Translink - is it really making a positive difference??

[SteelPan]

I sense a growing frustration among many people, that Translink is not pushing through with some overdue and affordable practical improvements to SE Qld's public transport system - how do you think Translink is performing?  What are the issues (if any) that keep grating with you?  Interested in other peoples thoughts. 

[Golliwog]

That they only do major updates to bus frequencyies once a year. And that they haven't done anything to rail to rail in ages, and to just now reveal that they have no plans to change anything with rail any time soon. Although with that it seems as if the news of major updates came from QR, where as TL is saying it has no plans for them purely because it has not approved them yet? An additional level of governance that helps (kind of anyway) ensure that trains and buses are in synch, but because of this makes these updates take longer?

[O_128]

That they only do major updates to bus frequencyies once a year. And that they haven't done anything to rail to rail in ages, and to just now reveal that they have no plans to change anything with rail any time soon. Although with that it seems as if the news of major updates came from QR, where as TL is saying it has no plans for them purely because it has not approved them yet? An additional level of governance that helps (kind of anyway) ensure that trains and buses are in synch, but because of this makes these updates take longer?

Of course there wont be upgrades next year it isnt an election year

[somebody]

TL: p%ss poor.  Why are you asking this question?

And it really annoys me that TL has added an additional layer of bureaucracy to get anything done with rail.

They seem to have the culture that management are only interested in finding reasons NOT to do things.

[Golliwog]

I think they do help a bit with providing some one to go to to work out the integration of the different operators, however, IMO they shouldn't have the power to veto plans.

[SteelPan]

I ask simply out of personal interest - it appears people are increasingly not happy with TL.  They (TL) appeared to start with some promise, but it's died a pretty quick death over the last couple of years.  Even their signage is weird - smaller signage in a community with an ageing population! 

[#Metro]

I feel let down with all the media releases which promise so much and then get dumped quietly or altered significantly after the news dies down. Its not just TL which does this either.

They have done a lot in terms of:

* Rolling out GoCard
* New services
* Integrated ticketing

but that was 2004, its almost 2011 now one cannot rest on their laurels so to speak...

[somebody]

I do wonder if TL have become far worse when they became TTA 2 years ago or so.  They haven't done a single non-useless thing since then that I know of.

[somebody]

What are the issues (if any) that keep grating with you? 

Useless rail timetables
It's OK to spend money on nearly useless services such as the 393, but not OK to spend it on needed services
Unsatisfactory and completely unnacceptable attitude to complaints
Lack of co-ordination between services
Lack of consultation
Unprofessional brawling with operators

It's as though they think they live in an Ivory Tower.  The above are all general points.  For more specifics, you should read my "30 issues ..." thread.  I can add a few things to that too.

[dwb]

Hi Steelpan. Just a quick note to let you know that not everyone agrees with somebody's view.

I think TL have done and are doing a great deal, and working in a bureaucracy is not an easy thing.

And just so somebody doesn't have a go at me again, NO I DO NOT WORK FOR TL!

[Jon Bryant]

TL is the right "approach" and has delivered many improvements.  There is definietly room for improvement (e.g. coordinate introduction of services, PIDs, advertsing, better Customer management, etc) but unless the Government is going to fully back public transport (i.e. make it the first priority in all planning) and then allow Translink to operate realitivitly independently (let the child go and then be proud of its independance/achievements) it is always going to have its hands tied behind its back.  

[Golliwog]

Don't get me wrong, I think theres a lot the TL has done well at. For instance, their use of twitter (honestly, I hate twitter, but what are you going to do) to make announcements about delays on the network, as well as recieve complaints/feedback and answer questions, IMO is brilliant. Same too for the introduction of the service status page to let the public know when and where delays are occuring is also great. Ditto for providing an integrated ticketing system. They aren't flawless, but I feel a lot of people have what they think TL should be as this god like organisation that can and will do anything, which is where a lot of the issues occur.

If only they could distance themselves more from the government.

[somebody]

TL is the right "approach" and has delivered many improvements.  

With a few modifications.  I'd like a single agency for integration, ticketting and bus operation.  Rail could be kept separate and TL kept out except to just collect fares.

I think TL have done and are doing a great deal, and working in a bureaucracy is not an easy thing.

Ok, but what are you thinking of here that they've done in the last 2 years or so?  Kenmore park and ride is the only thing I can think of.

EDIT: I didn't mean to have a go at you, but I am surprised that you think they are doing any good work really.

[mufreight]

Broardly speaking transport planning could be carried out in the manner of an overview rather than by attempting to micro manage and dictate to operators.
Intergrated ticketing is now in place and again the management in this area has been and remains abmismal
For rail services the most efficent and cost effective option is to fund rail for a base line off peak service level of 15 minute frequencies and allow the operator the latitude to add fill in services to meet the peak demands
With trains operating to a 15 minute frequency co-ordination with other forms of transport becomes less critical. and bus operators who for many years were dependent on fare box revenues to survive are more than capable of setting and operating timetables and routes to meet the base line standards set by the transport regulator.
WHO needs Translink, the money could be better spent elsewhere and the experienced competent staff made redundant would be readily absorbed elsewhere, the less than competent could gain employment at a level suited to their abilities such as sweeping footpaths.

[Arnz]

They aren't flawless, but I feel a lot of people have what they think TL should be as this god like organisation that can and will do anything, which is where a lot of the issues occur.

If only they could distance themselves more from the government.

The same can be said for a number of people on this board that wants to get rid of TransLink and revert back to the old days where all modes were unintegrated and fares are even higher by buying 2-3+ tickets.  Which is more than the current levels now on one ticket.  This is really backward thinking from a number of people here on the board.

As for TransLink separating from Government interface, yes I do agree with that.  Too much layers of red tape has hampered the TransLink since it was formed in 2004.  Not much major changes (apart from the once-yearly Brisbane Bus timetable updates and Sparodic Rail timetable updates) since the introduction of the current Ticketing System and Go Card during 2004-2007.

[somebody]

The same can be said for a number of people on this board that wants to get rid of TransLink and revert back to the old days where all modes were unintegrated and fares are even higher by buying 2-3+ tickets.  Which is more than the current levels now on one ticket.  This is really backward thinking from a number of people here on the board.

I don't know if anyone has gone that far.  I have certainly advocated reducing their responsibility and power over QR though.

They aren't flawless, but I feel a lot of people have what they think TL should be as this god like organisation that can and will do anything, which is where a lot of the issues occur.

I think the first post in this thread put it best when he/she described how people feel:

Translink is not pushing through with some overdue and affordable practical improvements to SE Qld's public transport system

EDIT: Clarity

[Golliwog]

Thats not quite what I meant when I said god like. I just mean, a lot of the complaints that everyone puts up here are mostly for minor faults that yes are annoying, but would happen with or without Translink. At least with TL you have the one place to make complaints to.

[somebody]

Thats not quite what I meant when I said god like. I just mean, a lot of the complaints that everyone puts up here are mostly for minor faults that yes are annoying, but would happen with or without Translink. At least with TL you have the one place to make complaints to.

I'd say a lot of things are for quite major shortcomings.

While you have one place to make complaints to, nothing is ever fixed.  There was a thread at ATDB about that a while ago, link here: http://busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48358

[#Metro]

I've tried to pin down what people want changed.
Perth and their TransPerth seems to be functional, working well.
What is the difference between TransPerth and TransLink really?

What do people want changed?
Its clear that less spin, faster and proper responses are wanted, more services, more notice and communication...

[Golliwog]

I have found that when the problem is something that TL themselves can fix (I don't know of many things that are the direct responsibility of TL), its usually done fairly quick. The problems are when its to do with one of their operators which they do pass on the complaints to (I assume) but its really just a bit of a he-said, she-said scenario.

[somebody]

I have found that when the problem is something that TL themselves can fix (I don't know of many things that are the direct responsibility of TL), its usually done fairly quick. The problems are when its to do with one of their operators which they do pass on the complaints to (I assume) but its really just a bit of a he-said, she-said scenario.

Really?  Can you give me some examples of things that you have gotten fixed through Translink feedback?

[Golliwog]

When I pointed out to them the projects and planning section of their website really only listed bus projects, it was about 1 day later it was re-arranged into sections and they had started listing QR projects as well. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head, and yes I know thats nothing huge but what else do they have direct control over?

[somebody]

When I pointed out to them the projects and planning section of their website really only listed bus projects, it was about 1 day later it was re-arranged into sections and they had started listing QR projects as well. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head, and yes I know thats nothing huge but what else do they have direct control over?

Well, not much.  I have posted before that some of the problem is the multi agency arrangements.  But I expect that they have some power to drive change in bus routes etc given that they are paying for the majority of the services. If not, then what are they there for?

[somebody]

but its really just a bit of a he-said, she-said scenario.

That's another thing.  Anything you say, they pass the blame on to the operator.  Huh?  Well I want to talk to the operator then if they are the ones with the power over things.  The operator, of course, blames Translink.

[somebody]

what else do they have direct control over?

Just wanted to clarify my response to this.  Translink are supposed to be the overall system integrator.  They are not just an information service.  It's not good enough for them to absolve themselves of responsibility for things that the operator does.

[SteelPan]

I believe TL is a bit like the "UN"...probably better to have it than not, because you'll never get it to happen again.  I just think they do go awfully sslllooowww on alot of very obvious and annoying stuff...complaints...is the big one, ringing-up their silly 13 XXXX number when a bus has not turned up (AGAIN) and being told "I can't do anything for you" is rather     I know TL is not the operator, but either call the operator and find-out for me or give me the operators number and I'll call them - the Qld Govt said complaints handling was going to be a big plus in forming TL...it's NOT!

[somebody]

One thing I want to add to this, there appears to be a level of arrogance from the Minister down to the bottom that what they are doing is acceptable, when it perfectly clearly isn't (witness: Northern Busway delays).

[somebody]

What are the issues (if any) that keep grating with you?

In addition to my previous response on this, I find it really, really annoying that the city stop locations are just positively awful, at least in the sense of their consistency.  A backward step was taken when KGSBS openned by putting the 444 in it, and a further one has been taken recently with the P119 being booted out of QSBS for no good reason.

[#Metro]

Is TransLink really making a positive difference?
My answer is Yes. (Not so fast: there is still a lot of room for improvement and I have two dead GoCards for collection!)

And before anyone asks. No, I don't work for TL or the gov.

[somebody]

I'd be interested in a graph of budget though.

That was also mentioned in the Auditor General's report, that the bang/buck hasn't been good.

[#Metro]

That was also mentioned in the Auditor General's report, that the bang/buck hasn't been good.

Could it be that this is why the indicators about cost efficiencies in $ per km, pax etc are always conveniently missing from all their reports? Perth publishes it. So should TL.

[somebody]

Could it be that this is why the indicators about cost efficiencies in $ per km, pax etc are always conveniently missing from all their reports? Perth publishes it. So should TL.

It's human nature.  You don't advertise points on which you are performing poorly.

[#Metro]

It's human nature.  You don't advertise points on which you are performing poorly.

Perth doesn't have a problem doing this. When they perform less than target, a footnote is put in to explain why.
Its about finding problems and fixing them. Even Victoria does dissection of everything right down to line by line breakdown. And if they don't perform, they get lampooned in the media, and fines/commuter refunds on top of that.

A report with only shows smiley faces or indicators that could never possibly go down defeats the purpose of the reports.
Its like driving a car with the fuel tank indicator stuck on "full". You'll still run out of petrol!

[#Metro]

Just a timely piece point of advice, from RailPage:

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11319438.htm

Admin:  Edited out the post from Rail page.  Best left there, you can read it if you wish, follow the link

Constructive criticism is perfectly valid.  RAIL BoT has a good constructive relationship with the major players.  Has taken a number of years to develop, that does not mean that one cannot voice an opinion.  Part of the reason Victoria is what it is that they seem to think valid commuter concerns are out place?  Least the fare structure for the myki is cool ...  

[somebody]

As a public servant in Queensland, I've sensed a real attitude by some people.  If they don't feel like doing something, they just don't.  There were several problems with my system when I arrived which hadn't been fixed for over 10 years, and they weren't hard to fix.  They just had the attitude that "This is what we do, and you aren't allowed to question it".

[mufreight]

Perhaps there should also be a parallel thread,
Translink - how negative has been its influence on public transport, I for one am quite sure that there would be many valid, credible and justified posts on such a thread.
Your thoughts please.

[#Metro]

Mufreight, this is a good idea!
Just because there are good as well as bad things does not mean that they cancel out.
The bad stuff needs to be talked about otherwise problems won't be seen. The first step to fixing a problem is finding out that it exists!

Melbourne does not have a TransLink style authority. Marketing is handled by Metlink, Ticketing is handled by a ticketing authority and the rest of it is handled directly by DOI (Department of Infrastructure) headed by Jim Betts.

[somebody]

Perhaps there should also be a parallel thread,
Translink - how negative has been its influence on public transport, I for one am quite sure that there would be many valid, credible and justified posts on such a thread.
Your thoughts please.

Personally, I don't see much value in such a thread.  It's just a bit of Translink bitch slapping.  I'd rather focus on the issues which can and should be fixed.  Of course, very little would actually be done, and that comment was my own TL bitch slap.

[ozbob]

Yep.   Let's continue with positive suggestions for improvement.  The Buzification thread is a beauty, one that is producing some valuable comment and ideas.

Might be time to raise the 109+66 again as well?

[Arnz]

Perhaps there should also be a parallel thread,
Translink - how negative has been its influence on public transport, I for one am quite sure that there would be many valid, credible and justified posts on such a thread.
Your thoughts please.

Personally, I don't see much value in such a thread.  It's just a bit of Translink bitch slapping.  I'd rather focus on the issues which can and should be fixed.  Of course, very little would actually be done, and that comment was my own TL bitch slap.

Same here.  If anything I'll call it the "Disband TransLink/PT integration thread".  If some people want to go back to the old days of unintegration and when combined fares were higher than it is now, then good luck to them. 

I'd would however oppose un-integration of PT every step of the way however.