Just came accross an article theat's very interesting... For a "suburb" like Brisbane... it has cost them $100 million over 5 years for Cubic to implement a smart card ticketing system which is still not up and running... NSW should take notes!
QLD looks to London for public transport Tony Moore | October 9, 2007 - 3:03PM
The State Government is looking at London's public transport network as one potential model for its new Transit Authority, which will manage all buses, trains and ferries in South-East Queensland.
Premier Anna Bligh this morning announced the dramatic shake-up of all public transport in south-east Queensland, telling reporters commuters were confused about who was responsible for public transport.
"Sometimes it is Translink, sometimes it is Brisbane City Council, sometimes it is Queensland Rail, or a private operator depending on where you live," she said.
Ms Bligh said the State Government looked around the world for models to adapt for South-East Queensland.
"We looked around the world. Transport for London is - we think - one of the best examples of how to manage a complex transport system," she said.
"Not only are we looking at transforming Translink into a new and more powerful statutory authority with a direct line straight to Government, this is the first time we have seen a restructure of Queensland Rail."
Currently there are 17 different operators providing public transport in South-East Queensland - each responsible for their own timetables and their own means of handling complaints.
The new Transit Authority will have a new name and specific paintwork and branding, Ms Bligh said.
The Premier - in her first day leading the Government in the State Parliament - said it was clear that public transport services were not well co-ordinated.
"Too often we see that those services don't necessarily connect easily with each other," Ms Bligh said.
"This new restructure is about ensuring integrational scheduling and providing a more powerful body that has the grunt to direct services where they need to be at peak hour, during major events and to considerably improve the integration and experience for passengers."
A model for public consultation will be announced soon and the new Transit Authority will be running by July 1, 2008.
Passenger rail services will be separated from Queensland Rail and instead be managed by the new Transit Authority as will Brisbane City Council's buses and ferry services.
Ms Bligh ruled out selling or "privatising" Queensland Rail.
Employees will remain working for the Brisbane City Council, or private companies but face new guidelines from Transit Authority
The plans means the State Government will begin talks with Brisbane City Council and 16 other providers on how the new Transit Authority should work.
"But we are determined to have a senior part of government with a direct voice to the Minister, who is overseeing the roll-out, the scheduling and the development of public transport," Ms Bligh said.
The new authority will not delay the much-expected pre-Christmas introduction of the Queensland Government's Smart Card system into South-East Queensland, Ms Bligh said.
"The Smart Card will continue to be rolled out in the same way as it would have been before," she said.
However Transport Minister John Mickel said he would meet tomorrow with Cubic, the firm that plans to introduce the Translink Smart Card.
Mr Mickel said he understood the card had already begun its roll-out at the Sunshine Coast and Redcliffe.
"But I want to reassure myself that before we get that full roll-out that this company is in a position to be able to deliver it."
The Opposition said the Smart Card had cost the State Government $100 million over five years and still was not up and running.
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