25 Oct 2010: Regional Queensland: Diesel Light Rail revolution for Cairns

[ozbob]

Media release 25 October 2010

Regional Queensland: Diesel Light Rail revolution for Cairns

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 called for a world class diesel Light Rail Transit (LRT) service for Cairns (1). Cairns tourists and residents are fed up with their failing transit options.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Diesel LRT could run from Redlynch in the North, stopping at the Cairns International Airport, Cairns Central, and then run south along the existing Bruce highway tracks to the growth suburbs of White Rock, Mount Sheridan, Bentley Park and Edmonton. Based on world examples, it could be operating within 2 years."

There are many examples of diesel LRT or hybrid diesel/electric LRT around the world. Diesel LRT cost can be extremely low and competitive with bus-only solutions: A Transport Canada report, talking about its diesel LRT O-Train in Ottawa noted:

* The capital cost for the O-Train line was just $21 million in total
* By using existing track, infrastructure costs were just $2.8 million/km ($ US)
* The O-Train uses 40% less fuel than when compared to the average amount of fuel per kilometre used for a transit bus.
* The O-Train uses low-sulphur diesel and is more fuel-efficient than buses
* 99 % reliability
* Only two years from the beginning of the project to final implementation.

"Connecting feeder buses to rail stations would give a seamless 'busway like' connection from street stops in the suburbs. Used to boost ridership in Perth and the Gold Coast there is no reason why Cairns can't do this too. With its own 'right of way', diesel LRT would fly past road congestion, traffic lights or car accidents."

"Sunbus and their drivers could operate the diesel LRT service. Buses will be needed to feed rail for maximum efficiency for all concerned."

"With inexpensive stations and frequent rail services, diesel LRT in Cairns could be started very rapidly and affordably. No need to build extensive tracks, overhead wiring, property resumption or add lanes to the Bruce Highway. The 30 million/km figure previously used to cost the LRT in Cairns is therefore a clear overestimate."

"Light Rail in Cairns would be an asset for locals, tourists, stimulate developers interested in Transit-Oriented development around the line and support the idea for a northern 'capital'."

"Why re-invent the wheel with busways in Cairns when you can just buy diesel LRT now and run it on the current tracks?"


Reference:

1. Rail in Cairns  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4683.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

More background information and discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4683.0