16 Apr 2018: SEQ: GC2018 some transport observations

[ozbob]

Media release 16th April 2018

SEQ: GC2018 some transport observations

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 public transport for the Commonwealth Games has been a success for the Gold Coast.

Robert Dow, Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"For the first time for many years in SEQ we have seen frequent line transport, properly supported by frequent shuttle (feeder) buses in support of high frequency rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, both light and heavy rail, for a sustained period (that is more than one single day event). Over two and a half million estimated passenger trips to and from Games.  This confirms what we have been advocating now for years.  People will use public transport if it is frequent, connected and accessible."

"Well done to all public transport operators, crew, bus drivers, support and administration staff.  You have all contributed to a positive result.  There was transport concern leading into the Commonwealth Games, publicly expressed by GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie no less.  We had said that with respect to the local Games public transport and the Gold Coast line itself that it would be generally fine. Only real problems were some initial teething issues with the shuttle bus delays particularly after major events, and some PWD access issues.  These were sorted as the Games proceeded.

"Our major concerns were always related to the wider public transport for SEQ with reduced service and very poor connections, both rail/rail and bus/rail. There were problems on the wider network, this can not be disguised.  The momentum gained for public transport for the Games should be now used to improve the rest of the SEQ network.  The SEQ public transport network apart from the Gold Coast, was reduced to  a  ' bare bones ' network, all the good bits gone to support the Games. This was more severe in terms of service reductions than would normally be the case due to the ongoing issues with ' rail fail '.

"Let's be frank.  While the Gold Coast Line had trains running every 7 minutes at times, the Sunshine Coast Line had trains running every two hours, with waits for bus connections up to 100 minutes! This made some journeys marathons in themselves. The rest of the wider SEQ rail network had similar issues. This sort of failure must be addressed from here.  Frequency and proper connections work, admirably demonstrated so well during the 2018 Commonwealth Games."

Contacts:

Steven Jamieson
Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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

[ozbob]

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