25 Mar 2008: RAIL Back On Track welcomes the increased QR services

[ozbob]

Media Release 25 March 2008

SEQ:  RAIL Back On Track welcomes the increased QR Interurban Rail services

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has welcomed the increased services on the Gold Coast/Beenleigh, Ferny Grove and Cleveland lines.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?It is welcome news for rail commuters on the Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Ferny Grove and Cleveland lines that there will be new timetables and extra services from the 31st March.?

?RAIL Back On Track congratulates QR, the track contractors and the Queensland Government on the successful completion of track upgrades on the Beenleigh and Ferny Grove lines, and welcomes the progressive acquisition of new trains and more train crew that have the facilitated increased services.?

?It is essential to continue the upgrade momentum to all lines.  The Caboolture and Ipswich lines are suffering severe congestion problems at peak. With the increasing road congestion north of Brisbane, and as a result of the Ipswich Highway road works further pressure will be put on the rail services on these lines.?

?The Shorncliffe line still has significant gaps in the peak timetables.?

?Increased services on the Doomben line would also be very welcome.?

?Hopefully some relief for commuters on the Caboolture, Ipswich and Shorncliffe lines will be forthcoming in the next timetable changes in September.?

?Until then, rail commuters should aim to travel during early or late peak times if possible. Some discount fares to act as an incentive should be considered.?

?It is also essential that should there be occasions when it is necessary to cancel services that those lines already under great stress are the last to lose services.?

Contact:

Robert  Dow

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

[ozbob]

Picked up the new timetables this morning at Roma St.

All lines have new timetables with effect 31st March 2008.

The major changes are:

Ferny Grove

Two additional morning peak services and one additional afternoon peak service added.
All services in both peaks worked with six car trains.


Beenleigh

One additional service provided from Beenleigh created by splitting a 6 car train into two 3 car trains.
There are now ten peak services up from nine.

Gold Coast

The introduction of a 15 minute peak service frequency. Fifteen minute services will arrive Central in the morning from 7:39am to 8:41am and  in the afternoon depart Central from 4:24pm to 5:27pm. Some other timetable changes too, with stops at Coopers Plains instead of Yeerongpilly.

Cleveland

Three car services upgraded to six car services.