced), the silos of blunder and miscommunication are all compounding the failure. A Government that fails to be truly transparent when it comes to public transport matters.  Why is the rail operational plan for Cross River Rail being hidden?

Unless there is radical change, the mess will never be sorted.

The key issue is the organisation, administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland.  The present fragmented structures have delivered failure - rail fail, Redcliffe Peninsula line fail, botched new trains - NGRs, bus network reform fail, fare fail, greater Brisbane now the nation's worst for public transport access, halfhearted DDA compliance, and now Brisbane River ferry fail!

The structure needs reform.

There needs to be a stand alone public transport authority. A model such as the Public Transport Authority of WA is a good one with the resources and the will to properly champion public transport and turnaround the constant failures.

The present fragmented structures of Brisbane City Council, Queensland Rail, Transport and Main Roads and TransLink will not.  They will just continue to propagate failure.  The Government did task the Citytrain Response Unit to make recommendations with respect to an Integrated Public Transport Model.  They completed the review December 2017 and passed to Government for consideration ( https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports ). Nothing has been heard since.

Doing nothing is not an option, it is time to bite the bullet of structural reform. We are tired of failure.

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1302316567787499521

[ozbob]

Public Transport Queensland 6th September 2020 Public transport in Queensland continues to blunder on. There is little...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Saturday, 5 September 2020

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1397252491884961792

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1400102074327523334

Now is the hour!

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Citytrain Response Unit Final Report

3rd June 2021

At long last the final report has been released ( available here https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports ).

Page 6 of the report is of great interest to us:

" Recommendation 36a-c remains open. The
Citytrain Response Unit recommends that a further
review be undertaken, building on the work
completed by the CRU, to consider how greater
integration across the public transport cluster can
be achieved to support the successful delivery
of public transport projects and services into the
future."

And page 3

" However, further work is required to ensure Queensland's
public transport arrangements are suitable for supporting
the successful delivery and operation of forthcoming network
changes including Cross River Rail, the European Train Control
System, the Brisbane Metro and a possible Olympic bid.
Although some improvements have been realised through the
delivery of the Fixing the trains program, greater integration
between public transport agencies would better support
the long-term success of these projects and deliver superior
customer outcomes. "

As we have posted previously ( https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3763576500323176 ) we believe the way forward from here is to establish a proper public transport authority.  We suggest 'Public Transport Queensland' which will provide the proper integration and better delivery than the fragmented 'silo' arrangements at present.

There is little doubt that Queensland must move forward with a proper stand alone Public Transport Authority. The TransLink brand can remain as such, but a proper authority similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) is needed. Simply blundering along with the failure structures at present is only making everything worse.

In related news Brisbanetimes has published that finally the net gain of 200 train drivers and 200 guards has been reached by Queensland Rail ( Queensland Rail finally hits target of 200 new drivers https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/queensland-rail-finally-hits-target-of-200-new-drivers-20210602-p57xfg.html ).

Let's hope the State Government has the courage to move forward with Public Transport Queensland.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1400158607593787394

[ozbob]

It will be very disappointing if the Government doesn't move on this.  I am pleased the CRU left it open and has really said to Government, you need to do something to get it sorted.

[#Metro]

Oddly enough, 'better integration' means actually dis-integrating PT admin and removing it from TMR.
I don't really understand the allergy the Qld Gov has on this.

[ozbob]

Oddly enough, 'better integration' means actually dis-integrating PT admin and removing it from TMR.
I don't really understand the allergy the Qld Gov has on this.

[Arnz]

PTQ (or alternatively de-merging TMR back in Department of Transport and Department of Main Roads - as it was before) has always been the better outcome as far as PT is concerned IMO.

[verbatim9]

Is their motivation from the state government to create a new sub agency, especially when they are in a debt ridden situation?

[ozbob]

Is their motivation from the state government to create a new sub agency, especially when they are in a debt ridden situation?

I think it would fiscally very sound to set an authority.  Will save money  for example $400 million wasted on NGRs ...

Do I need to go on?

[achiruel]

Is their motivation from the state government to create a new sub agency, especially when they are in a debt ridden situation?

The debt situation of the State of Queensland is grossly over stated. Much of the debt is not general government debt at all, but is held by GOCs that service their own debt.

There is no fiscal reason to avoid this action.

[Stillwater]

Essentially, it would involve shuffling around the public servants who are already on the payroll, but pull down the silos and place them in a new structure (preferably in one building on the same floors as each other so the interaction and creative juices get flowing, same with information-sharing), with a new mandate and charter.  There would be floorspace, desks, chairs and computers lying around already. Fresh carpet, a lick of paint, new corporate plan and a  lovely sign out the front + website.

[#Metro]

GOC debt is government debt because the gov't can and has loaded them with state debt.

If a GOC goes bankrupt, the state has to wear the loss as the State Governments of Victoria and South Australia found out when their state banks collapsed in the early 1990s.

[ozbob]

Organisational structure of the Public Transport Authority (PTA) WA ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au ) for interest.

" Safe, customer-focussed, integrated and efficient public transport services "

I have been to Perth a number of times during the last 5 years.  It is remarkable how their public transport operates compared to the shambles here in SEQ particularly.  Frequency, bus connections work, paid park 'n' ride with excellent feeder bus networks.  Fares reasonable.  All just happens with a minimum of fuss. 

The key is the PTA.  Unless we get PTQ (or equivalent) out of DTMR we are doomed to ongoing failure on a grand scale.

https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/our-role/organisational-structure.  A similar structure could be done for Queensland.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1400461433662365699

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MelbOnTransit/status/1416405377004965888

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1416825193880637440

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1417845959778660352

[SteelPan]

"SEQLink"   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MelbOnTransit/status/1458885966895017984

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1458985604335558665

[ozbob]

^

Melbourne on Transit The state capital with the worst public transport?

> https://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-state-capital-with-worst-public.html

... Which leaves just one thing - the result.

Which mainland Australian state capital has the worst public transport overall?

~ ~ ~ Brisbane ~ ~ ~

Olympic City, come on down ..... 

... Why did I nominate Brisbane? Every city has its problems with public transport. Mostly they are confined to a few main areas. For example Sydney's disintegrated fares. Melbourne's poor off-peak train frequencies, slow trams and unreformed bus network. Perth's lack of exclusive corridors and low off-peak bus frequencies. And Adelaide's infrequent trains and complex unreformed bus network.

Brisbane is more a case of having a few good things but large problems with the rest.  For example there are some nice busways and amazingly frequent all day/all week service on its BUZ corridors. It also does quite well on Sunday mornings by starting its trains early.

But apart from that Brisbane's services and network are very second-rate. Its metropolitan trains are less frequent outside peaks, carry fewer people and have higher running costs per passenger. A lower proportion of its population is near frequent service than elsewhere. And non-CBD transit is difficult as buses parallel rather than feed trains, with no frequent orbital buses. It adds up to a lot of infrastructure and staff but a poor ability to run them to form an effective and efficient network. So much potential but lazy leadership who can neither see nor harness it. 

As for fixing the mess, a large city council and artificial local government boundaries stymie reform like nowhere else. This is because service planning and delivery straddles state and local government (Brisbane City Council) bodies. The result is a sort of inertia exacerbated by the lack of a single metropolitan transport planning agency at state government level such as (imperfectly) exists for all other capitals.

Brisbane's biggest problem though is perhaps the mediocrity they accept and the excuses they make for it. Eg 'Brisbane people are different to southerners and won't use public transport'. Such exceptionalism gives a cover for inaction.

It's more accurate to say that people everywhere are equally pragmatic in using the best transport option available to them. It's just that in Brisbane this doesn't happen very often due to how its network is configured and run.

If only Brisbanites set their mind to it with Perth-style reform (ie off-peak train frequency upgrades and bus reform) then their network could be so much better for relatively little capital expenditure.

Will the city that recently got the right to host an Olympics (because no one else wanted it) rise to the even bigger but more beneficial, challenge of creating useful public transport network for its people?

Only time will tell.

[#Metro]

I think Hobart and Darwin PT is pretty bad.

[Cazza]

I think Hobart and Darwin PT is pretty bad.

For cities their size, they can get away with it.

Meanwhile in the SEQ corner... (last night at around 6pm)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1459231072147828738

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[Gazza]

I think Adelaide is worse to be honest.
they have taken forever to get the Gawler line electrified but otherwise have no other projects on the horizon.

Bus reform failed there

Rail stations are noticeable worse

Expensive single trips

the Go zone network is extensive but has shorter operating hours and doesn't really exist on weekends.

[ozbob]

Yo.  It is all a bit subjective in the end   

I rather like Adelaide, the eclectic mix of modes I enjoy.  The guided bus, trams, variety of suburban rail. (yes, the stations are with some exceptions generally woeful).  I will be visiting Adelaide later in 2022.  Perth is very good.  Sydney and Melbourne have their good points. Brisbane is the only capital city that has the problem with the council running public transport. 

Headlines such as these don't help.

Brisbane has Australia's worst capital city public transport 29 Nov 2018
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-has-australia-s-worst-capital-city-public-transport-20181129-p50j5v.html

[techblitz]

ozbob....what actual meaningful response have you had from bailey regarding a queensland PTA??
7 years they have been in power....

[ozbob]

ozbob....what actual meaningful response have you had from bailey regarding a queensland PTA??
7 years they have been in power....

Nothing that I can recall.

[techblitz]

if bailey aint interested....then it might be time to try and get the opposition fully onboard at the next election.....try and seek a guarantee should they be elected.....wont be easy....but i rate better odds going with blue team on a ptaq......newman and his legacy wont be an issue...

[ozbob]

TB, rather than repeat what has happened with regards to a PTA  see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=247455 (below).

I think the Olympics might be the catalyst to change the broken public transport administration setup.

I will be working on that.

Sent to all outlets:

Citytrain Response Unit Final Report

3rd June 2021

At long last the final report has been released ( available here https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports ).

Page 6 of the report is of great interest to us:

" Recommendation 36a-c remains open. The
Citytrain Response Unit recommends that a further
review be undertaken, building on the work
completed by the CRU, to consider how greater
integration across the public transport cluster can
be achieved to support the successful delivery
of public transport projects and services into the
future."

And page 3

" However, further work is required to ensure Queensland's
public transport arrangements are suitable for supporting
the successful delivery and operation of forthcoming network
changes including Cross River Rail, the European Train Control
System, the Brisbane Metro and a possible Olympic bid.
Although some improvements have been realised through the
delivery of the Fixing the trains program, greater integration
between public transport agencies would better support
the long-term success of these projects and deliver superior
customer outcomes. "

As we have posted previously ( https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3763576500323176 ) we believe the way forward from here is to establish a proper public transport authority.  We suggest 'Public Transport Queensland' which will provide the proper integration and better delivery than the fragmented 'silo' arrangements at present.

There is little doubt that Queensland must move forward with a proper stand alone Public Transport Authority. The TransLink brand can remain as such, but a proper authority similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) is needed. Simply blundering along with the failure structures at present is only making everything worse.

In related news Brisbanetimes has published that finally the net gain of 200 train drivers and 200 guards has been reached by Queensland Rail ( Queensland Rail finally hits target of 200 new drivers https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/queensland-rail-finally-hits-target-of-200-new-drivers-20210602-p57xfg.html ).

Let's hope the State Government has the courage to move forward with Public Transport Queensland.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[STB]

I was in the ALP for several years, met Bailey on a couple of occasions and never really had an issue with him.  The thing one must remember in the ALP is that MPs and Ministers are generally bound to what the policy platform stands for and what's in it (along with what the factions and various sub-groups are pushing for internally), and for the most part, MPs and Ministers cannot go beyond what their party has decided (ie: the members who have worked on and voted in the policy platform) - MPs and Ministers in the ALP are also bound by party rules to always vote with the party (unless it's directed by the leader to vote independently ie: a conscious vote) - otherwise you can be kicked out of the ALP.

From what I know of, there's nothing in the party platform for a PTA specifically, and I'd suggest the Minister is bound by the Agenda set by the Premier, along with any projects that are already set in motion by the department.  So, honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Bailey has his hands somewhat politically tied to do much.  And frankly roads do bring more votes than public transport (might gradually change depending on fuel prices and younger generations moving gradually away from cars), especially post COVID - that's a reality.

[ozbob]

May not be a specific policy but is incumbent on the ALP to fix the mess. BCC runs rampant, project failure after project failure e.g. CAMCOS confusion, NGRs, Kippa-Ring branch, level crossing removal stagnation, and so on ...
Olympics might just be the catalyst to sort it out, once and for all.

[ozbob]

Media release

Public Transport Queensland - it's time

16th April 2022

Public transport in Queensland continues to blunder on. The latest pathetic kerfuffle concerning CAMCOS further testament. There is little doubt that Queensland must move forward with a proper stand alone Public Transport Authority. The TransLink brand can remain as such, but a proper authority similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) is needed. Simply blundering along with the failure structures at present is only making everything worse.

The lack of timely reporting, the fire-wall between the public and TransLink (communications outsourced), the silos of blunder and miscommunication are all compounding the failure. A Government that fails to be truly transparent when it comes to public transport matters.  Why is the rail network operational plan for Cross River Rail being hidden?

Unless there is radical change, the mess will never be sorted.

The key issue is the present organisation, administration and delivery of public transport in Queensland.  The current fragmented structures have delivered failure, for example - rail fail, Redcliffe Peninsula line fail, botched new trains - NGRs, bus network reform fail, fare fail, greater Brisbane the nation's worst for public transport access, halfhearted DDA compliance, delayed rail improvements on the Sunshine Coast and level crossing removal stagnation. Could hardly be worse.

The structure needs reform.

There needs to be a stand alone public transport authority. A model such as the Public Transport Authority of WA is a good one with the resources and the will to properly champion public transport and turnaround the constant failures.

The present fragmented structures of Brisbane City Council, Queensland Rail, Transport and Main Roads and TransLink will not.  They will just continue to propagate failure.  The Government did task the Citytrain Response Unit to make recommendations with respect to an Integrated Public Transport Model.  They completed the review December 2017 and passed to Government for consideration ( https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/Reports ). Nothing has been heard since

In the Page 6 Citytrain Response Unit Final Report* (publicly available June 2021) was this recommendation:

" Recommendation 36a-c remains open. The
Citytrain Response Unit recommends that a further
review be undertaken, building on the work
completed by the CRU, to consider how greater
integration across the public transport cluster can
be achieved to support the successful delivery
of public transport projects and services into the
future."

And page 3

" However, further work is required to ensure Queensland's
public transport arrangements are suitable for supporting
the successful delivery and operation of forthcoming network
changes including Cross River Rail, the European Train Control
System, the Brisbane Metro and a possible Olympic bid.
Although some improvements have been realised through the
delivery of the Fixing the trains program, greater integration
between public transport agencies would better support
the long-term success of these projects and deliver superior
customer outcomes. "

*https://www.cru.qld.gov.au/-/media/CRU/Fixing-the-Trains_Final-report_December_2020.pdf

Nothing had been heard on the recommendation 36a-c.
As we have posted previously ( https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/3763576500323176 ) we believe the way forward from here is to establish a proper public transport authority.  We suggest 'Public Transport Queensland' which will provide the proper integration and better administration and delivery than the fragmented 'silo' arrangements at present.

This is now even more pressing with the State's commitment to the 2032 Olympic Games.
Doing nothing is not an option, it is time to bite the bullet of structural reform.

We are tired of failure.

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

[ozbob]

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