6 Jun 2022: Train Upgrade Zones: Adopt Transperth Service Frequencies ...

[ozbob]

SEQ: Train Upgrade Zones: Adopt Transperth Service Frequencies Across Greater Brisbane

6th June 2022

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers calls for the adoption of Perth train service frequencies across Greater Brisbane to facilitate bus reform.

Perth's train network, which is comparable to the Brisbane suburban rail network, has had 15 minute train frequency all day to all stations for many years now (1). This includes Saturday and Sunday. Greater Brisbane does not compare favourably, with many stations still having 30 minute train frequency during the daytime weekdays, and most stations having 30 minute service on weekends. The Sunshine Coast line is even worse than that.

A 'Train Upgrade Zones' program would seek to tackle this issue, reducing journey times through a combination of frequency and speed upgrades aimed at reducing waiting times or increasing train service speeds. An initial program would incorporate between 7 am - 7 pm:

- 15-minute daytime weekday frequencies on the Springfield Line
- All-day express trains on the Ipswich Line on weekdays*
- 15-minute daytime weekday frequencies on the Kippa-Ring Line

*as per current peak express pattern - stations Ipswich <> Darra, then Indooroopilly, Milton and Roma St

By increasing average train speed on the Ipswich line from 40 km/hr to 60 km/hr, passengers will save around 8 minutes (2). It will also facilitate bus interchange at Indooroopilly for passengers who live in Brisbane's west. Increased frequency on the Springfield Line will save between 7.5 to 15 minutes waiting time for Springfield line passengers, and also facilitate mode shift away from park-and-ride towards buses.

Increased frequency on the Kippa-Ring Line will save between 7.5 to 15 minutes waiting time for passengers and facilitate Brisbane City Council buses to run East-West along northside Brisbane roads, creating connections to both busways and railways (3).

We call on the Queensland State Government and the Opposition to support a Train Upgrade Zones program in South East Queensland.
Western Australians have been getting a very much better deal on train transport than Queenslanders have for a very long time.

References:

1. Transperth Train Timetables
https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetables

Minimum basic service frequency (Perth)
Armadale Line - Every 15 min weekdays (7 am - 7 pm) and Weekends (9 am - 7 pm) all stations except Thornlie on Sunday.
Fremantle Line - Every 15 min weekdays (6 am - 7 pm) and Weekends (7 am - 8 pm) all stations
Joondalup Line - Every 15 min weekdays (6 am - 9 pm) and Weekends (9 am - 8 pm) all stations
Mandurah Line - Every 15 min weekdays (6 am - 9 pm) and Weekends (9 am - 7 pm) all stations
Midland Line - Every 15 min weekdays (6 am - 9 pm) and Weekends (8 am - 8 pm) all stations


2. Time saving from express train running

Ipswich Line: 38.64 km / (58 min x 1hr/60min) = 39.97 km/hr ~ 40 km/hr
Ipswich Line (Express): 38.64 km / (50 minutes x 1hr/60 min) = 60 km/hr
Time saving of 8 minutes on all trips from Express Running

3. Time saving from 15-minute frequent train running

Kippa-Ring and Springfield Lines (journey time reduced through waiting time saved by higher frequency)
Train every 30 minutes: average wait 15 minutes, maximum wait 30 minutes.
Train every 15 minutes: average wait 7.5 minutes, maximum wait 15 minutes.
Average time saving 7.5 minutes, maximum time saving 15 minutes

Background: The Transit Ridership Recipe

https://humantransit.org/basics/the-transit-ridership-recipe#frequency

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

[ozbob]

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