15 Jun 2011: SEQ: Call to 'Express the Ipswich line' counter peak

[ozbob]

Media release 15 June 2011

SEQ: Call to 'Express the Ipswich line' counter peak

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 the trains serving the Ipswich line to run express, every 15 minutes counter peak.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Counter peak services are those that run opposite the main radial peak flows at peak times. Dead running of buses and trains is said to occur when they are repositioned without carrying passengers.

"Currently, Ipswich workers must put up with an unreasonable 30 minute counter peak frequency while paying premium peak fares for it.  RAIL Back On Track suggests that a 15 minute frequency, trains running counter peak and express between Milton and Darra, stopping at Toowong and Indooroopilly would be the minimum required service.  In fact this would fall short of the BUZ standard, which is 10 minutes in peak.  This should also be combined with no less than a 15 minute service running in the counter peak direction all stations to Richlands. There is significant reverse commuting from Brisbane to locations beyond Darra.  The poor service would no doubt cause the vast majority to drive."

"Improved counter peak trains would also improve service to UQ Chancellors Place, as well as Milton and Indooroopilly.  These services have significant latent demand which is not being adequately met by poor counter peak rail frequency, and as a consequence requires an excess of 412 bus services to fight Coronation Drive traffic counter peak with no bus priority at all. Not very smart."

"TransLink suggests that there has been a significant reduction in buses dead running of late (1).  What is being done about train dead running?  Our proposal would reduce dead running trains on the Ipswich line considerably.  The size of Ipswich depot does not allow for the current timetable to be maintained without significant numbers of trains to be run out of service counter peak.  Rather than having infrequent all stopping services combined with out of service runs, why not have express services which can call in to important stations such as Milton, Toowong and Indooroopilly on the return leg of a peak service? (2)"

"Decentralisation rhetoric needs to be matched with commensurate improvements in public transport, pure and simple."

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-running-empty-20110608-1fs25.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6186.msg59877#msg59877

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Cam]

Hopefully, the media takes up this issue. 

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 16th June 2011 page 4

Call for more express trains to Ipswich in peak times

[somebody]

Good that this was picked up, but I'd have to say that the issues of the 17:22 Nambour service have overshadowed it.

Was thinking about raising these issues, but it seems we've already gotten the issues out there.  Do you think we should put something out to refocus on this?  Or too soon?

[ozbob]

I think the 'frequency' is a standing item of sorts.  Unless the resource issues are addressed it is going to be a long wait though.  Anything that helps to highlight those issues is worthwhile IMHO.  Just a matter of timing and dare I say it, 'frequency' ..   

[Cam]

I think that the Queensland Government are going to have to increase the counter peak frequency & introduce counter peak express services to Ipswich if they want to entice state government employees to relocate to Ipswich CBD.

http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/06/29/the-future-of-bell-st-redevelopment-ipswich-/