19 Dec 2007: SEQ - More Citytrain crew and trains needed!

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 December 2007

SEQ:  More Citytrain crew and trains needed!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for more Citytrain trains and crew.

Robert Dow said:

?Recent revelations have unwound the true situation with the escalating Citytrain cancellations that have occurred throughout the year.  RAIL Back On Track has consistently highlighted the true cause of the cancellations (reference 1) and it is only proper that the public now has the true story.?

?Important and welcome as the new crew and trains are, the momentum must kept moving forward for even more trains and crew.  Rail will be the public transport salvation for SEQ and it is important that investments are made now to position SEQ for a sustainable transport future.?

?Brisbane and SEQ generally is struggling with backlogs of infrastructure investment ignored for the last decade. Foremost of these is the lack of proactive investment in urban passenger rail. SEQ is undergoing rapid and prolonged population growth and there are a number of very necessary rail projects underway but they will not be nearly enough.?

?RAIL Back On Track calls for the Government to fund a further 44 three car suburban units with funding for crew to match, to enable QR Citytrain to provide the expanded high frequency accessible commuter rail services desperately needed now and for future requirements.?

?This is additional to the very welcome 44 three car trains presently being progressively introduced into regular service.  The lead times are such that the further trains should be ordered now.   Some of the older Citytrain units will also need replacement in time.?

?The massive funding for roads at the expense of rail in SEQ is just condemning citizens to more and more gridlock and congestion.  Buses are important in SEQ, but there are already problems with ?bus-lock? at peak and as fuel price rises bite we are likely to experience a public transport meltdown unless a high capacity rail network is put in place now.?

?The only viable long term environmentally sustainable mass transit transport solution is electric rail, both light and heavy,? said Robert Dow spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Reference:

1. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=149.0 

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track