28 May 2012: SEQ: Call to extend 15 minute Ferny Grove line frequency ...

[ozbob]

Media release 28 May 2012

SEQ: Call to extend 15 minute Ferny Grove line frequency to weekends and evenings

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 weekend and evening services on the Ferny Grove line to be upgraded with the daytime services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"While the weekday day train frequency increase is welcome and sure to reduce traffic congestion in the area, it will do nothing to help weekend traffic congestion.  Further, the lack of increase in evening services makes it significantly more difficult to rely on public transport."

"There is little reason why rail users should have to put up with significantly poorer services than users of BUZ routes. It should also be noted that the proportionate increase in BUZ services was higher for evenings and highest for Sundays, than the overall increase(1).  Of course, the base is lower but figures that aren't proportionate have not been released."

"Traffic congestion reduction will help drive reduced car ownership and better land use (2)."

"Bus services can achieve 15 minute weekend and evening frequencies, there is no reason why train services cannot except for the will to do so."

"It is presumed that the additional Ferny Grove rail services will run through on the southern line and in so doing extend the benefit of frequency improvements to more areas. Extending the  frequency improvements to weekends and evenings similar to the rail service frequency between Darra and Northgate will make the services much more attractive and result in better operating returns."

References:

1. http://www.thredbo.itls.usyd.edu.au/downloads/thredbo10_papers/thredbo10-themeA-Warren.pdf

2. http://www.vtpi.org/cong_relief.pdf page 11

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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