Ministerial Statement: Nominations called for public transport advisory group

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
19/04/2011

Nominations called for public transport advisory group

Nominations are open for a new advisory group of "transport champions" to further improve public transport in South East Queensland, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

Ms Palaszczuk said the Public Transport Advisory Group would input into major decisions affecting public transport users with a particular focus on improving people's experience when using services.

The advisory group will include:

·10 transport champions from different parts of South East Queensland including the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Redlands, Moreton Bay and Logan;

·TransLink CEO Peter Strachan;

·Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah;

·Representatives from disability and aging groups; and

·Representatives from the tourism and business industry.

"We want to make this the best public transport system in the country," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Public transport is already a great way to travel.

"In the past several years we've made massive investments in new busways, new rail lines and railway stations and a massive number of extra seats.

"And that work is continuing with construction of the Eastern and Northern busways and the extension of the rail line to Springfield.

"Twenty years ago any one of these projects would have been a shining light of public transport infrastructure but we've got three happening at once."

The advisory group will meet every two months and meetings will be chaired by the Minister.

"Nominations are open now and I encourage anyone with an interest in public transport to apply," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Nominations for the group close 6 May with the first meeting scheduled for June.

To find out more www.tmr.qld.gov.au

[#Metro]

"In the past several years we've made massive investments in new busways, new rail lines and railway stations and a massive number of extra seats.

"And that work is continuing with construction of the Eastern and Northern busways and the extension of the rail line to Springfield.

"Twenty years ago any one of these projects would have been a shining light of public transport infrastructure but we've got three happening at once."

Infrastructure is good, but FREQUENT SERVICES are better.
Brisbane trains are still less frequent than Perth, despite all the infrastructure you can poke a stick at.

[ozbob]

--> http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Community-engagement/Public-Transport-Advisory-Group.aspx

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Team to tackle transport issues

Team to tackle transport issues
Dan Nancarrow
April 19, 2011 - 5:40PM

The Queensland government is on the lookout for a group of "transport champions" to improve public transport in the state's southeast.

Nominations have opened for the Public Transport Advisory Group which aims to improve commuters' experience on the services.

The group will comprise 10 people from across southeast Queensland, including the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Redlands, Moreton Bay and Logan, as well as TransLink CEO Peter Strachan, Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah, representatives from disability and aging groups, as well as tourism and business representatives.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the goal of the group was to make Queensland's public transport system the best in the country.

"In the past several years we've made massive investments in new busways, new rail lines and railway stations and a massive number of extra seats," she said.

"And that work is continuing with construction of the Eastern and Northern busways and the extension of the rail line to Springfield.

"Twenty years ago any one of these projects would have been a shining light of public transport infrastructure but we've got three happening at once."

The group is an extension of the current Go Card Committee Reference Group, with existing members of the reference group to be incorporated into the advisory board.

Public transport lobby group Back on Track spokesman and Go Card Committee Reference Group member Robert Dow welcomed the development.

"It's a recognition that there are some things that need to be done to improve public transport, such as improving frequency, bus-rail integration and looking at further enhancements to the Go Card system, as well as further improvements in disability access around the system," he said.

"A lot of the train stations need a lot of work in that regard."

Bi-monthly meetings of the advisory group would be chaired by the Ms Palaszczuk.

Nominations for the group close May 6. To find out more, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au

The first meeting is scheduled for June.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/team-to-tackle-transport-issues-20110419-1dn80.html#ixzz1JxI2YlXJ

[Stillwater]

Apart from a reference to the general tmr website, there would appear to be little information about the process for nominating.  Is there an electronic information package to download?  An electronic nomination form?  What information is being sought from nominees?  What is the address for submitting a nomination?

[somebody]

Apart from a reference to the general tmr website, there would appear to be little information about the process for nominating.  Is there an electronic information package to download?  An electronic nomination form?  What information is being sought from nominees?  What is the address for submitting a nomination?

It's easy to find.

[somebody]

Is this going to be rushed by RailBoT members?

[#Metro]

Somebody, I expect to see bus stops rationalised within 6 months!!! (joke)

[Stillwater]

This makes it easier:

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Community-engagement/Public-Transport-Advisory-Group.aspx

[aldonius]

Is this going to be rushed by RailBoT members?

Given that as a group we've got a representative, I say we play nice as a group - let independent individuals join on their own geographic basis. If they're also a member of RBoT then so be it. 

[somebody]

Given that as a group we've got a representative,

Do you mean ozbob?  While I presume he will apply, I didn't see that he was already accepted.  A bit disappointing actually.

[Fares_Fair]

AIUI, he is already a part of the group, isn't he.
He dosen't need to reapply surely ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[justanotheruser]

AIUI, he is already a part of the group, isn't he.
He dosen't need to reapply surely ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

In what capacity? The article doesn't mention anything that would identify Bob as already being part of it so fair question.  Wish I had time as I could get views from this group as well as disability sector.

Never mind found that this group is listed as having a spot already on the website. sorry

[Stillwater]

The group would seem to have 10 members, with positions already allocated this way:

(1) TransLink's CEO, Peter Strachan

(2) Queensland Rail CEO, Paul Scurrah

(3) Ozbob (assumed)

(4) representative of disability groups

(5) representative of 'the aged'

(6) representatibe from the tourism industry

(7) representative of business/commerce

That would leave three positions for representatives of various lines, it would seem.  Should someone with a construction/engineering background be on this group, or would that expertise be provided through QR.

Bus drivers/ union?

Would matters discussed at the community reference group meetings go to this group?

[justanotheruser]

The group would seem to have 10 members, with positions already allocated this way:

(1) TransLink's CEO, Peter Strachan

(2) Queensland Rail CEO, Paul Scurrah

(3) Ozbob (assumed)

(4) representative of disability groups

(5) representative of 'the aged'

(6) representatibe from the tourism industry

(7) representative of business/commerce

That would leave three positions for representatives of various lines, it would seem.  Should someone with a construction/engineering background be on this group, or would that expertise be provided through QR.

Bus drivers/ union?

Would matters discussed at the community reference group meetings go to this group?

disability and aged care can go together as the needs are very similar. Of course aged care already has two representativs in the existing group plus partly also represented by the RSL. I'm not exactly sure who the RSL represent mind you seem as they have turned their backs on some of the people they are supposed to represent.
Tourism can be combined with business/commerce rep. Of course if any of this will be done is a different matter altogether

[O_128]

Is this going to be rushed by RailBoT members?

Given that as a group we've got a representative, I say we play nice as a group - let independent individuals join on their own geographic basis. If they're also a member of RBoT then so be it. 

Oh of course I can just see Mrs dogooder demanding a bus every 5 min to her area but of course to the street next to her so the noise doesn't disrupt her  

[ozbob]

The existing membership of the former Go CRG is included, that includes all groups/members as listed here http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Community-engagement/Public-Transport-Advisory-Group.aspx, including myself.  Members of the group are invited directly by the Minister.

Existing membership is:

Existing members of the group are as follows:

   Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs (Chair)
   Transport and Main Roads — General Manager (Public Transport)
   Chief Executive Officer — Translink
   Chief Executive Officer — Queensland Rail
   Rail Back on Track representative
   Older People Speak Out representative
   Queensland Council of Social Service Inc representative
   Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Association Inc representative
   Carers Queensland representative
   Disabilities Council Queensland (QLD Govt) representative
   Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland representative
   Returned and Services League of Australia (QLD branch) representative
   Council on the Aging (Queensland) representative
   University student representative.

There will be up to ten further representatives from the regions as listed.  Wether or not folks who apply are members of RBoT is not important. Most are only known by board names anyway.

Members of the public are invited to nominate themselves for the role of Public Transport Champion in the following local government regions:

   Brisbane West
   Brisbane South
   Brisbane East
   Brisbane North
   Gold Coast
   Sunshine Coast
   Moreton Bay
   Logan
   Ipswich
   Redlands.

The only exclusions are:

Department of Transport and Main Roads staff, TransLink staff, current elected representatives and candidates for federal, state and local government are not eligible. There is no remuneration for participation in the group.

If you think you have a contribution to make, members of RBoT or not, not excluded and interested suggest you apply.

[#Metro]

The board is missing an academic who specialises in PT.

[ozbob]

The board is missing an academic who specialises in PT.

Fair point, not sure if that is a deliberate decision or otherwise.  I suppose there is nothing stopping an academic nominating but there are other avenues that the government does engage with them as I understand it.

[Stillwater]

The Board could commission a bit of research, or the Minister, acting on the advice of her Board, could direct QR and/or Translink to have the research prepared.

[Gazza]

The form asks what community group you are part of. Do they mean sports clubs etc?
What do they mean by that? And how is it relevant anyway? Do you have to be meals on wheels volunteer to be able to input on public transport for instance?
I
t seem the elderly/disabled etc already get heaps of representation, what about plain old PT users who are just average citizens and just want a better system?

[O_128]

The form asks what community group you are part of. Do they mean sports clubs etc?
What do they mean by that? And how is it relevant anyway? Do you have to be meals on wheels volunteer to be able to input on public transport for instance?
I
t seem the elderly/disabled etc already get heaps of representation, what about plain old PT users who are just average citizens and just want a better system?

I agree with this, i put down im a student, And as rude as this will sound most of the time the elderly only care about the bus route that concerns them not the big picture i'd hate for this to turn into a group of old people asking that there milk run bus route be upgraded

[Gazza]

^Agreed, as it is, it seems like the GoCard CRG only cares about "minority groups" like the Elderly, Disabled,....

Yet, there is no current representation on the group by regular workers, which is stupid because:

-As much as peakyness is a bad thing on PT networks, it is mostly workers that constitute these peaks.
-The eldery etc are already 'captive' users of the PT network, and if we are to increase mode share, we need to start winning trips from workers that drive their cars on weekends/ dont use PT at all.
-If you don't consider the needs to workers, you end up with stupid situations like the draft sunshine coast timetable which seemed to be drawn on an entirely different planet to what people trying to get to CBD jobs would need.

And as rude as this will sound most of the time the elderly only care about the bus route that concerns them not the big picture i'd hate for this to turn into a group of old people asking that there milk run bus route be upgraded

Agreed, As tramtrain and myself have said, there is an inherent conflict in the transport needs of the elderly etc, and the transport needs of those we are trying to woo away from the private car.
If all we are doing is "t%rd polishing" by more or less using what we have, even a 30% mode share target would be unnatainable IMO....It's going to take radical change to the network to get people using it.

[#Metro]

I agree with Gazza. Sick and tired of welfare routing. Even the practice of "shadowing" a patronage route with a milk run route is probably not the best use of a 65 seat bus. Those seats could be elsewhere on the network raking in the cash.

I have argued that we are trying to kick two goals on the opposite ends of a soccer field with one foot (and one soccer ball!). So what we get is an in-between where neither goals are well met. What we need is specialisation. In this way, everyone is better off. I've already shown how useful flexilink can be as a gap-filler- you can get 100% coverage of New Farm, speed up the patronage bus routes, meet the people who need welfare services at their front door and within 2 hours or less, have more services... it just makes so much sense and is far better than what we have now.

[Golliwog]

I agree with Gazza. Sick and tired of welfare routing. Even the practice of "shadowing" a patronage route with a milk run route is probably not the best use of a 65 seat bus. Those seats could be elsewhere on the network raking in the cash.

I have argued that we are trying to kick two goals on the opposite ends of a soccer field with one foot (and one soccer ball!). So what we get is an in-between where neither goals are well met. What we need is specialisation. In this way, everyone is better off. I've already shown how useful flexilink can be as a gap-filler- you can get 100% coverage of New Farm, speed up the patronage bus routes, meet the people who need welfare services at their front door and within 2 hours or less, have more services... it just makes so much sense and is far better than what we have now.

I really don't think Flexilink (as implemented in Ipswich (and by that I mean with the changes that come into effect soon)) would work in New Farm. Trying to judge how long you'll be at the shops so you can book the return journey just won't be popular. To be useful, you'd need to pretty much need to end up with a cab rank for Flexilink, which defeats the purpose of Flexilink which is to try and have people heading in the same direction in the 1 vehicle. And if you're going to end up with them being used pretty much just like a cab, why not just use a cab in the first place?

Long story short: Flexilink just won't work in New Farm.

[#Metro]

I really don't think Flexilink (as implemented in Ipswich (and by that I mean with the changes that come into effect soon)) would work in New Farm. Trying to judge how long you'll be at the shops so you can book the return journey just won't be popular. To be useful, you'd need to pretty much need to end up with a cab rank for Flexilink, which defeats the purpose of Flexilink which is to try and have people heading in the same direction in the 1 vehicle. And if you're going to end up with them being used pretty much just like a cab, why not just use a cab in the first place?

Long story short: Flexilink just won't work in New Farm.

I don't agree. Paratransit services have a long and successful history overseas. It is time we did a real world trial, put some thought into how this might work and get real data rather than just make up speculation. There are a number of community groups offering community transit plus taxis but this has never really gelled together into something more cohesive. Many elderly people (and even myself when PT is terrible) use taxis to get around I think the any cab for return trip is a good idea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paratransit

I have always thought that GoCard should be integrated with bicycles and taxis. Taxis can read smart cards now.

To prevent competition with taxis, the service could be limited to a suburb and also take you to a designated interchange point- that is take you to a point where you can change to a Core Frequent Network route, a shopping centre or hospital etc. This way you can create something that is in-between a fixed route and a non-fixed route service.

You could also make it open access to increase patronage... and charge TL fares on it as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dial-a-Ride_logo.svg
London Dial-a-Ride http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/3222.aspx

[#Metro]

The current 193 isn't particularly good at meeting the above goals either...

You can go at 9:25 or 10:55 and return at 11 or 12:15.

So you have to spend either 5 minutes at the shops. Or a 1.5 hours.

This route will never be a BUZ.

[O_128]

The current 193 isn't particularly good at meeting the above goals either...

You can go at 9:25 or 10:55 and return at 11 or 12:15.

So you have to spend either 5 minutes at the shops. Or a 1.5 hours.

This route will never be a BUZ.

Nor should it be, Another good example is the 414 bus, possibly the most pathetic bus route i have been on in the world, Never in my life had i been more angry on public transport than on that route. I'm sick of the government pandering to certain minorities, and this is shown with the shear idiocy to give seniors capping and not students. Though im guessing this came from the same idiot who thought it would be smart to have the 444 and 88 come within 2 mins of eachother so that there is no 7.5 min frequency on coro. Or the same idiot that thought it would be a good idea to have a 1hr 10min gap on wynnum road. I live 4km from the city not on the sunshine coast FFS, Or the same Idiot who thinks its a good idea to make sure that there is some rule that any bus route going to the same destination must at all cost leave from the city from 2 completely unrelated stops with no details on how to get to the other stop, Or possibly the idiot that thinks 30min on our rail lines is acceptable.

But that's just my rant for the night.

[Gazza]

Another good example is the 414 bus, possibly the most pathetic bus route i have been on in the world, Never in my life had i been more angry on public transport than on that route.

I had to do stuff at Indro, and then go onto Uni after, and caught that one by accident since it saif UQ on the desto....

[somebody]

Another good example is the 414 bus, possibly the most pathetic bus route i have been on in the world, Never in my life had i been more angry on public transport than on that route.

I had to do stuff at Indro, and then go onto Uni after, and caught that one by accident since it saif UQ on the desto....

I wonder if this issue has a lot to do with the desto.  If it said UQ via Stanley Tce, then it would be hard to complain if you were silly enough to get on it!

Though im guessing this came from the same idiot who thought it would be smart to have the 444 and 88 come within 2 mins of eachother so that there is no 7.5 min frequency on coro. Or the same idiot that thought it would be a good idea to have a 1hr 10min gap on wynnum road. I live 4km from the city not on the sunshine coast FFS, Or the same Idiot who thinks its a good idea to make sure that there is some rule that any bus route going to the same destination must at all cost leave from the city from 2 completely unrelated stops with no details on how to get to the other stop, Or possibly the idiot that thinks 30min on our rail lines is acceptable.

But that's just my rant for the night.

Hear here.

[#Metro]

If you think 414 is bad... LOOK at 415!!

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/080519_414,415.pdf

I wonder if this issue has a lot to do with the desto.  If it said UQ via Stanley Tce, then it would be hard to complain if you were silly enough to get on it!

Disagree. I should be able to get the first bus and have a reasonably quick trip.
Personally I think routes like this should be subjected to full blast ironing. FlexiLink can be deployed for welfare zones and people can get put on membership subscription for it, like a 6 monthly or yearly Flexi Pass, integrated with GoCard.


http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/106937477/Steam_Iron.summ.jpg

Another good example is the 414 bus, possibly the most pathetic bus route i have been on in the world, Never in my life had i been more angry on public transport than on that route.

I agree. It is absolutely INFURIATING when the bus seems to be traveling around and around in circles. In some cases roadworks are needed to get rid of turn bans for buses and so forth. Yeronga 105, 414, 415, 599/598, Sunshine Coast dancing trains, GUILTY.  

[somebody]

Soo, there should be no service to Stanley Tce??

[#Metro]

A lot of these buses could be turned into feeders to give some higher frequency as at least some compensation for the bad routing as well.

Route 415 Taringa goes all the way into the CBD. This is a bit wasteful.
Terminate at Toowong and get people to change to BUZ 444 or P88 or the Toowong Train. Double the frequency for no additional cost.

We have to use what we have much smarter. 15% annual fare increases to prop up what is mostly a low frequency, full-of-welfare routing system is not good value for money. In fact it is insulting. Would you pay $4 so you can go on an impromptu safari around the backends of Yeronga or Taringa?

Soo, there should be no service to Stanley Tce??

Is this a question, a statement or a proposition?
I think these routes should be workshopped in the "bus routes reviewed" thread to see how they might be ironed out.

[O_128]

Another good example is the 414 bus, possibly the most pathetic bus route i have been on in the world, Never in my life had i been more angry on public transport than on that route.

I had to do stuff at Indro, and then go onto Uni after, and caught that one by accident since it saif UQ on the desto....

I wonder if this issue has a lot to do with the desto.  If it said UQ via Stanley Tce, then it would be hard to complain if you were silly enough to get on it!

Though im guessing this came from the same idiot who thought it would be smart to have the 444 and 88 come within 2 mins of eachother so that there is no 7.5 min frequency on coro. Or the same idiot that thought it would be a good idea to have a 1hr 10min gap on wynnum road. I live 4km from the city not on the sunshine coast FFS, Or the same Idiot who thinks its a good idea to make sure that there is some rule that any bus route going to the same destination must at all cost leave from the city from 2 completely unrelated stops with no details on how to get to the other stop, Or possibly the idiot that thinks 30min on our rail lines is acceptable.

But that's just my rant for the night.

Hear here.

My choice was either the 414 or 20 min wait for the 428 what would you do?

[#Metro]

My choice was either the 414 or 20 min wait for the 428 what would you do?

Catch the first service. Although at times even I have been horrified at the service level offered and I have thought "screw this, I am getting a taxi".

People like to say that "public transport is cheaper", but this is only true if your value of time = 0. Which is obviously what someone in the administration or PR/Marketing dept. thinks. Public Transport is costly too- when you factor in the value of time in $ and also taxi fares people dependent on PT have to fork out because of service gaps.

We can't BUZ every or even most bus routes in Brisbane. People value time >> 0.

[somebody]

My choice was either the 414 or 20 min wait for the 428 what would you do?

Probably go via Toowong.  I've done precisely that when heading in the opposite direction facing a 30 minute wait.

[ozbob]

The Minister for Transport Ms Palaszczuk was interviewed on 612 ABC Brisbane radio this morning, Breakfast with Spencer Howson, on the call for folks to nominate.  Hopefully the interview will be on the 612 Breakfast blog later this morning.

[mufreight]

Perhaps worth noting is that there have to this time there have been 36 posts on this thread of which 22 were relevant and 14 were off topic with some of these more relevant to a thread about timetables, frequency or routing, this tendency to run off topic in the threads does little for the point one is presenting, just a thought. 

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson  --> Become a Transport Champion

Become a Transport Champion!

27 April 2011 , 8:18 AM by Spencer Howson

It's time to put your money where your mouth is so to speak when it comes to public transport. If you think you have a solution to making our public transport better then you can.

The State Government is looking for Transport Champions. Annastacia Palaszczuk is our Transport Minister:

[Stillwater]

It is a musing only, but will the Minister feel less inclined to listen to RailBOT when she has her new Public Transport Advisory Group in place?  In future, when the media say RailBOT is saying suchandsuch, she will be able to reply 'that is a matter I will put to my Public Transport Advisory Group for feedback'.