3 Jan 2011: SEQ: Core Frequent Network 2011 ...

[ozbob]

Media release 3 January 2011

SEQ: Core Frequent Network 2011 - If the price goes up, service levels must go up too!

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 focused and targeted increase in public transport service levels on a 'core frequent network' in light of the 15% annual compounding fare increases.

Fare levels will increase by 15% on the 17th January 2011. People who use public transport will rightly expect significant improvements in proportion to these increases in costs. RAIL Back on Track requests that every cent raised through these fare increases be put back into new services for passengers within this calendar year.

RAIL Back on Track suggests that the 'construction' of a core frequent network to cover greater Brisbane, formed out of existing and improved services, and legibility improvements to existing 'frequent corridors' is the way forward (1,2,3).

The Core Frequent Network:

• 15-minute all day buses (BUZ 450/Centenary BUZ, BUZ 100, BUZ 196, BUZ 375, BUZ 180, BUZ 325*) to fill in gaps and complete the radial BUZ network (we suggest reviewed routing before improvement);
• Dramatically increased legibility and branding of 'frequent corridors', such as Coronation Drive and Ipswich Road;
• 'Perth-standard' 15 minute, all day rail services where possible on current rail infrastructure;
• Extended operating hours, frequency and boost weekend services on a sped-up Great Circle Line bus route to tie and integrate radial rail and radial BUZ corridors together. Improved frequency and eventual BUZ upgrade will 'turn on' the network effect as it has done with Melbourne's orbital SmartBus routes.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Construction of a core frequent network covering Brisbane would have large benefits but requires only a bare minimum investment, requires no new major infrastructure, and can be introduced rapidly compared to the larger 'structural' projects being undertaken which might take decades to deliver, for example plans and targets outlined in the draft Connecting SEQ 2031."

"Most important of all, a core frequent network focuses service improvements on creating the minimum 'anywhere to anywhere' network, consistent with the TransLink network plan's 'spider-web' of services."

"We cannot stress enough the importance and role of improved rail frequencies here. Perth manages to run a basic 15 minute or better train frequency to 70 train stations on their rail network all day which makes spontaneous bus connections easy."

"We must aim for this basic standard, so we welcome the efforts so far to improve timetables for the Ipswich-Caboolture lines, but remind that the other lines are also seeing fare increases and so improvements must cater for them too."

"As RAIL Back on Track has always said, services must be frequent, bottom line."

References and notes:

1. TransLink Network Plan
http://www.translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/network-plan-2010.pdf

2. Core Frequent Network discussion thread
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

3. BUZ Network Map
http://www.translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/maps/network/100801-buz.pdf

* or similar service to Prince Charles Hospital

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0