Two more services for the Ippy - from 4th October

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Train services to ease congestion

Train services to ease congestion

20th September 2010

TWO new peak-hour train services will be added to the Ipswich line next month to ease congestion on Queensland Rail passenger services.

From October 4 commuters heading home from Brisbane can expect a service leaving Central station for Ipswich at 4.28pm.

Robert Dow, from lobby group Rail Back on Track, said it was a service his group had been seeking for a number of years.

The other new service is a 7.27am service leaving Corinda for Brisbane, which is expected to help ease congestion on the Ipswich line.

Transport Minister and Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan said the two new trains would make a noticeable difference to regular commuters.

Visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

Both welcome   

[ozbob]

Blast from the past ...  we were informed that it was not possible to move the 4.12pm service, so we raised the possibility of a train leaving Central between the 4.21pm and the 4.38pm service (now 4.35pm) constantly since May 2007.  Glad that finally there will be a 4.28pm Ipswich service from town.  This will ease the problems on the 4.35pm of course.  

RAIL Back On Track - Media Release 19 May 2007
Timetable Improvements to Ease Congestion

RAIL - Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has suggested that some simple timetable changes on the Ipswich line will go a long way to improving passenger congestion, and act as an incentive for people to leave their cars behind and avoid the dangerous Ipswich Highway with its chronic traffic congestion and crashes.

Robert Dow said that:

"Presently during the week there is a fifteen minute frequency of service of trains from Corinda to the City.  It would be within the present crew and train service capacities that instead of terminating the trains at Corinda these could be terminated at Darra.  This is only two stations past Corinda. This would then give a fifteen minute frequency from both Oxley and Darra.  Both these stations have high passenger loadings, and by feeding buses into these stations it would enable commuters' fast and safe access to the City and beyond."

"Also in the afternoon there is presently a service from Central to Darra that leaves Central at 4.12pm.  This train has a light passenger loading as it follows the 4.06pm Central to Ipswich.  The next service is a 4.21pm Central to Ipswich, which is then followed by the 4.38 Central to Ipswich.  The 4.38pm Central to Ipswich is experiencing chronic heavy passenger loadings; it would help if the 4.12pm Central to Darra service was re-timetabled to leave Central at 4.30pm.  This would allow for more passengers to use the 4.38pm service to Ipswich in reasonable comfort.  These are simple practical solutions which will go a long way to improving service for patrons."

"Brisbane residents are tired of being left standing at the bus stops and at river catamaran (City Cat) and ferry stops by buses and catamarans with no more room for passengers.  By maximising rail travel this will help ease the chronic overloading of buses, ferries and catamarans. Rail is the bulk people mover, let's get with it Brisbane!"

Contact:

Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Media Release 20 September 2010

SEQ:  Two more services on the Ipswich railway line welcome

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 welcomed the addition of two more services to the Ipswich line timetable (1,2).

"From the 4th October an additional afternoon peak service departing Central at 4.28pm for Ipswich will be added to the timetable.  Also a 7.27am morning peak service from Corinda to CBD will be added."

"The new afternoon peak service will greatly assist management of the congestion that often occurs on the 4.35pm service from Central.  The additional morning train will help relieve overcrowding on the longer morning runs in from Ipswich, as passengers inbound from Corinda will have more options."

"We look forward to the promised timetable consultation and further changes and improvements as the Richlands branch line swings into service in 2011 (3)."

References:

1. http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/09/20/new-services-reduce-congestion-for-rail-commuters/

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4455.msg34417#msg34417

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg33702#msg33702

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[somebody]

Blast from the past ...  we were informed that it was not possible to move the 4.12pm service

Could it be that is because it comes from the Airport, and is therefore an un-sectorisation.  What is with these un-sectorised services?  Could it be because of the ridiculous "adding services" approach to timetabling?  Time for an end to this approach and start to proper timetabling.  So there.

[ozbob]

No, the stated reason was not enough time at Redbank to reverse it at the later time due to other conflicts, as well as the other ongoing connections for that service (it is usually an IMU).  We can only but look forward to future timetable initiatives ...  lol

[#Metro]

This is excellent news. However, there needs to be a focus on the OFF peak.
Trains should be used all day for general purpose trips, not just home-work.
Trains need to be regular and there needs to be more of them in the off peak so commuters can shift to these services.

The Ipswich line should be eventually converted to metro frequency.
When is Richlands supposed to open? That might be a good time to fix the timetables.

[ozbob]

As Grandma used to say,  'be grateful for small mercies ...'

Yes, TT, good news.

[#Metro]

  

[Derwan]

Great news.

Meanwhile on the Shorncliffe Line, I was running a little late this morning and wouldn't have made the 7:31 from Boondall if I'd walked to the station.  The next train was 7:57 - a 26-minute gap during the peak period.  Apparently this is considered acceptable?

I could have driven to Boondall station, but as I was already in the car I figured I might as well drive to Northgate.  I joined the hundreds of others from the Shorncliffe Line adding to the traffic congestion along Sandgate Rd to park in one of the 4 car-parks at Northgate (I arrived early enough not to have to park on the street) and catch an overcrowded train heading to the city from the Caboolture Line.

(Actually, the load on the train wasn't too bad, but my point was that I was adding to the patronage on another line because of the dismal frequency on my line.)

[somebody]

No, the stated reason was not enough time at Redbank to reverse it at the later time due to other conflicts, as well as the other ongoing connections for that service (it is usually an IMU).  We can only but look forward to future timetable initiatives ...  lol

Ok, that highlights the need for an extra platform at Redbank.  I'm guessing this is the train which needs to use the Dinmore cattle siding, after checking the timetable.

Also, it cannot leave the airport any later due to train leaving Eagle Junction at 3:52pm for the airport.  This train arrives at Eagle Junction at 3:56pm which seems to be pretty conflicting.  It also could only be moved 3 minutes earlier due to needing to cross the previous train at International.

Meanwhile on the Shorncliffe Line, I was running a little late this morning and wouldn't have made the 7:31 from Boondall if I'd walked to the station.  The next train was 7:57 - a 26-minute gap during the peak period.  Apparently this is considered acceptable?

Not by us, or the service standard which is 20 minutes in peak. 

Must express some confusion in the other thread at the person who voted that 15 minute frequency on the Shorncliffe line is unachievable.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

New Ipswich peak-hour train services

New Ipswich peak-hour train services
Courtney Trenwith
September 20, 2010 - 7:02AM

Two new peak-hour train services will be added to the Ipswich line.

From October 4, a new service will depart Corinda station for the city at 7.27am.

In the afternoon, an additional train will run from Central to Ipswich at 4.28pm.

Commuter advocate group Rail Back on Track welcomed the new services.

"The new afternoon peak service will greatly assist management of the congestion that often occurs on the 4.35pm service from Central," Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said.

"The additional morning train will help relieve overcrowding on the longer morning runs in from Ipswich, as passengers inbound from Corinda will have more options."

Transport Minister and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the services would add 7500 seats per week.

"Another obvious benefit will be improved comfort for passengers on nearby trains as the passenger load is spread across a greater number of trains," Ms Nolan said.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
20/09/2010

New peak trains for Ipswich line

Ipswich commuters will benefit from two new peak period train services which will be introduced on October 4.

Transport Minister and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the two new peak period trains will make a noticeable difference to regular commuters.

"The new morning service departing Corinda station at 7.27am provides an extra option for commuters coming into the city from the west," Ms Nolan said.

"Passengers during the afternoon peak now have an additional choice of a 4.28pm service departing Central station that runs through to Ipswich station.

"These two new services will add 7500 extra passenger seats per week for peak period commuters.

"Another obvious benefit will be improved comfort for passengers on nearby trains as the passenger load is spread across a greater number of trains."

"The new services on October 4 will mean greater comfort and more choice for commuters using the Ipswich line."

For more information on public transport, visit www.translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

[david]

Great news!

However, won't Corinda to Darra be ready by October 4? Everything looks complete. Signalling work surely wouldn't take more than another 2 weeks? Can't that new 7:27am start at Darra and use the new third line?

[somebody]

To be honest, I only see a small amount of value in the morning service.  It breaks up what is now only a 9 minute gap Corinda-Indooroopilly, although there is a 19 minute gap Taringa-Auchenflower.  In the PM, it breaks up one of two consecutive 15 minute gaps.

[Derwan]

To be honest, I only see a small amount of value in the morning service.

Tell that to the people who catch the services either side of it! 

[somebody]

To be honest, I only see a small amount of value in the morning service.

Tell that to the people who catch the services either side of it!  

Shouldn't that only apply to the service after it?  And that has only come from Redbank, not Ipswich, without much of a gap to the previous service as I have already said.

EDIT: I am really getting annoyed about CityTrain's timetabling approach.  It looks like the 2011 timetable will see merely extensions of the current Shorncliffe-Corinda trains to Richlands, and greater operating hours.  I hope I am proven wrong.

[Derwan]

Shouldn't that only apply to the service after it?

Probably - although people may currently be choosing to catch an earlier service to avoid the congestion in the latter one.  They would also benefit from one in the middle.

And that has only come from Redbank, not Ipswich, without much of a gap to the previous service as I have already said.

My point was that you can't make a judgement by just looking at the timetable.  It may be that the service after the gap is one of the most heavily patronaged services.  Unless we have that data, we can't say that we "only see a small amount of value".

[somebody]

Unless we have that data, we can't say that we "only see a small amount of value".

You don't believe that a best judgement on the available evidence offers anything?  There may be other data which disproves that.  Perhaps I could have phrased what I wrote slightly differently.

[ozbob]

Both services will be of value.  Having endured the overloads all welcome.  I see this as just stop gap, let's see what eventuates with Richland and the promised 2011 timetable.

[david]

To be honest, I only see a small amount of value in the morning service.  It breaks up what is now only a 9 minute gap Corinda-Indooroopilly, although there is a 19 minute gap Taringa-Auchenflower.

I do see your point there somebody. This new morning service needs to start further back from Corinda to have a real impact. However, I suspect that this will occur eventually in 2011. At the moment, any new service on the Ipswich line (and every other line) is great news!

[ozbob]

Bit odd, the new Sunday shuttle services for Rosewood  commencing on Sunday 10 October  details are on the TransLink web site, but not the two services from the 4th October ..

[somebody]

To be honest, I only see a small amount of value in the morning service.  It breaks up what is now only a 9 minute gap Corinda-Indooroopilly, although there is a 19 minute gap Taringa-Auchenflower.

I do see your point there somebody. This new morning service needs to start further back from Corinda to have a real impact. However, I suspect that this will occur eventually in 2011. At the moment, any new service on the Ipswich line (and every other line) is great news!

What would make more sense is re-timing the previous train into this slot, with express Chelmer-Sherwood, making this train leave Corinda at 7:24am and removing Auchenflower & Taringa stops from the train before that which comes from Rosewood.  But god forbid any rationalising could happen in SEQ.

[ClintonL94]

Bit odd, the new Sunday shuttle services for Rosewood  commencing on Sunday 10 October  details are on the TransLink web site, but not the two services from the 4th October ..

Fixed - its there now. click here.

[ozbob]

 

[Cam]

The new afternoon express service, that skips 9 stations between Milton & Darra, only saves 3 minutes between Milton & Darra compared to the adjoining all stations services. It then gains 4 minutes between Darra & Ipswich compared to the adjoining all station services. Why bother making it an express if it takes longer than the all station services from Central to Ipswich? Shall this new service be nicknamed the Claytons Express?  

[ozbob]

Welcome Cam,

Thanks for your comments.  Yes, timings look a bit generous, but the service is really designed to get longer haul punters off the 4.35pm.  I think it will achieve that reasonably well.  We expect a complete timetable revamp for Caboolture - Ipswich in 2011.  There is to be some consultation on this later this year as we understand it.

[somebody]

The new afternoon express service, that skips 9 stations between Milton & Darra, only saves 3 minutes between Milton & Darra compared to the adjoining all stations services. It then gains 4 minutes between Darra & Ipswich compared to the adjoining all station services. Why bother making it an express if it takes longer than the all station services from Central to Ipswich? Shall this new service be nicknamed the Claytons Express?  

Deep sigh.

This is a phenomena which affects numerous express services on the CityTrain network.  You'll see the same thing on the Cleveland line, although padding out the Darra-Ipswich bit is a new low.

I'm sorry ozbob, I've just been feeling a lot of frustration with Translink lately.

[david]

The padding in the new PM service is interesting. I once noted that the 5:24pm (ex Roma St) express took only 14 minutes to get from Roma St to Darra. Perhaps this is another measure to try to increase QR's "on-time" running.

I personally think that it would be better running the 4:35pm as the express, rather than this new 4:28pm. Might give some incentive for people to switch from the train they currently catch.

Also, is there any reason why there is a stop at Milton? I think it would be much better having the stop at Toowong/Indooroopilly.

[somebody]

Also, is there any reason why there is a stop at Milton? I think it would be much better having the stop at Toowong/Indooroopilly.

I'd suggest "All of the above".  There isn't enough frequency in the PM to have expresses through those stations.  It's different in the AM.

[ozbob]

... "These two new services will add 7500 extra passenger seats per week for peak period commuters" ...

Not quite, 10 extra services per week around 5000 extra seats (6 car) with 2500 standing room for nominal 750 pax loadings (the desired max pax), which then is equivalent to 7500 extra pax spots per week ...

[ozbob]

 

http://www.translink.com.au/mediarelease.php?id=202

New peak trains for Ipswich line

Monday 20 September 2010

Ipswich commuters will benefit from two new peak period train services which will be introduced on October 4.

Transport Minister and Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan said the two new peak period trains will make a noticeable difference to regular commuters.

"The new morning service departing Corinda station at 7.27am provides an extra option for commuters coming into the city from the west," Ms Nolan said.

"Passengers during the afternoon peak now have an additional choice of a 4.28pm service departing Central station that runs through to Ipswich station.

"These two new services will add capacity for 7500 extra passengers per week.

"Another obvious benefit will be improved comfort for passengers on nearby trains as the passenger load is spread across a greater number of trains."

"The new services on October 4 will mean greater comfort and more choice for commuters using the Ipswich line."

For more information on public transport, visit www.translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

[#Metro]

YAY! More services!

I would like it it the bloat factor was removed- divide by two then divide by 5 gives 750 seats
which is 1 train in the morning and one train in the afternoon over 5 day work week.

Would it be right for a single occupant motorist to claim that by driving to the CBD 5 days a week,
that their single car trip in the morning and afternoon was worth 50 seats per week? 

Here's hoping that an extra 120 000 seats per week can be put on each major rail line to bring it up to Perth Standard.

[Golliwog]

I was at Toowong today. The station seemed to have a sign up beside the one about the 2 new service saying there were some slight timetable adjustments. I didn't look at it too closely as I don't use the line but one of them was just modifying the running times for a few stations. Not sure about the other services on the list though.

[skippy]

Does anyone know what sort of patronage the new services are getting?

[david]

I travelled on the 7:27am Corinda to Bowen Hills yesterday and the loading was very light. Plenty of seats available leaving Milton station. But this is probably normal for such a new service and loadings may increase. I think that the service should be extended to cover Darra and Oxley immediately to really make any difference though. (For that matter, I think all services currently starting at Corinda should be extended to service at least Oxley station and then extended to Darra once works are finished there)

[#Metro]

The other new service is a 7.27am service leaving Corinda for Brisbane, which is expected to help ease congestion on the Ipswich line.

Do you think that these services might be extended to Richlands when that opens?
IMHO that's probably most likely...

Would something written up help. Happy to draft something if there is enough interest.

[Golliwog]

I was always working with the assumption that once Corinda-Darra and Darra-Richlands opened that all the Corinda starters/terminators would be extended at least to Richlands.

[ozbob]

I observed the 4.28pm express pass through Oxley the other afternoon, good solid loading.

[somebody]

I was always working with the assumption that once Corinda-Darra and Darra-Richlands opened that all the Corinda starters/terminators would be extended at least to Richlands.

Off peak?  Probably.  Peak?  Maybe not.  The single track Corinda-Darra on the suburbans will not make that a simple matter.

[david]

I was at Toowong today. The station seemed to have a sign up beside the one about the 2 new service saying there were some slight timetable adjustments. I didn't look at it too closely as I don't use the line but one of them was just modifying the running times for a few stations. Not sure about the other services on the list though.

I also noticed these signs saying "Effective 4 October 2010" at Darra Station. These slight timetable modifications do not seem to have been implemented as one of them was the extension of the 5:17pm (ex Central) Darra service being extended to Redbank. This train still currently terminates at Darra. I wonder what has gone on here? Perhaps a miscommunication between QR and Translink?