LNP REVEALS LACK OF TRANSPORT PLANNING

Media Release

Shadow Transport Minister, Jackie Trad, says the Newman Government’s lack of planning means train timetable changes announced today will be the system’s last major improvements for the foreseeable future.

“Yet again the LNP told Queenslanders at the 2012 election it had a plan for public transport, but the extra services it’s announcing are only possible because the former Labor Government built 64 new trains and started the train timetable review process in 2011,” Ms Trad said.

“It has taken the LNP almost two years to finalise these timetable changes despite work on the new timetables commencing under the previous government.

“The LNP has also been well aware of the fast-approaching rail capacity crisis expected to hit services in 2016.”

Ms Trad said the LNP had been dithering on public transport after being elected with no plans or ideas on how to improve services or infrastructure.

“They have taken almost two years to work out that they wouldn’t build Cross River Rail, despite it being ‘shovel-ready’ and despite the offer of a massive funding injection from the former federal Labor Government,” she said.

“We still don’t have a clear picture of what their replacement bus and train tunnel will look like, how much it will cost or how long it will take to build.

“Unfortunately for commuters and taxpayers the LNP works on thought bubbles and self-promotion rather than putting in the hard work and real planning for concrete outcomes.”

Ms Trad said after today’s new timetable rolled out there would be no extra rolling-stock capacity on the rail network until new trains start to be delivered at the end of 2015 at the earliest. 

“Unpopular changes to local bus routes, particularly in Logan and on the Gold Coast, are also being rolled out today under the cover of the train timetable changes.” She said.

“The LNP is trying to drown out and ignore complaints from passengers about their route cuts and service reductions which start from today. 

“Fares have just gone up by another 7.5%, but the LNP thinks now is the time to slug commuters again by cutting hours of operation in the evenings and on the weekends for many services, as well as eliminating entire routes.

“I am calling on the Minister to reverse today’s cuts to local bus services, go back to the drawing board and consult properly with local communities about any changes.”

Ms Trad also called on the Minister and Queensland Rail to closely monitor the rollout of the new timetable over the next few weeks to determine if it was working or if further changes needed to be made.

“The last time there was a rail timetable change of this size in 2011 the Labor Government responded to customer feedback and made additional changes where they were needed to ensure we got the right outcome for the network,” Ms Trad said.