Letters to the editor - Not published

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail August 28

Why does there have to be a feasibility study in using the Exhibition loop line for regular Citytrain passenger services? Surely it is a 'no-brainer'?  This would allow access to the Royal Brisbane Hospital campus, and other businesses and facilities in the Herston general area from the present Exhibition Station.  By having a station at ?Normanby? this would then allow pedestrian access to the QUT Kelvin Grove campus, the Brisbane Grammar schools and to the general Normanby area.  Effective utilisation of this loop line would take a lot of pressure of the congested Council buses in the inner city.  Passengers could easily connect with the rest of the Citytrain network at Roma St or Central Stations.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail August 31

Terry Sweetman was right! "The smartcard ticketing project is a managerial disaster, a political disgrace and a public scandal." (Purge sins on passage to hell, C-M, August 31). The TRANSLink Smart Card is an ongoing problem. Presently undergoing yet more pilot trials with bemused commuters, it simply fails to deliver. Plagued by inflexible software, it is unable to cope with the present fare and ticket options throughout the TRANSLink network. The ramifications being that there will be significant cost increases for most regular commuters when it is finally rolled out if they go with the Smart card.

Two hundred million dollars are already spent, how much more money will be spent before this farce is foisted upon the travelling public? Small pilots are not representative of the stress that will be placed on the Smart Card system when rolled out. If a small pilot is struggling, how much more the real thing? The project is about four years behind schedule already, a sure sign of the mediocre nature of the ticketing system.

Queensland Taxpayers are entitled to know what the justification is for the delays and the massive expense. They also need to be informed in unequivocal terms that the cost of this ?dud? system is not going to borne by the travelling public if and when it is rolled out. A public already suffering because of chronic congestion and service shortfalls on public transport in the south east. Lets ignore the road congestion for today.

[ozbob]

Submitted Brisbane mX September 2

The scheduling of the Citytrain track closures is apparently completely oblivious to community events.  RAIL Back On Track has previously suggested to the transport authorities that a community database be established, where the dates of various events could be noted.  Then, when track maintenance and closures for upgrades are being scheduled this could be done in some way empathetic to community events. 

During the past year, the Ipswich show weekend was the subject of a track closure between Corinda and Rosewood, similarly the Oxley street festival was ruined by buses pretending to be trains.  The Ipswich multicultural festival also was impacted by a track closure.  Volunteers put a lot of effort into community events, it is heart breaking for them to have it ruined by major transport disruptions.  The 'crowning achievement' and lowlight this year has been no doubt the closure of the Ferny Grove line this past weekend during Riverfire!  It is time for the culture of TRANSLink, Queensland Transport, and Queensland Rail to become a little more sensitive to the public.  The public is after all, your paymaster.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 5

Cr Newton has been criticised by some for the proposal to introduce 'sweeper' buses on busy routes.  Rather than criticise  I would like to congratulate Cr Newton for some innovative thinking.  Ask the stranded passengers if they think it is a good idea? I am sure what the response will be.  In the longer term however there are limits to the number of buses that can be introduced due to traffic and bus congestion, particularly in the CBD.  The inner northern busway will offer some improvements but in the longer term it will be necessary to continue the heavy rail ramp up.  Akin to this is the plan to trial 200 seater hybrid buses. 

Brisbane is paying a huge cost for not laying railway lines in growth areas, and it is now the time to step up implementation.  A related issue is lack of parking at rail and bus stations.  The only sensible sustainable solution will be to have local loop buses and mini-buses to ferry citizens to and from home to key stations. Otherwise, are the suburbs just going to be massive car parks?

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 10

The article Compute the commute, (C-M, Sept 10) is very timely.  The TRANSLink network is about to have the flawed TRANSLink Smart Card ticketing system rolled out.  Implicit in this system are huge increases in the cost of public transport for regular commuters as there is no daily fare threshold cap or provision for weekly or monthly ticketing on the card system.  Contrast this to the scheme that is being rolled out in Melbourne, the 'myki' smart card system.  It has daily fare caps, automatic weekly fares and so forth. Exactly what commuters could reasonably expect from a smart ticketing system. 

The TRANSLink smart card system will only add to the already significant costs of public transport travel  and force more citizens on to the mega congestion and gridlock pits of despair that are the roads of South East Queensland.  Parking?  You have got to be joking!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 12

Correspondence re Compute the Commute (C-M, Sept 12) has highlighted the real costs of car commuting.  Correspondents have suggested that the cost of public transport is higher than what it should be, but by using weekly tickets it is at least somewhat affordable and cheaper than car.  What is not known by many residents of the south east is that the TRANSLink Smart card ticket system soon to be introduced does not have a daily cap threshold, or capability of weekly or monthly ticketing options. The effect of this is that you will pay for individual trips, and depending on your patterns of travel will mean anything from a 25% to 200% increase in cost of public transport depending on patterns of travel.  The effect of this will be of course to force more desperate commuters onto the congested roads.  There won't be any need for car parks, as the entire road network will be just one giant car park!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 14

The TRANSLink network is apparently about to have the flawed TRANSLink
Smart Card ticketing system rolled out.  Implicit in this system are huge
increases in the cost of public transport for regular commuters as there
is no daily fare threshold cap or provision for weekly or monthly
ticketing on the card system.  Vague promises of a ?frequent traveller
discount? is clearly not going to compensate these people.
Mr Nicholls, Member for Clayfield, asked a question on notice in
parliament re weekly and monthly tickets sales. The former Minister of
Transport and Main Roads, Mr Lucas has tabled the answer. From July 2006 till June 2007 there were 2,129,989  weekly tickets sold! Monthly tickets sold for the same period 144,778!

The figures are staggering.  These are the people who will be seriously
impacted unless there are these options via the TRANSLink Smart Card when
paper tickets are eventually discontinued.  If you look at the figures in
detail, you will soon realise how important it is that weekly and monthly
tickets continue indefinitely.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 15

Premier Anna Bligh has said ?Public transport has to be a really key priority?. I would like to paraphrase as ?Public transport MUST be a key priority?.
Lack of proactive public transport development particularly rail is now hitting hard in terms of congestion on public transport, and further impacting as congestion on the roads.
The Citytrain network has only recently started to be expanded to start to match demographic changes.  Presently 44 new 3 car Citytrain units are being introduced.  This will increase capacity in general terms by about 30%, but this is not enough.  A further twenty two 3 car units should be ordered now to allow service frequencies to match demands down the track.
The proposed Darra to Springfield line should be fast tracked, as well as the triplication of the line from Corinda to Darra and then on Redbank.  This would allow increased express services reducing pressure on Ipswich highway. The railway line from Petri to Kippa-Ring should be started as soon as possible. The Brisbane City Council is struggling to maintain adequate bus and river transport services.  Recent initiatives are welcome but in the longer term there are limits to the number of buses that can be introduced due to traffic and bus congestion, particularly in the CBD.  The inner northern busway will offer some improvements but in the longer term it will be necessary to continue and accelerate the heavy rail ramp up with CBD underground extensions.

Brisbane is paying a huge cost for not laying railway lines in growth areas, and it is now time to step up implementation of new lines and services.  Looming energy crises make this essential.
A related issue is lack of parking at rail and bus stations.  The only sensible sustainable solution will be to have local loop buses and mini-buses to ferry citizens to and from home to key train and bus stations. Otherwise, the suburbs are just going to be massive car parks.

[ozbob]

Submitted Brisbane mX September 18

Reports of moves in Melbourne Victoria to give free train travel to commuters if they are scheduled to arrive at their destination before 7am weekdays is a desperate move to cope with peak congestion after years of neglect on the Melbourne suburban network.  This will only favour the early start workers and commuters and is unlikely to be a significant factor in changing commuter behaviours.  If such a scheme was implemented on our Citytrain network the few early morning services presently available would not be that attractive as they would be quickly congested.  Far better to expand our peak morning time from say 5.30am to 9.30am, with 15 minute service frequency or less.  This would allow greater utilization of the network at times that do suit commuters and match work and life style patterns.  With the new trains being progressively rolled out significant improvements can be expected with a new timetable in  March 2008 and hopefully again in September 2008, which might approach these service goals.  We would like to see free public transport for senior citizens on Sundays, and Weekend Family Tickets re-introduced for residents.  This would be of much benefit to the community as a whole, rather than a few early birds getting their free ride!

[ozbob]

Submitted Courier Mail September 21

Lack of proactive public transport development particularly rail is now hitting hard in terms of congestion on public transport, and further impacting as congestion on the roads.
The Citytrain network has only recently started to be expanded to start to match demographic changes.  Presently 44 new 3 car Citytrain units are being introduced.  This will increase capacity in general terms by about 30%, but this is not enough.  A further twenty two 3 car units should be ordered now to allow service frequencies to match demands down the track.
The proposed Darra to Springfield line should be fast tracked, as well as the triplication of the line from Corinda to Darra and then on Redbank.  This would allow increased express services reducing pressure on Ipswich highway. The railway line from Petri to Kippa-Ring should be started as soon as possible. The Brisbane City Council is struggling to maintain adequate bus and river transport services.  Recent initiatives are welcome but in the longer term there are limits to the number of buses that can be introduced due to traffic and bus congestion, particularly in the CBD.  The inner northern busway will offer some improvements but in the longer term it will be necessary to continue and accelerate the heavy rail ramp up with CBD underground extensions.

Brisbane is paying a huge cost for not laying railway lines in growth areas, and it is now time to step up implementation of new lines and services.  Looming energy crises make this essential.
A related issue is lack of parking at rail and bus stations.  The only sensible sustainable solution will be to have local loop buses and mini-buses to ferry citizens to and from home to key train and bus stations. Otherwise, the suburbs are just going to be massive car parks.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 23

There are concerns with the way TransLink is functioning.  The evidence is all too clear -  the chronic congestion and cancellation chaos which now characterizes the daily experience of South East Queensland public transport commuters.
TransLink?s only real significant contribution to public transport in South East Queensland has been integrated paper ticketing initiatives.
The big ticket items such as the much vaunted ?TransLink Smart Card? and proper timetable integration between various modes of public transport are still only manifest in commuters? dreams
From a commuter?s perspective it seems that there are communication barriers between TransLink and public transport operators. I hope that the new Minister for Transport Mr John Mickel can reduce the bureaucratic barriers and bring on real transport solutions that are affordable, accessible, frequent, integrated, sustainable and truly inclusive.

[ozbob]

Submitted South West News September 24

Thanks for highlighting the failure of Queensland Transport to appreciate that the additional stations at Forest Lake (Ellen Grove) and Springfield Lakes on the Darra to Springfield railway line should be built from the outset.(South West News, September 19) The article failed to mention that RAIL Back On Track strongly supports the proposed stations at Richlands and Springfield, we are just concerned that it will be pointless not to also build the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes.
The Brisbane City Council has recently identified the bus routes from Forest Lake are some of the routes that are already overloaded and sweeper buses will be required.  How much more desperate will the need for rail access be in a few more years?  Queensland Transport claims that consideration will be given in 5 years to building the additional stations. It will take 5 years before the line is fully operational, and again this exposes the flawed thinking of Queensland Transport.  Again we call for four railway stations to built from the outset.  This will afford speedy mass transit for all residents to the CBD and beyond.

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 24

Dobson has hit the nail right on the head (Public transport to the rescue, C-M Sept 24). Lack of proactive public transport development particularly rail is now hitting hard in terms of congestion on public transport, and further impacting as congestion on the roads.
The Citytrain network has only recently started to be expanded to start to match demographic changes.  Presently 44 new 3 car Citytrain units are being introduced.  This will increase capacity in general terms by about 30%, but this is not enough.  A further twenty two 3 car units should be ordered now to allow service frequencies to match demands down the track.
The proposed Darra to Springfield line should be fast tracked, as well as the triplication of the line from Corinda to Darra and then on Redbank.  This would allow increased express services reducing pressure on Ipswich highway. The railway line from Petri to Kippa-Ring should be started as soon as possible. The Brisbane City Council is struggling to maintain adequate bus and river transport services.  Recent initiatives are welcome but in the longer term there are limits to the number of buses that can be introduced due to traffic and bus congestion, particularly in the CBD.  The inner northern busway will offer some improvements but in the longer term it will be necessary to continue and accelerate the heavy rail ramp up with CBD underground extensions.

Brisbane is paying a huge cost for not laying railway lines in growth areas, and it is now time to step up implementation of new lines and services.  Looming energy crises make this essential.
A related issue is lack of parking at rail and bus stations.  The only sensible sustainable solution will be to have local loop buses and mini-buses to ferry citizens to and from home to key train and bus stations. Otherwise, the suburbs are just going to be massive car parks.

[ozbob]

Submitted Courier Mail September 27

At the Forum "The future of the car"  conducted by The Courier-Mail, in conjunction with the Brisbane Institute, Griffith University's Urban Research Program and Channel Nine held on Sept 26, the point was made by the panel that if infrastructure is provided it will help to endear transport behaviour change.  The question I wanted to ask was "Why are we not utilising existing infrastructure properly?" 

Two examples:  the railway line to the Airport, presently under serviced and overpriced, and the Exhibition loop railway line - use of the existing Exhibition station and another at Normanby, with a loop service providing regular services would help to ease inner city bus congestion.

Another example of poor planning is the failure to build four railway stations right from the outset on the Darra to Springfield railway line.  To catch a train you need accessible stations.

Lets hope that the lessons of failed planning initiatives are taken on board and real progress made from here on.

[ozbob]

Submitted to mX  September 28

The Brisbane mX had a lead story (Sept 27) concerning a refund by QR to a weekly ticket holder who was delayed for hours on the Gold Coast line recently.

Well done mX! We would encourage all commuters who have been inconvenienced by cancellations and overloaded services to apply for refunds.

It is time that a formal TRANSLink Commuter Compensation scheme was implemented.  Passengers who are left stranded should be invited to apply for a free daily ticket for each time they are bypassed or their service is cancelled and does not arrive. It is time for an apology to all the BCC Bus and Citytrain travelling public, and an outline provided of what is going to be done in the immediate, short and long term to address these issues.

It is also essential that the details of all bus and Citytrain services cancelled each day, and the number of buses, catamarans and ferries that have bypassed because of full loadings should be publicly displayed on the TRANSLink web site updated daily.  The public is entitled to know this information.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 2

It is a good thing that Brisbane City Council plans to provide extra buses for frustrated western suburb motorists to key railway inner city railway stations on the Ipswich line during the proposed Hale St Bridge road works. The problem is though at peak, many of the trains are already heavily loaded from Indooroopilly.  At times it can be difficult for passengers to squeeze on at Taringa and Toowong, and often impossible at Auchenflower. How much worse this congestion will be unless extra services are introduced? It will be necessary for extra peak Citytrain services particularly between Darra and Central to help cope with the additional commuter load that will be pouring into Indooroopilly, Taringa and Toowong stations.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 4

Tristan Peach has highlighted major issues with traffic planning in Brisbane (Traffic ideology is hopelessly flawed, C-M Oct 4).  The other disasters are of course the systemic failures to properly plan public transport resources.  Now in a desperate game of catch-up, the planners still have on the rose coloured glasses of the sixties.  An excellent example of their myopia is the soon to be built Darra to Springfield rail line.  Four stations are proposed but only two are going to be initially built.  This is despite the Brisbane Council being forced to run sweeper buses from Forest Lake, one of the areas that will miss immediate direct access to the railway by the failure not to build the station at Ellen Grove.  Isn't it time that Government and Queensland Transport moved out of the 1960s paradigm?

Original article:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22524469-27197,00.html

[ozbob]

Submitted to Sunday Mail October 7

The Sunday Mail highlighted a report that confirms that the exercise public transport users get is very beneficial for the commuters (Bus, train good for you, S-M Oct 7).
I would suggest that using public transport is also beneficial for the environment due to a reduction in overall emissions of carbon and pollutants.  It is also of benefit to the community as it helps reduce road congestion, thereby freeing up roads for industry and those who truly need to use motor vehicles.  There is also a benefit in reduced medical costs associated with a reduction in road accidents.  Why is it then that our Transport authorities are fixated on building yet more monuments to the automobile? Time they looked into the future, transport crisis looms!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 7

Why is it that Translink cannot or will not reveal the specific details of how the Smart card ticket will work? When is the Smart card ticketing system going to be rolled out? Many commuters are very concerned that based on the way the Smart card pilot project operates they appear to be facing huge increases in their regular cost of travel on the Translink network when paper tickets such as ten trip savers, weekly and monthly tickets are finally withdrawn.
Some assurance as to how the fares will be calculated is urgently needed.  Will there be a daily fare cap, and will it cap to the present weekly and monthly fares? If it doesn't, the cost increases will be very significant.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 10

The new transit authority announced by the Premier is very welcome (C-M Oct 10). While we have this mood for positive change we should not stop there.  Public transport is a major community issue and the task ahead is very complex and critical.  The new Transit Authority should be responsible through its board and a new Department of Public Transport, to a Minister for Public Transport.  It should be standalone outside Queensland Transport to allow for decisive decision making and timely  implementation of policy in the best interests of all Queenslanders.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail 15th October

Governments around Australia are starting to respond to transport crises with increased funding for rail based transport solutions.  This makes a lot of sense, particularly as the environmental costs and true cost of infrastructure support will start to hit hard less efficient systems. Increasing population pressures will dictate the rapid expansion of heavy rail passenger services; both commuter and long distance, as well as freight services.  The Federal election is an ideal time to for both sides to show where they really stand on sustainable transport for Queensland, and Australia.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Oct 19.

The Translink smartcard is still surrounded by secrecy. This week in Parliament the Opposition called for specific details of the card's operation, particularly in terms of fare costs to be made public. Many commuters want to know too.  How about it Mr Mickel?  Smart state or secret state?

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Oct 21

The Translink smartcard is still surrounded by secrecy. Last week in Parliament the Opposition called for specific details of the card's operation, particularly in terms of fare costs to be made public. There is a lot of community concern with this ticketing fiasco. Many commuters want to know what the fare costs will be as their ten trip tickets are starting to disappear. Maybe the fact that the federal election is looming has something to do with the failure of Government and Translink to explain in detail how the public will pay?

[ozbob]

Submitted Courier Mail Oct 23

Lack of proactive public transport development particularly rail is now hitting hard in terms of congestion on public transport, and further impacting as congestion on the roads.
Brisbane is paying a huge cost for not laying railway lines in growth areas, and it is now time to step up implementation of new lines and services.  Looming energy crises make this essential.
A related issue is lack of parking at rail and bus stations.  The only sensible sustainable solution will be to have local loop buses and mini-buses to ferry citizens to and from home to key train and bus stations. Otherwise, the suburbs are just going to be massive car parks.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 25

Isn't it time the State Government explained what it is going to do fix the transport mess in Brisbane?  The airport roundabout is just another example of flawed planning and outcomes.
Rather than maximising the assets already in place eg. the railway line to Airport, complicated and costly solutions are planned for when, five or ten years time?  The roads will get much worse shortly and then the congestion on the buses and trains will be magnified.  As the spin doctors remind us 44 new 3 car sets are progressively being introduced.  But honestly will 44 be enough?  Of course not.  The thing that has distinguished many transport planning initiatives over the last ten years is the failure to meet the real transport load.  Examples?  SE Busway, now virtually in  a state of Bus-lock at peak, and of course the Airport roundabout and the Gateway generally.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 28

It is time the State Government explained what it is going to do fix the transport mess in Brisbane.  The airport roundabout is just another example of flawed planning and outcomes.
Rather than maximising the assets already in place eg. the railway line to Airport, complicated and costly solutions are planned for when, five or ten years time?  The roads will get much worse shortly and then the congestion on the catamarans, buses and trains will be magnified.  As the spin doctors remind us 44 new 3 car trains sets are progressively being introduced.  But honestly will 44 be enough?  Of course not.  The thing that has distinguished many transport planning initiatives over the last ten years is the failure to meet the real transport load.  Examples?  SE Busway, now virtually in  a state of bus-lock at peak, and of course the Airport roundabout and the Gateway, and the failure to duplicate the new Gold Coast railway line all the way from the outset.  How much longer do with have to put up with this mediocrity from Queensland Transport?

[ozbob]

Submitted to Gold Coast Bulletin 29 Oct

A letter from J. Duley (Oct 27) was published expressing concern with possible fare increases following the roll out of the TransLink Smart Card.  RAIL Back On Track, a web based commuter support group for rail also shares the authors real concerns.  We have been endeavouring to get clarification on a number of aspects of Smart Card operation including the fare structure now for many months.  The Smart card is surrounded by secrecy, answers and explanations are not forthcoming at present. We have highlighted many issues at our web site and readers are invited to visit http://backontrack.org to gauge the import of these issues.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Oct 29

It has been reported in the Brisbane press that Developers Bovis Lend Lease and Queensland Rail will upgrade the Brisbane Transit Centre, with the development application expected before council this week. The number of bus bays is to be cut from 25 to 5 apparently although this number is to be finally confirmed. Clearly an unmanageable situation for the many buses that use the centre. The consequent bus congestion in the CBD will be catastrophic. Brisbane CBD will be a bus park. The Transit centre was sold off in 1996. When this sale was made there was no guarantee put in place that the pivotal role as a transport interchange would be preserved. Another great example of ?Smart State Myopia'.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Nov 4

Minister Mickel has outlined the Smartcard basic fare structure and frequent traveller discount. (C-M, Nov 2). What has not been specifically clarified at this time is the basic bulk fare pricing. Will it be the same as for the present paper ticketing?  If it is uptake of the Smartcard will be slow.

The reduced ticketing costs in terms of savings made from reduced cash handling and direct ticketing sales, and the gains in public transport efficiency will lead to savings if the uptake is successful. These savings should be reflected in a reduced bulk fare structure for the Smartcard fare calculations. I would suggest that this bulk discount on paper fares be 20%.  This is independent of the frequent traveller discount and would help encourage uptake of the Smartcard. For example a 3 zone single is presently $3.20 for a single paper ticket.  For Smartcard this base fare should be $2.56.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Nov 5

Roads to the airport are a congested mess (C-M Nov 5). The Airtrain is the key to easing the congestion. The Airport effectively lies in TransLink Zone 3.  This equates to a normal fare of $3.20 from Central compared to the present $13 Airtrain fare.  It is this cost differential that results in near empty trains, and because of that a decrease in train frequency and service hours, which in turn leads to fewer passengers.  An irreversible slide.

Trains need to run when actually needed.  The late start and early finish of the present Airtrain services is farcical.  The keys to successful public transport are accessibility; high service frequency and extended hours of operation, and it must also be affordable for the community.

If the State Government took back management from Airtrain City Link Ltd, or at least subsidised the fares to normal fare structure, the trains would be well patronised and be available for not only domestic and international passengers, but also for people employed in the airport precinct. Hours of operation must be also be extended.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Nov 7

I am concerned with the impact of the Hale St Link project on an already overloaded railway service on the Ipswich line. Once the Hale St Link project commences the overflow onto the rail services will be a major problem and compound the present congestion issues.

Has some contingency planning been done to coordinate extra services on the Ipswich line?  This is very critical in view of previous statements by Council that extra buses will also feed stations such as Indooroopilly, Taringa and Toowong.  There is very little room on many peak services at these stations already.  For example, the 6.44am service from Oxley which I regularly commute in to the CBD on is normally very heavily loaded by Indooroopilly.  People find it very difficult to board at subsequent stations.  There simply is not much more room.  There certainly will not be the room on present services for the expected additional commuters generated by the road chaos associated with the project.

Running additional rail services (all stations) between Darra and the CBD during peak would help.  These services could return via the Exhibition loop Milton all stations to Darra.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 12

The price impact of the smartcard on commuters' public transport travel costs can be very substantial under the scheme that has been outlined by Transport Minister Mickel.  The article "Fears of rise in bus fares 'over the top'" (C-M Nov 12) has highlighted the impact on bus commuters who use the soon to be phased out 10-trip savers.  To dismiss this as an exaggeration as was quoted in the C-M article further confirms the lack of understanding of the true impacts of fare cost increases at the Ministerial level.

Commuters who do multiple daily trips or more than 10 trips per week are also at a very substantial cost disadvantage compared to present paper ticketing costs.  Unless there is a cost neutral or better outcome for smartcard, uptake will be poor and the advantages of the smartcard in terms of overall cost savings and improved public transport efficiency will not be realised.  There is an urgent need for further fare options to be available on the smartcard to encourage uptake.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 14

Your correspondent (Letters, C-M Nov14) has suggested that if the ten trippers go back to daily ticket purchase the bus system will collapse.  This is because price impact of the smartcard on commuters' public transport travel costs can be very substantial under the scheme that has been outlined by Transport Minister Mickel.  The article "Fears of rise in bus fares 'over the top'" (C-M Nov 12) has also highlighted the impact on bus commuters who use the soon to be phased out 10-trip savers.  To dismiss this as an exaggeration as was quoted in the C-M article further confirms the lack of understanding of the true impacts of fare cost increases at the Ministerial level.

Commuters who do multiple daily trips or more than 10 trips per week are also at a very substantial cost disadvantage compared to present paper ticketing costs.  Unless there is a cost neutral or better outcome for smartcard, uptake will be poor and the advantages of the smartcard in terms of overall cost savings and improved public transport efficiency will not be realised.  There is an urgent need for further fare options to be available on the smartcard to encourage uptake.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 15

Your correspondents (Letters, C-M Nov 14 and Nov 15) have suggested that the ten tripper users may go back to daily ticket purchases when the 10-trip tickets are gone. If they do that the bus timetable system will collapse.  They will do this because the impact of the smartcard on commuters' public transport travel costs can be very substantial under the scheme that has been outlined by Transport Minister Mickel.  The article "Fears of rise in bus fares 'over the top'" (C-M Nov 12) has also highlighted the impact on bus commuters who use the soon to be phased out 10-trip savers.  To dismiss this as an exaggeration as was quoted in the C-M article further confirms the lack of understanding of the true impacts of fare cost increases at the Ministerial level.

Commuters who do multiple daily trips or more than 10 trips per week are also at a very substantial cost disadvantage compared to present paper ticketing costs.  Unless there is a cost neutral or better outcome for smartcard, uptake will be poor and the advantages of the smartcard in terms of overall cost savings and improved public transport efficiency will not be realised.  There is an urgent need for further fare options to be available on the smartcard to encourage uptake.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 18

Australia's cities are struggling with backlogs of infrastructure investment ignored for the last decade. Foremost of these is investment in urban passenger rail.
Federal intervention is needed to fund the massive investments needed to prevent our cities from grinding to a halt.

No major party has any plans for supporting urban investment of any kind, except roads. The last time the Australian Government funded urban railways was during the Better Cities era of Minister Brian Howe, during the Hawke government.

The Howard government has refused to fund urban rail or any other sustainable urban infrastructure. The regions represented by the National Party have been pork-barrelled in many ways, but not for the infrastructure needed in regional towns.

Rudd has 'me-tooed' his way around urban issues, and has failed to promise urban rail development funds, even though he has promised lots of money for extravagant road projects and even more extravagant desalination plants, probably the worst public policy decisions that could be made.

Most Australians live in metropolitan cities. They are getting tired of congestion in these cities and also realise that more roads don't solve anything. Massive public transport and rail investment is urgently required for cities and country. Only the Federal Government has the money to do it.
Metropolitan voters will remember who neglected their cities!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 27

The 2007 federal election result means that the proposed Ipswich highway bypass will not be built. Ipswich highway is arguably the most dangerous and congested road in Australia.  It seems almost daily, sometimes many times a day, traffic is brought to a standstill with accidents and traffic overload.  As road works are undertaken to upgrade the highway it is only going to get worse, much worse.The Ipswich highway runs virtually parallel to the railway line to Ipswich.  It is time that an active program was undertaken to encourage commuters to leave their cars behind and relax on the train. There is a need for more peak services on the Ipswich line in order to encourage commuters to commute by rail. Some peak services are already congested and the Hale Street Link project will add further load on the railway. To complement these improvements education campaigns promoting the benefits at a personal and community level of using the rail service are needed.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail December 2

The massive funding for roads at the expense of rail in South-East Queensland (SEQ) is just condemning citizens to even more gridlock and congestion.  Buses are important in SEQ, but there are already problems with ?bus-lock? at peak and as fuel price rises bite we are likely to experience a public transport meltdown unless a high capacity rail network is put in place now.
The Government needs to fund an additional 44 three car suburban trains above the 44 progressively being rolled-out with funding for crew to match, to enable QR Citytrain to provide the expanded high frequency accessible commuter rail services desperately needed now and for future requirements. Some of the older Citytrain trains will also need replacement in time.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Dec 10

Transport Minister Mickel has previously outlined the Translink Go Card (C-M, Dec 10) frequent traveller discount and bonus.  This is a good option for some, but is only cost neutral for people travelling 10 trips per week. What is needed is an occasional trip option and a high use option based on weekly and/or monthly fares.
Unless there are further fare options the commuter uptake of the Go Card will be poor. This will then negate the potential benefits of increased efficiency in terms of faster loading of buses and river transport, and reduced direct ticket sales and cash handling.  The frequent user scheme is a con.  If you do multiple daily trips / more than 10 trips per week you will pay huge increases in your costs relative to present weekly/monthly tickets.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Dec 16

Transport Minister Mickel has clarified some aspects of the Go Card roll out. There is however, a requirement for more fare options to be introduced on the Go Card from roll out to encourage uptake. Transport Minister Mickel has previously outlined the Go Card frequent traveller discount and bonus.  This is a good option for some, but is only cost neutral compared to present paper tickets for people travelling 10 trips per week. What is needed is an occasional trip option and a high use option based on weekly and/or monthly fares.  As it stands, uptake will be poor as regular public transport commuters may have substantial cost increases if they go with Go Card.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail Jan 3

The perspective All aboard or miss the train by Chris Hale (C-M, Jan 2) has hit the transport nail right on the head. Rail is the sustainable transport solution for the long haul.  The Queensland Government needs to fast track the Darra to Springfield line, build the Petrie to Kippa-Ring railway now and bring forward the underground CBD heavy rail extensions so that we have some hope of handling the rampant congestion. Continued ramp up of rail and feeder buses will afford some relief. The flawed fixation on roads has now been exposed. Well done Chris Hale and the Courier Mail for a timely perspective.