2 Jul 2012: SEQ: Northern Busway not deviating via The Prince Charles Hospital

[ozbob]

Media release 2 Jul 2012

SEQ: Northern Busway not deviating via The Prince Charles Hospital a positive.

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 supports the decision to reverse the folly of the previous government's plan to deviate many of the buses to Chermside via The Prince Charles Hospital, but there is more to the story.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson has promised to overturn the previous Government's plan to deviate the Northern Busway extension via The Prince Charles Hospital (1).  This move is supported  by RAIL Back On Track.  However, that is not to say that The Prince Charles Hospital doesn't need improved bus services as compared to present.  Presently, the only nearby services are the hourly 325 bus, hourly 335 bus and even less frequent 354 bus and Great Circle Line bus which don't operate at all on Sundays."

"RAIL Back On Track members believe the most suitable service would be a BUZ 325 following the GCL route between Chermside interchange and Webster/Rode Roads.  The 335 bus would be best terminated at Chermside interchange and increased in frequency then.  The BUZ 325 should also serve King George Square bus station, and serve stops near Webster and Rode Roads to avoid too large a gap.  Stops for the 340 bus near Webster and Hamilton Roads would also need to be reviewed."

"The previous government believed correctly that The Prince Charles Hospital was an important destination, and a missing link in the public transport network (2).  The 30000 visitors per month largely commuting by private transport is not a good outcome for future sustainability."

"BUZ services are quite cheap in the scheme of things, and this can be easily provided to The Prince Charles Hospital."

References:

1. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=79719

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/Epetitions_QLD/responses/1529-10.pdf

Contact:

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