SEQ: Public transport policy leadership - now is the hour

[ozbob]

Media release 17 September 2011

SEQ: Public transport policy leadership - now is the hour

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 has said the failure to utilise our rail network to its full potential must be addressed urgently.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Melbourne commuters are complaining about 20 minute train service frequency at weekends (1). Except for the section  between Darra and Northgate most of the rail network in south east Queensland has a worse weekday out of peak frequency of 30 minutes or longer! This is world's worst practice!"

"We do have an incredibly extensive rail infrastructure for a city of our size in Brisbane, but  the network is run at a level of service that prevents it from going anywhere near its potential.  It is laughable that a city with so much rail as Brisbane manages to carry more passengers on its buses than on its trains!"

"We call on all political parties and candidates for the forthcoming state election to commit to a public transport revolution for south-east Queensland and put in place policies that lead to frequent, accessible, affordable public transport for all of the community."

"Long standing infrastructure deficits must be addressed.  It is no-brainer that Cross River Rail must be urgently expedited (2)."

"The other urgent priority is the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast line north of Beerburrum. The Hon. Paul Lucas MP, now retiring at the next election, in August 2005, described the Caboolture to Landsborough rail line as the 'weakest link in the QR network' (3).
The then Transport Minister's own briefing note says that the duplication of Caboolture to Beerburrum achieved nothing and will not do so until built to Landsborough.  Weekdays, 44% of the services between Caboolture and Nambour are by rail bus, which further highlights the diabolical situation with the failure to address the necessary infrastructure upgrade as promised in 2005."

"Recent state elections in Victoria and New South Wales resulted in changes of Government, failing public transport policy was the major factor in the determining the election outcomes in those states.  Queensland is heading the same way apparently."

References:

1.  http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/just-the-ticket-for-weekend-commute-20110916-1ke3s.html

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5855.0

3.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.0

Contact:

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