26 Nov 2007: SEQ More Citytrain services needed for Ipswich line

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 November 2007

SEQ:  More Citytrain services needed for Ipswich line

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community support group  for rail and public transport has called for extra peak Citytrain services to be introduced on the Ipswich line as a matter of high priority.

Robert Dow said:

?The 2007 federal election result means that the proposed Ipswich highway bypass will not be built. Ipswich highway is arguably the most dangerous and congested road in Australia.  It seems almost daily, sometimes many times a day, traffic is brought to a standstill with accidents and traffic overload.  As road works are undertaken to upgrade the highway it is only going to get worse, much worse.

?The Ipswich highway runs virtually parallel to the railway line to Ipswich.  It is time that an active program was undertaken to encourage commuters to leave their cars behind and relax on the train.

?There is a need for more peak services on the Ipswich line in order to encourage commuters to commute by rail. Some peak services are already congested and the Hale Street Link project will add further load on the railway. For example, in the morning there is too big a gap between the 5.41 am and 6.14 am services from Ipswich to Caboolture.  The 6.14 am service is often overloaded by the time it reaches Oxley and rarely runs on time as a result. An additional service leaving Ipswich at 5.59 am to Bowen Hills would be a major improvement.

?Presently during the week days there is a fifteen minute frequency of service of trains from Corinda to the City.  It would be within the present crew and train service capacities that instead of terminating the trains at Corinda these could be terminated at Darra.  This is only two stations past Corinda. This would then give a fifteen minute frequency from both Oxley and Darra.  Both these stations have high passenger loadings, and by feeding buses into these stations it would enable commuters' fast and safe access to the City and beyond.  The unused platform at Darra needs to be reopened as well.

?To complement these improvements education campaigns promoting the benefits at a personal and community level of using the rail service are needed,? said Robert Dow spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Contact:

Robert Dow

admin@backontrack.org
Administration RAIL Back On Track

[Wilfy2007]

Robert Bow,

Could you please tell me if a New Train service was to operate from Oakey or Toowoomba to Brisbane, would it be a winner if it was set up correctly.
A private Company to compete against QR maybe.

Regards,

Brian Leedham.

[Wilfy2007]

Robert,

Sorry I got your surname wrong, will try harder next time.

Regards,

Brian Leedham.

[ozbob]

Hi Brian,

There are a number of initiatives trying to do just that see http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=189.0

Someone suggested tilt trains might be an option to cut down journey times too.  I think as fuel prices continue to escalate rapidly and road congestion continues to build fast rail services as you suggest will become viable.

Regards
Robert

[Wilfy2007]

Robert,

Is there any likely hood of QR letting a Private Company running a train from Oakey/Toowoomba to Brisbane.

A new train and a New company

What do you think.

Regards,

brian leedham.

[ozbob]

Hi Brian,

Yes a private railway operator can run trains in Queensland.

See -->  http://www.networkaccess.qr.com.au/about/overview/overview.asp

Whether any would at this time run passenger services as you suggest is doubtful I believe.  Mainly because of the cost and expected return.  This could change though as energy crisis hits.

I believe that the Government has a prime responsibility for ensuring sustainable safe transport options are put in place for all citizens.  It is time perhaps Government and QR they looked at upgrading rail services for the future before someone else does it for them.

Regards
Robert

[ozbob]

From Ipswich News Thursday Dec 6 page 9

New push for trains

By SHANNON PERRY

A COMMUNITY organisation promoting rail use says extra peak train services
on the Ipswich line could significantly reduce impending traffic chaos while the Ipswich Motorway is being upgraded.

The web-based Rail Back on Track has called for the extra services as a matter of
high priority. Group administrator Robert Dow said the motorway arguably was the
most dangerous and congested road in Australia. "It seems almost daily - sometimes many times a
day - traffic is brought to a standstill with accidents and traffic overload," Mr Dow said.

"Now, the 2007 federal election result means that the proposed bypass will not be built.
"As road works are undertaken to upgrade the highway, it is only going to get worse - much worse.
"If services were increased in a meaningful way, it would take the pressure off the highway.
More bus services feeding into the line would also help to encourage people to take the train."

Mr Dow said a State Government proposal for a third track between Darra and Redbank should immediately
be brought forward.

"To complement these improvements, education campaigns promoting the benefits
at a personal and community level of using the rail service are also needed," Mr Dow said.

----------------

Thanks for highlighting these issues Ipswich News!

[ozbob]

From Quest South West News 2 Jan 2008 page 4

Click here!

Thanks to the South West News for highlighting our suggestions.

Call for more trains

SOUTHWEST, January 2: A community group promoting rail use says extra peak train services on the Ipswich line could significantly reduce traffic chaos while the Ipswich Motorway is upgraded.
The web-based Rail Back on Track has called for the extra services as a matter of priority.
Group administrator Robert Dow said the motorway was the most dangerous and congested road in Australia.

"It seems almost daily traffic is brought to a standstill with accidents and traffic overload,'' Mr Dow said. "Now, the 2007 federal election result means that the proposed bypass will not be built.

"As works are undertaken to upgrade the highway, it is only going to get worse. If services were increased in a meaningful way, it would take the pressure off the highway. More bus services feeding into the line would also help to encourage people to take the train.''

Mr Dow said a State Government proposal for a third rail line between Darra and Redbank should be brought forward.

[ozbob]

With Ipswich Highway stagnating, more services on the Ipswich line is a now an essential high priority.

From Courier Mail click here!

Ipswich Motorway upgrade deadline in limbo

Ipswich Motorway upgrade deadline in limbo
Article from: The Courier-Mail
Sam Strutt

January 20, 2008 11:00pm

MOTORISTS may be in for a long wait for the much-anticipated upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway with the Queensland and Federal Governments still to agree on a completion date.

While it is understood a construction timetable for the $1.1 billion project is close to being ticked off, neither level of government would yesterday commit to the three-year deadline favoured by federal MP for Oxley Bernie Ripoll.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday confirmed he had held recent talks with his state counterpart Warren Pitt to map out a timetable promised during the federal election campaign last year. However, he would not comment on whether three years was realistic.

A spokesman for Mr Pitt said the formal timetable for the project was yet to be finalised.