26 Sep 2010: SEQ: Poor train frequency is penny wise but pound foolish

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 September 2010

SEQ: Poor train frequency is penny wise but pound foolish

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 long argued for improved rail frequency.  RAIL Back On Track believes that the massive investment that Queenslanders have made in rail is not being used properly.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A RAIL Back On Track member has done a rough calculation (1) that shows that there is little additional cost from running more frequent services.  RAIL Back On Track believes that improvements in off peak frequency can be cost effective in the long term if the correct assumptions about the generated patronage are used."

"Even if externalities such as reduced road trauma are ignored, simply increased fare-box from more patronage would pay for the small additional costs after a few years.  RAIL Back On Track doesn't believe that there is any reasonable analysis which would argue against it, but if that has been done, then why not release it to the public?"

"RAIL Back On Track is also concerned that the delayed new timetable for Ipswich-Caboolture lines will not result in an adequate improvement in the service (2).  The old QR was accused by some of refusing to run passenger services to make it easier to run freight services (3).  This seems to be the only logical reason for the Corinda terminus of half the weekday daytime trains.  So far, there has been no information forthcoming that anything will really be implemented to substantially change and improve frequency in the new timetable."

"BUZ has shown the way (4).  There is a need for the rail timetable to provide a reliable much improved frequency around the clock."

References:

1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4305.msg32418

2.  Richlands - timetable considerations http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4497.0

3.  Railway Digest, November 2009 p4.

4.  http://www.thredbo.itls.usyd.edu.au/downloads/thredbo10_papers/thredbo10-themeA-Warren.pdf


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4497.0

[ozbob]

Follow up to all outlets:

Greetings,

Further, to highlight how pathetic train frequency is in south-east Queensland. Consider Sunday mornings ..

> http://download.translink.com.au/timetables/100427_ipswich.pdf
>
> Departing Oxley Station (Sunday)
> 5.40am    6.40am    7.40am    8.40am    9.40am   10.10am   10.40am

Compare this to Perth WA Sunday mornings over the same time frame

> Sunday
> Towards the City
> Between 1st train and 11 am
> Departing from the last station on the line (or final terminus)
>
>
> Armadale
> 7:16 am
> 7:46 am
> 8:16 am
> 8:31 am
> 8:46 am
> 9:01 am
> 9:16 am
> 9:31 am
> 9:46 am
> 10:01 am
> 10:31 am
> 10:46 am
>
> Thornlie (spur)
> 7:05 am
> 7:35 am
> 8:05 am
> 8:35 am
> 9:05 am
> 9:35 am
> 10:05 am
> 10:35 am
> 11:05 am
>
> Fremantle Line
> 7:30 am
> 8:00 am
> 8:30 am
> 9:00 am
> 9:25 am
> 9:40 am
> 9:55 am
> 10:10 am
> 10:25 am
> 10:40 am
> 10:55 am
>  
> Joondalup Line (departing Clarkson)
> 6:48 am
> 7:27 am
> 7:42 am
> 7:57 am
> 8:12 am
> 8:27 am
> 8:42 am
> 8:57 am
> 9:12 am
> 9:27 am
> 9:42 am
> 9:57 am
> 10:12 am
> 10:27 am
> 10:42 am
> 10:57 am
>
> Mandurah Line
>
> 6:37 am
> 7:07 am
> 7:22 am
> 7:37 am
> 7:52 am
> 8:07 am
> 8:22 am
> 8:37 am
> 8:52 am
> 9:07 am
> 9:22 am
> 9:37 am
> 9:52 am
> 10:07 am
> 10:22 am
> 10:37 am
> 10:52 am
>
> Midland Line
> 8:00 am
> 8:30 am
> 9:00 am
> 9:15 am
> 9:30 am
> 9:45 am
> 10:00 am
> 10:15 am
> 10:30 am
> 10:45 am
> 11:00 am
>
> http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/TimetablesMaps/tabid/58/Default.aspx

Commuters have had enough of the shambles that purports to be the rail timetable in south-east Queensland.

It is time the Government intervened and directed that our public transport investment be put to work.


Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track


On 26/09/2010 4:35 AM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
> Media Release 26 September 2010
>
> SEQ: Poor train frequency is penny wise but pound foolish
>
> 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 long argued for improved rail frequency.  RAIL Back On Track believes that the massive investment that Queenslanders have made in rail is not being used properly.
>
> Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:
>
> "A RAIL Back On Track member has done a rough calculation (1) that shows that there is little additional cost from running more frequent services.  RAIL Back On Track believes that improvements in off peak frequency can be cost effective in the long term if the correct assumptions about the generated patronage are used."
>
> "Even if externalities such as reduced road trauma are ignored, simply increased fare-box from more patronage would pay for the small additional costs after a few years.  RAIL Back On Track doesn't believe that there is any reasonable analysis which would argue against it, but if that has been done, then why not release it to the public?"
>
> "RAIL Back On Track is also concerned that the delayed new timetable for Ipswich-Caboolture lines will not result in an adequate improvement in the service (2).  The old QR was accused by some of refusing to run passenger services to make it easier to run freight services (3).  This seems to be the only logical reason for the Corinda terminus of half the weekday daytime trains.  So far, there has been no information forthcoming that anything will really be implemented to substantially change and improve frequency in the new timetable."
>
> "BUZ has shown the way (4).  There is a need for the rail timetable to provide a reliable much improved frequency around the clock."
>
> References:
>
> 1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4305.msg32418
>
> 2.  Richlands - timetable considerations http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4497.0
>
> 3.  Railway Digest, November 2009 p4.
>
> 4.  http://www.thredbo.itls.usyd.edu.au/downloads/thredbo10_papers/thredbo10-themeA-Warren.pdf
>
>
> Contact:
>
> Robert Dow
> Administration
> admin@backontrack.org
>