15 Apr 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Train Upgrade Zones ...

[ozbob]

Media release 15 April 2012

SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Train Upgrade Zones for the Ipswich/Richlands Line



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 calls for  the introduction of Train Upgrade Zones (TUZ) to the Ipswich/Richlands line (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Since the introduction and success of the BUZ high frequency, all day, 7-days a week bus timetables, RAIL Back On Track has called for similar services on the Queensland Rail suburban network. An important part of this is legible marketing and branding. People need to see that frequency and decent service are being provided so that they know and use it. We suggest the term 'Train Upgrade Zones' similar to the Bus Upgrade Zones (BUZ) that already exist. Under the previous government, such little marketing occurred about the service upgrades to the Ipswich/Richlands line, one could have thought they were trying to hide it!"

"RAIL Back On Track calls for the introduction of 15 minute all day frequency services all the way to Richlands and ultimately to Springfield. This will free up Ipswich trains to become all day express services, while still retaining the existing 15-minute frequency between Darra and the Brisbane CBD. There are currently just too many stops (24 stops) between Ipswich and Brisbane which makes it uncompetitive out of peak with the upgraded Ipswich Motorway. Public transport needs to be coming soon (frequent) and fast if we are to expect people to use it, and also if TransLink expects to charge more for the service through fare increases."

"Ultimately, as more funds become available, services could run express to Darra, then all stations Ipswich, every 15 minutes, or better all day and evening, 7-days a week. Perth, Western Australia has already managed to supply decent frequent services running every 15 minutes to all stations on all lines long ago. TransPerth trains now carries more passengers than the entire SEQ rail network - It is time Brisbane moved with the times."

"As RAIL Back On Track has always said, services must be frequent, bottom line!"

Reference:

1. Train Upgrade Zones (TUZ) http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5385.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Attachments - Poster
http://backontrack.org/images/tt/tuz1s.jpg