QR puts marketing before work
AN INDEPENDENT audit into Queensland Rail services has revealed millions were spent on marketing while City Train's on-track performance floundered.
The Queensland Government raised the QR maintenance budget by $8 million over the past two years, which was only a fraction of the overall funding increase of $200 million to the rail network.
The audit delivered 26 recommendations which the Newman Government vowed to begin implementing immediately at a cost of $60 million.
The report identified planning for an investment into capital infrastructure over the next 30 to 50 years as crucial to ensure the needs of the network are met.
Public Transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the report proved without funding QR services won't improve.
"If you want a reliable rail network you have to fund it," he said.
Mr Dow said the report also showed the poor performance record of the City Train network was not down to the QR staff.
He added the report highlights many issues that passengers have been suggesting such as age of rolling stock, network and signalling issues and a failure to move with critical track capacity improvements.
"What they did recognise is they actually need to put some resources into rail," he said.
Transport Minister Scott Emerson said restoring passenger confidence in train travel was a priority following major disruptions during the final months of the Labor government which led to the lowest on-time running in almost three years.
The recommendations will be delivered by a Transport Executive Committee who report to Mr Emerson.
An implementation plan, addressing the recommendations is to be submitted to Mr Emerson by Wednesday.
"Work is already under way to identify the savings within corporate areas of Queensland Rail's budget to start funding these crucial upgrades," he said.
Rumours began last month that more than 2000 QR staff could lose their jobs, with high-y paid executives among those to be trimmed. The salary of 12 senior QR executives exceeds $4.5 million.
QR employs 200 staff in Ipswich.
