8 Oct 2011: SEQ: Ipswich-Caboolture-Sunshine Coast timetable review ...

[ozbob]

Media release 8 October 2011

SEQ: Ipswich-Caboolture-Sunshine Coast timetable review - further improvements

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 some of the remaining issues with the Ipswich, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast timetables to be fixed without delay.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The express services in the current timetable have the same 50 minute scheduled travel time between Ipswich and Central as the all station services did in 1995 (1,2). All stations services are 8 minutes slower. Similarly, an express train in 1995 serving the same numbers of stations as the current express made the trip 5 minutes faster than present.  Commuters are complaining that that the majority of morning peak services need to wait for the timetable to catch up at Indooroopilly and Darra, and sometimes other places, which means less time commuters have to spend with their families.  Similarly off peak, RAIL Back On Track members believe that all stations to Caboolture services have slowed down by 8 minutes to 64 minutes since 1995 (3,4).  While patronage has risen, and dwell times have increased due to changed door closing procedures, it is not believed that is a full explanation for this degree of slow down."

"The problem with the slowdown is two fold.  Firstly, it ties up rolling stock which could provide other services, and prevents the addition of other services.  A recent report on the CityRail network in Sydney claims that their timetable slowdown costs 10 peak hour services per hour (5).  An earlier report by an ex rail boss said something similar (6), but did not quantify the lost opportunities for more services.  It is not known how many services could be added if the slowdown on the Ipswich line was reversed."

"RAIL Back On Track feels that the number of services on these lines is excellent in the peak direction, but unsatisfactory in the counter peak direction.  It is disappointing that numerous out of service trains traverse the Ipswich line counter peak in some cases past numerous intending passengers.  Counter peak means services at peak time in the opposite to peak direction.  This means that Ipswich, which is supposed to be an employment destination, languishes on a half hourly frequency.  It should be noted that in 1995 there was a 15 minute frequency ex-Ipswich from 2:57pm to 3:42pm.  Similarly, there is a market for people reverse commuting to Ipswich from Brisbane, and these people are forced onto slow all stopping services, or more likely, they will drive and contribute to the Ipswich motorway being a car park in both directions.  Finally, Milton, Toowong and Indooroopilly should have a services with no worse than 10 minute headways to allow hassle free connections. The City to UQ via Toowong option is otherwise far more attractive than the via South Bank option for many, but this is not adequately provided for in the latest timetable.  This also increases the need to run less efficient bus services along congested Coronation Drive while reducing the efficiency of the rail system."

"Secondly, the slower services  make an impact on the attractiveness of the services as compared to driving.  While perhaps not as important as the first point in peak hour, this effect is still present, and it is much stronger off peak where traffic congestion is less severe, so therefore road provides stronger competition."

"It should also be mentioned that the hourly Sunday and Public Holiday morning frequency was a headache for many on Ekka day and the lack of a 15 minute frequency to Petrie or Caboolture is not acceptable.  There is also no reason why the off peak Nambour trains need to serve all stations Bowen Hills to Northgate.  Eagle Junction and Northgate would be about right."

"These issues should be resolved before they are replicated on the other lines' timetable review."

References:

(1)  http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7720/ipswich1995.jpg

(2)  http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110711-ipswich-rosewood-line.pdf

(3)  http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4353/caboolture1995.jpg

(4)  http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110711-caboolture-line.pdf

(5)  http://www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au/NSWBC/media/Misc/Policy%20Documents/111004_improving_cityrail_report.pdf page 12

(6)  http://www.transportpublicinquiry.com.au/pdf/F2i_Public_Transport_Inquiry_Final_Report_26May2010_Thought_Provoker_2_Rail_choices.pdf page 239

Contact:

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

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