Thumbs down for Queensland's public transport system

A HIGH-level survey for the Bligh Government has confirmed that commuter satisfaction with Queensland's public transport system has plummeted.

It found public regard for the rail, bus and ferry system had "significantly decreased", both for regular users and those who travelled on public transport only occasionally.

In a blow for the Government, the survey showed that public transport's overall performance rating was at its lowest in 10 years.

The results of the annual AC Nielsen survey come as the state's transport bosses are being accused of paying more attention to money-spinning sectors, such as freight, at the expense of passenger transport.

They also follow last week's admission by Queensland Rail that up to one in five of its peak-hour trains are overcrowded.

A report on the survey, tabled in Parliament last week, describes a public transport system that more people use but fewer are satisfied with. More than 3000 people were asked to rate public transport services on a scale of one to five on criteria such as reliability.

The survey, conducted each year since 1998, found the performance of public transport has generally rated lower each year, with the decline accelerating in recent years.

Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament last week the AC Nielsen research was a factor in her decision to establish the South East Queensland Transit Authority.

The Courier Mail

Passengers flee bus inferno

PASSENGERS on board a translink bus have escaped injury after the vehicle burst into flames just south of the Houghton Highway Bridge at Brighton.

The 27 passengers on board, including school students, got off the bus safely when the fire broke out in the engine compartment just after 8am.

The driver pulled over and evacuated the 47-seater bus when he noticed smoke coming from the vehicle.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service senior operations coordinator Barry Pearce said the fire itself was relatively small and quickly extinguished.

"We had one crew there and a man in breathing apparatus, just making the scene safe," he said.

Emergency crews remain at the scene and two southbound lanes of the Deagon Deviation are closed before the Holmes Street overpass.

A Translink spokesman said all of those on board were transferred to another bus and continued on with their journey.

The Courier Mail

South East Busway Extention

Planning is underway to extend the South East Busway to Springwood.

Details can be viewed at Translink's Website.

Public Transport Fares Rise

Just a reminder that Translink fares have risen today and new Go discount have come into effect too, which has been mentioned in an earlier post.

To view the new fares Click Here

Bus Driver

Exhitbition Holiday Services Effective 13 August 2008

Exhibition Holiday services - effective 13 August 2008

Bribie Island Coaches
weekday timetable
Brisbane City Council Ferries
CityCat: weekend and public holiday timetable
CityFerry: Monday - Sunday timetable
Brisbane Transport
Sunday timetable, plus Ekka shuttle bus services
Caboolture Bus Lines
weekday timetable
Hornibrook Bus Lines
Saturday timetable
Kangaroo Bus Lines
weekday timetable
Laidley Bus Service
weekday timetable
Logan City Bus Service
Saturday timetable
Mt Gravatt Bus Service
Saturday timetable
Park Ridge Transit
Saturday timetable
QR
Sunday timetable, plus additional services
Sunbus
weekday timetable
Surfside Bus Lines
weekday timetable
Thompsons Bus Service
weekend timetable
Veolia Transport
Saturday timetable
Westside Bus Service
Saturday timetable

Bligh pressures Translink to deal with stranded children issue

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the public transport authority, Translink, should use its legislative powers to ensure bus companies are meeting their contract requirements.

Parents on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane's bayside have complained that bus drivers failed to pick up children waiting at school bus stops.

Ms Bligh says children should never be left behind.

She said she met the new board of Translink yesterday and told them customer service had to be a priority.

"We contract private buses out in places like Ormiston where there isn't a public bus company and I expect them to live up to their contracts," she said.

"If they're not, we've given them the legislative teeth and the grunt to make sure that we can use those contracts to enforce the appropriate behaviours.

"Children should never be left behind at bus stops waiting on dedicated school routes that we're subsidising."

I actually met with the new board of the new Translink authority yesterday, [I] said to them that one of my key priorities was for Translink to have a much much better customer focus."

ABC Online

Temporary power outage to go card equipment - effective 18 July 2008

Please be advised that due to QR upgrade work on electrical boards at the following stations, go card readers and fare machines at the following stations will be temporarily unavailable.

Coopers Plains - Friday 18 July 2008, 10am – 11.30am
Banoon - Friday 18 July 2008, 12pm – 1.30pm
Kuraby - Monday 21 July 2008. 10am - 11.30am
Altandi - Monday 21 July 2008, 12pm - 1.30 pm
Runcorn - Tuesday 22 July 2008, 10am - 11.30am
Fruitgrove - Tuesday 22 July 2008, 12pm - 1.30pm

Customers will not be able to use the fare machines to purchase paper tickets or top up their go cards. Customers should proceed to the ticket office to purchase a valid ticket for travel.

go card holders who are unable to touch off at these stations due to these works, should contact TransLink on 13 12 30 to have their card balance adjusted to the correct fare.

go card holders, travelling from these stations may not be able to touch on during these works.

If no available card readers are working, go card holders are able to travel for free for this journey only and are not required to touch off at the destination station.

Translink Website