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

[ozbob]

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]

Budget discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9977.msg127292#msg127292