20 Aug 2011: SEQ: Frequency is fundamental

[ozbob]

Media release 20th August 2011

SEQ: Frequency is fundamental

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 welcomes the  Eastern Busway service changes and recent media discussion about free travel for seniors (1,2), however any public transport policy must deal with improving core frequency first and foremost.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A 'Core Frequent Network' is the minimum basic high-frequency public transport network required to properly link the CBD with the suburbs and the suburbs with each-other. This means that everyone seniors, students, workers and tourists will be able to get from anywhere-to-anywhere-at-anytime on this basic high frequency public transport network."

"The best thing about this is that it requires no new infrastructure and would be rapid to do."

Some examples of possible improvements:

BUSES

* BUZ 100 (Inala) down Ipswich Road plus T2 lanes on Ipswich Road where space exists:
* BUZ 180 (Mansfield/Garden City)
* BUZ 245 or 227 or 220 (to be investigated further, via Wynnum and Manly Roads)
* BUZ 330 (Bracken Ridge) * BUZ 450 (Riverhills/Darra Station)

TRAINS

* 'Train Upgrade Zones' where current infrastructure permits beginning with the 'TUZification' of the Ipswich Line with express trains to and from Ipswich every 15 minutes all day, 6am-11pm, 7 days a week.  Counter peak frequency needs urgent remedial surgery as well.

"Fixing public transport does not necessarily need to cost billions of dollars, require endless mountains of studies and feasibility investigations, or decades of waiting for 'big ticket' infrastructure to fix. With some insight the problems we face can be tackled NOW."

"The launching of the free off peak travel policy for Seniors by the Labor Lord Mayoral candidate just further reinforces the fact that the present fare structure for public transport in south-east Queensland is a failure.  We are waiting for action to restore confidence in the go card (3).  Public transport policy in south-east Queensland has a permanent 'track-fault' it seems at present."

"Public transport services must be frequent, bottom line."

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/labor-promises-free-offpeak-travel-for-seniors-20110819-1j0xh.html

2. http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/central/off-peak-travel-free-for-seniors-under-labor-mayoral-candidate-ray-smiths-policy/story-fn8m0qb4-1226117990542

3. 19 August 2011 SEQ: Uncertainty surrounds public transport ticketing, direct action needed today http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6568.0

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org