Statement: Government’s second six month plan launched

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Monday, January 14, 2013

Government's second six month plan launched

Premier Campbell Newman today announced $18.4 million in funding for 130 new ambulances to be delivered across Queensland as part of the LNP Government's second Six Month Action Plan.

Mr Newman said the new Six Month Plan outlined 148 priority actions to further boost jobs and the state's economy, make the community safer, and increase government accountability.

"The Six Month Action Plan clearly outlines for all Queenslanders the priorities for this government till July 2013," Mr Newman said.

"Delivering on this plan will further boost business confidence and job opportunities, continue to streamline government procedures and reduce the cost of living for Queensland families.

"This is a government that gets on with the job and delivers on what it promises.  Every item in our initial 100 Day Plan and first Six Month Action Plan has been delivered, and we will continue to deliver for Queenslanders over the next six months and beyond."

Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey said the Queensland Ambulance Service would see an injection of life-saving staff and equipment in the coming months.

"Queenslanders can expect to see even more paramedics on the road with 60 additional ambulance officers to be hired in the coming months," Mr Dempsey said.

"These highly trained officers will take positions across the state, delivering world class care to Queenslanders day and night.

"The officers will be supported by state-of-the-art equipment with 130 new ambulances to be delivered to ambulance stations across Queensland.

"Each ambulance is fitted out with the latest life-saving technology arranged ergonomically and with input from ambulance officers."

The Six Month Action Plan, from January to July 2013, clearly sets out actions divided under the five key areas – law and community safety, environment and resources, health and community development, economic growth and infrastructure, and government and accountability.

Some of the 148 actions in the Six Month Action Plan include:

·         130 new and replacement ambulance vehicles and an additional 60 ambulance officers

·         Conduct and promote a statewide amnesty campaign for illegal and unregistered firearms

·         Employ an additional 10 Indigenous rangers in Far North Queensland

·         Develop and publish standardised outcome-focused model conditions for mining approvals

·         Release government's youth strategy

·         Commence implementing the government response to Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce final report recommendations

·         Open new schools at Pimpama and Mackay

·         Funding for 700 schools to clear maintenance backlog

·         Implement new patient travel subsidy scheme

·         Establish Queensland Mental Health Commission

·         Launch 30 year strategic plan for Queensland agriculture

·         Develop 30 year water strategy and release for public consultation

·         Establish Economic Development Queensland

·         Finalise Commonwealth Games masterplanning

·         Commence construction on 1 William Street project

·         Streamline blue card application process.

Mr Newman encouraged all Queenslanders to log on to www.qld.gov.au and download a copy of the plan to keep track of the Government's achievements.

"The LNP has made significant progress to get Queensland back on track and we will continue to work hard to get things done for Queensland families."

[ENDS] 14 January 2013

[Mr X]

Good to see 1 William Street is a go

[somebody]

What is happening with the "Next Generation Rollingstock" program.  Shouldn't that be included?

And the Robina stabling.

[BrizCommuter]

Page 6 - "Announce a new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland"

? ? ?

[Arnz]

Arnz is indeed interested in the statement on Page 6 as outlined above, and what it'll mean for short 1-3 zone trips.

[somebody]

Page 6 - "Announce a new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland"

Wow.  Looks like the lobbying has been successful.

[Arnz]

It's a matter of wait and see within the 6 month period.  Could be some improvement, it couldn't get any worse than the current structure now.

[Stillwater]

Maybe there will be some money in the state budget to upgrade go-card capability and allow for a wider offering of fare products.

[somebody]

I say that it can get worse.  They could go for a flat fare structure.  Or a loadable periodical.  Or remove off peak discounts.  Or remove the coasts.  Or reduce the number of zones.

[Golliwog]

What about the one right above that: "Announce new routes for innovative high productivity heavy vehicles across Queensland."

I believe "high productivity heavy vehicles" are typically called B-triples. Unless they're planning a new freight railway...

[Stillwater]

yes, spin for B-triples

Elsewhere in the six-month action plan:
•   Release the Freight Strategy for Queensland for consultation
•   Commence trialling new Rail Level Crossing Technology.
•   Engage private sector to undertake the Coorparoo TOD project.
•   Improve reliability by rolling out maintenance management on the rail network.
•   Finalise options for changes to the bus network as part of the TransLink South East Queensland bus review.
•   Commence turn left on red trial at the Gold Coast.

[ozbob]

Page 6 - "Announce a new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland"

? ? ?

All praise to the gods of fares ...   

[somebody]

What about the one right above that: "Announce new routes for innovative high productivity heavy vehicles across Queensland."

I believe "high productivity heavy vehicles" are typically called B-triples. Unless they're planning a new freight railway...

Couldn't it be B-Doubles?

[Golliwog]

What about the one right above that: "Announce new routes for innovative high productivity heavy vehicles across Queensland."

I believe "high productivity heavy vehicles" are typically called B-triples. Unless they're planning a new freight railway...

Couldn't it be B-Doubles?

True. Interested to see what makes whatever these vehicles are 'innovative' though.

[somebody]

Page 6 - "Announce a new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland"

? ? ?

All praise to the gods of fares ...   

You must be delighted by this.

[ozbob]

  Seems so there will be a fare review.  We might seek some clarification but it is certainly looking like the real McCoy ...

I have detected a change in the rhetoric, and as I posted in the Gold Coast Interurban thread there was tacit acknowledgement this morning that a new fare strategy is needed, and that was encouraging.

The Government will gain credibility by acknowledging the fare strategy is off the rails and set about fixing now.

[Stillwater]

So, 23 zones stay and a new fare structure will be built around that.  And within six months.  Will there be a call for public submissions about what's required, or will existing consultative groups advising QR/government be utilised?

[ozbob]

Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland.

Page 6

Six month action plan (January–June 2013)

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf

[petey3801]

Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland.

Page 6

Six month action plan (January–June 2013)

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf

Shhhh, you're not supposed to notice that!! 

[Derwan]

Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland.

But they'll still put the fares up by 7.5%!!

[BrizCommuter]

Didn't they announce the fare review in the previous 6 month plan?

No sector 2 timetables in the plan?

[mufreight]

Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland.

But they'll still put the fares up by 7.5%!!

Obvious that is the new fare structure, a 7.5% increase.

[somebody]

A broken promise, but not a broken election promise.

[ozbob]

Not it is not mu ..

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2012/10/25/affordability-up-on-lnp-fare-package

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

25th October 2012

Affordability up on LNP fare package

The Newman Government's moves to tackle cost of living pressures on South-East Queensland public transport users, continues to be welcomed by passengers and their hip pockets.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said in the first quarter (July to September) since the Government introduced free travel after nine weekly journeys, customer satisfaction for affordability had improved, compared to the final two quarters under Labor's failed fare policy.

"Both patronage and customer satisfaction have gone up since the Newman Government delivered fare relief for passengers on June 25," Mr Emerson said.

"These are encouraging signs after four years of declining patronage and satisfaction under Labor."

Satisfaction with affordability on trains fell to a record low score of 45 in the January to March 2012 quarter, but has recovered to 50 in the July to September quarter following the start of the LNP's $9 million investment in affordability.

"Similarly, bus affordability hit a record low score of 51 in January to March 2012, but has recovered to 54 in the July-to-September quarter," he said.

The Q4 2011/12 TransLink Tracker highlights the final quarter under Labor's public transport policies with patronage falling to a four-year low of 178.3 million, almost eight million below budget.

"However patronage has increased since the LNP's fare policy, by more than 600,000 trips between July and September," Mr Emerson said.

"Free travel after nine journeys is a success with passengers enjoying up to 200,000 free weekly trips.

"We will also be halving Labor's planned fare hikes in January 2013 and January 2014.

"As part of our plan to get people back on public transport, frequency and reliability have also been improving with 28 new daily weekday train services introduced earlier this month."

Customer satisfaction (affordability)

Train Bus Ferry

Q2 2011/12
   
52 57 61

Q3 2011/12 *
   
45 51 53

Q4 2011/12
   
48 52 54

Q1 2012/13 **
   
50 54 57

* Measures following Labor's third 15 per cent fare increase

** Measures following the introduction of free travel after nine journeys

Long before the Premiers second 6 month action plan ..

[ozbob]

New fare structure < --- 

[#Metro]

Satisfaction with affordability on trains fell to a record low score of 45 in the January to March 2012 quarter, but has recovered to 50 in the July to September quarter following the start of the LNP's $9 million investment in affordability.

This is just hocus pocus economics - failure to relive the fundamental cost pressures, particularly in the BT bus network and the inefficiency generated by not having buses feed trains will mean that while the fares may temporarily be stayed, the cost pressures will still increase - ultimately resulting in a cost explosion.

The cost didn't go down - instead the fare increase will still happen, but the true extent of that is just masked by the extra money the gov threw in.

[SurfRail]

Bob - what kind of contact do we actually have with anybody holding the reins at present? 

For the better part of the last year, it seems like we have not been getting anything at all other than the occasional briefing/meeting with QR/TL. 

Are we actually in any kind of dialogue with the politicos?  (Local MPs, Minnikin/Emerson)

[ozbob]

PTAG.  Meetings with MPs etc. is up to individuals.

[ozbob]

Satisfaction with affordability on trains fell to a record low score of 45 in the January to March 2012 quarter, but has recovered to 50 in the July to September quarter following the start of the LNP's $9 million investment in affordability.

This is just hocus pocus economics - failure to relive the fundamental cost pressures, particularly in the BT bus network and the inefficiency generated by not having buses feed trains will mean that while the fares may temporarily be stayed, the cost pressures will still increase - ultimately resulting in a cost explosion.

The cost didn't go down - instead the fare increase will still happen, but the true extent of that is just masked by the extra money the gov threw in.

The whole accounting process for the free after nine or ten is rather nebulous at best ..

For example, when convenient, the Government likes to spin the fact that the subsidy per average  trip is roughly $6 and fares $2.

So the journey to work Friday morning costs on average $8, but the journey home (assuming 10th journey reached) only costs $2 according to the spin merchants ...

It is time that the correct approach is taken.  A proper fare review with a fare system that will reverse the slide at present ...

[Fares_Fair]

Water, power ... now add fare increases to the list
Sunshine Coast Daily, p12
by Kathy Sundstrom

http://m.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/water-power-now-add-fare-increases-to-the-list/1897166/

Water, power ... now add fare increases to the list

Kathy Sundstrom |
6th June 2013 6:13 AM

Public transport costs are about to rise.

PUBLIC transport in Queensland will go up by 7.5% from January 1, 2014, making the system one of the most expensive in the world.

Sunshine Coast rail commuter Jeff Addison was at a loss to understand the increase announced in Tuesday's state budget.

He points to Premier Campbell Newman's promised review of the fare structure as part of Queensland's six-month action plan for January to June this year.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson's office is saying the Government has delivered on its promise by halving the former Labor government's scheduled 15% price increase.

But Mr Addison, who travels daily to work in Brisbane by train, calculates he will have to budget an extra $449 a year for his fares, with the cost of a single journey to Brisbane with a Go Card rising from $13.81 to $14.85.

"This is amongst all the other increases we have to budget for, such as electricity and water," he said.

"We were behind London and Oslo (in public transport costs), but we are now pushing them out of the top spot."

Mr Addison said the increases would "kill patronage levels" on public transport, which he understood the Government had hoped to increase.

The fare increase applies to all forms of public transport, including buses and ferries.

Mr Addison said Queensland was the only state that did not offer a concession to the unemployed and low-income earners who had a Health Care Card.

Mr Emerson's spokesman said "due to the debt left by Labor", the Government was not in a position to provide additional concessions.

He said affordability was a "major issue across south-east Queensland", which was why the Government had "delivered our promise for free travel after nine weekly journeys and halving Labor's hikes".

[somebody]

Transport Minister Scott Emerson's office is saying the Government has delivered on its promise by halving the former Labor government's scheduled 15% price increase.

Oh come on.  They might have delivered on their pre-election promise but they have not delivered on their post election promise.

[ozbob]

Transport Minister Scott Emerson's office is saying the Government has delivered on its promise by halving the former Labor government's scheduled 15% price increase.

Oh come on.  They might have delivered on their pre-election promise but they have not delivered on their post election promise.

Indeed, although June has a way to go ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th June 2013

Re: Queensland: State Budget 2013/14 - some good news some not so good news

Greetings,

Confirming in the 2013/14 Queensland Budget that fares are going to increase yet again in 2014 by 7.5% is not a new fare structure.

Confirming that the free after 9 fare rort is to continue is not a new fare structure.  ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9502.msg127364#msg127364 )

Many people now freely confess to taking extra journeys on Mondays/Tuesdays to position themselves for the ' free travel ' rort for the rest of the working week.

The whole accounting process for the free after nine or ten is rather nebulous at best.

For example, when convenient, the Government likes to spin the fact that the subsidy per average  trip is roughly $6 and fares $2.

So the journey to work Friday morning costs on average $8, but the journey home (assuming 10th journey reached) only costs $2 according to the spin merchants.

It is time that the correct approach is taken.  A proper fare review with a fare system that will reverse the slide at present.

This fare box leakage is becoming massive, and is only sustainable by the massive fare increases.

Affordability is at the lowest levels ever.  Patronage continues to stall.

A Government that is actually in control would act to reverse the trends of increasing subsidy, worsening affordability and stagnation in patronage.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 5th June 2013



Queensland:  State Budget 2013/14 - some good news some not so good news

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 said the 2013/2014 budget has some good news and some bad news for public and active transport (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A number of public transport infrastructure projects continue, for example Moreton Bay Rail Link, Gold Coast Light Railway.  There are also some other important initiatives such as bus stations and a busway extension, as well as support for active transport. Some track and signalling upgrades are also flagged. All this is essential to correctly position the public and active  transport network."

"Of major concern though is the fare fail stalemate for SEQ."

"The present 5 year fare path has been a failure (2). When introduced  in 2010 the high fare increase regime was designed to reduce the State Government fare subsidy from 75% to 70%.  Go Card fare increases of 20% in 2010, followed by 15% in 2011 and 2012, with 7.5% in 2013 and as projected in the budget for 2013/14 a further 7.5% has failed.  These massive fare increases have been even greater for paper tickets.  What this has done has driven patronage down and fare affordability has never been worse."

"Rather then continuing with the present 5 year fare path, it is time to introduce a new fare system, that makes public transport first choice, and actually improves the fare box."

"The Premier in the six month action plan released January this year, flagged a new fare structure for public transport in SEQ (3).  There is no sign of this in the budget."

"Fixing the fare system will actually generate more fare box, generate very significant macro economic benefits in terms of congestion improvements, road trauma costs reduced, lessened environmental impacts.  In so doing also achieve a reduction in the subsidy and improve things financially."

"The present fares are a massive failure. Time it was fixed, urgently."

References:

1. http://budget.qld.gov.au/budget-papers/2013-14/bp3-3-2013-14.pdf

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9292.msg125413#msg125413

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9502.msg117185#msg117185

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

4BC News have followed up, thanks for the interest!

[somebody]

4BC News have followed up, thanks for the interest!

Do we know what they broadcast, or if they haven't done so, when?

[ozbob]

4BC News have followed up, thanks for the interest!

Do we know what they broadcast, or if they haven't done so, when?

Hopefully in news bulletins during the day ...

[ozbob]

Progress update --> http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress.aspx

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

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 47m

@QGovMO Rubbish, a new fare structure has not been put it place. more of the same mediocrity, crisis affordability patronage .. #Qldpol