7 Jun 2011: SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning

[ozbob]

Media release 7 June 2011

SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has congratulated TransLink and Queensland Rail on day one of the new timetable.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The first major structural change in the rail timetables in south-east Queensland was implemented yesterday, 6th the June. Overall feedback and direct observations suggests that generally the changes went well. On time running for the first day was 92.8%, an excellent result for such a major change (1)."

"There were some minor issues however, for example the 5.20pm service from Central for Nambour was heavily congested.  One of the deficiencies on our rail network at peak is poor counter-peak frequency (2).  This impacted on this particular service however we are aware that Queensland Rail is working to resolve this situation."

"A particular highlight of the new timetable is the new day return rail service to Gympie North (3). RAIL Back On Track members travelled on the first service yesterday, which was widely welcomed by the communities in the Sunshine Coast hinterland."

"Communication of changes, particularly for some of the bus alterations has been late.  We note the the many TransLink and Queensland Rail staff out informing commuters of the rail changes, but improved communication for bus changes needs attention."

"We look forward to the next phase of consultation for the remaining lines!"

References:

1. http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/PeakOn-TimeResults.aspx

2. 31 May 2011: SEQ: Counter peak services - the weak link http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6086.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5795.msg58963#msg58963

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[DayboroStation]

A suggestion to help relieve the congestion on the 5:22pm Central-Nambour service.
Introduce a new PM service, all stations Ipswich-Northgate, then express Northgate-Petrie, then all stations Petrie-Caboolture. Stations include the following:
Ipswich 4:16pm
Toowong 5:05pm
Milton 5:09pm
Roma Street 5:12pm
Central 5:16pm
Northgate 5:35pm, then express to
Petrie 5:51pm
Caboolture 6:10pm
This would also help alleviate PM counterpeak services on the Ipswich line, particularly for passengers travelling from the busy Toowong and Milton stations. It would also provide a better connection for travellers coming from Rosewood, as they would only have to wait 5 minutes for their connection at Ipswich station (instead of 26 minutes).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th June 2011

Some recent observations

Greetings,

The implementation of the new timetable has been interesting from a number of perspectives.

This new timetable is actually a real positive beginning for a much improved operational basis of how the trains actually operate in the years to come.

Queensland Rail and TransLink have spent a long time developing the timetables (years). It is based on go card data, load surveys, feedback and consultation and informed knowledge from  transport planning and operational perspectives.

Before bleating and beat ups it would be of great service to the public transport community to actually seek out the rationale and reasons for change.  The trial by biased and shallow media for not only these positive timetable changes, but other issues in our community generally is getting very tedious.

For example, why is Toowong being bypassed with the new single express train pattern?

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=216231821743336&comments

The issue of changing trains is a new one (when travelling on the same line).
We appreciate some customers do not want any change trains, particularly not on the same line, however it allows a substantial increase in capacity.
Similarly, the decision to exclude Toowoong from express services followed extensive consideration and consultation. It was not taken lightly and was only done following a review and enhancements of bus links to UQ. Requiring a peak hour express train to stop at Toowong would reduce the number of total trains we could provide on that line (more than 800 customers carried).

The next little shock for all of you is no doubt the looming reality of bus capacity constraints on the busways.  This will mean that the days of running virtually every bus from the suburbs into the city are coming to an end.  What will be needed is a high frequency high capacity busway service, fed by lateral bus routes, similar to a railway operation.  The days of everyone getting a single seat all the way are coming to an end.  There are real benefits through transferring.

Have a read of this if you dare or are bothered. It explains a lot.  http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Have a happy commute!

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

The issue of changing trains is a new one (when travelling on the same line).
We appreciate some customers do not want any change trains, particularly not on the same line, however it allows a substantial increase in capacity.
Similarly, the decision to exclude Toowoong from express services followed extensive consideration and consultation. It was not taken lightly and was only done following a review and enhancements of bus links to UQ. Requiring a peak hour express train to stop at Toowong would reduce the number of total trains we could provide on that line (more than 800 customers carried).

That's right! Interchange = serve more destinations, more efficient, and more capacity.

[Jonno]

...and rationalization of all bus routes to main roads/thoroughfares to create a mesh of grequent bus and train lines.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Action time: SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning

15th June 2011

Greetings,

The new timetables are working reasonably well from our observations with a major exception.  As we identified early last week the services on the northern line between 5pm and 5.30pm need tweaking.  Specifically The 5:19pm to Petrie, and the 5:22pm to Nambour are both significantly overcrowded.  There needs to be some resolution to this.  A number of constructive suggestions have been made by our members and others to resolve this issue (see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6146.msg59037#msg59037 ).

We believe it is now time to act  and put on an additional service.  The rail corridor north of Brisbane is heavily utilised, the road system is a nightmare so it is essential that we optimise our rail services.

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

Media release 7 June 2011

SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has congratulated TransLink and Queensland Rail on day one of the new timetable.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The first major structural change in the rail timetables in south-east Queensland was implemented yesterday, 6th the June. Overall feedback and direct observations suggests that the generally the changes went well. On time running for the first day was 92.6%, and excellent result for such a major change (1)."

"There were some minor issues however, for example the 5.20pm service from Central for Nambour was heavily congested.  One of the deficiencies on our rail network at peak is poor counter-peak frequency (2).  This impacted on this particular service however we are aware that Queensland Rail is working to resolve this situation."

"A particular highlight of the new timetable is the new day return rail service to Gympie North (3). RAIL Back On Track members travelled on the first service yesterday, which was widely welcomed by the communities in the Sunshine Coast hinterland."

"Communication of changes, particularly for some of the bus alterations has been late.  We note the the many TransLink and Queensland Rail staff out informing commuters of the rail changes, but improved communication for bus changes needs attention."

"We look forward to the next phase of consultation for the remaining lines!"

References:

1. http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/PeakOn-TimeResults.aspx

2. 31 May 2011: SEQ: Counter peak services - the weak link http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6086.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5795.msg58963#msg58963

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]