29 Dec 2010: SEQ: "Car rapid transit" is NOT the only option for Kingsford Smith

[ozbob]

Media release 29 December 2010

SEQ: "Car rapid transit" is NOT the only option for Kingsford Smith Drive

RAIL Back on Track observes that an online survey is being run regarding 'options' for transport on Kingsford Smith Drive (1). RAIL Back on Track is deeply disappointed about the options presented, which can be summarised as follows:

Option 1:  ROAD
Option 2:  ROAD
Option 3:  ROAD
Option 4:  ROAD
Option 5:  ROAD

Clearly, the road-coloured glasses are in full operation (2).  What happened to the public transport options?

On closer inspection, the options are presented thus:

1. RETAINING WALL IN THE RIVER (estimated cost $850 million)
2. PARTIAL UPGRADE (estimated cost $255 million) for
3. ELEVATED STRUCTURE OVER THE RIVER (estimated cost $1.35 billion)
4. DOUBLE STOREY TUNNEL (estimated cost $3.2 billion)
5. SIDE-BY-SIDE TUNNEL (estimated cost $2.43 billion)

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There happens to be a perfectly good railway line serving this area, and with a modest upgrade and extension into the future Hamilton Northshore development it could become a real people mover. RAIL Back on Track believes that the rail option along with bus and ferry improvements, would be the most cost-effective and fiscally prudent way to expand personal mobility in the area."

"Being a local council is no barrier to choosing the rail option. Indeed, there are precedents where local councils have directly campaigned for and directly contributed funds for rail projects. The most recent being the Moreton Bay Regional Council's $105 million contribution for the Moreton Bay Rail Line to Kippa Ring (3)."

"No doubt improvements to the fares and operating hours of Airtrain service would help too and be cheaper than the multi-billion dollar road proposals. The most expensive road option is on such a scale that it would be enough to pay for three world-class Gold Coast Light Rail projects and still have money to spare."

"RAIL Back on Track invites the concerned citizens and the community at large to 'have their say about Kingsford Smith Drive' by going to the web link at (1). Now is your opportunity to have your voice heard!"

"RAIL Back on Track has previously gone into detail about the potential of the Doomben line, and further details may be found here (4,5)."

References:

1. Have your say about Kingsford Smith Drive
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/plans-projects/transport-projects/KingsfordSmithDriveUpgrade/Communityconsultation/index.htm

2. Road coloured glasses http://backontrack.org/images/rcg.png

3. SEQ: Rail to Kippa-Ring, just the thing! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4843.0

4. 16 Nov 2010: SEQ: The next station ... is North Shore http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4857.0

5. NorthShore / Doomben Line http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4852.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4852.0