tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386056792024-02-19T20:45:39.112+10:00Community Action for Sustainable Transport Inc.Community Action for Sustainable Transport Inc. (CAST) is a grassroots collective of Southeast Queensland
(SEQ)residents and activists with an interest in sustainable transport policies and systems. We welcome new members who wish to contribute to the formulation and promotion of its policies, and to
participate in its activities in SEQ.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-3213550404209148692010-03-03T00:22:00.000+10:002010-03-03T00:26:16.666+10:00New route 77 - yet another example of confused thinking by TranslinkOn Friday 26 February, Translink announced that a new bus service 77<br />
would operate from 29 March to take passengers from Eight Mile Plains<br />
and other SE Busway stations through the 3 billion dollar tunnel and<br />
continue to Windsor Rail and up to Chermside.<br />
This basis for this decision must be challenged on a number of grounds.<br />
Firstly, there has been no indication that there is any demand for this service.<br />
At a time when Translink says that it must deliver services to priority<br />
high volume routes and where services are currently not adequate, it<br />
suddenly finds the funds to introduce a new service that is already covered<br />
by other express services.<br />
Secondly, if there was clear evidence that commuters were demanding this service,<br />
then why did everyone have to wait until the 3B tunnel was operating?<br />
This service could have been introduced and operating for many months on the route<br />
via the Inner City Bypass just as efficiently.<br />
Thirdly, there has been no timetable produced to date.<br />
Clearly this is because Translink realises, as do we all, that traffic congestion<br />
will now be compressed into the Windsor/Lutwyche area by the 3B tunnel<br />
design and its users, and that all bus services in that corridor will need to have<br />
new timetables because of the inevitable traffic jams.<br />
Finally, the decision to have the service continue past Windsor rail to Chermside<br />
proves that Translink planners do not understand that duplicating transport<br />
services is wasteful and illogical. They have yet to realise that long bus routes<br />
within an urban community are not an efficient use of transport resources.<br />
All of these issues lead us to believe that this is just another rushed political<br />
decision to support the 3B tunnel operator and the Council administration<br />
that is desperate to have the predicted number of vehicles using the 3B tunnel. <br />
How likely is it that the 3B tunnel operators and Brisbane Transport have played<br />
a role in bringing this service into the Translink network?<br />
We'll leave it to you to come to a conclusion about that.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-77897344152821197772010-02-27T12:59:00.000+10:002010-02-28T00:31:12.848+10:00CAST supports sanctions on service operators that don't meet performance targets<div class="standfirst"><strong style="display: block;"></strong><strong style="display: block;"> </strong><a href="http://www.translink.com.au/">TransLink</a> has acted to penalise Queensland Rail $203,000 after it missed its target for the number of peak-hour Citytrain services arriving on time last financial year</div>Last year, an average of 91.74 per cent of peak-hour services arrived within four minutes of their scheduled time, only marginally improving on the 91.15 per cent from the previous year.<br />
The contractual target of 92.4 per cent is set by the State Government, resulting in QR's fourth penalty in four years.<br />
QR has been fined more than $7 million over the past four years for failing to meet its contracted target.<br />
It was levied $6.7 million in the 2007-08 financial year after its worst performance in more than four years.<br />
QR defines "on-time" as arriving within four minutes of the scheduled time. <br />
CAST <i>supports</i> the levying of penalties on all transport service providers when they do not meet contracted performance conditions, provided that service delays are not the result of actions beyond the control of the operator.<br />
The application of financial sanctions on providers sends a strong message to service providers, on behalf of all transport users, that they must improve their performance.<br />
It must be recognised that all transport providers in SEQ are absolute monopolies, as the public transport system is a "closed shop" i.e. providers are issued with licences to operate within specific territories and routes that eliminate all other effective competition. <br />
It must also be recognised that the majority of service delays on the QR network are due to ongoing poor<br />
track and signal maintenance, perennial management and staffing deficiencies, and bureaucratic inertia and<br />
empire-building. QR Citytrain HR and workplace policies also continue to be fundamentally deficient.<br />
There have been assertions that Translink penalties remove funds from QR used for train services.<br />
These assertions are not based on fact.<br />
CAST would like to have financial sanctions applied to taxi operators who do not meet performance and service standards.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-90231393039022360452010-02-24T16:19:00.001+10:002010-02-28T00:33:07.672+10:00The Transport Minister and Translink must cease issuing misleading statementsMinister Nolan and Translink continue to promote the line that<br />
"every cent collected from the the increase in fares will go to funding<br />
better transport services" when they know that this is misleading and<br />
disingenuous.<br />
<br />
In the Minister's statement on 15 October 2009 this is what she said -<br />
"<span id="lblStatementBody">Ms Nolan said the fare strategy also aimed to return the State </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Government's </span><span id="lblStatementBody">per-trip subsidy from 75 per cent back to 70 per cent </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">within five years. </span><span id="lblStatementBody">To help reach that goal fares will increase 15% a year </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">from 2011 to 2014</span><span id="lblStatementBody"> – or around 40 cents to 60 cents a year for a typical </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">two-zone ticket."</span><br />
<br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">[Note the </span><span id="lblStatementBody">Minister's </span><span id="lblStatementBody">misleading use of the word "subsidy" at the same time</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody"> she is responsible </span><span id="lblStatementBody">for</span><span id="lblStatementBody"> increasing the rate of public transport use </span><span id="lblStatementBody">in </span><span id="lblStatementBody">Cabinet.]</span><br />
<br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">So let's test the truth of the "every cent" statement above by using actual figures.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">If we use approximate but fair and understandable amounts, and using the </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Minister's percentages above, this</span><span id="lblStatementBody"> statement is almost certainly false. </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Amounts in $ millions.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Current annual revenue from fares before fare increase = 250 [25%]</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Current annual operating costs of services/funding = 1000</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">If fare revenue rises by 25% overall, annual fare</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">revenue then becomes = 300</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">And if the "subsidy" is reduced from 75 to 70% then the</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">300 annual fares revenue equates to operating costs of 1000</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Same amount of expenditure, so where are the better services?</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Let's assume a more realistic increase in overall fare revenues</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">of 15%, so fare revenue then becomes annually = 287</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">And if this is equal to 30% of total operating costs,</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">these are equal to = 956</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">or 44 million<i> less</i> than what is spent now.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">So all of the fare increase goes into general revenue, and none</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody"> into more or better services.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Only if fare revenues increase by more than 25% overall ,will there</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">be any additional expenditure on transport services or infrastructure</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">that results from fare increases.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">So Minister, let's do away with the spin and propaganda. Resolve </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">to level with the 250,000 commuters in South East Qld who support </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">the current deficient public transport</span><span id="lblStatementBody"> system</span> and SAVE the taxpayers<br />
millions of dollars in road transport costs and all its connected<br />
expenditure, like road accident trauma costs. <br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">We all know that the State's Budget finances are in a desperate</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">condition due to poor management over many years, but don't</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">ask train and bus passengers to bear the burden of fixing the deficit.</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">They didn't cause it - the Beattie and Bligh Governments did. </span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">Support the long-suffering but loyal commuters by telling the truth,</span><br />
<span id="lblStatementBody">cancelling the fare increases and retaining paper tickets - or resign now.</span>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-91488846331481695082010-02-04T00:00:00.001+10:002010-02-04T09:45:02.230+10:00Yet another reason why bus passengers need to avoid the SlowCardThere have been consistent and confirmed reports of Slowcard readers<br />
not functioning properly - or at all - on Brisbane transport buses.<br />
Almost every day we hear reports from bemused commuters of delays<br />
in exiting from their bus after one or or both card readers are not working.<br />
Now, we have become aware of a flaw in the system that has not been<br />
publicized.<br />
The card readers are activated using GPS technology to indicate just where the<br />
bus is located. This is because the SlowCard fares are calculated according to<br />
the zone/s where the user boards and alights from the bus.<br />
But the system means that the bus must be within about 8 metres from the actual<br />
bus stop to allow the reader to receive the GPS signal.<br />
When a bus stops at a stop that is shared by a number of buses, it must now wait<br />
in line to approach within range of the signal at the stop. Only after the bus has<br />
closed on the stop will the card reader activate and allow the the SlowCard users<br />
to touch off and leave the bus.<br />
Recently, we have witnessed buses waiting in line for 2-3 minutes to approach the<br />
designated stops in the CBD for this reason.<br />
Paper ticket holders were able to exit the buses without any delay.<br />
One driver was witnessed to drive his bus on to the next available stop 80 metres<br />
further up the street, after ensuring that there were no passengers wanting to board<br />
at the normal stop, to enable the card reader to operate and the Card users touch<br />
off and leave the bus.<br />
The card users were not happy about the delay, and why would they be? <br />
We've been told by the Transport Minister that the SlowCard system is technologically<br />
brilliant, efficient, user-friendly, quick and cheap.<br />
It is none of these. And public transport users are being told propaganda and spin<br />
by a small army of young mercenaries who do not understand what they're saying<br />
or how the system really works. And they're being paid out of the Transport budget<br />
that is supported by passengers' fares.<br />
We have now had four successive Transport Ministers who have not known what<br />
they're doing, and have allowed the transport system in Brisbane to deteriorate and<br />
flounder.<br />
Enough is enough. We say that it's time for Minister Nolan to resign or be sacked.<br />
And the board of Translink and its CEO should follow her into oblivion.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-19324255806172542192010-02-03T23:14:00.001+10:002010-02-04T09:42:39.403+10:00Union fears in fares riseUNION officials claim Queensland Rail’s passenger fares will continue to rise this year to make up for the revenue it will lose after its coal and freight operations are privatised.<br />
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Peter Simpson said in the wake of recent fare increases, which had paper tickets increase by 40 per cent and go cards by 20 per cent, ticket prices would continue to rise. <br />
“It is exactly the same as what occurred in the retail electricity market. Since it was privatised electricity prices have escalated dramatically, now rail fares are doing the same thing,” Mr Simpson said. <br />
“With cross-subsidisation going, commuters have to pick up the slack through increased fares or the State Government faces a big subsidy bill each year for passenger services.<br />
“Commuters have seen which option the State Government has chosen and it is going to slug commuters.”<br />
The claims were strongly denied by Transport Minister Rachel Nolan, who said union officials had no understanding of how QR was funded.<br />
<br />
Source: The Queensland TimesCommunity Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-36216760630911984122010-02-01T14:13:00.001+10:002010-02-04T09:44:08.741+10:0015 reasons why public transport users should continue to use paper tickets1. PAPER tickets that offer daily, weekly or monthly travel require only one<br />
purchase, and display when entering a bus or ferry, or passing though a.city station.<br />
CARD holders must remember to touch on - and off - at every station, bus or ferry.<br />
2. PAPER ticket holders do not risk any extra penalties or charges as long as they display<br />
their tickets as necessary.<br />
CARD holders must remember to touch on and off each time they travel or <br />
be liable to penalties and charges. And to be sure to do it correctly.<br />
3. PAPER tickets do not cost anything other than the cost of the ticket itself.<br />
CARD holders need to pay an upfront $5 to purchase a card, before loading it with credit.<br />
4. PAPER ticket users cannot be overcharged.<br />
CARD holders can be, and have been, overcharged by the electronic system. They must check<br />
after each trip to ensure that the correct fare has been charged - if they know what that is.<br />
5. PAPER ticker user knows the cost of his/her trip upfront, or the maximum cost of all of the<br />
daily, weekly, or monthly trips.<br />
CARD holders may make trips without knowing upfront the total cost of their single or multiple trips.<br />
6. PAPER ticket users can use their ticket to make a trip immediately after purchase.<br />
CARD holders may in some cases need to wait to travel for up to 24 hours after topping up their card.<br />
7. PAPER tickets can be lost or stolen - if so, the loss is limited to the cost of the ticket.<br />
CARD holders also lose their cards, and all of the unused credit if the card is not registered.<br />
8. PAPER tickets users do not need to access, or know how to use, a computer to get a ticket.<br />
CARD holders need to access the Internet if they want to register their card, or check usage records.<br />
9. PAPER ticket holders cannot travel on credit.<br />
CARD holders can travel using cards that have been funded by a credit card.<br />
10. PAPER tickets users who travel only occasionally, pay as they go.<br />
CARD holders who travel occasionally need to recall how much credit remains on the card. There is<br />
the potential for a user's funds to remain unused for several weeks or months, and Translink doesn't pay<br />
interest on usused credit.<br />
11. PAPER tickets for many users, occasional or frequent alike, remain cheaper on a weekly basis than<br />
CARDS. Even after the 40% hike in fares from 4 January.<br />
12. For daily, weekly or monthly PAPER tickets users, there is no limit on the number of trips that can be <br />
taken within the time period.<br />
CARD holders pay for each and every trip that they make, no matter how many.<br />
13. PAPER tickets therefore encourage most regular users to use public transport more often.<br />
CARD holders who pay for every trip are discouraged from making more trips.<br />
14. Visitors to the area for a short time, who need to travel can just pay cash at bus or ferry entry<br />
or obtain a PAPER ticket at the station for daily or weekly use. They do not want to purchase<br />
a CARD and load it with an uncertain amount of credit that may never be used or refunded.<br />
15. Yes, purchasing a PAPER ticket on a bus with cash takes time. That's why most bus services should be<br />
converted to prepaid services, an essential step still not yet widely implemented. What does take<br />
time in a bus are the frequent delays that occur when the CARD machines are not working.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-55167467507866856142010-01-25T17:48:00.001+10:002010-01-25T17:52:23.681+10:00New electronic petitions calling for Government to change policy on fares and services - now open<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
The totally unjustified and appalling action by the State<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Transport Minister and Translink to increase fares for<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">public transport users on January 4 by between 20% -<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">for plastic card holders - and 40% for paper ticket holders,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">has resulted in a storm of protest from public transport<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">commuters. For more details and outcomes about this<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">outrageous decision, see other posts on this site.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two electronic petitions have now been created to give<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">all public transport users an opportunity to lodge their protest<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">with the State Minister and the Parliament.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the text of each petition does not include all of the issues<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">involved in the fares and ticketing debacle created by Translink,<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">and could have been much better drafted, CAST <b>urges all public</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>transport users to consider signing the petitions before the</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>deadlines next month</b>. We have not initiated these petitions. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To access and sign either petition, they can be read by going<br />
<a href="http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1364&lIndex=-1"> here</a> and also to<a href="http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1363&lIndex=-1"> here</a>. There is no cost involved.<br />
</div>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-35264958250126783222009-08-27T12:09:00.001+10:002009-08-27T12:11:21.447+10:00Car tunnels and air qualityCar tunnel users and residents living in suburbs surrounding tunnel exhaust stacks can expect greater exposure to fine particle and air toxic pollution once the Clem Jones (North South Bypass) Tunnel comes online in Brisbane.<br /><br />Tunnel users need to hold their breath and wind up their windows as they pay $4 to drive through the Clem Jones “Gas Chamber”.<br /><br />And don’t expect it to be a quick ride in and out of the tunnel. Sydney commuters sit in stop start traffic in car tunnels everyday. Tunnels are just another four lane road, and like any other road they clog up with traffic.<br /><br />The impact statements for the Brisbane tunnels also show that there will be greater congestion on arterial roads leading to the car tunnels, which will create even more air pollution.<br /><br />It’s almost impossible to have a cigarette in a pub now, due to the dangers of passive smoking, but the exhaust chimneys emitting fumes from the tunnel will be like giant smoking cigarettes in our suburbs.<br /><br />The solution is not even more roads, but to build a public transport system for Brisbane that offers people an effective alternative to the car.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-26416526551065172422009-08-27T11:27:00.004+10:002009-08-27T11:37:59.379+10:00Now we know that tunnels are the wrong way to go<strong><em>Media release 26 August 2009</em></strong><br /><br />Three years ago today, construction commenced on what future historians will judge to be Brisbane’s biggest mistake since Clem Jones removed the trams – the North South Bypass Tunnel.<br /><br />Campbell Newman’s road tunnels may have seemed feasible in 2004, but climate change, the global financial crisis, oil insecurity and changing travel behaviour now show that the community opposition to wasting more than $15 billion on TransApex was fully justified.<br /><br />The community is coming to understand that new road infrastructure projects are not the path to future social, economic and financial sustainability. Public infrastructure companies that have built and operated tolled roads and tunnels are writing down their value and struggling financially. Tunnel construction and operation is a risky gamble in this new environment.<br /><br />More and more commuters are now driving less, combining their trips, using public transport more, and avoiding peak hours by using technology to work from home.<br /><br />Instead of building more roads, Governments must divert more public funds into public transport, and walking and cycling infrastructure to support rapidly changing travel behaviour.<br /><br />In the past, tolled private tunnels were foolishly included in transport plans without an open and transparent public process of risk assessment, informed discussion of different transport planning choices and changes to transport behaviour.<br /><br />Now the Lord Mayor is spending ratepayers’ funds to promote the commercial product of a private tollroad operator in a last-ditch attempt to prop up what was always going to fail. He continues to issue misleading information about the “benefits” of using the tunnel. He says NSBT users will avoid “up to 18 sets of traffic lights”. They can already use the Riverside Expressway and the ICB between Buranda and Bowen Hills without passing a single traffic light and he knows it.<br /><br />He has continued to saddle our city with debt to fund more investment in private vehicle infrastructure projects when peak oil and climate change raised serious doubts about the viability of these projects.<br /><br />Our elected representatives have failed to deal with rapidly changing transport needs and constraints. Brisbane is now falling behind by other cities which have sustainable transport systems and infrastructure. Residents were not allowed to make reasoned and informed choices about our city’s future prior to the NSBT’s approval. This must never happen again.<br /><br />We urge all motorists to indicate that simplistic “fixes” like the NSBT are never going to be viable alternatives for sustainable long-term transport plans by BOYCOTTING THE NORTH SOUTH BYPASS TUNNEL.<br /><br /><strong>Media contact: CAST President David White 0403 871 082</strong>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-54831504617099095622009-01-16T15:43:00.002+10:002009-01-16T15:46:09.893+10:00Bus service improvments for BrisbaneTransLink have announced a range of improvments to bus services which will begin on February 23. Check them out <a href="http://servicechanges.translink.com.au/db/servicechange.php?id=254">here</a> and add a comment below to let us know what you thinkCommunity Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-34837618686940705942008-12-02T13:02:00.000+10:002008-12-02T13:12:07.945+10:00Federal investment in sustainable transportThe Federal Government are calling for public submissions on the 2009-2010 budget. What transport initiatives would you like to see the federal government invest in during the next financial year?<br /><br /><strong>Please leave a comment below which will be considered in our submission.</strong><br /><br />You can also make your own submission to:<br /><br />Budget Policy Division<br />Department of the Treasury<br />Langton Crescent<br />PARKES ACT 2600<br /><br />Or email <a href="mailto:prebudgetsubs@treasury.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:prebudgetsubs%40treasury.gov.au">prebudgetsubs@treasury.gov.au</a><br /><br /><strong>You have until Friday 16 January</strong>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-20462691641548482562008-11-23T18:03:00.000+10:002008-11-23T18:04:59.241+10:00CAST newsletter November<span style="font-size:100%;">You can download our latest newsletter <a href="http://brisbanept.typepad.com/files/castnews_nov2008.doc">here</a></span>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-43608535794200303252008-11-23T16:04:00.000+10:002008-11-23T16:10:03.512+10:00Two-wheeled motorvehicle policy<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Community Action for Sustainable Transport - Draft 18.11.2008</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This policy uses some strategies first developed by Motorcycling Australia.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background</span></span><br /><br />For trips where public transport, walking and cycling are not good options people should consider using a two-wheeled motor vehicle (TWMV) rather than a car.<br /><br />Switching from a car to a motorcycle, scooter or electric bike is an easy way for people to reduce congestion, greenhouse emissions and save money on fuel.<br /><br />TWMVs make more efficient use of fuel, road space and parking space than a single occupant car and can play a part in the campaign to reduce congestion and climate change.<br /><br />Statistics on fuel efficiency are available <a href="http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleFuelEconomyGuide.htm">here</a><br /><br />When driven below the speed limit TWMVs also pose less of a safety risk to other road users than cars, trucks and buses due to their weight.<br /><br />TWMVs are a more affordable transport option than driving a single occupant car, and will also help preserve oil reserves for essential agricultural, medical and transport uses.<br /><br />All levels of Government should be doing more to encourage people to switch from their car to TWMVs.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Proposed strategies</span></span><br /><br />More free parking spaces for TWMVs at activity centres and public transport nodes. Parking must be safe, conveniently located and ensure pedestrian, wheelchair and cyclist access is not obstructed. Car parks should be reclaimed for TWMV parking where possible.<br /><br />Inclusion of two-wheeled motor vehicles in National Road Transport policies<br /><br />Reduction in registration fees for TWMVs<br /><br />Provision of TWMV-only lanes on key arterial roads<br /><br />Exemption from tolls on tolled roads and infrastructure for TWMVs<br /><br />Mandatory TWMV parking to be included in the construction plans for new buildings<br /><br />Integration of TWMVs into the planning for Public Transport projects, such as park and ride for bikes.<br /><br />A national standard that restricts the speed of new TWMVs available for the general public to 120km/hr<br /><br />Advertising campaigns to encourage people to switch from a car to a two-wheeled motor vehicle<br /><br />Government purchase of electric bicycles for use by employees and citizensCommunity Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-82903418151001062492008-11-08T12:20:00.003+10:002008-11-08T12:43:10.857+10:00Reduce speeds in Brisbane CBD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYeJqWZOqJypsWPWbDmJmz3ofAyvs1M_PbPCx9ym38jeSuGJJgN9kfohlvWRQfJ1d0AuyZNv8XcSEDDGJBSV4Gz8H4v7EP0f_zn1e_ut5uWJ_pC6WcNZDOiEBRFwJyouo1jJm/s1600-h/GiveWay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYeJqWZOqJypsWPWbDmJmz3ofAyvs1M_PbPCx9ym38jeSuGJJgN9kfohlvWRQfJ1d0AuyZNv8XcSEDDGJBSV4Gz8H4v7EP0f_zn1e_ut5uWJ_pC6WcNZDOiEBRFwJyouo1jJm/s320/GiveWay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266110199850373922" border="0" /></a>Reducing speed limits on our roads is a cost effective way to save lives, improve business and encourage more people to walk and cycle.<br /><br />Brisbane City Council’s proposal to reduce speeds in Brisbane’s CBD to 40km/hr should be implemented immediately, be extended to Ann and Turbot Streets, and be strongly enforced by the Queensland Police.<br /><br />This policy was first proposed by the Greens in the lead up to the March Council elections and it now has the support of Liberal, Labor and the RACQ. <span style="font-weight: bold;">(1)</span><br /><br />It will literally make Brisbane more liveable. Lower speeds give road users more time to react, reduce stopping distances and reduce the severity of impact. The risk of death for pedestrians struck by a vehicle rises rapidly as vehicle speed rises above 40km/hr. <span style="font-weight: bold;">(2)</span> Road accidents cause huge amounts of physical and emotional pain and it is estimated that they cost Australia nearly $15 billion per year. <span style="font-weight: bold;">(3)</span><br /><br />Calm streets are also great for business. Slower streets give people better access to shops on both sides of the road and the relaxed atmosphere of a calm street allows cafes and other outdoor uses to flourish.<br /><br />Another benefit of calm CBD streets is that they are safer and easier for people to cycle on. Encouraging cycling is an effective congestion reduction measure and has great economic benefits in terms of public health savings. While road accidents cost Australians billions each year it has been estimated that the economic benefits of cycling were $227 million in 2006. <span style="font-weight: bold;">(4)</span><br /><br />Council’s current proposal should be extended to include reduced speeds on Ann and Turbot Streets. Ann Street has heavy pedestrian traffic coming out of Central Railway Station and Turbot Street is currently an uninviting traffic sewer that cuts off the CBD from Spring Hill and the Roma Street precinct. Both streets offer cyclists direct connections between the CBD and the Valley, and Turbot Street is an access point to the popular Bicentennial Bikeway.<br /><br />An important factor that also needs to be addressed is that the majority of pedestrian accidents in the CBD involved pedestrians crossing against the red signal. <span style="font-weight: bold;">(5)</span> This is due to traffic light patterns that provide long green signals for cars and short green signals for pedestrians travelling in the same direction. Crossing Elizabeth Street while walking along the northern side of George Street is a great example of this.<br /><br />Intersections have also been designed so that pedestrians often need to use two or three different crossings just to get across one road, while vehicles only need one. Try crossing Wharf and Creek Streets when you’re walking along the Western side of Turbot Street and you’ll see what I mean. Council traffic engineers need to reprogram traffic lights to give pedestrians a fair go.<br /><br />So will these simple and cost-effective changes have negative impacts on people driving in the CBD? The impact of reduced speed limits on overall trip times will be negligible. The main cause of delays for drivers on Ann, Turbot and other inner-city streets will continue to be the fact that there are too many cars on our roads. Governments can address this by shifting their overall transport priority from roads to public transport, walking and cycling.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What can you do?</span><br /><br />To support these proposals send a letter to Council's Active Transport Chairperson Jane Prentice <a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:waltertaylor.ward@ecn.net.au" target="_blank" href="mailto:waltertaylor.ward@ecn.net.au">waltertaylor.ward@ecn.net.au</a> and CC it to your local Councillor (find their contact details <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_5">here</a>).<br /><br />If you have a suggestion for improving conditions for cyclists or pedestrians you can lodge it via the Brisbane Public Transport Users Group <a href="http://www.ptbrisbane.net/">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tristan Peach is spokesperson for Community Action for Sustainable Transport castqld@yahoo.com.au</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">End Notes</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >(1) </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking Policy (March 2008), Green City Links inner-city transport plan (July 2007)<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >(2)</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Fildes, B., Oxley, J. 1998, `Long Term Consequences of Road Crashes', Measuring the Burden of Injury, Proceedings of a Conference held at Fremantle, WA 15-16 February 1996, Road Accident Prevention Research Unit, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands WA.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >(3)</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Risbey, T., De Silva, H., Tong, A. 2007. ‘Road crash cost estimation: a proposal incorporating a decade of conceptual and empirical developments’, Staff paper, Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics, Australia.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >(4) </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Bauman, A., Rissel, C., Garrard, J., Ker, I., Speidel, R., Fishman, E. 2008 ‘Cycling: Getting Australia Moving: barriers, facilitators and interventions to get more Australians physically active through cycling’ Cycling Promotion Fund, Melbourne.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >(5) </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Sandy, A. 2008. ‘40km/h speed limit plan for Brisbane CBD’, Courier Mail 11/09/2008.</span>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-99438790749291952008-11-05T15:29:00.002+10:002008-11-06T16:01:33.392+10:00Alternative to Western Road Building AgendaVideo of presentation to community meeting<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/429U_bBl6h0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/429U_bBl6h0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />See the CAST alternative plan for west Brisbane and Ipswich <a href="http://brisbanept.typepad.com/brisbane_public_transport/2008/08/alternative-to.html">here</a><br /><br />Check out the Communities Against the Tunnels Website <a href="http://www.notunnels.net/">here</a>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-51074311924982800982008-11-05T10:33:00.002+10:002008-11-05T10:45:45.718+10:00Government Ignoring Alternatives to the Kenmore Bypass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRzEhRxHXE8LNSg1VB2CD2tBbPhrFS5KkrUN2uUU9q3ir465J4ZT0wMBctuuZhvx6bCcC3fFEcEZ0a7ocrMzh6CUNzAq8pd-Ozhn0xdykrogyCwsw24W1m3DxfIDQx7gpBqv5/s1600-h/Trucks+on+Milton+Rd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRzEhRxHXE8LNSg1VB2CD2tBbPhrFS5KkrUN2uUU9q3ir465J4ZT0wMBctuuZhvx6bCcC3fFEcEZ0a7ocrMzh6CUNzAq8pd-Ozhn0xdykrogyCwsw24W1m3DxfIDQx7gpBqv5/s320/Trucks+on+Milton+Rd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264967639236347234" border="0" /></a>Main Roads have refused to consider a public transport option to address traffic congestion on Moggill Road and are proceeding with further studies for the Kenmore Bypass Road.<br /><br />Their community information brochure (November 2008) states that there was considerable community opposition to the bypass, with people calling for increased public transport to be considered as an alternative option.<br /><br />However Main Roads could not take this into account because they were “outside the scope of the Kenmore Bypass Planning Study”.<br /><br />Thus their latest “Planning Options” study is dedicated to road solutions and will not consider whether a solution combining public transport, walking and cycling will better address the problem.<br /><br />The same approach has been taken with the Hale Street Bridge, North South Bypass Tunnel and Airport Link studies.<br /><br />The terms of reference for all these projects are designed so that the pre-determined solution will always be chosen, while the community are offered the illusion of choice such as the route of the road or where traffic lights will be located.<br /><br />Main Roads are not interested in taking a rational planning approach and are simply doing what they know – building roads.<br /><br />The State Government Transport Departments need to be combined so that solutions for transport solutions are considered across all modes of transport.<br /><br />The State Government needs to realise that continuing to prioritise road building, while slowly improving public transport is not a “balanced approach”.<br /><br />They are continuing the decades of funding and policy inequity that has favoured cars and road transport.<br /><br />If the State Government got serious about public transport then all these new roads and road expansions in western Brisbane would not be necessary because there would be a significant shift from car to public transport, walking and cycling.<br /><br />Building more roads leads to more traffic congestion and the Kenmore Bypass is a great example of this.<br /><br />The bypass will pour more traffic onto the Centenary Highway, triggering the need for it to be upgraded, and more traffic on the Centenary Highway means more traffic heading into Toowong, meaning the government then has the justification for building the Northern Link tunnel.<br /><br />The alternative is simple – spend the money from all these projects on upgrading cycling facilities, bus services and train services. This means more people leave their cars at home and there is no need to build destructive road upgrades.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact Warren Pitt, Minister for Main Roads to let him know what you think about the Kenmore Bypass mulgrave@parliament.qld.gov.au</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CAST contact for this article Tristan Peach 0416-478-615</span>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-11810499134642434392008-09-07T20:36:00.000+10:002008-09-07T20:41:15.569+10:00Bridge to Brisbane Fun RunMedia release 5 September 2008<br /><br />For many of the participants in this Sunday's Bridge to Brisbane fun run, it will be a case of driving their cars to the start of the race at Murarrie, or not running at all.<br /><br />Translink has provided a shuttle bus leaving from Fortitude Valley at 5.00 am, and an extra train service leaving Central at 4.46 am for Murarrie station. These are the only special services that will cater for fun run participants.<br /><br />However, public transport customers who live in the suburbs will have no way of joining these services, as there are just no connecting services to Central or the Valley at that time on Sunday mornings.<br /><br />All other normal Sunday services operate at times which would not permit race participants to reach the start of the race in sufficient time to register and prepare for the run. [6.00am]<br /> <br />Isn't it about time that Translink implemented a policy of providing adequate sustainable transport services for the people of Brisbane, especially at times of special events involving many thousands of participants, who are then forced to drive their vehicles to join the events?<br /><br />Contact David White 0403-871-082Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-83181192220477883082008-09-03T23:14:00.000+10:002008-09-03T23:17:47.874+10:00Solutions for West BrisbaneWhat is the road building agenda for west Brisbane, and what are the alternatives to it. This video summarises a presentation by CAST spokesperson, Tristan Peach, outlining the flaws of the current transport planning approach in West Brisbane and an alternative plan to serve the needs of the region for decades to come. Watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=429U_bBl6h0">here</a>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-30775727575723854772008-08-27T12:44:00.000+10:002008-08-27T12:47:35.429+10:00Petition for light rail in BrisbaneSign a petition for light rail in Brisbane <a href="http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1096&lIndex=-1">here</a>. Be sure to spread the word to your friends, family and networks too.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-62276777382476879972008-08-24T01:02:00.000+10:002008-08-24T01:15:38.705+10:00Demand Go Card price cap<b>TransLink must make Go Card the best option</b><br /><br />Demand a Go Card price cap! Make a submission to TransLink through the Brisbane Public Tranpsort Users Group website <a href="http://brisbanept.typepad.com/brisbane_public_transport/public_submissions/#">here</a> or visit <a href="http://www.ptbrisbane.net/" target="_blank">www.ptbrisbane.net</a> and follow the link from latest Go Card story.<br /><br />TransLink’s current advertising slogan “Go Card at least 20% cheaper” is a false guarantee. For some people, making the switch to Go Card will be more expensive.<br /><br />Compared with a daily ticket, Go Card is more expensive when making more than 2 public transport trips in one day.<br /><br />Weekly paper ticket holders also get unlimited weekly travel and get far better value for money than if they were to switch to Go Card.<br /><br />Go Card SHOULD NOT have financial penalties for regular public transport use!<br /><br />Go Card should always be the best option for regular public transport users, otherwise people won’t use it and we won’t see the benefits of high Go Card usage, such as reduced boarding times on buses.<br /><br />We demand that the Go Card fare structure be updated to include daily, weekly and monthly price capping to make it better than paper tickets. It should also provide incentive options such as off peak, and early and late peak travel.<br /><br />All of this is possible with the existing technology.<br /><br />The Oyster card in London, a similar product to Go Card, has long had a price guarantee that ‘Our aim is to ensure that Oyster always charges the lowest fare. Where it doesn't, we will refund the difference.’<br /><br />The Go Card should provide a similar guarantee.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ptbrisbane.net/" target="_blank">www.ptbrisbane.net</a><br /><br />The Brisbane Public Transport Users Group is an independent, not-for-profit community initiative lobbying for improved public transport. It is run through Community Action for Sustainable Transport Inc.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-49541915905997695162008-08-11T16:04:00.002+10:002008-08-11T16:17:06.806+10:00Ipswich PTUG August newsletter<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Please make your own submissions to government about the following public transport issues.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Improved frequencies on Ipswich Train Line</span></span><br />In June the Transport Minister said that timetable changes to be introduced in September would “focus on the heavily patronised Ipswich line” (Quest Ipswich News 5 June, page 11). However TransLink have now said that minor timetable changes made on the 28th of July would be the last for the year. Write to the Minister and TransLink demanding higher frequency peak and off-peak services on the <span style="font-size:100%;">Ipswich line.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make submissions to:</span><br />Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au<br />3806 8513 or GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001<br />TransLink <a href="http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/feedbackform">online</a> or GPO Box 50 BRISBANE 4001 or 131230<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More information:</span><br />Rail Back on Track <a href="http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1184.msg5288#msg5288">page</a> on the issue<br />28 July <a href="http://www.translink.com.au/qt/transLin.nsf/ReferenceLookup/080728_ipswich.pdf/$file/080728_ipswich.pdf">timetable</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bus connections with Riverlink shopping centre</span></span><br />Bus routes “504 Ipswich – Brassall” and “505 Ipswich – Tivoli” still have not been routed through Riverlink despite the close proximity of these two routes and the distance from the nearest stops being some 300 and 500 metres respectively. TransLink must make minor alterations to these routes to ensure commuters have convenient access to these new facilities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make submissions to:</span><br />TransLink <a href="http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/feedbackform">online</a> GPO Box 50 BRISBANE 4001 or ph. 131230<br />Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au<br />3806 8513 or GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001<br />Write your local Member of Parliament - <a href="http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/view/legislativeAssembly/members_current.asp">contact list</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More information:</span><br />Ipswich PTUG member Alan Ward via castqld@yahoo.com.au<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >A better plan for West Brisbane / Ipswich</span><br />Community Action for Sustainable Transport have developed an alternative transport plan for the Ipswich/West Brisbane region, with a focus on public transport, walking, cycling and better land use planning. The plan provides a background to transport issues for the area and detailed maps of the improvements needed. Download it <a href="http://brisbanept.typepad.com/brisbane_public_transport/files/CASTSouthWestAccessPlan.pdf">here</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Email your feedback about the plan to:</span><br />castqld@yahoo.com.au<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Show your support for this plan by contacting:</span><br />Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au<br />3806 8513 or GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001<br />Write your local Member of Parliament - <a href="http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/view/legislativeAssembly/members_current.asp">contact list</a>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-9442105340562884392008-07-30T03:43:00.000+10:002008-07-30T03:47:44.658+10:00Far North Queensland Strategic PlanCairns Action for Sustainable Transport have made a substantial public submission on the draft Far North Queensland Strategic Plan and it is available for download <a href="http://brisbanept.typepad.com/brisbane_public_transport/files/CAST_FNQ-2025_Submission_final.pdf">here</a>. The submission identifies the disconnection between the State Government's stated aims of achieving "sustainable transport" and their actual policies. It makes recommendations on adopting greenhouse reduction and mode share targets and also discusses the public transport needs of Far North Queensland.Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-22767959750256743692008-07-29T15:46:00.000+10:002008-07-29T15:52:26.844+10:00Car Sharing in Paris<span class="stamp">In Paris a massive public car sharing scheme has been proposed by the City's Mayor. 2000 cars in the central city and 2000 cars in the suburbs will be available for pick up and drop off at 700 different spots. The scheme is being targeted at young people who do not own a car to reduce their need to purchase their own.<br /><br />Read the article<br />Clike <a href="http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/4834215">here</a><br />OR http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/4834215<br /><br />CAST's current Car Share policy is:<br /></span>Encourage car sharing cooperatives and companies<br />• Government officers to develop guidelines for setting up a car-sharing cooperatives in Brisbane<br />• Advertise the concept and its benefits through billboards, public seminars and radio/TV advertisements<br />• Subsidise the purchase of “green” vehicles for co-ops and companies<br />• Provide car parking spaces for registered car share vehicles at various destinations<br /><br />What do you think about the Paris scheme and what do you think about our policy? Comment below<br /><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:South.Brisbane%40parliament.qld.gov.au" target="_blank" href="mailto:South.Brisbane%40parliament.qld.gov.au"></a>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-79077779679145290782008-07-29T15:24:00.000+10:002008-07-29T15:31:03.566+10:00Help stop the Hale Street BridgeThe Stop the Hale Street Bridge alliance are calling on people to<br />write to Anna Bligh regarding the Hale Street Bridge. They believe<br />public opinion, and even the opinion of the Courier Mail, is turning<br />on this project.<br /><br />The No Tunnels / Community Action for Sustainable Transport letter has<br />been submitted today and you can read it <a href="http://www.notunnels.net/files/HaleSt28July08Bligh.pdf">here</a><br /><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.notunnels.net/node/52">http://www.notunnels.net/files/HaleSt28July08Bligh.pdf</a><br /><br />Write your own quick letter to the Premier<br /><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:South.Brisbane%40parliament.qld.gov.au" target="_blank" href="mailto:South.Brisbane%40parliament.qld.gov.au">South.Brisbane@parliament.qld.gov.au</a>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38605679.post-36634763396816124832008-07-26T12:48:00.000+10:002008-07-26T12:49:35.316+10:00Regional Development Funding ProgramFederal parliament is running an 'Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program'.<br /><br />There are a number of public forums taking place around the country which you might be interested in:<br /><br /> * Cairns: Friday 25 July 2008<br /> * Darwin: Monday 28 July 2008<br /> * Perth: Wednesday 30 July 2008<br /> * Launceston: Monday 4 August 2008<br /> * Ballarat: Wednesday 6 August 2008<br /> * Shepparton: Friday 8 August 2008<br /> * Dubbo: Tuesday 12 August 2008<br /> * Nowra: Thursday 14 August 2008<br /><br />Please get along and show your support for major Federal public transport initiatives.<br /><br />More info at:<br /><<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/itrdlg/regionaldevelopment/">http://www.aph. gov.au/house/ committee/ itrdlg/regionald evelopment/</a>>Community Action for Sustainable Transporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09468177032721490465noreply@blogger.com0