16 Sep 2011: SEQ: Off peak express service to Ipswich

[ozbob]

Media release 16 September 2011

SEQ: Off peak express service to Ipswich

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 called for off peak express services to Ipswich (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Currently, commuters between Ipswich and the Brisbane City have to endure a 58 minute trip, serving 22 intermediate stations.  This time could be sped up by introducing a tiered service, by having a 15 minute frequency all stations to Richlands, combined with Ipswich  expresses either Milton or Roma St to Darra, serving Toowong and Indooroopilly.  This is similar to what happens in peak time.  Similarly an express service should be implemented on the Caboolture line, best done by extending the current Richlands trains to Caboolture, running express between Bowen Hills and Northgate stopping only at Eagle Junction."

"Such a service is easily achievable on present infrastructure and does not make it any more difficult for freight trains on the Ipswich Line other than the negligible need to occupy Darra platform one.  Caboolture line congestion should also be easily manageable, although likely would require a new timetable for the Sunshine Coast line, and would be easier if the current Caboolture trains were curtailed to Petrie.  Peak rolling stock utilisation would be marginally increased if the Ipswich expresses were continued counter peak, but RAIL Back On Track believes this effect is marginal.  An increased frequency from Richlands to the CBD will encourage passengers to catch the train and save time over the route 460 bus."

"Logan residents have access to off peak express rail services to Brisbane via Loganlea & Beenleigh railway stations. These express services slash over 15 minutes off the travel time between Beenleigh and Central compared to the all stations services. The distance from Central to Beenleigh is actually several kilometres further than it is to Ipswich, but because there are off peak express services to Beenleigh, the travel time is 13 minutes less than it is to Ipswich. When will Ipswich residents have access to express services outside peak periods?"

"Services need to provide competitive journey times with the car to be attractive."

Reference:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6710.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6710.0

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 17th September 2011 page 12

Call for more express trains

[Gazza]

A Translink Spokesman....Would not be drawn on Mr Dow's suggestion

Doesn't that sh%t ya?

Perhaps STB can shed some light on the inside, but why is it TL listens to stupid whiny feedback, like demolishing bus stops before they ever get used, and retaining archaic loops through Wooloongabba on some services from the East.

Yet suggestions which are actually good ideas and make perfect sense, get shut down.

[ozbob]

Patience  .  Interestingly, in the 'draft connecting SEQ 2031', the only major corridor that did not have indicative limited expresses marked on their diagram was Darra to Ipswich (and Ripley),  LOL.

They are obviously rather detached from the real world ...  

A track amplification to Redbank is part of the SEQ plans, I would have thought that is to in part, to facilitate express running as well.  Oh dear,  Martha and Artha horribly confused.

[somebody]

A Translink Spokesman....Would not be drawn on Mr Dow's suggestion

Doesn't that sh%t ya?

Perhaps STB can shed some light on the inside, but why is it TL listens to stupid whiny feedback, like demolishing bus stops before they ever get used, and retaining archaic loops through Wooloongabba on some services from the East.

Yet suggestions which are actually good ideas and make perfect sense, get shut down.

Hate to say it, but it seems to be the Qld way.  A lot of quite good suggestions are put forward on this site and even site members seem to get annoyed about it.  Well, that's just my opinion.

These seem pertinent comments though:

Always, always.  Invariably when asked to comment on a new thought or idea, the position to be adopted and defended is the status quo, no matter how discredited that position has become.  Now, it is not in any public servant's career interests to start supporting, or spouting, new ideas in public without permission of the top eschelon or the minister's office.  Generally, the media officers in government departments (the people media go to for comment) are low down the public service totem pole.  They are authorised to flick media inquiries away, using 'the approved words' -- a set of pre-approved agreed words.

Or they dodge the issue.  Thus, if a media outlet rang the Attorney-General's departrment and said 'so-and-so has called for reintroduction of capital punishment, what do you think?' the answer is something like 'the government believes in an appropriate and suitable penalty, depending on the crime committed.'

Keep asking the questions, folks.  The more often they are asked, behind the scenes governments and their bureaucrats will start to look at the issue while all the while defending the 'stated position', until they do the work to change that position.  Persistence in asking the question requires them to take action to change that position .... in the end.