25 Jan 2011: SEQ: Springfield-Richlands rocket rail-bus required

[ozbob]

Media release 25 January 2011

SEQ: Springfield-Richlands rocket rail-bus required

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 called for a direct, express rail-bus from Springfield to Richlands to be considered while the rail line is being built. (1)

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The opening of the Richlands rail station really showed how the community will get behind public transport when given good quality options. RAIL Back on Track has received feedback asking for a direct bus service from Springfield so that residents can transfer to rail."

"Once the proposed bus does its suburban run in Springfield it can go straight down the Centenary Highway and feed directly into Richlands rail station. Services could begin as a peak-hour service, and this could be gradually increased to an all day, high frequency service, possibly of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) standards and with a guaranteed connection to every train service."

"This could be similar to a system in Perth, Western Australia, where they have used BRT to feed passengers from Rockingham into the Mandurah rail line (2)."

"This will be a useful "stop-gap" measure while TransLink, Queensland Rail and the construction alliance deal with the construction and planning of the extension of the rail line into Springfield."

"Judging by the popularity of the Richlands rail line, RAIL Back on Track believes the Springfield railway line will be a great achievement for both Springfield and Queensland, and will be very popular. We also welcome the new interim timetable for this line which came into operation yesterday."

"As the success of public transport, particularly feeder bus routing, is highly influenced by speed, directness, layout and connectivity of the local road network, we hope that Springfield Land Corporation ensures that future roads are developed in accordance with the 'Be on the way' principle to allow easy, direct bus routing in the future (3)."

"It is time public transport in south-east Queensland became pro-active rather than reactive!"

References:

1. Bus link from Springfield to Richlands Station
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5226

2. Rockingham City Centre Transit System
http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Projects/CompletedProjects/RockinghamCityCentreTransitSystem/tabid/81/Default.aspx

3. Queensland: Public Transport 101 - Be on the Way!
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4996.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5226

[ozbob]

Media release 25 January 2011 re-released 5 March 2011

SEQ: Springfield-Richlands rocket rail-bus required

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 called for a direct, express rail-bus from Springfield to Richlands to be considered while the rail line is being built. (1)

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The opening of the Richlands rail station really showed how the community will get behind public transport when given good quality options. RAIL Back on Track has received feedback asking for a direct bus service from Springfield so that residents can transfer to rail."

"Once the proposed bus does its suburban run in Springfield it can go straight down the Centenary Highway and feed directly into Richlands rail station. Services could begin as a peak-hour service, and this could be gradually increased to an all day, high frequency service, possibly of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) standards and with a guaranteed connection to every train service."

"This could be similar to a system in Perth, Western Australia, where they have used BRT to feed passengers from Rockingham into the Mandurah rail line (2)."

"This will be a useful "stop-gap" measure while TransLink, Queensland Rail and the construction alliance deal with the construction and planning of the extension of the rail line into Springfield."

"Judging by the popularity of the Richlands rail line, RAIL Back on Track believes the Springfield railway line will be a great achievement for both Springfield and Queensland, and will be very popular. We also welcome the new interim timetable for this line which came into operation yesterday."

"As the success of public transport, particularly feeder bus routing, is highly influenced by speed, directness, layout and connectivity of the local road network, we hope that Springfield Land Corporation ensures that future roads are developed in accordance with the 'Be on the way' principle to allow easy, direct bus routing in the future (3)."

"It is time public transport in south-east Queensland became pro-active rather than reactive!"

References:

1. Bus link from Springfield to Richlands Station
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5226

2. Rockingham City Centre Transit System
http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Projects/CompletedProjects/RockinghamCityCentreTransitSystem/tabid/81/Default.aspx

3. Queensland: Public Transport 101 - Be on the Way!
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4996.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

ROCKET!!!!

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/springfield-to-richlands-bus-consultation

TransLink is seeking feedback on a possible temporary bus connection, from Springfield to Richlands train station, until the Springfield train line is complete.

View the possible Springfield to Richlands train station route:

[ozbob]

From the Satellite 20th April 2011 page 3

Consultation sought on interim rail bus

Consultation sought on interim rail bus

THE residents of Springfield and neighbouring suburbs are being urged to share their views about an interim rail bus which would run to and from Richlands Train Station while the Springfield heavy rail line is extended from Richlands.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track said Translink has considered, and is investigating, the possibility of a rail bus running between the two stations.

"Rail Back on Track is very supportive of bus integration with rail," he said.

"A bus service could be put on as the community waits for construction on the Springfield Rail line to complete.

"The Centenary Highway north of the Ipswich Highway is fast becoming a permanent car park in the peak (traffic periods). One bus is equivalent to 40 cars, a rail bus service as proposed by TransLink will ease some of the chronic road congestion."

Mr Dow said the proposed route would originate at Springfield Central, service the USQ campus as well as Springfield Lakes Boulevard, Summit Drive and Lakeside Avenue.

"Once this suburban run in Springfield is done, the proposed rail bus will run straight down the Centenary Highway and feed into Richlands Rail Station to connect with trains to and from the CBD," he said.

Translink has already conducted three consultation sessions in the Springfield area and online surveys are still available at http://www.zoomerang. com/Survey/WEB22C5 XG3HMK5/

[#Metro]

A curious situation... just broaching possible outcomes here...

If TransLink finds that there isn't demand for a rocket rail bus, then what does that say about the patronage for the extension of
a $100 million dollar-per-km rail line into Springfield???

[ozbob]

There is a difference of course, but I am optimistic the bus will be well supported.  Will sure beat going via Goodna ...

[Jonno]

A curious situation... just broaching possible outcomes here...

If TransLink finds that there isn't demand for a rocket rail bus, then what does that say about the patronage for the extension of
a $100 million dollar-per-km rail line into Springfield???

Assuming that public transport is demand driven which it is not. Plenty of example locally, nationally and internationally to show that where supply is frequent, fast and connected the demand miraculously appears!! Supply problem not a demand one!

[#Metro]

I understand this Jonno. But a train coming every 30 minutes vs a bus coming every 30 minutes, to my mind, has the same frequency...