Football 24th September - special livery trains

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
24/09/2010

Footy feast at Gold Coast rail stations for Titans Fans

Thousands of supporters catching an early train to cheer on the Titans in the finals at Suncorp Stadium tonight (Friday 24 September), will be treated to a pre-match party at two Gold Coast stations.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said those hungry for a victory will be partly satisfied at Helensvale and Robina stations with Queensland Rail holding a free sausage sizzle from 12pm - 3pm.

Gold Coast MP's Peter Lawlor (Southport), Peta-Kaye Croft (Broadwater) and Christine Smith (Burleigh) encouraged Titan's fans to come along to the sausage sizzle on their way to the game.

"This is a family event. It's a great opportunity for them to warm up for the big clash with a free sausage sizzle and face painting," Mr Lawlor said.

"On top of that, fans will also be able to get their game face on with free face painters at the stations."

Ms Croft said it was also a great way to start the afternoon early and miss the crowds on the later trains.

"We're encouraging Titans fans coming from the Coast to avoid the rush, catch an early train and spend the afternoon in Brisbane," Ms Croft said.

"The simple message, especially for families, is don't leave it too late. Catch an early train to Brisbane and avoid the rush."

Mrs Smith said trains would depart from Varsity Lakes every 15 minutes from midday until 6pm.

"We're expecting thousands of people to travel to the game by rail so extra services have been scheduled to ensure people get to the game on time," Mrs Smith said.

"Three specially decorated trains will also depart at 4:30, 5:15 and 5:45. Return trains will depart from Roma Street from 9:30pm to 1:29am.

There are also plenty of events and things to do in Brisbane - families can go the Brisbane Festival at South Bank, check out the school holiday fun at Roma Street Parklands, see a movie, shop in the Queen Street Mall or simple enjoy the pre-game entertainment at Suncorp Stadium.


==============================================================

These trains leaving Varsity Lakes will arrive at Milton/Roma Street at these times:
Varsity Lakes: 16:30 - Milton: 17:58
Varsity Lakes: 17:10 - Milton: 18:35
Varsity Lakes: 17:51 - Milton: 19:23

Note: All three services are running via the Tennyson Loop.

Details of the timetable here


http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/MediaCentre/MediaReleases/Pages/FootyfeastatGoldCoastrailstationsforTitansFans.aspx?hps=146

[somebody]

One of your dreams, ozbob, with the Tennyson loop!

Really, Milton is only slightly closer to the stadium than Roma St, so I do wonder why they are bothering.  And why in this direction where they don't normally put on any trains AIUI.  It's heading home after the game that there is a need for additional services.

Does anyone else find it weird that they are worrying so much about the Gold Coast line here?  They could easily have a few extras to Milton from Shorncliffe, Caboolture and Ferny Grove.  Or from Milton after the game.  But they don't want to.

[ozbob]

I intend to head to Tennyson to see if I can get a happy snap before too dark .. 

[ozbob]

Tennyson, few of the footy trains.  None seen with the special livery, but that's the breaks.  Tennyson loop line is a relief valve until CRR kicks in, and then will provide some novel train paths eg. Ipswich to 'Gabba.

It is appalling that the station has not been upgraded to provide seamless access to the tennis centre.  Other jurisdictions would have jumped at the opportunity to provide rail right into the venue.  Not in the smart state, another example of mediocrity in action ...





















Photographs R Dow 24th September 2010

[ozbob]

... Mrs Smith said trains would depart from Varsity Lakes every 15 minutes from midday until 6pm ...

Fascinating, it has to be said.  Major events be they sporting, music or whatever are supported well by TransLink and the operators.  The every day commuter is a different story.

It is time that the train frequency was improved on all lines.  Enough of this farcical approach to public transport in south-east Queensland.

[#Metro]

.. Mrs Smith said trains would depart from Varsity Lakes every 15 minutes from midday until 6pm ...

Look, and it is happening during peak hour when trains are coming down from Brisbane. How are they doing this?
Isn't this supposed to be impossible without extra tracks? 

[ozbob]

We have always suggested that it is possible to run trains via Tennyson in the peaks, plenty of gaps.  It is the way that peak frequency can be improved pending CRR.  The photographs don't lie ..   

[Jonno]

Time for Translink to outsource service planning to RailBOT!!!

[#Metro]

  Can this be used to give Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines every 15 minutes off peak too?

[Arnz]

Been told it's gimped some Beenleigh peak hour trains (eg 5-10 min delays) to accomodate the extra counter-peak Gold Coast to Milton trains.

This can be worked around through signalling improvements (eg signalling upgrades) however.  Not sure of the cost of signalling upgrades/improvements.

[ozbob]

Yes, but in the longer term timetables can be adjusted to fit the extra services ...

Media Release 9 July 2009

SEQ: Ten point plan to fix urban transport congestion crisis - improvements are needed urgently!

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 said the bureaucracy has failed south east Queensland in terms of the urban congestion crisis.  Experts have failed to convince the Government that they actually need to be proactive and forward thinking. So called community consultation processes are a cosmetic sham. If they weren't, we wouldn't be in this mess.  Here is a simple ten point plan to turn around. Has the service agreement for 2009/10 between TransLink and QR Passenger been finalised?  We have been promised extra services, where is the proof?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Here is a simple ten point plan to fix the urban transport congestion crisis, free of expensive consultancy fees!

1.  Ramp up Citytrain rail services to achieve a frequent service off peak and peak all lines.  This will take pressure off the overloaded bus system (1).

2.  Fix the go card system or junk it.  Denial of a ticketing system in crisis is not resonating with the public who observe the many issues daily. The go card contract was signed in 2003 for a 12 year contract.  We are now halfway through this contract and there is still only 30% of journeys on the go card.  Has this been a prudent investment?  A properly operating go card system with a high uptake will generate real time load data (2).  Place ticket machines in bus stations and ramp up pre-paid only on bus.

3.  Introduce more local 'station buses' to help alleviate  the car parking crisis that is causing its own level of chaos around bus and rail stations(3). 'Car park rage, bus rage, train rage' are all terms now in common use that reflect the impacts on individuals. This is not healthy!

4.  Introduce incentive ticketing on the go card, early late and off peak to assist in congestion management.  Further encourage variable shifts and decentralisation of the work place (4).

5.  Get serious about fare evasion.  Fare evasion is rampant basically because of the failure to drive the go card roll out properly and the complications of a dual ticketing system.  Issue all TransLink Transit Officers with mobile go card readers (5).

6.  Maximise the use of transport assets all ready in place.  For example, the Exhibition loop line provides opportunity to reduce the number of people transiting through the CBD axis with the recreation of a railway station at Normanby, linked with the bus station at Normanby and around the year service through Exhibition station (6).  The standard gauge rail corridor in from Bromelton offers opportunities for a regular commuter rail service.  The Doomben line is under utilised. The Tennyson loop line can ease pressure on the main southern line at peak and provide further opportunities for innovation.

7.  Introduce more lateral bus routes.  The great circle bus route is an example.  Brisbane public transport is fixated on a radial pattern which contributes to the CBD congestion.

8.  Fix the systemic problems identified in the recent urban congestion management audit.  Queensland Transport was flagged in June 2008 as a poorly performing government department (7).  How many times does the government have to be told? Step up deployment of public transport infrastructure such as the railways to Springfield and Kippa Ring. Correct the imbalance in funding and move funds from non sustainable roads to sustainable public transport.

9.  Ramp up bicycle storage facilities at rail and bus stations.  Step up the emphasis on active transport options.

10. Properly fund all public transport operators for an immediate increase in services and capacity."

"These improvements will move people off the road nightmare and free up space for commercial and other road users that truly do need to drive. They will save the community billions of dollars in reduced congestion costs, reduced environmental impacts and a reduction in costs to our health system."

"Why hasn't there been public confirmation of service details for QR Citytrains for 2009/10?  What is going on?"

References:

1.  SEQ: Ramp up rail now!   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2187.0

2.  SEQ: Commuters are abandoning the go card http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2447.0

3.  SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens, community rage - solution? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2052.0

4.  SEQ: Go Card - manage congestion,  add off peak and incentive fares, time to GO! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2301.0

5.  SEQ: Fare Evasion rampant on TransLink network http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2377.0

6.  Brisbane: The Exhibition rail loop is another option to ease congestion! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=175.0

7.  Department is breaking down http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,23862794-3102,00.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

Time for Translink to outsource service planning to RailBOT!!!

I am laughing so hard right now.

Maybe that 10 point plan could be summarised as:

1. Increase train frequency
2. Increase train frequency
3. Increase train frequency
4. Increase train frequency
5. Increase train frequency
6. Increase train frequency
7. Increase train frequency
8. Increase train frequency
9. Increase train frequency
10. Increase train frequency

[Mozz]

Seconded....

[skippy]

Time for Translink to outsource service planning to RailBOT!!!

I am laughing so hard right now.

Maybe that 10 point plan could be summarised as:

1. Increase train frequency
2. Increase train frequency
3. Increase train frequency
4. Increase train frequency
5. Increase train frequency
6. Increase train frequency
7. Increase train frequency
8. Increase train frequency
9. Increase train frequency
10. Increase train frequency

Couldn't agree more. My fear with spending $$$ to increase platforms and train lengths is that some bean counter will say we can't afford improving frequencies. Once CRR is completed I would be happy having a number of 3 car trains on the network (at double the current off peak frequency)

[#Metro]

The platforms should be extended IMHO to allow PEAK capacity to be increased.
By allowing peak capacity expansion plus signal upgrades, I estimate (roughly) 40 000 pphd will be possible, which is just huge.

Once this peak capacity is in place, it will be possible to permanently re-organise the bus network to feed rail directly,
and run the train system as if it were a subway-- high capacity and high frequency fed by BRT suburban feeder buses.
Even during peak hour.

There are savings in re-organising the bus network to feed rail- as demonstrated with the hypothetical route 411 -- whereby turning it into a feeder, the frequency across the board can be doubled. This frequency increase would be expected to attract more patronage, making the farebox ratio even better.

Tighter integration with rail will also mean the system overall will be more efficient and allow rail to fix up the farebox ratio and its financials. So while there are costs, once they are spent on initial capital works, my guess would be that there would also be great savings and efficiencies to be realized once complete.

I don't have an estimate for how much it might cost (or a ballpark) to extend rail platforms, but my guess is that it would be
cheaper than we might think. The cost of a brand new Indooroopilly station was about $25 million dollars for the entire thing. (1) However, the "generalised" cost per kilometre for railway construction is at least $100 - $200 million/km in Brisbane. So in comparison, station extension of the platforms should be cheaper than that. In some locations it might be a bit more difficult (Central Perhaps?) but IMHO it should be possible.

(1) http://westside-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/park-n-ride-for-indooroopilly-train-station-ruled-out/

[#Metro]

As for money for more frequent rail services- the main cost to run an additional service is labour (as somebody pointed out).
In the off peak, the trains are probably sitting idle in the yard as surplus from peak hour requirements.
So one would not expect substantially larger extra costs on that front, and no new trains should be required for that IMHO.

Some parts may need to get trackworks to allow 15 minute all day frequency, and this is understandable.
However, IMHO, this should not prevent a "15 minute transitional timetable" from being formed to take advantage
of the bits that would allow 15 minute trains if given the chance.

Why is Brisbane so reluctant to put on more trains?

[#Metro]

Thinking about bean counters:

Couldn't agree more. My fear with spending $$$ to increase platforms and train lengths is that some bean counter will say we can't afford improving frequencies. Once CRR is completed I would be happy having a number of 3 car trains on the network (at double the current off peak frequency)

The lowest subsidy and expenditure on public transport occurs when money = 0.
Unfortunately, this also means that services = 0.

We can't afford not to run more trains more often.
Especially when the marginal cost to run an additional service in the off peak is expected to be low.

Failing to run more services unnecessarily means that potential riders are turned away and the costs per passenger trip are high because of the high fixed costs failing to be diluted. Its no accident that some of the busiest train systems are also the most financially sound. They aim to make their train system busy and well patronised all day long.

Maybe the bean counters should roast the beans and make a coffee. 

[brad C]

Returning from UQ last evening ang and observed one of the 'yob' expresses through Toowong just after 1900hrs.
In fact there were at least 4 'Milton only" services between 1900 and 1921 when the Caboolture all stopper was due to arrive.
Oddly enough all inbound trafic was routed to the mains with consequent bottlenecks backing trains back past auchenflower.
The consequence of this was the scheduled all-stopper departing Central some 15 minutes late, Further congestion was encountered between F/Valley and BH. It was almost 2000hrs when the train reached Albion (scheduled departure from Central at 1934hrs).
Can you imagine this occurring in Tokyo??