Article: extra train wont help coast commuters

[yobborobbo21]

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/sep/30/extra-train-wont-help-coast-commuters/

Extra train won't help Coast commuters
3:11p.m. 30th September 2008 | By Kerryn Manifold
 

An extra early bird train service running between Caboolture and Brisbane Central stations will still leave Sunshine Coast commuters packed like sardines, according to a lobbyist.

Sunshine Coast Commuters association chair Terry Cullen has said the premier?s announcement of an extra three-carriage train which would depart Caboolture at 5.30am and have a capacity to carry more than 500 passengers would do nothing to benefit local commuters.

Mr Cullen said the bulk of problems arose because people living near Northgate and Petrie were tempted to use Sunshine Coast services.

Those services only stop at Northgate and Petrie during the journey from Caboolture to Brisbane which cuts travel time.

Mr Cullen said the only thing that could make life easier for Coast passengers would be to stop people boarding the train at Petrie and Northgate by altering the timetable so trains did not stop there.

?The reason people get on Sunshine Coast trains is because it?s an express service,? Mr Cullen said.

?This is just another train that goes to Brisbane.

?We need a train to go express form Caboolture to Brisbane and we need an identical level of service to that of the Gold Coast.?

Mr Cullen said half-hourly express services during peak times that did not stop at Petrie or Northgate would reduce the load on Coast services.

Premier Anna Bligh said the new service would add capacity to the Caboolture line.

?We all need to change our behaviour to bust congestion,? Ms Bligh said.

?That?s why I want services like this to give people the opportunity to change their own routines.

?Using these services, people have the opportunity to come to work early and leave early, missing peak times.?

Ms Bligh said if the services were successful, the government would consider similar services on other lines.

In 2009, the government also plans to introduce more improvements for South East Queensland which could include the Sunshine Coast.

[ozbob]

The basic problem at the moment is the lack of trains and crew, and there is also a maintenance back log.  The fundamental reason for this is the fact that minimal resources were put into QR Passenger services for about 7 years.  At last this is starting to be turned around.

There are also problems with ongoing track work restricting paths at moment.

I generally support Terry's comments, but the same can be said about Rosewood Ipswich, and other lines as well.  There is an urgent need for more long haul express services. This is why a two tiered approach can be very beneficial to all. Increased inner city services, stop folks trying to board already overloaded long haul services, the long haul services have a shorter run time. All this is dependent on resources of course.  The Gold Coast line has done a lot better than the Sunshine coast and most other lines too! 

RAIL Back On Track has consistently highlighted these issues.  The early-bird services are minor in the big picture, but importantly does signal a recognition and an early shift in strategy.  Rather than just point out the obvious we  have chosen to acknowledge the small gain, and perhaps use it as a lever for improved ticketing outcomes. Which in the long term as trains, crews, and paths become available will be to everyone's benefit.

Roll on!

[ButFli]

I think the so-called "long haul" passengers are being very precious. Passengers on the all-stations services must deal with so-called "crush" conditions on a daily basis. Why does this man think he deserves anything better?

[brad C]

I can sympathise with Mr Cullen and his comments mirror my feedback to QR over a number of years. This applies particularly to the PM peaks where Northgate and Petrie passengers occupy seats when legitimate Sunshine Coast commuters who do not have the saturation of services provided to Petrie or Northgate, must stand.
This is less palatable when one considers the $60+ per week that one pays for commuting or the standing in the non air conditioned vestibule of an ICE set.

In the mornings I have seen near empty trains depart Petrie for the CBD whilst hordes wait on the platform for the following express ex Nambour, and it is not like the Gold Coast where one can count on an IMU service or enjoy the frequency of a 15 minute peak service.
Roll on duplication of the NCL and a revised timetable for the short north!!
Brad C

[yobborobbo21]

Im fed up with EMU's all the time, sitting in a smelly train for 2hrs is really bad and no toilets is another pain, but I guess this what happens when you live on the Sunshine Coast, always getting ignored by the useless government!


Hey Bob, maybe we should start our own party? lol

[Arnz]

I think the so-called "long haul" passengers are being very precious. Passengers on the all-stations services must deal with so-called "crush" conditions on a daily basis. Why does this man think he deserves anything better?

So does Nambour, North Coast and Sunshine Coast commuters on typical peak service. 

Trains are pretty much full south of Beerwah/Glasshouse Mtns (many tend to get off at Landsborough), Apart from early morning and late evening peak services scheduled by IMUs, there are still many peak services that has NO TOILETS for a longer distance service than any other line, also add insult to injury the unreliability of the ICEs, hence EMUs are regularly subsituted if not IMUs.

Roll on duplication of the NCL and a revised timetable for the short north!!

Good news is that Cab-Beerburrum is close to completion! but bring on the rest of the duplication works.