Queensland fares

[#Metro]

I believe it's $1.2 billion, annual report 2017-18 had revenue of $1.9 billion, but that is for the group not just CityTrain. Thus it may include access payments by third parties not just government funding for CityTrain.

SEQ network has two staff per train, that will increase service production costs quite a bit relative to other operators such as Melbourne or Perth.

[JustSomeTrainGuy]

What we need is to properly identify WHY QR costs so bloody much to operate and how to reduce the spend as much as possible.  I am resolutely unconvinced their contract price is justified.

Because there's 5+ execs for every one person job on the corner of Edward St and Ann St

[verbatim9]

^^It may also be middle management? But the main cause is the pay deal they managed to achieve. The Tax Payer is funding the millionaires club, especially when it comes to guards (no skills needed entry level year 10 or above) Base salary 92,000 gran plus incentives, overtime and shift allowances. Just Wow!

I hope RBOT still pushes for  Driver Only implementation over time, despite what Government is in control. Surely any Government would see the sense in a Driver Only Operation Model.

I am pretty sure no one in this forum or the general public wouldn't argue against fare rises if it reflected in better 7 day frequency and reduced cross town trip duration. That is not the case as most of the fare increase if not all is eaten away by over generous wage deals, which are indexed to increase much more than the CPI fare increase.

[ozbob]

Adelaide Metro rail is DOO, no staff generally apart from Adelaide station. A few roving staff. Train drivers handle PWD requirements when needed. QR is by comparison over staffed and needlessly preoccupied with minutiae.

Open pedestrian crossings everywhere, no fuss, no problems.

[SurfRail]

I believe it's $1.2 billion, annual report 2017-18 had revenue of $1.9 billion, but that is for the group not just CityTrain. Thus it may include access payments by third parties not just government funding for CityTrain.

SEQ network has two staff per train, that will increase service production costs quite a bit relative to other operators such as Melbourne or Perth.

It does, but that really can't be it.  Wellington and Auckland for instance have truly trivial operating budgets and they have 2 man crews.  Their guards actually do work instead of hiding in the cab - they give right of way and control the doors from the door itself, and in Wellington they still sell tickets.  Both have higher cost recovery than we have.

I vaguely recall an operating cost of $70m NZD per year for Wellington although that may have been before the Matangis were delivered and before they increased the frequency.

[#Metro]

There is such a shortage of train drivers that guards could be phased out with everyone keeping a job, provided the other necessary upgrades were done.

[achiruel]

There is such a shortage of train drivers that guards could be phased out with everyone keeping a job, provided the other necessary upgrades were done.

And in the mean time, we'd probably run out of rolling stock. More NGRs (although with fixed design) need to be ordered, pronto!

[Stillwater]

Given that the current NGR trains will be 'fixed' at Maryborough, would a Labor state government order another batch of compliant trains from India or have the next generation of trains manufactured in Queensland (if the price is right) as part of its "Queensland first" policy, or build elsewhere Australia?

[ozbob]

Present Labor State Government policy is that all future trains will be built in Queensland.
Guessing that doesn't exclude local build consortia as per Victoria.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I wouldn't read too much into the operating costs. It's the same money just being transferred through different departments since QR was split and privatised/employees made public servants and TMR/Translink butchering. Also got to remember new infrastructure, the older fleet and the privatisation split (some inhouse mtce has now been transferred to 3rd parties - Redbank/Progress Rail or Maryborough/Walkers or QR has to do its own works such as at the Ipswich Workshops or at Mayne and other facilities) and staff levels increasing since Newman cut up everything (more than 1000 employees went out the door with other employees at the time taking on multiple rolls along with more PSA needed to fill in for the NGR rolls at stations and increased the OT costs) are increasing costs.

[SurfRail]

I absolutely would read plenty into it.  Money is still money, it isn't just accounting tricks if it vacuums up funding that can be spent elsewhere.

Cost recovery is abysmal, like 16% or less and worsening.  It isn't acceptable to say the railway is a public good and any level of cost recovery is acceptable.

[HappyTrainGuy]

If you want to anal about expenses find out why translink pay 15 million a year on rail replacement buses which is more than some operators get for a yearly contract or why BT has more than half the seq bus budget.

A lot has changed internally over the years to make it look cheaper to run on the books. Which was achieved under Newman. Without a doubt money was slashed and the operating cost was cheaper. But now we are seeing the blowback for what looked good on the books for a couple of years. Its not just drivers putting in overtime. PSA's are getting pumped out so NGR's can run. The internal positions that were cut are blowing back as they get rehired again. Outside mtce contracts have gone up. Areas that were previously done inhouse are now outsourced at a  massive cost ie Aurizon or Maryborough. ICE, EMU's and SMU's are sucking money just so they can keep operating. EMU's especially at the moment are bleeding money - as much as myself and others love them they are a pain in the ass and need to go. They were expected to be retired by now but still they are in operation but hey at least they are keeping the fabricators in a steady job. New lines have come online which need more mtce. General inflation.

[SurfRail]

Waffle waffle

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just listing a few reasons why. Don't blame me that the EMUs p%ssing money into the wind.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/2/8/65-surge-in-seq-public-transport-trips-after-15th-consecutive-month-of-growth

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Friday, February 08, 2019

6.5% surge in SEQ public transport trips after 15th consecutive month of growth
More and more people continue to take public transport in south east Queensland after the fare cuts by the Palaszczuk Government.

New data published by the Queensland Government today shows a 6.5 per cent increase in south east Queensland public transport trips, up by 929,000 journeys, when comparing December 2017 with December 2018.

Additionally, there were 49.17 million trips taken in SEQ during first quarter of 2018/19, representing a 7 per cent increase when compared with the same period in 2017/18.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the December 2018 patronage data marked the 15th consecutive period of year-on-year growth.

"Since October 2017, monthly patronage figures on buses, trains, trams and ferries across the South East have vastly improved when comparing with the same period the year prior," Mr Bailey said.

"These are positive figures which speak to the popularity of new public transport infrastructure including the Gold Coast Light Rail and Redcliffe Peninsula Line, and the ongoing rollout of NGR trains across the south east.

"The data also shows the Palaszczuk Government's action backing commuters with fare cuts through Fairer Fares is working, which has saved Queenslanders more than $138 million since it was introduced.

"We know just how important investing in major infrastructure projects is to supporting this growth, and to delivering more frequent, reliable transport, which is why we built Gold Coast Light Rail Stage Two, why we're delivering the transformational $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project and why we're funding the Sunshine Coast rail duplication."

Weekly patronage data is published online every month. For more information on public transport contact translink.com.au or phone the 24/7 contact centre on 13 12 30.

December 2018 Open Data and Q1 2018/19 TransLink Tracker Report Highlights:

December 2018 marks the 15th consecutive period of year-on-year patronage growth in the SEQ public transport network.

There was a 6.5 per cent increase in SEQ public transport trips (929,000) when comparing December 2018 (15.26 million) with December 2017 (14.33 million).

There were 49.17 million trips taken in SEQ during Q1 2018/19. This is an increase of 7 per cent or about 3.3 million trips compared with the same period the previous year.

This includes 30.15 million bus trips, 14.4 million train trips, 2.85 million tram trips and 1.78 million ferry trips

It follows a total of 182.83 million trips taken on SEQ public transport in 2017/18 (this excludes the five million-plus trips that were also taken during the Commonwealth Games)

[Stillwater]

How is the PT usage surge tracking against population growth?

[verbatim9]

^^I was thinking the same. Tourism growth, Student population increasing again, as well as migration from interstate surely are contributing factors that have increased PT uptake?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Staggering cost to get around Brisbane

BRISBANE has been named one of the country's most expensive capital cities for transport, sparking calls for the government to reduce costs.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) released its Transport Affordability Index today, which found River City residents paid an average of $19,845 a year just on transport, about $4098 more per year than Hobart residents.

Whether travelling by public transport or by car, on average Brisbane is one of the most expensive places to get around, with about 16 per cent of the average household income being chewed up.

RACQ called for the State Government to freeze registration charges and remove stamp duty on new car purchases.

"Not only will eliminating stamp duty make cars more affordable, it'll make our roads significantly safer because drivers will be more likely to be able to afford to buy newer and safer cars," RACQ spokeswoman Lucinda Ross said.

The report showed the biggest transport expense was the cost of buying a car and car loan payments.

Research from a national poll recently found that 76 per cent of Australians now consider fuel efficiency to be a top priority when purchasing a new vehicle.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1105488343473647616

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1131575517050822657

[ozbob]

 https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1137640381078691840

Couriermail --> Brisbane City Council to offer free public transport to seniors

SENIORS will be given free travel on Brisbane's buses, ferries and CityCats in a pre-election sweetener from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the council will offer the incentive to eligible senior go card holders during off-peak travel periods.

Cr Schrinner will also today call on the Palaszczuk Government to match the council's commitment in tomorrow's State Budget, so seniors can travel for free on Queensland Rail services.

The measure will be unveiled in Wednesday's Council Budget — the last before next year's election — and cost ratepayers about $3.1 million.

The Lord Mayor said the move was about giving older residents more opportunities to travel around the city and connect with their family and friends.

"It's also about giving something back to the generations who have worked hard and contributed so much to help build our city and our community," Cr Schrinner said.

"Social isolation and loneliness amongst older residents is consistently a major concern raised by community researchers.

"The evidence clearly shows that older residents are more likely to live on their own.

"Making it possible for seniors to get out and about more, at no cost, has the potential to bring many positive benefits to our community."

The free travel will kick off on October 1 and be available on buses, ferries and CityCats on weekdays between 8.30am and 3.30pm as well as between 6pm and 6am.

The incentive will also apply all weekend for bus services.

It currently costs seniors $1.32 to travel through one TransLink zone during off-peak periods, but this can become as expensive as $7.98 if they travel through eight zones.

Cr Schrinner said the council was using targeted incentives to boost patronage on the city's public transport network.

"Free off-peak travel for seniors on Council's public transport will go a long way to encouraging greater use of public transport and I encourage the State Government to adopt the same approach for rail commuters," he said.

This week's Council Budget will also include continued funding for their cabs program, which offers a shared, discounted taxi service to those residents who are over 60, mobility impaired or hold a pension concession card.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Seniors can travel for free Off peak weekdays on Surfside bus but other than that cannot see the State extending the BCC Seniors free travel to rail or other SEQ regional bus.

[#Metro]

Brisbane City Council wanting to take on fare setting powers!

[ozbob]

With a WA Seniors Card, you can travel free on any Transperth bus, train or ferry at the following times:
Before 6am, Monday to Friday.
Between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
After 7pm Monday to Friday.
All day Saturday, Sunday, public holidays.
During Seniors week.
https://www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au/discounts/discount-details/?id=a73728d0-4dbc-e611-80e7-000d3ae07082

====

Seniors Card members can travel free on all Adelaide Metro public transport outside peak hours, and you can add credit to your card to cover journeys made during peak times. Customer details are not stored in electronic form on a metrocard, they are held securely in the central Adelaide Fare Collection System (AFCS).
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/seniors/seniors-card/seniors-metrocard/the-new-seniors-metrocard-frequently-asked-questions

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th June 2019

Free Seniors off peak travel proposal by BCC

Good Morning,

In a not unexpected move Lord Mayor Schrinner has been reported as moving to introduce free off peak travel for Senior Go card holders on Transport for Brisbane's buses and ferries from the 1st October 2019: Brisbane City Council to offer free public transport to seniors https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-city-council-to-offer-free-public-transport-to-seniors/news-story/4530b9f8af8bdf6fca13a3ec332b0f51

The City of Gold Coast has a scheme where local Senior residents can also travel free off peak, weekdays: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/free-bus-travel-for-gold-coast-seniors-17698.html

Free Senior off peak travel has been in place for a while in Perth and Adelaide.

With a WA Seniors Card, you can travel free on any Transperth bus, train or ferry at the following times:
Before 6am, Monday to Friday.
Between 9am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
After 7pm Monday to Friday.
All day Saturday, Sunday, public holidays.
During Seniors week.
https://www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au/discounts/discount-details/?id=a73728d0-4dbc-e611-80e7-000d3ae07082

====

Seniors Card members can travel free on all Adelaide Metro public transport outside peak hours, and you can add credit to your card to cover journeys made during peak times. Customer details are not stored in electronic form on a metrocard, they are held securely in the central Adelaide Fare Collection System (AFCS).
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/family-and-community/seniors/seniors-card/seniors-metrocard/the-new-seniors-metrocard-frequently-asked-questions

In Melbourne, with a seniors myki, Seniors can  travel free on the weekend within one or two consecutive zones on all metropolitan trains, trams and buses – this includes to outlying metropolitan areas as far as Sunbury and Melton https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/services-information/savvy-savings/travel-and-transport.

So the proposed Senior free travel by BCC is not unprecedented. With the exception of the Gold Coast, in the other states the free Seniors travel is across all modes, and not just for a specific region of their metropolitan network.

The appropriate response from the Queensland State Government would be to match the free travel proposal by BCC across SEQ.  Otherwise the concept of an integrated fare structure and costs does become more fragmented. With the new fare payment system soon to be introduced this may present problems.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

Disclosure:  I am a Seniors Go card holder

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1137749683751677952

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Free off-peak travel for seniors on Brisbane buses and ferries

Seniors will get free trips on Brisbane buses, CityCats and ferries - if they are happy to travel outside rush hour.

The Brisbane City Council budget, due to be handed down on Wednesday, will include a $3.1 million payment to the state government to allow the council to provide free off-peak travel for eligible senior Go Card holders.

Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said free off-peak travel for seniors would make better use of available capacity and create more opportunities for older residents to travel the city and connect with family and friends.

"It's also about giving something back to the generations who have worked hard and contributed so much to help build our city and our community," he said.

"Social isolation and loneliness amongst older residents is consistently a major concern raised by community researchers.

"The evidence clearly shows that older residents are more likely to live on their own.

"Making it possible for seniors to get out and about more, at no cost, has the potential to bring many positive benefits to our community."

The free travel will apply from October 1 on Brisbane buses, CityCats and ferries between 8.30am and 3.30pm and 6pm to 6am Monday to Friday. Buses will be free for seniors on weekends.

The initiative will also apply to the Brisbane Metro bi-articulated buses when services begin in 2023.

Cr Schrinner called on the Queensland government to match the announcement for rail passengers in the state budget, to be handed down on Tuesday.

He said the council did not have the ability to reduce public transport fares, as they were set by the state government agency TransLink but could introduce measures aimed at boosting patronage.

"Free off-peak travel for seniors on council's public transport will go a long way to encouraging greater use of public transport and I encourage the state government to adopt the same approach for rail commuters," he said.

The council budget also includes funding for the Council Cabs program, a shared taxi service to take residents who are over 60 years, mobility-impaired or pension concession cardholders to their local shops for a set fare.

It will be Cr Schrinner's first budget as lord mayor.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1137808258263994368

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane City Council to offer free public transport to seniors

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has responded to Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's call for the Queensland Government to offer free transport for seniors, issuing a challenge of her own and reminding him there's a lot more his Council could be doing.

DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad has challenged Brisbane City Council to offer seniors a rebate on their rates, like the State Government currently does.

Ms Trad said the Government had allocated more than $5 billion in tomorrow's State Budget for a variety of concessions.

It comes after Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner today called on the Government to match council's commitment - which is that it will offer seniors free travel on Brisbane's buses, ferries and CityCats during off-peak periods.

"Very happy to sit down with the Lord Mayor but maybe if he wants to come to the table asking the state to do something, the Brisbane City Council can give seniors a rebate on their rates rather than letting the state give that rebate for seniors from the state coffers," Ms Trad said.

"I just want to inform the seniors out there and all public transport users, we actually fund the Brisbane City Council through a transport service contract to deliver bus transport right throughout the Brisbane area and other private contractors right throughout the state.

"We provide them with cash to operate the public transport system and also to buy new infrastructure.

"I think there is a whole range of things that we can do and there's a lot more that council can do."

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 16th June 2019 page 13

Mayor's free ride a $1.4m blowout



Rocket Rod wants to pull his head in .. who can forget ' Fare Free Friday ' .. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1139975904522723328

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1140024059364687872

[Old Northern Road]

Scumbag Schrinner playing politics as usual

Elderly people are drowning in money. They are the last people who should be getting free fares

[SurfRail]

Saying "you want us to spend an extra million dollars to help make you look good" is not "puerile politics".

[#Metro]

How about free fares for those on the dole? Can't BCC support that??

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Fuel prices drive Queensland transport costs up

QUEENSLANDERS suffered the biggest jump in transport costs in the three months to June on the back of rising fuel and car loan expenses, according to a new report.

The Australian Automobile Association's quarterly affordability index shows Brisbane led all capital cities with annual travel costs jumping by $754 compared with an average hike of $429.

And annual travel costs in Townsville spiked $609, outstripping all other regional centres surveyed.

Transport costs had stabilised across the country in the first quarter of 2019 after large increases in 2018 but the AAA found they were accelerating again and sitting well above average inflation.

Average annual transport costs for Brisbane residents jumped to $20,528 or about $395 a week from April to June, putting the city behind only Sydney and Melbourne for total costs.

However Brisbane was the most expensive mainland capital city when costs were calculated as a share of income at 16.3 per cent, behind only Hobart, where transport costs ate up 16.9 per cent of incomes.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said Brisbane's high rankings were less about its increasing costs as falling costs in cities such as Sydney.

She said transport costs were generally one of the biggest burdens on household budgets and called for governments to do more to ease the pressure.

"We are looking for governments to provide relief where they can so some of those costs where they could reduce that burden are around registration and putting downward pressure on fuel costs," Dr Michael said.

"We are looking for the government to put a freeze on registration costs for three years."

The report finds costs for public transport and fuel in Brisbane had risen to the second highest in any capital city.

Fuel rose about $7.39 a week quarter-on-quarter while typical households spent an extra $6.05 a week on car loans in the June quarter.

Typical transport costs in Townsville jumped by $11.71 a week to $269.85.

However the average annual cost of $14,032 made it the second most affordable regional centre.

The AAA found the increase in costs around the country was largely due to rises in car loan payments and fuel.

AAA managing director Michael Bradley said costs had "resumed their rise, largely because of higher fuel prices".

"The cumulative effect of continued high transport costs is a heavy burden at a time when Australians are feeling the cost of living pressures across the board," he said.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-petition

Free off-peak travel for seniors on trains

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3201

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House seniors travel rates on trains as of October 1st. Brisbane City Council will provide seniors free off-peak travel on Brisbane buses, citycats and ferries to make it easier for seniors to enjoy Brisbane. This free off-peak travel should also apply to trains.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to provide people travelling on seniors go cards free off-peak travel on trains.

[Otto]

Queensland Parliament E-petition

Free off-peak travel for seniors on trains

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3201

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House seniors travel rates on trains as of October 1st. Brisbane City Council will provide seniors free off-peak travel on Brisbane buses, citycats and ferries to make it easier for seniors to enjoy Brisbane. This free off-peak travel should also apply to trains.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to provide people travelling on seniors go cards free off-peak travel on trains.

Gold Coast seniors will be able to travel free on local buses for another four years.

Mayor Tom Tate and the Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe made the announcement today, ahead of the delivery of the City Budget this Friday.

"Following its tremendous success, free seniors bus travel will now remain in effect until June 2020," said Cr Tate.

"Thanks to an agreement with TransLink, we have now secured a deal which will provide seniors with free travel every week day between 8.30am and 3.30pm.   

If only rail and G:Link would be included, then we could have a seamless system for seniors in place.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Questions on Notice

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1567-2019.pdf

QUESTION ON NOTICE
ASKED

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Answer Due: Thursday, 14 November 2019

1567 MR M BERKMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
With reference to fare revenue and patronage numbers from the Translink go card network—
Will the Minister advise, reported separately for peak services and off-peak services for each of the last
three financial years the (a) the total number of trips and the total revenue from these trips and (b) the
breakdown of revenue and trip numbers by fare type (i.e. adult or concession)?