27 June 2009: SEQ: Why we need increased Citytrain frequency

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Media Release 27 June 2009

SEQ:  Why we need increased Citytrain frequency

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 urgent increases in train frequencies on all lines of our Citytrain network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public transport is a much more cost effective option for the community compared to high-capacity road systems. The cost of the roads is highly sensitive to the number of road users; each additional user adds to the rapidly increasing costs of the system. The cost of public transport is more or less the same regardless of patronage, so that if more people use the system, the cost per passenger actually diminishes. Public transport revenue increases with more passengers, it is clearly economic to encourage more people onto public transport. It is uneconomic to encourage more people to abandon public transport and drive cars. By restricting public transport services this is what the Government, Queensland Transport and TransLink is doing."

"RAIL Back On Track believes that we need to move rapidly to a 15 minute off peak frequency on our rail suburban rail network, between 5am and 8pm. Twenty minute frequency on weekends, holidays and after 8pm.  At peak, depending on loadings frequency between 5 and 10 minutes. This will encourage commuters to shift from the overloaded roads and onto sustainable transport.  The present commuter nightmare of the constant failures of buses to connect with rail services will largely disappear. This will in turn drive further increases in public transport utilisation."

"There have been major issues and deficiencies identified by the Queensland Auditor General in terms of how Queensland Transport and TransLink have managed the build up of our public transport (1). Now is the time to properly resource all our public transport modes and move into a sustainable transport future.  The investment in public transport is repaid many times over as reduced congestion costs, less environmental impacts and savings to our health system."

"The congestion nightmare in south-east Queensland is bringing the state to its knees.  Every day commuters can see the solutions, it is a great tragedy that Government and its agencies, Queensland Transport and TransLink seem to be more concerned with corporate sponsorships and self promotion than maximising utilisation of our public transport (2)."

"We call on our elected representatives to take charge of this transport fiasco and implement urgent improvements. The commitments made to improve services must now be turned into reality.  Nothing else will do."

References:

1. Transport network management and urban congestion in
South East Queensland http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docs/find.aspx?id=5309T463

2. Why is TransLink sponsoring a soccer game? http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2432.0



Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org