21 Apr 2011: SEQ: Increased train frequency to Manly is achievable today!

[ozbob]

Media release 21 April 2011

SEQ: Increased train frequency to Manly is achievable today!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers calls for a 15 minute frequency service to Manly, and regular around clock train services on the Doomben line.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Extending the Shorncliffe trains to Manly is an achievable and practical option to increase train frequency.  Combined with the extension of every Cleveland train to Doomben and with some re-timings, this would then allow the off peak Caboolture trains to express through Albion and Wooloowin.  This could also extend to the Petrie trains which RAIL Back On Track has been calling for improved frequency and operation (1,2).  Freight and track work constraints do not reduce the attractiveness of these options. These improvements can be done now as it requires no new infrastructure and no new trains."

"In addition to the improved service on the inner Cleveland line, this also improves train frequency to South Brisbane, South Bank and Park Rd, whose service is currently not really up to scratch for the South Bank Griffith University Campus, the UQ and PA Hospital bus connections, as well as for the staff at the EcoSciences Precinct and others.  Current South Bank and Roma St terminators eat up track capacity while providing services which are less useful than they should be.  Improving the service to the Buranda bus interchange may help to make it more useful as well.

"All this can be done now as it requires no new infrastructure and no new trains."

"Converting the rail bus service between Doomben and Eagle Junction into rail services would improve system legibility and be cost effective as one service is being replaced with another."

"Proper utilisation of our existing public transport assets is a path to success! A lesson which transport planners in south-east are struggling to understand."

"The travelling public is tired of the overall poor train frequency, the constant failure of buses to connect effectively with rail, and a fare structure that is failing to drive around the clock public transport utilisation."

"Spin and self praise from the transport authorities is not resonating well at all when the public is faced with near constant failure."

"The reality is a system that needs major and rapid improvements in terms of frequency, fares and accessibility."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5409.0

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5785.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org