Better Transport for NSW - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

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BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Executive Summary This submission brings together a raft of ideas and suggestions from transport workers, community groups, business people and people who want to see better transport in their local communities. It is a reflection of the policy ideas developed by the RTBU over recent years, and of ideas put forward through the RTBU’s community-based transport advocacy program. The NSW Long-term Transport Masterplan should be based on the community-driven principles of the Better Transport Charter. This submission takes the principles of the Better Transport Charter and builds on them by identifying real projects. It identifies shortterm needs, and also sets a vision for longer-term planning. This paper is not, however, a mere wish list. It addresses the key issue of funding, and is realistic in its scope. 1. Invest in high quality services Access to safe and frequent services is crucial to a high quality transport network that the public can and want to use. 2. Look after our transport assets NSW’s existing infrastructure must be maintained and upgraded. Rail lines should not be allowed to fall into disrepair, efficiencies on the network should be identified and implemented and upgrades to existing lines should be prioritised. 3. Plan for the future The current model of short-term planning needs to be replaced with long-term, considered planning, which includes careful analysis of the requirements of individual areas and significant investment in infrastructure and roads. 4. Provide a transport system for the common good The quality of transport infrastructure and services can affect everything from the quality of an individual’s life to the future quality of our environment. The broad reach of transport means that decision makers must consider serving the common good in their planning. 5. Respect the people who provide the services A world-class transport system is more than just a collection of physical assets – a workforce with dignity and pride makes the difference between a system that is operational and a system that offers the highest quality service, reliability and satisfaction. 6. Funding The Long-term Transport Masterplan must also provide a mechanism for funding improved transport infrastructure and services into the future. This should be achieved through better engagement with the Federal Government, a more practical approach to State Government debt, and by significantly increasing the scope of the Restart NSW fund. Background The RTBU and Transport Planning The RTBU has a long history of advocacy for the public transport and rail freight industries, and of contributing to the public discourse around better transport planning in NSW. In 2006 the RTBU released its ‘Moving On’ report, which outlined a 10-point plan for a sustainable transport future. The report called for longer-term transport planning, additional funding for transport initiatives, citizen-driven planning and a public transport system that focused on a heavy rail base with integrated bus and light-rail services. The “Fixing the Network” discussion paper, released in 2009, recommended an immediate start to three critical rail projects that would improve Sydney’s congested rail network: the North West Rail Link from Epping to Rouse Hill; the Epping to Parramatta Rail Link and; the South West Rail Link from Glenfield to Leppington. In the lead up to the 2011 NSW election, the RTBU held a series of Better Transport Forums around NSW – in Tamworth, Dubbo, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney. These forums brought together a wide range of people - including local councillors, farmers, business groups, industrialists, the community sector and transport workers. The events highlighted the huge value in citizen-driven planning, providing communities with an opportunity to discuss their transport challenges and solutions. The forums sparked an outpouring of good ideas about ways to improve transport infrastructure and services around NSW. In conjunction with the Better Transport forums, the union also established the Better Transport web site as part of Unions NSW’s umbrella Better Services campaign. Through this web site, members of the community were able to contribute to the development of the Better Transport Charter – a set of principles to guide the transport policies of the major state political parties. Since the election in March 2011, many other suggestions have been forwarded to the RTBU from transport workers, interest groups and individuals. It is clear that the Better Transport campaign tapped a rich vein of community concern, and that the demand for better transport has never been stronger. 4 RAIL, TRAM AND BUS UNION - BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW
BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW What Sydney Commuters Really Think 70 per cent of commuters said the public transport network is understaffed in all areas, with highest staff shortages seen to be in security and safety staff, followed by ticket seller and cleaners. The idea of further cuts to safety and security staff was of concern to 85 per cent of commuters. The top priorities for public transport are more frequent services (42%), cheaper fares (39%), more reliable timetables (38%), and a less complicated ticketing system (38%). The Ultimate Transport Survey The RTBU’s 2010 UTS was one of the largest surveys of commuter behaviour and attitude ever undertaken in Australia. The aim of the survey was to pinpoint how commuters feel about the transport system and how they would prioritise transport development and spending. The overwhelming message from the 3,500 Sydney commuters who responded, was that commuters want a bigger network with more frequent services. They want a safe, viable, efficient alternative to car travel, particularly considering the rising cost of fuel. Crucially, the survey also showed that commuters place a very high value on appropriate staffing levels for safety, security and cleaning. Overall, commuters felt positive about the role of public transport, seeing it as the most socially and environmentally responsible way to travel. However, one of the biggest disincentives for public transport use is the lack of comprehensive services where people want to travel. As a result of this, and the fact that most respondents use public transport primarily for travelling to and from work, many people resort to car travel. As well as a lack of depth in the transport network, the highest priority improvements to the current system called for by commuters were more frequent services, more reliable timetables, cheaper tickets and less complicated ticketing systems. The majority agreed that the construction of more train lines to the outer suburbs is a priority ¬with the extension of existing rail infrastructure to North West and South West Sydney coming out on top – followed by a bigger network of bus-ways and dedicated bus lanes. As well as concerns about cleanliness, comfort (particularly a lack of air-conditioning on trains) and ticket queues, over 50 per cent of commuters said they do not feel safe travelling on public transport, particularly after dark. It is clear that commuters not only want the government to focus on planning and infrastructure – they demand investment in transport staff to ensure the safety and efficiency of the system. Public Transport Satisfaction Report The Public Transport Satisfaction Report is the result of a statewide survey conducted in late 2011 by the RTBU that asked the people of NSW to give their assessment of the performance of the NSW public transport network. The report shows where the system is working well, and where it is failing. It is a candid, independent assessment of services right across the State. TRAIN SERVICES Train services recorded generally positive ratings, with “ability to find a seat” recording the most positive result (+8). Running to timetable Total Good Total Poor Net Satisfaction rating 27% 23% +4 Safety 26% 24% +2 Frequency of services 28% 23% +5 Disabled access 26% 20% +6 Comfort 22% 23% -1 Cleanliness 17% 34% -17 Ability to find a seat 29% 21% +8 BUS SERVICES Satisfaction with bus services is generally positive, with only “running to timetable” the only criteria to not record a positive result (o). The best results were for safety, and comfort. (By contrast, these criteria recorded the three lowest results for train services.) Running to timetable Total Good Total Poor Net Satisfaction rating 22% 22% 0 Safety 36% 11% +25 Frequency of services 27% 19% +8 Disabled access 26% 20% +6 Comfort 32% 12% +20 Cleanliness 35% 12% +23 Ability to find a seat 29% 15% +14 RAIL, TRAM AND BUS UNION - BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW 5
Page 1 and 2: Better Transport for NSW A Communit
Page 3: BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Introducti
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Page 9 and 10: BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Improve Bu
Page 11 and 12: BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Tamworth t
Page 13 and 14: BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Cross-Bord
Page 15 and 16: BETTER TRANSPORT FOR NSW Invest in
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Page 19 and 20: Conclusion There is much that can b

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