4 July 2009: Long distance rail travel is part of the sustainable transport ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 4 July 2009

Queensland:  Long distance rail travel is part of the sustainable transport future!

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 called on Traveltrain and the Queensland Government to maintain present long distance passenger train services and consider further innovative expansion of services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Subsidies to Queensland Traveltrain long distance trains are both sensible and are of benefit to the whole community.  Support for the rural community particularly by the Queensland Government in maintaining these services is to be applauded.  It should also be noted that public transport in south-east Queensland is also heavily subsidised.  So is health, electricity, water, education and other transport modes.  Rarely is the true cost of road and air infrastructure, and their environmental penalties costed into those transport modes. If they were they too would show distortions of cost and subsidies. Queensland is more than just the south-east!"

"Governments are there to support their communities. Governments lost the transport plot in the 1950s and until recently have lacked the long term vision of our pioneers who laid down our basic rail network.  For example, the short term myopia demonstrated when the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads railways were closed during the 1960s and right of way lost, is now hitting home in exorbitant infrastructure costs to re-establish those lines."

"In twenty or thirty years it is highly likely that the only sustainable bulk transport mode will be electric rail.  Air and road will be subject to extreme fuel and environmental costs. Rather than pontificating about possible cutbacks, governments need to be thinking of long term needs and expanding and continuing support for rail networks.  Rail is the sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solution for Queensland and the nation."

"The long distance passenger trains in Queensland are unique.  Providing a quality tourist travel experience they are also important transport communication links for many remote towns throughout Queensland. The Sunlander, the Spirit of the Outback, the Westlander, the Inlander and the Tilt train services all value add to the economy of Queensland, directly and indirectly.  This was further reinforced with Queensland Rail's Traveltrain Holidays taking out the Major Tourist Attraction award at the 2008 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards (1)."

"That being said, modern rail cars could be a sensible option for reducing costs and improving the frequency and patronage on the inland services in particular.  Victoria has done just that and their country rail network is booming!"

"The aging Traveltrain carriage fleet should be upgraded with new diesel multiple units similar to the VLocity units in Victoria (2).  These units could also be used on regular runs throughout Queensland.  Regular commuter services could be introduced from places such as Gatton, Helidon, and eventually Toowoomba and similarly from Gympie North and Maryborough.  Apart from the long haul Travel Train services more local rail services for all the major provincial cities in Queensland could also be achieved."

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1510.0
2.   http://www.vline.com.au/about/ourfleet/vlocity.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[SteelPan]

The Courier Mail have an annual rant about Traveltrain subsidies - who cares.
Does the RBH or any other Qld Health Public Hospital pay its way - of course not!
Do trucking firms really pay their way on public roads - not likely.
Do a 1,001 other "govt services" pay their way - Never, they're services.
What may happen is that capable marketing may soon be introduced for these services and get more passangers on them!
Hands OFF Traveltrain.

[ozbob]

A year is nearly up ...