21 Mar 2018: Queensland: Call for action on a new public transport authority

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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

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