Re: Draft 2011 Timetable - 7 Local News Interview

[Fares_Fair]

Hello All,

Re:  Draft 2011 Timetable for the Sunshine Coast

This morning Jennifer Nichols of 7 Local News conducted interviews with Andrew Powell MP, Member for Glass House
and myself as a Rail Back on Track member (web based public transport forum with almost 500 members)
and other people on the platform at Landsborough Station, just before the 6:25am service,
in response to the Transport Minister's refusal to attend a public forum to discuss the timetable and it's impacts.

Andrew Powell MP said that he had received phone calls and emails from commuters
angry at the Minister's refusal and wanting to know what was happening.
In his interview, he emphasized the severe time impacts (extended length of our days)
of the proposed timetable upon us.
He is fully supportive of our situation as he used to do the commute himself.

Hopefully it will go to air tonight.

When a commuter was asked what he wanted the Transport Minister to do, his reply was to stop hiding and give commuters appropriate arrival and departure times and come out and allay their concerns, and give them closure.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

Thanks for the update.  Hopefully all will be revealed soon!

[Fares_Fair]

You're welcome Bob.


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

A more cynical view of the invitation to extend an offer to the Transport Minister to attend the public forum is that it was made in the realisation that she would refuse to go, thereby giving the Opposition an opportunity for some cheap political shots courtesy of Channel 7.  What was required was a public forum attended by QR and Translink staff responsible for devising the timetable.

In any event, is the presence of the Minister absolutely critical to a public meeting being held?

It could have gone ahead, with the minutes of the meeting being forwarded to the timetable officials.  Perhaps the Opposition realised that such a meeting, in the absence of the Minister, would throw the spotlight onto the alternative government, with people asking how the Opposition would improve the situation.  I am not sure they would have an answer.

[mufreight]

A more cynical view of the invitation to extend an offer to the Transport Minister to attend the public forum is that it was made in the realisation that she would refuse to go, thereby giving the Opposition an opportunity for some cheap political shots courtesy of Channel 7.  What was required was a public forum attended by QR and Translink staff responsible for devising the timetable.

Minister Nolan has a track record here, despite being invited to attend she did not attend public meetings held in her own electorate relating to the removal of bus services instead inviting a stacked selection of residents to attend a private meeting with her and other party officials.  It was notable that some of those selected to attend were in no way affected by the removal of services.
So much for honest open and accountable government.   

[Fares_Fair]

Hello Stillwater,

It is indeed a cynical view but (unfortunately) not unlikely in this day and age of political maneuvring and spin.
Something I think you would perhaps agree the State Government does far better than the opposition.

However, I can say that I know that the Transport Minister's office continued to delay an answer to a request for a meeting right up until Christmas eve and then only (finally refused) early in this new year.

I have raised the issue of the opposition's Public Transport policy with Andrew Powell MP, and I can tell you that they will have one before the next election, and are working on it. I am told it will be a whole of Transport approach for the Sunshine Coast region specifically, including CAMCOS and duplications.

It will not be released early due to the State Government's record of taking the good parts of opposition policy and incorporating them into State Gov't policy. A not unexpected answer.

I am told that of the approx. 21 private members bills put forward by the opposition since the last election, approx. 18 have been cannabalised to some extent by the Government and incorporated into their own legislation, even using the same name for the legislation in one instance. All just so that the State can claim the credit for the ideas and deny an opposition legislative win.

But that, as they say, is politics.
I would hope that they can provide answers to our concerns, because this Government certainly isn't ! 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

How about passing the "15 minute frequency on Bus and Train Act" lol 

[Stillwater]

FF, I'd get a written commitment from Andrew Powell that the LNP will have a Sunshine Coast transport plan before the next state election.  Here's what the Opposition has said so far, and it does not include a dollar figure, commitment to projects, or delivery timelines.

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Portals/0/Sunshine-Coast-Policy-Booklet-A4-pdf.pdf

In fact, this document contains these words: 'In Government, the LNP will deliver a Sunshine Coast Integrated Transport Plan containing clear delivery timeline for infrastructure services.'
In other words, the Opposition will deliver its SC regional transport plan AFTER it gets into government.  That's what 'in government' means.  If the situation has changed, there needs to be some official statement from Fiona Simpson or Tracy Davis.

Regarding Mr Powell, we know he has said this about the Opposition's view as to PT services on the Sunshine Coast:

http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/andrew-powell-launches-lnp-public-transport-plan,13114

One of the key planks of Mr Powell's list of promises, concerning  headway between trains must be called into doubt, as the government did here:

http://www.mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/125-billion-hole-in-central-element-of-lnp-public-transport-policy,12507

Certainly, the LNP has strong links to the area, not the least being that but one of the Sunshine Coast state seats is held by an LNP member.  Among senior party officials, the president, Bruce McIvor,  lives on the Coast and the Vice-President has a very good understanding of transport as it supports land use and planning.

http://lnp.org.au/main-menu/the-party/lnp-executive

[Stillwater]

To make clear, I see the written policy of the LNP to be that it will use the resources of the public service after it gets into power to then devise and deliver a SC integrated transport plan.  Like you, FF, many here would want to see a substantial LNP regional transport plan released before the election. 

[#Metro]

Let's hope the meaning of 'Integration' is not lost and is used in its proper term, rather than some buzzword to bandie around.

[Stillwater]

At present, the LNP policy for the Sunshine Coast is that we all link hands and sing Kumbaya My Lord.  Hopefully, it will be different the closer we are to a state election.

[mufreight]

At present, the LNP policy for the Sunshine Coast is that we all link hands and sing Kumbaya My Lord.  Hopefully, it will be different the closer we are to a state election.

That being your perception it is far more substantial than that of the Government which espouses as policy the provision of infrastructure that is past overdue for some nebulous time 2031 - 2091 etc which it has no intention of providing unless someone else provides it.
Track record
Beerburrum - Landsbrough with a 2012 completion date, supposedly as a continuation of Caboolture - Beerburrum now currently deferred untill 20??
Springfield, a 2014 completion date first stretched out to 2015, then to 2016 then to 2017, reduced to a single line Richlands to Springfield with no stations at Ellen Grove or Springfield Lakes.  Come the Federal election suddenly a 2014 completion date and double track but still no stations at Ellen Grove or Springfield Lakes. The tender for the next stage was supposed to be announced in November/December 2010, still no announcement.
Kippa-Ring well suddenly a promise but in reality considering the Government position on CRR what will be the excuse not to proceed.
CAMCOS again promised but when, another nebulous in the time frame project.
Landsbrough - Nambour promised for 2016 completion, again another overdue project that has been deferred to 20??
Well at least your perception of the LNP policy approach is more honest and accountable than that of the current government, but as it happens the LNP is formulating a policy that is far more relative to what can and will be done and when.

[#Metro]

its not just infrastructure, what about services?

Its great to hear the rail line being extended here and there, but what is the point if only mediocre all day frequency is all that can be offered on it?

[mufreight]

its not just infrastructure, what about services?

Its great to hear the rail line being extended here and there, but what is the point if only mediocre all day frequency is all that can be offered on it?

Ah yes but no tracks, no trains, I am quite sure that if you wish to make a personal contribution for the full costs of operating your selected additional services that the government would be at least prepared to take your money, as for the services well maybe in 20??

[Fares_Fair]

I hear you TT, but you need the infrastructure before the extra services can exist,
and this thread has become somewhat digressed (but you get that).

I hope to get a meaningful response from the Hon. Minister after the interview goes to air.

Regards,
Fares_Fair

[Stillwater]

The road to (winning) government is paved with good intentions.  In order to have good government we need a strong, active and strategy-driven Opposition.

[#Metro]

I hear you TT, but you need the infrastructure before the extra services can exist,
and this thread has become somewhat digressed (but you get that).

Agree, but disagree.

Yes, if you want a train line, it will have to be built (obviously). However, if it is really true that there is not much money around, a partial solution
would be something to go for. There are many stations where 15 minute train frequency is possible now. Why not run frequent services if it is possible
already?

There are many arterial roads that could have BUZ services down them, the buses are sitting in the depot as surplus from peak hour.

[Fares_Fair]

I hear you TT, but you need the infrastructure before the extra services can exist,
and this thread has become somewhat digressed (but you get that).

Agree, but disagree.

Yes, if you want a train line, it will have to be built (obviously). However, if it is really true that there is not much money around, a partial solution
would be something to go for. There are many stations where 15 minute train frequency is possible now. Why not run frequent services if it is possible
already?

There are many arterial roads that could have BUZ services down them, the buses are sitting in the depot as surplus from peak hour.

Do you think the single Sunshine Coast line could accommodate that ? I don't think so.
That would be great TT, but as I understand it there is not the capacity to do so.
It is a single line track from Beerburrum with a few diversion loops along the way.

I think you are overdoing the 'devil's advocate' thing here. 

And this is a rail related thread, there are other threads for BUZ issues.

Kind regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

The train positively creeps along north of Beerburrum to Nambour.  As discussed elsewhere on this site, 'rail buses' perform half the services between Caboolture and Nambour, calling at all, or selected, railway stations, do to track capacity constraints and conflicts with freight trains, which you don't get on the Gold Coast Line, for instance.  The rail buses hardly 'buzz'.  They are 50 percent slower than the trains point-to-point.  The solution (track duplication) sits there, the government promised it, but failed to proceed and the Opposition hasn't committed. About $250 million would get duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough and there are some other duplication configurations that could work at a pinch.  And then there is the issue of the temporary stations discussed here in another thread.  It all needs to be pulled together having regard to a reduced budget.  We were promised ball gown.  We need to think mini-skirt.

[#Metro]

All I am saying, is that there are things that can and need to be done now.
These things are cheap to do and can be done now while we think of the bigger fish to fry.
Think of it as an entree while you wait for the cook to make main course...

Do you think the single Sunshine Coast line could accommodate that ? I don't think so.
That would be great TT, but as I understand it there is not the capacity to do so.
It is a single line track from Beerburrum with a few diversion loops along the way.

Read my reply here http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5354.msg46635#msg46635

[somebody]

I'm sure the Sunshine Coast line could have more services, especially as far as Landsborough.  They have been able to add more in this proposed timetable, with a cross at Beerwah, but I don't know if they were saying that they couldn't add more before.

I'd have to say though, I'm not really supportive of the crossing arrangements.  I'd rather an hourly service to Landsborough, with half extending to Nambour/Gympie North and the rest being met by buses at Landsborough.  At least that would be a half decent service.  Also have every train run though to the CBD rather than the shuttles.  That would be achievable on current infrastructure as well as being more reliable and causing less conflicts with freight.

[Fares_Fair]

G'day somebody,

I wish it could have more than the 1 extra new service provided under the draft in the 5am hour and the new daily return service for Gympie North in the middle of the day, this being achieved by the current Cooroy service simply being extended through to Gympie North.

These are counteracted by the relocation of the 5:14pm ex Roma St service in the afternoon, back to 5:02pm.

Our other new? service being an existing 3pm service extended through to Nambour!

We are certainly looking forward to a response from someone, somewhere (Minister, what Minister) that the arrival and departure times, and length of journeys are going to be rational for CBD workers.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.