Queensland State Budget 2013/2014

[somebody]

$68.4 million towards construction of a third track from Lawton to Petrie, at a
total estimated cost of $168.6 million

Yet another high-ish priced rail infrastructure project which will deliver little to nothing, and will be half baked and likely better quadded if the NWTC goes through.

One would hope that the bridge will be constructed for two rather than one track allowing for future quading of the line between Petrie and Northgate, even if done in stages.

I'm impressed by your optimism.

[SurfRail]

I agree with Simon.  We've set ourselves up for heartbreak so much it's difficult to assume anything will be done properly.

I think we need to start getting on their hammer about this now to use what limited play we have to ensure this doesn't end up like Darra to Corinda.

[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