22 Mar 2022: SEQ City Deal Information Request - $450 million bus station ...

[ozbob]

Media Release

SEQ City Deal Information Request - $450 million bus station at Woolloongabba

22nd March 2022

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 asked for more detail around the $450 million bus station at Woolloongabba contained within the SEQ City Deal announced today.

RAIL Back On Track requests a briefing on the location and design of the station and an explanation of the high costs. Also the web address where information can be found. In particular, our members would like to know why the current Woolloongabba busway station is not sufficient, and whether this station will be an improvement of the current station, a relocation of the station to be in-line with the SE Busway, or a completely new station, possibly underground. The proposed cost for this one bus station - $450 million - is absolutely enormous and represents 25% of the SEQ City Deal funding for the entire SEQ region. Indeed, its per-km costs are comparable to the construction of a tunnelled automated rail-based subway system.

In addition, we also request detailed information about the M3 Line of the 'Brisbane Metro' BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) bus line. We have no information about this, only information about Lines 1 and Lines 2, and therefore ask that information about the route origin, service frequency, vehicles used, number of vehicles to be in service or expected, and terminus of this service are provided to our members.

RAIL Back On Track supports project proposals on merit. We are not against the provision of expensive infrastructure, provided that commensurately high benefits to the community are also demonstrated. We look forward to being properly briefed on the Woolloongabba Station and M3 'Brisbane Metro' BRT line in a timely manner.

References

1. City Deal to Transform South East Queensland
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/city-deal-transform-south-east-queensland
"Key projects in the City Deal include:

$450 million for the Gabba Brisbane Metro Station, to deliver enhanced transport connections and support the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games;"

2. Gabba funding hurdle cleared for Olympic stadium
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/gabba-funding-hurdle-cleared-for-olympic-stadium-20220321-p5a6i0.html

"There, the metro will link with the state government's self-funded Cross River Rail and service the stadium and surrounding areas.
When queried about the hefty price tag, Mr Morrison said the metro station would be a "complex" project.
"Projects are different and they are defined by the needs and the planning of the future in those cities," he said."

3. Brisbane's $450m bus stop: So many unanswered questions
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/brisbanes-450m-bus-stop-so-many-unanswered-questions/news-story/12a8d3b056b3ae08514f9b651aa4a401

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

[ozbob]

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