2013 Fares

[ozbob]

The BCC Blue mob were very vocal about the high cost of fares when LNP was the opposition. After the election they have clammed up essentially ...  further demonstration of the hypocrisy that pervades politics at all levels in Australia, and probably elsewhere ..

The Transport Minister, Mr Emerson, says a fare review was held BEFORE the election and the LNP has acted accordingly since, hence there will be no FURTHER review.  What were the terms of reference?  How was it conducted?  Who conducted it?  Why were there no public submissions?

Whatever review was conducted, it was not informed by, or conducted by, public servants with considerable skill and expertise in this area and, therefore, able to provide a great deal of assistance in the formation of new policy to a new government.  Mr Scales has moved from being a manager within the structure of an independent authority to being under direct ministerial direction.

I recall an interview Mr Scales gave where he regretted a situation in his previous employment where local government officials organised bus routes to run past pockets of influential constituents, not according to a network plan.  (MaroonGlider - do any of the stadiums and major commercial operators serviced by it make political donations to the ALP, which controls BCC?)

The politicisation of transport in Queensland is unfortunate; more direct control of Q-Connect opens the way for transport decision making based on marginal seats thinking.  Losing political power in Mackay?  Throw in a few more buses.

The time has well and truly arrived for an independent review of public transport fares in Queensland.  The review Mr Emerson refers to must have involved political types only and not professions or industry representatives, who are being kept from making a contribution through Mr Emerson's decision not to have a review.

[ozbob]

From the Public Transport Punter 7th January 2013 page 1

SEQ goes over fare fiscal cliff

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

Commuters slugged an extra 7.5 per cent thanks to TransLink fare hike

Commuters slugged an extra 7.5 per cent thanks to TransLink fare hike

    by: Allira Preece, North-West News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    January 07, 2013 1:00AM

More than 600 people across the southeast have signed a petition calling on the State Government to conduct an urgent fare review to reduce public transport costs.

Public transport patronage will drop as a result of TransLink fare hikes according to a commuter group.

Commuters will pay an extra 7.5 per cent on TransLink fares from Monday under a state government initiative to be rolled out over the next two years.

But Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow has called on an urgent fare review after TransLink's Annual Report 2011-12 confirmed a fall in patronage due to lower growth and fare increases.

Mr Dow's calls to lower public transport costs have been supported by more than 600 commuters who have signed a Rail Back on Track petition to support the cause since November.

Mr Dow said commuters would be more inclined to use public transport if fare increases were adjusted to be under CPI.

"The feedback that we have been getting (from commuters) proves that fares are too high,'' he said.

"It's making it difficult for people to continue to use public transport,'' he said.

Northside commuter Robert Cook said he would continue to use public transport despite fare hikes but he said services should be expanded to meet demand.

Mr Cook catches the bus from Woody Point to Sandgate before getting on the train to Bowen Hills and pays a concession fare of around $15 for a three day journey each week.

He said he had no choice but to continue using public transport because he does not drive.

A spokesman for the Minister for Transport and Main Roads said while the department recognised the need to decrease fares, improving the state's finances was the top priority.

Rail Back on Track's petition will close at the end of January.

Visit backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sorting out the fares, as well as improving network efficiencies will improve the fare box.  Time Mr Emerson got some spokespersons that actually understand what they are talking about.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Discussion re TL SEQ fares and increases on @612brisbane Host Robert Blackmore around 7.15am background --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9292.msg116506#msg116506 ... #qldpol

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times 7th January 2013 page 9

Rail fares failure must be reversed

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Discussion fares @612brisbane now postponed good coverage News bulletins, no worries. Fare review petition --> http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html ... #qldpol

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Discussion re TL SEQ fares and increases on @612brisbane Host Robert Blackmore around 7.15am background --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9292.msg116506#msg116506 ... #qldpol

[ozbob]

Our petition is starting to climb in numbers, thanks ...

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

1m Robert Dow  ‏@Robert_Dow

Proper informed fare review is desperately needed. Not a political campaign strategy meeting http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9292.msg116511#msg116511 ... @scottemersonmp #qldpol

[ozbob]

From ABC News click here!

SEQ public transport price hikes drive commuters away

SEQ public transport price hikes drive commuters away
By Jo Skinner

Commuter advocates say today's rise of 7.5 per cent in Translink fares in south-east Queensland is too much and will further drive people away from using public transport.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow says today's fares rise on Translink bus, train and ferry fares follows increases of 20 per cent in 2010, and 15 per cent in 2011 and 2012.

"Over that period, real wages have gone up 6 per cent according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics," he said.

"It's little wonder that people are feeling the pain."

He wants the State Government to review the fare structure.

"We think it's time that the prices in south-east Queensland were completely reviewed," he said.

"Fares on the country bus network throughout Queensland are about half what they are in south-east Queensland, which will give you some idea of the impact of the fare increases over the past four years.

"It's too much, it's too quick and it's driving people away from public transport."

[ozbob]

The Minister for Transport Mr Emerson made himself available for questions this morning, basically during his bus ride into to town.

Good on him for doing that, there was some interesting twitter traffic as well.

See --> https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Scottonthebus&src=hash

[somebody]

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Scottonthebus&src=hash

@pete0166 Hi Peter. We brought in our free travel after 9 journeys to give fare relief and encourage greater use. That's been a big success.

Oh yeah?  By what measure is it a success?  All it's done is reduce the farebox.  It has not promoted any increase in PT use.  Far better to remove this initiative  and reduce fares.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane transport gains dubious title

Brisbane transport gains dubious title
January 7, 2013 - 5:27PM
Katherine Feeney

With the latest round of public transport fare hikes train travel in Brisbane has become more expensive than in Sydney or Melbourne.

Commuters were hit with a 7.5 per cent fare rise on Monday. It followed several price increases in recent years, with a 20 per cent rise in 2009 and 15 per cent rises in each year from 2010 to 2012.

A Fairfax Media analysis shows train travel in south-east Queensland is now more expensive per kilometre in Brisbane than in the nation's other east coast capitals.

Each city has a different way of organising fare levels, but modelling from Sydney's system – which has five zones measured at 10, 20, 35, 65 and 65-plus kilometres from the city centre – shows a comparable trip in Brisbane could cost up to $1.55 more.

For example, a weekday trip from Central Station to Morningside Station – a journey of roughly 10 kilometres – would cost $3.85 on a single adult GoCard, but the same distance on an adult single My Train ticket in Sydney is $3.60.

In Melbourne, where the MyKi ticketing system divides the network into two zones and charges a flat fee for travel in either, or across both, a similar trip from Southern Cross to Strathmore would cost $3.50.

Meanwhile a trip in excess of 35 kilometres on a Melbourne city train costs the same as one 20 kilometres (adult single fares are capped at $5.92), compared with $5 in Sydney and $6.55 in Brisbane.

But spokesman for the public advocacy group Rail Back on Track, Robert Dow, said Brisbane became even more expensive when the bulk-buy fare savings available in other states were taken into account.

"South-east Queensland has some of the dearest public transport in the world now – that's not in dispute – and they're certainly some of the dearest fares in Australia," he said. "We don't have offsets in the way that other major jurisdictions do.

"You can get weekly, monthly and quarterly tickets in Sydney; there's a family pass in Perth that's available on weekends and public holidays, and off-peak during the week, that affords groups of people unlimited travel on the network for just $11.

"That public transport users in Brisbane have to pay more for the network than other major capitals is just not at all justifiable."

Mr Dow said the difference in fees was a strategic issue, and not brought about by substantive differences in fixed costs associated with distances travelled across the TransLink network.

"We're decentralised – yes – but when you compare Brisbane to other similar systems around the world you can see that it can be done with the right strategy and at the right price," he said. "Our prices were right about two years ago.

"We'd like to see a comprehensive fare review."

A spokesman for Transport Minister Scott Emerson defended Monday's 7.5 per cent fare increase, saying it was necessary and more price rises would come.

"While we would like to do more in terms of fares relief, our priority will be to improve the state's finances," he said.

The spokesman said a transport policy introduced in 2010 by the previous Labor government led to south-east Queensland taking the top spot on the ticket-price ladder.

But he confirmed that the Liberal National Party Government was still committed to another 7.5 per cent increase in 2014, half of what was previously scheduled.

"When compared to the scheduled hikes, the LNP policies will save a regular commuter travelling two zones about $314 a year or $1042 a year for a regular commuter from Palmwoods to Brisbane," he said.

"We are committed to getting people back onto public transport after four straight years of declining patronage by improving affordability, reliability and frequency.

"We've already seen some improvements in patronage with the introduction of our passenger-focussed policies."

In October last year customer satisfaction with fares scored 50 out of 100, an improvement on the previous quarter but still well below the "satisfactory" target of 60.

Capital city fare comparison

Prices for weekday train travel on a single adult ticket, or like fare.

Sydney

My Train

Adult single

    $3.60 = 10 kilometres
    $4.40 = 20 kilometres
    $5.00 = 35 kilometres

Melbourne

Myki (Train travel)

Adult single

    $3.50 = 10 kilometres (Southern Cross to Strathmore is roughly 10 kilometres)
    $5.92 = 20 kilometres (Southern Cross to Roxburgh Park is roughly 20 kilometres)
    $5.92 = 35 kilometres (Southern Cross to Dandenong is roughly 30 kilometres)*

*Melbourne city train lines fall into two zones. Travel in the inner city zone is cheaper than the outer city zone, with travel across the two zones capped at $5.92 for a single adult trip (ticket valid for two hours).

Brisbane

Translink – (Train travel)

Adult single

    $3.85 = 10 kilometres (Central to Morningside is 10.5 kilometres)
    $4.56 = 20 kilometres (Central to Wynnum North is 20.8 kilometres)
    $6.55 = 35 kilometres (Central to Ormiston is 35.6 kilometres)

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-transport-gains-dubious-title-20130107-2ccl7.html#ixzz2HGxoRHXB

[ozbob]

Total delusion in George St .... 

[ozbob]

Media release 7th January 2013

SEQ: TransLink versus TransPerth

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public
transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted the 7.5% fare rises.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The recent fare increases will hit residents in the suburbs of Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest
hard as these areas are public transport 'no go' zones and now they are paying 7.5% more for
it. High frequency bus services should be extended to these areas as a priority, and in particular to Bulimba."

"Rail users will also be disproportionately affected as much of the network
runs sub-par 30 minute frequency outside of peak hour. The exception here is the Ferny Grove Line,
however even this is a partial upgrade, interpeak only and where frequent service is not available on weekends."

"Perth's system provides a stark comparison to the situation here in Brisbane. Not only does Perth have
fewer people and a smaller network than Brisbane, they have now eclipsed Brisbane in carrying patronage,
provide double the train service frequency to all stations on all lines all day, and not only that,
charge less than TransLink does for comparable journeys.* Perth also runs identical trains to Queensland Rail."

"If anything is clear, we need a review of TransLink fares. These fare increases are significantly
above CPI and also above weekly wage growth. On trains, passengers are not getting value for money
due to low frequency for most of the day. Where is the money going and what is driving such huge
increases?"

"We just can't afford to not have a proper detailed fare review, with public consultation."

References:

* TransPerth Perth CBD to Mandurah, 70 km, adult pm peak hour - $9.40
* TransLink Brisbane CBD to Helensvale, 68.2 km adult pm peak hour $10.53

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

FARE HIKES  Channel 10 News

[ozbob]

... The spokesman said a transport policy introduced in 2010 by the previous Labor government led to south-east Queensland taking the top spot on the ticket-price ladder.

But he confirmed that the Liberal National Party Government was still committed to another 7.5 per cent increase in 2014, half of what was previously scheduled.

These people do not deserve to be in Government.  Simply accepting the fact fares in SEQ are amongst the most expensive in the world, let alone Australia, and then threatening further price increases is just contemptible.

Any competent Government would be setting out to sort out the fare fail, and in so doing improve the fare box and increase public transport usage with the delivery of the broad economic benefits.

Might be time to resign and let others who will get on with the job do so ....

[somebody]

Might be time to resign and let others who will get on with the job do so ....

Might have been more fairly levelled at Labor.

Not sure if this has been posted, but this is an interview with the Minister: http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/4bc-blog/public-transport-or-roads/20130104-2c7tf.html#.UOtJ8tH7s5Y

Pretty uninspiring, but there it is.

[ozbob]

I was referring more to portfolio allocations.  There are a number of Members in the LNP government who would actually love to be given the opportunity to fix the mess I would suggest ...  just carrying on with Labor's flawed desperation fare strategy in essence is idiotic, to say the least.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Kimmy ‏@MissChismis

@brisbanetimes You know it's getting bad when people who've been taking public transport for years now drive into work cos it's cheaper.
Retweeted by Brisbane Times

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane Times ‏@brisbanetimes

Poll: What do you think about the Queensland public transport price hikes? http://bit.ly/UEpxvs

[Stillwater]

Good points.  Even last night, Mr Emerson was on TV proclaiming the same old ALP boogyman argument.  He was saying Labor would have increased fares 15 per cent, LNP has halved the rate of increase, therefore people are better off.  The minister is like a worn record on this point, and he sees things as a political battle.  It has politicised transport in Queensland to buggery and this is not productive. 

Mr Emerson also runs a department where the heavy hand of politics restricts the public servants from doing their jobs effectively.  And, as we know, Treasury hovers over all government operations and sees transport as a cost bleeder.  It is the wrong political atmosphere and not conducive to consideration of creative and productive 'what if' scenarios. 

The philosophy seems to be to bunker down... we have a good political spin (15 per cent versus 7.5 per cent) ... let's keep hitting that and we will be safe.  Of course, the public don't want 'safe' (safe for government, not them), they want a workable solution that allows greater use of public transport. 

In some sort of bizarre and perverse way, the LNP is working towards reducing patronage and increasing PT costs.  It is the dog chasing its tail.  But we are all better off, we are told, because we have free travel after 9 journeys.  The minister is convinced of his own political mantra.  He needs a new mantra and it is up to brave public servants to work out a way to present it to him, and have him buy it.  Unfortunately, the minister is stuck in election campaign mode.

The minister has made the situation political, and that is where the battle must be fought, unfortunately.

When the mess surrounding Mr Caltabiano is sorted out, perhaps the political solution would be to have a mini reshuffle of ministerial portfolios, with Mr Emerson being shifted to somewhere more suited to his talents.

[mufreight]

Suggested new position for Minister Emerson, the toilets on the ICE set I rode on a few weeks ago were decidedly grotty so give him a toothbrush and a bottle of Jiff and he would be gainfully employed at a job in keeping with his capabilities.   

[somebody]

Suggested new position for Minister Emerson, the toilets on the ICE set I rode on a few weeks ago were decidedly grotty so give him a toothbrush and a bottle of Jiff and he would be gainfully employed at a job in keeping with his capabilities.   

That's not helpful.  He's better than Minister Nolan was.

[Fares_Fair]

Indeed Simon, he is.

On Monday morning he held a 30 minute twitter session with the public under the hashtag title of #Scottonthebus.
Whilst his answers were expected (for my question at least).
The first was answered in the style of political generality... here this will give you an idea:

Scott Emerson‏@scottemersonmp
Hi everyone. About to jump on the bus to work & have 30mins free to answer any questions you have on changes to fares today. #Scottonthebus

Jeff Addison‏@Jeffrey_Addison
@scottemersonmp Hello Scott, Will the fare increases help speed up timeframe for North Coast Line rail duplication? #Scottonthebus

Scott Emerson‏@scottemersonmp
@Jeffrey_Addison Hi Jeff. Getting the State's finances back under control will help us afford new infrastructure.

Jeff Addison‏@Jeffrey_Addison
@scottemersonmp Thank you. Does that infrastructure include duplication of NCL? I ask 'cause new Transp Serv. Contract due on 1 July

As you can see I asked for clarification on the previous politically general statement .. and got no reply.
Specific answers that address the intent of the questions seem a no no.

Having said that, credit where credit is due in that he made himself available to commuters on the day of the fare hike.
Former Minister Nolan would never have done that.
Minister Palaszczuk also would never have done that, though she did once infer via twitter, that a public transport boycott was a failure.

[Set in train]

In some sort of bizarre and perverse way, the LNP is working towards reducing patronage and increasing PT costs.  It is the dog chasing its tail.  But we are all better off, we are told, because we have free travel after 9 journeys.  The minister is convinced of his own political mantra.  He needs a new mantra and it is up to brave public servants to work out a way to present it to him, and have him buy it.  Unfortunately, the minister is stuck in election campaign mode.

If the Minister really thinks we are better off as we have free travel after 9 journeys, how about he provide an option of 9 1-zone journeys paid for and then see how well off his budget is!

The twitter 'conversation' was his hallmark style: stick to message, repeat message ad nauseum and never provide a specific answer. To me it shows someone who is comfortable with safe responses and no confidence to provide the right response.

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-live-at-work-tuesday-january-8-2013-20130107-2ccc8.html#poll

Poll: What do you think about the Queensland public transport price hikes?

They're fine, the government needs to pay for a quality service. And people should have to pay for it. 6%

They're fine, but how about a review of the zoning system? 8%

Price hikes are okay, but not every year. 10%

They're horrendous. We're being ripped off. 61%

I don't know, but I'd like to see Campbell Newman ride the bus every day. 15%

Total votes: 429.

Disclaimer:

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-live-at-work-tuesday-january-8-2013-20130107-2ccc8.html

[ozbob]

A letter to the editor Queensland Times 9th January 2013 page 9

Fare hikes lead to loss of economies

[ozbob]

I was interviewed on 4BC afternoon radio around 12.35pm today.  Host John Scott, topic fares but particularly Seniors/Pensioners.

Thanks for the interest 4BC.

[Stillwater]

Bus trip sours holidays for Melbourne tourists.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/52-bus-fare-shocks/1713714/

[ozbob]

Bus trip sours holidays for Melbourne tourists.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/52-bus-fare-shocks/1713714/

GET RID OF PAPER!!

And sort out the fare table ...

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Unfare - family's $52 return bus trip from Maroochydore to Noosa

Unfare - family's $52 return bus trip from Maroochydore to Noosa
Richard Bruinsma 11th Jan 2013 5:42 AM

THE State Government has no hope of boosting use of Sunshine Coast public transport until it is made cheaper and more convenient.

A visiting Melbourne family felt the sting this week, after it cost them $52 for a return trip from Maroochydore to Noosa on Tuesday.

"I was shocked," Warren Thomas, whose family is staying with friends in Maroochydore, said.

"It was $26 one way - and in Melbourne it would have cost us probably $13 - and that was including a pensioner discount card and student card.

"If they didn't have that, it would have been nearly $80.

"I could have hired a car at that price and had all-day trips."

Cr Jenny McKay, who has long agonised over the Coast's public transport issue, said it was no surprise those prices scared people off using buses.

"I can fully understand, if it costs that much to go from Maroochydore to Noosa and back again, that people are not going to get out of the car," she said.

A spokeswoman for Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson noted the Maroochydore-Noosa trip would have cost the family $28 on GoCard, available for $5. She added that the GoCard could be returned and the $5 refunded when it was no longer required.

That said, Cr McKay added there didn't seem to be a clear answer to fixing the entrenched lack of support for public transport locally.

"I drive around and I look in the buses, and sometimes I wonder how lonely the driver must be," Cr McKay said.

"What takes you 10 minutes in a car, if it takes you an hour (by bus), you're not going to do it.

"If the bus doesn't leave when you need it to leave, or if doesn't connect with the buses you need, please tell us, otherwise we can't try anything new."

A suggestion to triple the number of buses and halve the prices might succeed, but it is considered financially unviable.

Mr Emerson's spokeswoman said the government had already noted increased patronage on public buses after the introduction of initiatives costing $200 million over four years.

"(It) will provide free travel after nine weekly journeys for GoCard users - introduced in June - and halve the 15% fare hikes in 2013 and 2014," she said.

"We are committed to getting people back on to public transport."

The latest cost concerns follow the provision of free buses over Christmas and the new year, a service designed to reduce traffic congestion in tourist hubs.

Figures for how many people used the free service were not yet available yesterday. A double-decker bus brought in last December to promote the free service will continue operating the Caloundra to Noosa route until February 1.

Meanwhile, the Melbourne family is planning a return trip to Noosa today - but they will borrow their host's car to save money.

[ozbob]

Time to learn some new lines ...

Mr Emerson's spokeswoman said the government had already noted increased patronage on public buses after the introduction of initiatives costing $200 million over four years.

"(It) will provide free travel after nine weekly journeys for GoCard users - introduced in June - and halve the 15% fare hikes in 2013 and 2014," she said.

Sorry spokeswoman, the five year fair fail is in free fall to oblivion ....

[Stillwater]

And what of today's 'comprehensive announcement'?

[ozbob]

And what of today's 'comprehensive announcement'?

No smoke signals seen yet ...  then again, fair bit of haze around today ..

[Stillwater]

^ Several possibilities:

Mr Emerson's proposed announcement would have been swamped by the announcement of a royal commission into child sex abuse, and was delayed.

Mr Emerson will proceed because his announcement is not that good, or 'comprehensive' and he wants the news buried by a more substantial announcement by the Prime Minister.

Mr Emerson's office can't organise itself, or announcement was half-baked and was pulled until detail finalised.

[somebody]

Good news announcements are rarely made Friday afternoon.  The day's not over yet though.

[Stillwater]

I know what you are saying, Simon, but it was a ministerial spokesperson who said that Mr Emerson would be making a 'comprehensive announcement' today.  It would seem that a decision has been made for a statement to be released, your pertinent observations not withstanding.

Another possibility is that announcement has been embargoed until evening news bulletins.

[ozbob]

Or perhaps given to the Courier Mail for publication overnight ...   

I actually think Governments and their Ministers would be better off sacking all the so called " advisors " and employ one assistant to type up the odd statement.  No need for stupid strategies and the like, and the constant media and public manipulation.  There is a public service.

Advisors tend to be party faithful, all parties, a cost that has to be paid for, and for what.  Spin and bull, twisted truths and untruths ....

[somebody]

It worked for Sir Joh, but I suspect that the world has moved on.

[ozbob]

For a while ... then they got real carried away ... lol