Letters to the editor - Published

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 22nd May 2012 page 9

Public in the know

[ozbob]

Published South West News/Springfield News 23rd May 2012 page 30

Handouts will cost us dearly

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 25th May 2012 page 9

Publicise closures

[ozbob]

Published South West News 30th May 2012 page 8

Truck trauma out of control

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 31st May 2012 page 9

Journey Planner

Congratulations to TransLink on the successful roll-out of the new Journey Planner on the online web site yesterday. The new journey planner is a significant improvement, particularly with the link up with Google Maps, with the capability for street views of bus stops and so forth.

Minor tweaks will be needed, but already public feedback has been positive. The new journey planner can be accessed at translink.com.au. Making public transport easy to catch is important.

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 2nd June 2012 page 17

Track advice earlier

[ozbob]

Published Couriermail 4th June 2012 page 24

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 6th June 2012 page 9

Confusion increases over how to use card

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 19th June 2012 page 9

Transport failure

The so called "Independent" Commission of Audit report is cause for concern. 

With respect to the superficial and simplistic analysis of public transport it is a dangerous misrepresentation in my opinion. 

For example, an analysis of costs based only on trips completely distorts costs. 

Other metrics such as passenger kilometres and length of trip needs to be considered.

I am no accountant, however based on the absurd public transport analysis one wonders about the merits of the entire report. 

It does seem that this report is designed to give a pseudo-basis to the implementation of further flawed government policy. 

It matters little, it seems which of the major parties is in the majority. 

They  all continue to head down a flawed path to terminal transport failure.

Robert Dow
Goodna

[mufreight]

Fudged figures manipulated to justify a predetermined politicial outcome.  Independent audit, who do Mr Emerson and Mr Newman think that they are kidding.
Just as an instance of fudged figures instead of using passenger trip numbers they should be using actual passenger kilometers for ferry, bus and rail then make their comparisons.   

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 26th June 2012 page 9

Go Card cap starts

[ozbob]

Published Couriermail 9th July 2012 page 22

Who's being taken for a ride?

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 9th July 2012 page 9

Fares spark confusion

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 10th July 2012 page 9

Transport crisis

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 14th July 2012

Planned train service facility to boost area

The proposed train maintenance facility at Wulkuraka would make good use of old railway yard ground, now just a flat open wasteland, with no koalas or trees to be seen. (New train depot shunted for now, QT July 14). It would bring into the community a strong local economic driver, and also allow for the upgrade of Wulkuraka railway station and improvement in the frequency of rail services.

I had a look around Wulkuraka last week. Local residents I spoke with clearly understood the value of the proposed facility and are keen for it to proceed. Rapid residential development will mean that access to frequent public transport will be highly prized.  To provide that transport it is necessary for the new trains to be maintained somewhere.  The area of low value rehabilitation under consideration would be an ideal location for the train maintenance facility and not be disruptive to residential areas.

Longer term transport plans for the broader Ipswich area mean that train positioning will be critical to support improved rail services on the Ipswich line as well as Ripley Valley - Springfield.

Some of the newly elected LNP Members of Parliament are increasingly looking like 'one term wonders' with their scripted responses from LNP head office.  Time to grasp the big picture!

[ozbob]

Published Couriermail 21st July 2012

Family fares would lift public transport

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 23rd July 2012

Think big for families

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 24th July 2012

Station parking

I too share the broad concerns raised in the QT about the lack of station parking at Springfield Central railway station (Calls for more station parking, QT, July 23).

There are a number of complicating issues.  An average car parking space costs minimally around $20,000 and often more.  This means it costs $20 Million dollars in car parking costs to fill one train with a 1000 passengers via park n' ride.  This is a cost that cannot be sustained.  Parking is a problem around many transit hubs, be they rail or bus.  We simply cannot continue to build acres of car parks.  More affordable and sustainable solutions must be found.  Part of the solution is feeder bus services that are frequent and cover a span of hours that actually makes them useful.  Car parking is also needed in conjunction with proper feeder bus services.  It may be necessary to start to charge for park n' ride nominally, as done in Perth WA for example, in order to strike the right balance, and give people options be it bus or parking.

A complication on the Springfield railway line is the failure to not proceed with the construction of the railway station at Ellen Grove.  This station, with say 300 car parking spaces would have helped considerably in relieving the parking congestion at Richlands and Darra particularly, and give more options for the Springfield corridor.     Queensland has an uncanny ability to botch transport infrastructure, the failure to build Ellen Grove station from the outset is another classic example.

Cr Morrison is correct, 100 car parking spaces is not adequate at Springfield Central.  At worse, a temporary park n' ride facility to augment the planned 100 car parking spaces should be established,  at least until adequate feeder bus services are in place.

Robert Dow
Goodna Qld  4300

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 25th July 2012 page 9

Campaign a success

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 25th July 2012 page 9

Take steps now to fix congested car parks

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 27th July 2012 page 9

Bus users taken for a ride again by stupidity

[somebody]

^ Published, interesting.

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 31st July 2012 page 9

Tired of government's constant blame game

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 9th August 2012 page 9

Invest in rail

It has been reported in various media that up to 2200 jobs may go at Queensland Rail.

At a time when most jurisdictions are improving rail options for freight and passenger services, Queensland appears headed into more transport failure.

The road system is already being broken to bits by large numbers of over-sized trucks. Road trauma is causing massive social and financial impacts.

Where practical we need to transfer freight back to rail. Queensland has an extensive rail network but it is grossly underutilised.

By investing in rail we will position Queensland for a safer, cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable transport future.  Investment in rail will be returned many, many times over.

Robert Dow
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Redland Times click here!

Invest in rail to stop road trauma
Aug. 9, 2012, 5 p.m.

IT has been reported in various media that up to 2200 jobs may go at Queensland Rail.

At a time when most jurisdictions are improving rail options for freight and passenger services, Queensland appears headed into more transport failure.

The road system is already being broken to bits by large numbers of over-sized trucks. Road trauma is causing massive social and financial impacts.

Where practical we need to transfer freight back to rail. Queensland has an extensive rail network but it is grossly under utilised.

By investing in rail we will position Queensland for a safer, cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable transport future. Investment in rail will be returned many, many times over.

Robert Dow

Rail Back on Track

[ozbob]

Published South West / Springfield News 22nd August 2012 page 22

Need to invest in rail

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 11th September 2012 page 9

Rail eases road chaos

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 13th September 2012

We need real action on public transport fares

The 2012 State Budget has highlighted how urgently a review of TransLink's SEQ public transport fare system is needed.

Stalled patronage levels is costly in terms of congestion and road trauma costs, and environmental impacts.

The present fare structure for the go card is bizarre.   Excessive base fare cost with considerable fare box leakage due to an easily manipulated fare structure.  This fare box leakage is forcing further increases in the base fare price which is making public transport last choice for many.

An urgent review of the fare system is needed.  A fare system that is equitable and balanced will drive patronage increases around the clock, and will increase the fare box and reduce the public subsidy.  Something that has not occurred with the present failing fare system.

Queensland is the only state that does not extend concession fares to all health care card holders.  Queensland does not have family/group tickets as in many other states.

TransLink fares have increased 65 per cent over the past 4 years.  Further fare increases of 7.5 per cent for 2013 and 2014 will just exacerbate the unaffordability for many.  My DFRDB pension increased 0.1 per cent this year, 7.5 per cent is 75 times that.  The need to recast the fares is now acute.

The Queensland Government claims to be passenger focussed.  Let's see some real action rather than rhetoric.

Robert Dow
Goodna Qld  4300

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 17th September 2012

Seniors' transport

It's time we followed the lead of some other states.  Free public transport for Seniors off peak, weekends and public holidays should be introduced throughout Queensland on the TransLink and QConnect network.

Peak times normal concession fares.

Robert Dow
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Published South West News 26th September 2012 page 8

Family-friendly ticketing

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 8th October 2012

Petition on fares gains support

I would like to thank QT and your readers for the support so far given to our petition calling for a review of the fares for public transport in south-east Queensland.

A considerable number of Ipswich based citizens have signed the petition, thank you. 

This reflects the concerns that many have with a fare system that is driving people away from public transport.

Please consider signing our petition which can be accessed online.

Search for gopetition and click on the translink south-east Queensland link.

Seniors, health care card holders, families and workers are hurting.  Lets drive a change for the better!

ROBERT DOW
RAIL Back On Track

=============

Direct links to petition -->  http://bit.ly/PJDsNr

or http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 11th October 2012 page 9

Transport fare flaws highlighted in report

The TransLink Annual Report has confirmed that public transport fare unaffordability is the major public transport issue facing the State Government.  Excessive fare increases have stalled patronage levels, and is proving costly in terms of congestion and road trauma costs, and environmental impacts.

The present fare structure for the go card is bizarre.   Excessive base fare cost with considerable fare box leakage due to an easily manipulated fare structure.  This fare box leakage is forcing further excessive increases in the base fare price which is making public transport last choice for many.

An urgent review of the fare system is needed.  A fare system that is equitable and balanced will drive patronage increases around the clock, and will increase the fare box and reduce the public subsidy.  Something that has not occurred with the present failing fare system.

Queensland is the only state that does not extend concession fares to all health care card holders.  Queensland does not have family/group tickets as in many other states.

TransLink fares have increased 65 per cent over the past 4 years. Further fare increases of 7.5% for 2013 and 2014 will just exacerbate the unaffordability for many.  The Government is lazy, they have avoided conducting a proper fare review and simply followed the previous flawed fare system in essence.

The Queensland Government claims to be passenger focussed.  Let's see some real action rather than rhetoric.

ROBERT DOW
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 15th October 2012 page 9

Ellen Grove station is cheap, smarter option

The article in The QT (10/10) " Minister to announce Centenary Highway expansion" highlights how stupid the decision not to build the railway station at Ellen Grove is. 

There are plans to build a railway station at Ellen Grove in about 5 years. 

Building the station today would cost around $20 million, easily funded from the savings identified by Minister Emerson. 

A station at Ellen Grove would relieve a lot of the parking issues at Richlands railway station, and provide relief at Springfield and Springfield Central stations, stations with planned inadequate park and ride facilities.

To come back at build the railway station at Ellen Grove in 5 or so years will cost at least $50 million dollars, with the added complexity of building it on a working railway.

This failure at Ellen Grove highlights admirably the flawed planning processes that occur in Queensland. 

It is not to late to build Ellen Grove railway station ' greenfield '.  Is the Government smart enough?

ROBERT DOW
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Published South West News 17th October 2012 page 14

Cost main transport concern

[ozbob]

Published South West News 24th October 2012 page 25

Transport cost not fare

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 24th October 2012 page 9

Secretive Emerson

[ozbob]

Published Queensland Times 25th October 2012 page 9

Springfield railway car parks don't compare

[ozbob]

Published in The Satellite 7th November 2012

Crossing incidents

Another serious level crossing incident at Dandenong South Victoria.

Governments all over Australia are kidding themselves if they think their safety campaigns and
token fines and sanctions are effective. They are not.

Near misses continue to increase and the risks resulting from idiots loose on the roads
with killing machines just exacerbates.

Red light running is all too common as the tally of near misses reported by operators all
over mounts.

Governments need to get fair dinkum.

Robert Dow
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Published South West News 21st November 2012 page 15

More parking , less talk

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 22nd November 2012 page 9

To market: Transporting coal presents dilemma