POLICE are searching for a woman passenger on board a Gold Coast bus who punched its female driver in the face after a dispute over an expired ticket.
The woman was attempting to board a bus at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre about 2.20pm (AEST) on Wednesday, but was told to leave when she produced an expired ticket.
Police allege after a verbal argument, the passenger punched the 53-year-old driver, causing bruising to her left eye, and fled the scene.
The driver continued her run and did not report the incident until yesterday.
Acting senior sergeant Steve Keeling today made an appeal for witnesses to the incident to come forward, saying there were a number of fellow passengers aboard the bus and waiting at the stop.
The incident follows robbery attacks on bus drivers in Surfers Paradise in early February.
"It is a disturbing trend when anyone who is providing a service to the public is assaulted in this manner," Snr Sgt Keeling told reporters.
The woman is described as being of Aboriginal or Pacific Islander appearance, about 170cm tall, of solid build and wearing a black top and knee-length brown skirt.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Courier Mail
Friday, May 30, 2008
$25 penalty for Go Card errors
COMMUTERS will be slugged with a new $25 penalty if they fail to use the troublesome public transport smartcard correctly on trains to Brisbane Airport.
A leaked TransLink memo reveals the "fixed fare" for Go Card users who fail to "touch off" properly on Airtrain services from this weekend regardless of journey costs.
Translink originally charged $15 penalties for normal CityTrain services but backed down, reducing the fee to $5. A plan to again raise it has been delayed.
Transport Minister John Mickel rejected responsibility for the penalty size on his own department's product, saying Airtrain - a private operator - made the decision."Our responsibility is to ensure that if there is an error with the Go Card system the commuter receives a refund," Mr Mickel said in a statement.
His comments come after The Courier-Mail revealed commuters were being robbed of refunds due to a secret five-week limit not included in terms and conditions.
Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said the growing disincentives would make commuters wonder why they should ditch paper tickets.
He said the constant touchpad errors and overcharging needed fixing before large penalties were dished out."
He blamed the flu for the train cancellations, he blamed the bus drivers for Go Card problems and now he blames Airtrain for this," he said.
The TransLink memo also reveals frequent user discounts will be phased out eventually for trips on the Airtrain line.
The Courier Mail
A leaked TransLink memo reveals the "fixed fare" for Go Card users who fail to "touch off" properly on Airtrain services from this weekend regardless of journey costs.
Translink originally charged $15 penalties for normal CityTrain services but backed down, reducing the fee to $5. A plan to again raise it has been delayed.
Transport Minister John Mickel rejected responsibility for the penalty size on his own department's product, saying Airtrain - a private operator - made the decision."Our responsibility is to ensure that if there is an error with the Go Card system the commuter receives a refund," Mr Mickel said in a statement.
His comments come after The Courier-Mail revealed commuters were being robbed of refunds due to a secret five-week limit not included in terms and conditions.
Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said the growing disincentives would make commuters wonder why they should ditch paper tickets.
He said the constant touchpad errors and overcharging needed fixing before large penalties were dished out."
He blamed the flu for the train cancellations, he blamed the bus drivers for Go Card problems and now he blames Airtrain for this," he said.
The TransLink memo also reveals frequent user discounts will be phased out eventually for trips on the Airtrain line.
The Courier Mail
Monday, May 26, 2008
Translink Transit Authority Board Annouced
TransLink Transit Authority board
The TransLink Transit Authority Board includes seven members. Unlike an Advisory Board, the TransLink Transit Authority Board will be a Management Board with the capacity to make decisions for the Authority, and the CEO will be accountable to the Board.
Members of the Board will also be involved in the recruitment process for the TTA's CEO.The board will include:
Chairperson - Mr Geoff Harley
Mr Harley has practised law for over 35 years, most recently as Partner-in-Charge of Clayton Utz. He has previously served as Chairperson of Ergon Energy as well as various other Director and Chairperson roles.
Board member - Bruce Wilson
Bruce Wilson is the Director-General of Queensland Transport. Bruce is the current longest-service DG in the Queensland Government.
Board member - Jude Munro
Ms Munro has been CEO for the Brisbane City Council for over seven years, and has also served as the CEO of the City of Adelaide, CEO of the new City of Moreland in Victoria and CEO of the former City of St Kilda.
Board member - Richard Mathews
Most recently, Mr Mathews has served as CEO of Mincom Limited.
Board member - Chris Freeman
Mr Freeman has held senior roles in the property development industry including a period as Executive Director of the Sunland Group Ltd and is currently Queensland Chief Executive of the Mirvac Group.
Board member - Helen Gluer
Ms Gluer's 25 years experience in the banking, finance and infrastructure sectors have contributed to her current role as CEO of the Tarong Energy Corporation, a position she took up after nearly seven years as Chief Financial Officer for the Brisbane City Council.
Board member - Brett Godfrey
Mr Godfrey is currently the CEO of Virgin Blue.
Taken from Translink's Website
The TransLink Transit Authority Board includes seven members. Unlike an Advisory Board, the TransLink Transit Authority Board will be a Management Board with the capacity to make decisions for the Authority, and the CEO will be accountable to the Board.
Members of the Board will also be involved in the recruitment process for the TTA's CEO.The board will include:
Chairperson - Mr Geoff Harley
Mr Harley has practised law for over 35 years, most recently as Partner-in-Charge of Clayton Utz. He has previously served as Chairperson of Ergon Energy as well as various other Director and Chairperson roles.
Board member - Bruce Wilson
Bruce Wilson is the Director-General of Queensland Transport. Bruce is the current longest-service DG in the Queensland Government.
Board member - Jude Munro
Ms Munro has been CEO for the Brisbane City Council for over seven years, and has also served as the CEO of the City of Adelaide, CEO of the new City of Moreland in Victoria and CEO of the former City of St Kilda.
Board member - Richard Mathews
Most recently, Mr Mathews has served as CEO of Mincom Limited.
Board member - Chris Freeman
Mr Freeman has held senior roles in the property development industry including a period as Executive Director of the Sunland Group Ltd and is currently Queensland Chief Executive of the Mirvac Group.
Board member - Helen Gluer
Ms Gluer's 25 years experience in the banking, finance and infrastructure sectors have contributed to her current role as CEO of the Tarong Energy Corporation, a position she took up after nearly seven years as Chief Financial Officer for the Brisbane City Council.
Board member - Brett Godfrey
Mr Godfrey is currently the CEO of Virgin Blue.
Taken from Translink's Website
Saturday, May 24, 2008
BT Borrows Buses - A sign of things to come
Brisbane Transport for last week or so have borrow three buses from other translink operators to cover a shortage caused by some of the CNG Scanias being off the road.Whlist this is not new thing operators borrowing buses off each other, it comes only few weeks before the new Translink Transit Authority comes in.
This is a quote from a Ministeral Statement "It will have the freedom and power to co-ordinate services, redeploy resources such as buses based on demand, and ensure the smooth introduction of new technology across the transport network."
The Translink Transit Authority comes in to effect on the 1st of July 2008.
Bus Driver
Photo by Peter Jones, Logan City Bus on Brisbane Transport duties.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Transport alerts on schedule
EMAIL, SMS and electronic sign alerts to notify commuters of bus delays will be trialled next year by TransLink.The pilot study of a real-time system will use a combination of technologies to track bus locations and compare them with scheduled locations.
It would then notify travellers whether the buses are on time or late through SMS, emails and electronic signs at stops.
The initial trial will be on the Sunshine Coast, with a tender set for release mid-year to three companies shortlisted by TransLink.
It is expected a decision on the successful tenderer will be made towards the end of 2008 with the trial beginning in early 2009, a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, an email alert system for train passengers will be available next month.
In January, QR initiated an email-alert trial with members from commuter-advocate group Rail Back on Track.
Group spokesman Robert Dow said the trial had positive feedback from users who received details about delays on their elected train line.
QR passenger services executive general manager Andy Taylor said it had been a success and would enable passengers to register on the QR website to receive email alerts.
The development period is progressing on schedule, with a final test of the technology incorporating feedback from rail commuter groups due to commence shortly, Taylor said.
Dow said the TransLink pilot should take a look at QRs work.
TransLink should tap into the experience of QR and get it running sooner rather than later, he said.
The Courier Mail Webiste (MX Article)
It would then notify travellers whether the buses are on time or late through SMS, emails and electronic signs at stops.
The initial trial will be on the Sunshine Coast, with a tender set for release mid-year to three companies shortlisted by TransLink.
It is expected a decision on the successful tenderer will be made towards the end of 2008 with the trial beginning in early 2009, a spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, an email alert system for train passengers will be available next month.
In January, QR initiated an email-alert trial with members from commuter-advocate group Rail Back on Track.
Group spokesman Robert Dow said the trial had positive feedback from users who received details about delays on their elected train line.
QR passenger services executive general manager Andy Taylor said it had been a success and would enable passengers to register on the QR website to receive email alerts.
The development period is progressing on schedule, with a final test of the technology incorporating feedback from rail commuter groups due to commence shortly, Taylor said.
Dow said the TransLink pilot should take a look at QRs work.
TransLink should tap into the experience of QR and get it running sooner rather than later, he said.
The Courier Mail Webiste (MX Article)
Smartcard rollout hits hiccup
COMMUTERS will be unable to use southeast Queensland's public transport smartcard across the whole region until July at the earliest.
Transport Minister John Mickel on May 19 outlined the latest timeline for the roll-out of the beleaguered project after delays in the final Gold Coast section due to be completed in May.
His comments came at the opening of Brisbane's new Inner Northern Busway, where commuters began using the $333million "congestion-busting" project, with some early hiccups over more than 120 changed routes.
The busway is expected to save up to 20 minutes travel time in peak hour while servicing 50,000 commuters and taking buses off clogged CBD roads.Mr Mickel said that earlier concerns over a lack of buses had been resolved after a meeting with Brisbane City Council last week.
"I'm very happy with the feedback so far," Mr Mickel said.He said commuters were delighted at the pace of the new routes.However Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's office confirmed some buses endured delays of up to an hour from roadworks, the bus shortage and a lack of casual drivers.
"I think it's gone reasonably well but I'm sure there have been some issues along the way," Cr Newman said.
The busway completion comes as the long-awaited Go Card roll-out continues to encounter hiccups.A dispute between a Gold Coast bus company and the NSW Government has given commuters some breathing room, with penalty increases for failing to "touch off" when leaving a service, which were due to start on July 1, now delayed.
The penalties would lift the minimum fare from $5 to $10 for trains and $3 to $5 for buses and ferries.Mr Mickel on May 19 said he expected the issues to be resolved by mid-year but denied the delays were another smartcard broken promise.
The Courier Mail
Transport Minister John Mickel on May 19 outlined the latest timeline for the roll-out of the beleaguered project after delays in the final Gold Coast section due to be completed in May.
His comments came at the opening of Brisbane's new Inner Northern Busway, where commuters began using the $333million "congestion-busting" project, with some early hiccups over more than 120 changed routes.
The busway is expected to save up to 20 minutes travel time in peak hour while servicing 50,000 commuters and taking buses off clogged CBD roads.Mr Mickel said that earlier concerns over a lack of buses had been resolved after a meeting with Brisbane City Council last week.
"I'm very happy with the feedback so far," Mr Mickel said.He said commuters were delighted at the pace of the new routes.However Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's office confirmed some buses endured delays of up to an hour from roadworks, the bus shortage and a lack of casual drivers.
"I think it's gone reasonably well but I'm sure there have been some issues along the way," Cr Newman said.
The busway completion comes as the long-awaited Go Card roll-out continues to encounter hiccups.A dispute between a Gold Coast bus company and the NSW Government has given commuters some breathing room, with penalty increases for failing to "touch off" when leaving a service, which were due to start on July 1, now delayed.
The penalties would lift the minimum fare from $5 to $10 for trains and $3 to $5 for buses and ferries.Mr Mickel on May 19 said he expected the issues to be resolved by mid-year but denied the delays were another smartcard broken promise.
The Courier Mail
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Commuters save travel time as INB officially opens
The Queensland Government’s $333 million Inner Northern Busway officially opened today with commuters experiencing significant time savings
.
Minister for Transport John Mickel, who met with commuters at King George Square Station this morning, said feedback had been positive.
“People were impressed with the busway and were eager to reap the benefits of extra services,’’ he said.
TransLink staff provided commuters with new bus schedule guides and reported peak hour services “ran smoothly”.
Mr Mickel said the busway, part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to build tomorrow’s Queensland today, had been delivered on budget and six months ahead of schedule.
“It will direct buses to a dedicated public transport corridor, easing congestion and delivering real time savings.’’
Mr Mickel said the INB will run 250 buses in the morning peak hour and greatly improve the reliability and consistency of bus services in the city.
TransLink also today launched $5 million in new services provided in partnership with the Brisbane City Council to offer more choice to commuters.
“As part of the restructure of these services, bus stops from more than 120 bus routes in the CBD have been changed to locate bus services with similar destinations at the same stop or at adjacent stops,’’ he said.
“I urge people to contact the TransLink call centre on 131230 or visit www.translink.com.au to find out more about the services and changes to bus stops,’’ he said.
The INB features an underground station at King George Square with air conditioned platforms and concourse level, 24 hour security with cameras, real time information for bus travellers, a fully functional cycle centre with racks, change facilities and lockers and a first-in-Australia interactive Transport Information Centre (TIC).
The construction of the INB includes environmental design features including the use of natural light and ventilation where possible and recycled water and water saving options throughout.
Queensland Government Ministeral Media Statement.
.
Minister for Transport John Mickel, who met with commuters at King George Square Station this morning, said feedback had been positive.
“People were impressed with the busway and were eager to reap the benefits of extra services,’’ he said.
TransLink staff provided commuters with new bus schedule guides and reported peak hour services “ran smoothly”.
Mr Mickel said the busway, part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to build tomorrow’s Queensland today, had been delivered on budget and six months ahead of schedule.
“It will direct buses to a dedicated public transport corridor, easing congestion and delivering real time savings.’’
Mr Mickel said the INB will run 250 buses in the morning peak hour and greatly improve the reliability and consistency of bus services in the city.
TransLink also today launched $5 million in new services provided in partnership with the Brisbane City Council to offer more choice to commuters.
“As part of the restructure of these services, bus stops from more than 120 bus routes in the CBD have been changed to locate bus services with similar destinations at the same stop or at adjacent stops,’’ he said.
“I urge people to contact the TransLink call centre on 131230 or visit www.translink.com.au to find out more about the services and changes to bus stops,’’ he said.
The INB features an underground station at King George Square with air conditioned platforms and concourse level, 24 hour security with cameras, real time information for bus travellers, a fully functional cycle centre with racks, change facilities and lockers and a first-in-Australia interactive Transport Information Centre (TIC).
The construction of the INB includes environmental design features including the use of natural light and ventilation where possible and recycled water and water saving options throughout.
Queensland Government Ministeral Media Statement.
Monday, May 19, 2008
New Zones for Surfside's NSW Services
Effective as last week Surfside's New South Wales services now have new zones because of the New Cubic Smartcard machines for the Translink Queensland services.
The zones are Translink like as they continue on from Tweed Heads which is Now Zone 19 to Zone 31.
Services which operate wholely in NSW which all the 600's series numbers will continue to use the 41+ Zone system.
I will in the next few days post up list of the new zones.
Bus Driver
The zones are Translink like as they continue on from Tweed Heads which is Now Zone 19 to Zone 31.
Services which operate wholely in NSW which all the 600's series numbers will continue to use the 41+ Zone system.
I will in the next few days post up list of the new zones.
Bus Driver
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Qld to introduce new public transport body
South-east Queensland will have a new body to oversee public transport from July.
Queensland Parliament passed laws last night creating a new and independent TransLink Transit Authority to replace the existing TransLink.
Transport Minister John Mickel says it will be charged with improving service integration and will draw on models from London, New York and Paris.
"It's not meant to replicate any of those, it's meant to replicate a Queensland solution," he said.
ABC Online
Queensland Parliament passed laws last night creating a new and independent TransLink Transit Authority to replace the existing TransLink.
Transport Minister John Mickel says it will be charged with improving service integration and will draw on models from London, New York and Paris.
"It's not meant to replicate any of those, it's meant to replicate a Queensland solution," he said.
ABC Online
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
TransLink general manager Luke Franzmann quits
ONE of the chief architects responsible for improving public transport in southeast Queensland - Luke Franzmann - has quit.
TransLink general manager Luke Franzmann has been behind the integration of commuter services while overseeing major projects such as the region's troublesome public transport "smart card".
Commuters are still being incorrectly charged as glitches plague the Go Card, the technology rolled out earlier this year after numerous missed deadlines since it was announced in 1999.
His resignation comes ahead of more transport bureaucracy changes in July when the new TransLink Transit Authority replaces TransLink as the authority overseeing buses, ferries and trains.
Mr Franzmann yesterday said he was leaving because now was the right time to move on, despite being "in the box seat" for the chief executive role of the new authority.
He finishes on May 30.
"It's been a great role and a job I have enjoyed very much," he said.
"From the increase in patronage, to the Go Card to the Inner Northern Busway, I have done what I set out to do."
Mr Franzmann has enjoyed a high profile as a top public transport mandarin, although not all the media he has received has been positive.
The Courier-Mail revealed last year that he enjoyed a taxpayer-funded CBD parking space despite his home being only 50m from a bus stop.
Transport Minister John Mickel declined to comment on Mr Franzmann's resignation.
Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said the timing was strange given the major changes happening in public transport.
"It appears he has been made the fall guy for the failures of TransLink and this is a clearing of the decks before the new authority comes in," Mr Nicholls said.
Mr Franzmann denied he had been pushed, saying he had overseen some "great things" in his six years at TransLink.
"It depends on your definition of lots of problems," he said.
"We have had a million trips on the Go Card. A million trips is a lot and no doubt the problems we have had will continue to improve."
This article was in the Courier Mail this morning.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23687116-3102,00.html
TransLink general manager Luke Franzmann has been behind the integration of commuter services while overseeing major projects such as the region's troublesome public transport "smart card".
Commuters are still being incorrectly charged as glitches plague the Go Card, the technology rolled out earlier this year after numerous missed deadlines since it was announced in 1999.
His resignation comes ahead of more transport bureaucracy changes in July when the new TransLink Transit Authority replaces TransLink as the authority overseeing buses, ferries and trains.
Mr Franzmann yesterday said he was leaving because now was the right time to move on, despite being "in the box seat" for the chief executive role of the new authority.
He finishes on May 30.
"It's been a great role and a job I have enjoyed very much," he said.
"From the increase in patronage, to the Go Card to the Inner Northern Busway, I have done what I set out to do."
Mr Franzmann has enjoyed a high profile as a top public transport mandarin, although not all the media he has received has been positive.
The Courier-Mail revealed last year that he enjoyed a taxpayer-funded CBD parking space despite his home being only 50m from a bus stop.
Transport Minister John Mickel declined to comment on Mr Franzmann's resignation.
Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said the timing was strange given the major changes happening in public transport.
"It appears he has been made the fall guy for the failures of TransLink and this is a clearing of the decks before the new authority comes in," Mr Nicholls said.
Mr Franzmann denied he had been pushed, saying he had overseen some "great things" in his six years at TransLink.
"It depends on your definition of lots of problems," he said.
"We have had a million trips on the Go Card. A million trips is a lot and no doubt the problems we have had will continue to improve."
This article was in the Courier Mail this morning.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23687116-3102,00.html
Monday, May 12, 2008
Council's bus squeeze crisis
A RECORD 1800 buses were too full to pick up passengers last month, with many commuters forced to wait at least 30 minutes for another bus.
Brisbane City Council’s April figures show 700 more services than in March registered as too full to pick up passengers.
Council’s public transport chairwoman Cr Jane Prentice said the spike was a result of a different accounting system, and that the problem may have been as bad for some time.
‘‘We don’t really believe the figures have gone up that much at all – it’s more an issue of us now knowing the full extent of the problem,’’ she said. A record number of commuters took the bus last month, with more than seven million trips registered across the city.
Prentice said that some of the 500 new buses planned for the next four years would be allocated to fix problem routes such as the notorious 130 bus, which registered 240 overcrowded buses, and the 150 and 111 routes, which run from Browns Plains and Eight Mile Plains to the city.
Shadow Transport spokesperson Victoria Newton said Lord Mayor Campbell Newman should implement emergency measures.
‘‘These figures are extremely alarming as April is traditionally a quieter time of year due to university and school holidays,’’ she said.
mX is free at outlets in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23683783-952,00.html - From the Couriermail Website.
Brisbane City Council’s April figures show 700 more services than in March registered as too full to pick up passengers.
Council’s public transport chairwoman Cr Jane Prentice said the spike was a result of a different accounting system, and that the problem may have been as bad for some time.
‘‘We don’t really believe the figures have gone up that much at all – it’s more an issue of us now knowing the full extent of the problem,’’ she said. A record number of commuters took the bus last month, with more than seven million trips registered across the city.
Prentice said that some of the 500 new buses planned for the next four years would be allocated to fix problem routes such as the notorious 130 bus, which registered 240 overcrowded buses, and the 150 and 111 routes, which run from Browns Plains and Eight Mile Plains to the city.
Shadow Transport spokesperson Victoria Newton said Lord Mayor Campbell Newman should implement emergency measures.
‘‘These figures are extremely alarming as April is traditionally a quieter time of year due to university and school holidays,’’ she said.
mX is free at outlets in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23683783-952,00.html - From the Couriermail Website.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Changes to CBD bus services for Inner Northern Busway - Effective 19 May 2008
Inner Northern Busway service improvements for Brisbane In conjunction with the opening of the A$333 million Inner Northern Busway on Monday, 19 May 2008, TransLink and Brisbane City Council are spending more than A$5 million to improve bus services in Brisbane. To find out if your bus stop has changed, look for your bus route in the table below. Bus routes not listed remain unchanged. Full timetables will be available on the website from mid-May.
New Routes starting on the 19th of May.
Route 66 - Woolloongabba to QUT Kelvin Grove via South East & Inner Nothern Busways
Route 222 - Carindale to Roma St via South East & Inner Northern Busways
Route 332 Chermside to Brisbane City Via Spring Hill
Click on the link to view all the changes on Monday the 19th of May http://servicechanges.translink.com.au/db/servicechange.php?id=78
New Routes starting on the 19th of May.
Route 66 - Woolloongabba to QUT Kelvin Grove via South East & Inner Nothern Busways
Route 222 - Carindale to Roma St via South East & Inner Northern Busways
Route 332 Chermside to Brisbane City Via Spring Hill
Click on the link to view all the changes on Monday the 19th of May http://servicechanges.translink.com.au/db/servicechange.php?id=78
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Labour Day Services 5 May 08
http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/sc_labourday_may08
Click on the link to view services that will be available on Labour Day.
Click on the link to view services that will be available on Labour Day.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
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