Article: Big squeeze on buses, trains

[Golliwog]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-squeeze-on-buses-trains/story-e6freoof-1225863842978

Big squeeze on buses, trains
Ursula Heger From: The Courier-Mail May 07, 2010 11:30PM  
GET used to the big squeeze on public transport.

Overflowing buses and standing room only in trains could be here to stay as the weight of an extra 1200 people a week bears down on the southeast's public transport network.

More than 5200 buses were too full to pick up commuters in Brisbane last month, while overcrowding on the rail network is expected to worsen as the network lurches towards peak-hour capacity.

In a bid to cope with patronage – which is expected to double in the next 10 years – the rail network will undergo a timetable overhaul next year.

Patronage on public transport has surged from 123.8 million yearly in the 2003-04 financial year, rising to 181 million trips last year.

And it is set to jump to 242 million trips in 2015 and 324 million by 2020 – almost double current levels.

Growth on the southeast's rail network, currently constrained by a single river crossing at South Brisbane, is reliant on the Cross River Rail project, which is estimated to cost up to $8 billion.

But despite promises it will be a cure for overcrowding, it is yet to be fully funded and would not be operating before 2016.

TransLink chief executive Peter Strachan said a timetable overhaul for rail services, starting with the Ipswich and Caboolture lines, was on the cards in the first half of next year to free up capacity on some of the busiest rail lines.

"We are looking at how we stretch the capacity – my sense is to do that properly we have to do some kind of fairly major timetable recast," he said.

"We would want to do that when we introduce the new services to Richlands and take advantage of the Corinda to Darra triplication."

Mr Strachan said "brave decisions" needed to be made to secure funds for the Cross River Rail project.

This would help alleviate network pinch points, including between Roma Street and Central stations, and between South Brisbane and Park Road stations.

Mr Strachan joined calls for all southeast Queensland councils to contribute to public transport operations.

"Brisbane City Council funds around $60 million a year into the operating costs of buses and significant ferry services and significant infrastructure services – we think this is a good thing and I just wish other councils would follow that lead," he said.

University of Queensland Centre for Transport Strategy director Phil Charles said funding substantial infrastructure projects, such as Cross River Rail, would be difficult.

"The problem is if you look at population, which is increasing, (and) the amount of travel demand is increasing, we can't fund the infrastructure to keep up with that pace - even if we could build it," he said.

He said the State Government would face some "unpalatable decisions", such as congestion charging and raising public transport fares.

Griffith University research fellow Matthew Burke said another problem facing the public transport network was the limited capacity to transport commuters into the CBD.

"We have particular issues – a big one is congestion around the CBD and its frame. We are at a point where we can no longer squeeze people into that environment," he said.

"And if there is further development in the CBD, it is unclear how we can provide capacity without an extra rail crossing or an extra bus crossing and other connections."

The Connecting SEQ 2031 transport plan, which will develop a strategy to manage transport growth, will be released mid-year.

[Golliwog]

I've noticed an increase in the number of articles like this of late. I think its good, they keep stating that people are WANTING better public transport. Hopefully this starts getting through the those who control the funding of projects and give more funding to rail and bus and ferry options.

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 May 2010

SEQ:  There are solutions

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said prophecies of doom regarding failure to manage public transport today are wrong (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There is plenty of latent capacity on the rail network which could be put to good use today.  The frequency of rail services is poor, simply by increasing train frequency and using more feeder and satellite bus routes, the chronic bus congestion problems will be relieved (2).  The Cross River rail project will be needed to give the longer term capacity and frequency increases, but doing nothing now is not acceptable."

"There appears to be a reluctance to place additional rail services which are well within the present system capacities. Why is this so?"

"By addressing the present gaps on the rail timetables this will encourage a more even use of public transport.  We have the go card rolled out, but it is in a 'fare straight jacket'.  Why is the significant public investment, our investment, not being properly used to encourage more flexible travel patterns?"

"Simply accepting that things will get worse before they get better is not acceptable.  If the authorities cannot move forward with improvements today they should get off the bus!"

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/big-squeeze-on-buses-trains/story-e6freoof-1225863842978

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3778.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Mr Stachan's comments in the Courier Mail as quoted again confirm that the advice from TransLink that no timetable changes were planned was incorrect.  See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3703.msg25099#msg25099

[ozbob]

Courier Mail poll on the above article is interesting, perception of overcrowding ...

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

Some feedback received, thanks.

You are so correct about there being more capacity in the system.

I have been looking at the option of a 10 minute service on the Caboolture line with 20 minutes between services from Nambour and 20 minute services from Petrie.

The one thing that I noticed is the number of different patterns and the number of services that have slightly different running times in the corridor.  These are some of the things that they are doing that make it harder for themselves to run more trains.

There are also some improvements to the system that would make it easier.

Sure they are going to cost, but they are not huge projects and could give enough leeway to allow enough breathing space until the new cross river link is completed.

The list on the caboolture line is:

Third road Petrie to Lawnton
Upgrade of South Pine River bridge (strengthen bridge) to allow 80km/hr running
Upgrade 25km crossovers at Narangba to 60/80 speeds
Crossovers and signalling at Toombul to allow movement from up sub to up main line on city side of Toombul
Similar crossovers and signalling to allow similar move from down main line to down sub
Upgrade and signal extra road between Bowen Hills and Albion to allow it to be used for down traffic.
(this would allow the existing down road to be used as an additional up road for morning peaks)
(this would also allow use as an extra down road in afternoon peaks)

If you were to have a look at all of the corridors, you would find many of the same things that although there is a cost involved, would result in better running of more services.

Shorncliffe line could run a 10 minute service in peaks by just having an extra crew that is available on arrival to take the train back to town.  (running time between Shorncliffe and Sandgate is 2 minutes - to run down and back with 6 minute turn back time is just too tight, but with second crew it only takes 2 minutes for turn back)

This is where they have forgotten to look past what is being done now to improve what can be done in the future.

[somebody]

What's the availability of high speed points for narrow guage like?

Obviously, Nambour isn't getting 20 minute services.  Although when the Landsborough duplication goes in, that could get a 30 minute service, in theory.

[ozbob]

Re points, expect the availability is no problem, probably costs a little more.  The crossovers between the mains/subs between Sherwood and Corinda are high speed now.  I think another advantage besides the quicker crosses is less wear on track and wheels as closed frogs.  So probably saves dough in the longer term ..

[longboi]

What's the availability of high speed points for narrow guage like?

They're widely available - Most of the points on the GC line are high speed turnouts.