27 Sep 2009: SEQ: Public transport stalls in South East Queensland

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 September 2009

SEQ:  Public transport stalls in South East Queensland

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 asked why has public transport stalled in south-east Queensland?

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A failure to properly utilise the new bus way extensions (1), a failure to introduce urgently needed rail PM peak services (2), a failure to move forwards with the go card has us and many commuters perplexed!(3,4)"

"The Western Brisbane Transport Network Strategy has the admirable aim of a 'turn and up go' timetabling on our rail system (5).  The fact that we still have hour and half hour gaps on timetables makes this aim look like a distant timetable mirage let alone miracle."

"The bus system is already at saturation at peak.  Recent 'bus-lock' events on the south-east busway have exposed the precarious nature of the bus system."

"The only hope is to generate bulk mass transit capacity is rail.  This was clearly identified in the Western Brisbane Transport Network Strategy.  A critical project is the Cross River Rail project (6).  This must be accelerated.  Increased rail capacity through the CBD axis is essential to allow a 'turn up and go' timetable.  Additional stabling for trains will need to be put in place around the rail network.  These two things are an urgent priority."

"The Opposition has recently highlighted that a review of the operation of QR Passenger with a possible take over by TransLink is being conducted (7).  Have these 'turf wars' distracted the key players from actually getting on with the job and ensuring public transport services are adequate at peak and off peak?  It certainly seems so to the public transport users."

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2709.0

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2547.0

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2722.0

4.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2165.0

5.  http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/ebd8430e44211d5/Pdf_wbtns_complete.pdf

6.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.0

7.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2678.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org