30 Aug 2008: SEQ: Suggestions to ease the immediate crisis on QR Citytrain ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 August 2008

SEQ:  Suggestions to ease the immediate crisis on QR Citytrain Commuter Cattle Class Congestion Crisis

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has suggested a number of immediate actions to ease the commuter 'cattle class' congestion crisis on QR Citytrain at peak.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The past few weeks has seen an outpouring of rail passenger congestion grief in local media.  We watch on with a degree of bemusement at the non responses by the Minister for Transport and the TransLink Transit Authority, but are not surprised.  RAIL Back On Track members have been putting forward common-sense solutions for years with little acknowledgement by the authorities.  The same authorities that have created the mess that is public transport in south-east Queensland."

"Whilst some dine, we continue to brainstorm and project our concerns for our community."

"The first thing that needs to be done, preferably this week, is to add some early peak services on the Caboolture and Ipswich line.  One additional 6 car rail service will comfortably pick up 800 passengers."

"Simultaneously introduce off peak and early and late peak discounts on the go card of 30%.  This will encourage some passengers to move away from the peak overloads, and will act as a further incentive for go card uptake.  As the Minister for Transport commented in parliament this past week, the go card does have the potential to allow for real time meaningful load data collection.  This will in turn allow further fine tuning of timetables."

"A community education program with an emphasis on moving down aisles and away from doorways, and where possible spread travelling times needs to get going (2).  Get major employers on side and encourage flexible work hours for employees where possible as well."

"These are some immediate actions to ease the crisis."

"Clearly QR Passenger services needs more crew and trains, and in time that will occur.  The present urban and interurban timetable needs an urgent review.  There are many improvements possible, for example why are there express trains on the Ferny Grove at peak?  The line is only 16 kilometres long for goodness sake.  Express patterns on that line just leads to gaps in the timetable and overloads, and congestion bottle necks at key junction stations!"

"Inner city loop services can take up a lot of inner city congestion and allow the long haul services to run part express.  Everyone wins!"

"Will we see some real leadership?  Or is more attention given to dinner menus? (3)"

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=19.0

2.   RAIL Back On Track Media Release 22 Nov 2006 - Move away from the door!  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=96.0

3.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1278

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 2 Sep 2008 page 2



Thanks for highlighting these issues Queensland Times!