QLD Votes 2024: Greens transport related policies

[ozbob]

Place holder

[Jonno]

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/3x5W8NySqkyHjZQ6/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Straight Bussin: the Greens' Public Transport Vision for Brisbane - Online Discussion
How do we build a more reliable, more connected public transport network for Brisbane?
The Greens will be announcing Brisbane City Council policy initiatives around public and active transport. How will these be implemented, and what else will we do to connect Brisbane if we gain control of Council?

This free public discussion forum on Wednesday 13th December, 6-7.30pm, is open to anyone interested in learning more about our vision for public transport in Brisbane, and how local government can and should be part of the solution beyond simply upgrading infrastracture for the inner-city areas that are already the most well-serviced. We'll have speakers, including Jonno, share our position on active travel and facilitate discussion with participants about what it means and how we can build a more connected, sustainable, community-oriented Brisbane.

[Jonno]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-12/brisbane-greens-election-promise-more-crossings-cycle-lanes/103311318

Greens make election promise to fight Brisbane's car dependency with more crossings, cycle lanes

Brisbane could be harder for drivers but easier for cyclists and pedestrians under a sweeping proposal by the Greens to "de-prioritise" cars in favour of people.

Key points:

• The Brisbane Greens' proposal comes ahead of the Brisbane City Council election in March
• Under the plan, more pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and footpaths would be built
• LNP deputy mayor Krista Adams says it is a "reckless" idea, which will cost ratepayers

The promise comes ahead of the Brisbane City Council election scheduled for March 16.

The Streets for People Plan includes 100 "traffic-calming projects" designed to slow or reduce the number of cars in Brisbane's neighbourhoods.

As part of the plan, the party has vowed to spend $500 million over the next four years on 200 pedestrian crossings, 35 kilometres of bike lanes and 200km of footpaths.

Brisbane LNP deputy mayor Krista Adams said Brisbane drivers should be "very concerned" about the possibility of the Greens getting into power.

She said the party's "radical agenda" would mean higher taxes and less funding for road infrastructure.

"This latest attack on motorists by the Greens' self-declared anarchist candidate is further proof that anyone who owns a car in Brisbane should be terrified about a Green/Labor coalition of chaos running City Hall," Cr Adams said.

"This reckless and costly plan will cause widespread traffic chaos and force Brisbane households to pay higher rates and rents."

Plan to end 'car-centrism'

Greens mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan said his party's plan would put pedestrians first and free families from car dependency.

Mr Sriranganathan, a longstanding critic of "car-centrism", said the major parties had prioritised wider roads and more cars at the expense of everybody else.

He said Brisbane's walking and cycling network was full of gaps, which meant pedestrians had to "live in fear" because of the car-centric city planning.

"If you wouldn't feel safe letting your child walk or ride to school, that shows our active transport infrastructure isn't up to scratch," Mr Sriranganathan said.

"Wherever you go in the world, the most popular and pleasant neighbourhoods are the ones where cars are de-prioritised ... we want Brisbane streets to serve as vibrant public spaces where active transport comes first."

Close calls

Greens Paddington candidate Seal Chong Wah said her ward was neither safe nor convenient for pedestrians.

Ms Wah said she'd been told by Paddington locals about close calls with traffic, particularly those with limited mobility.

The Brisbane mum said she witnessed the issue firsthand, when two students narrowly avoided being hit by a large four-wheeled drive at Rosalie Village.

"One of the very first acts of the new LNP councillor was to cancel a vital pedestrian crossing project at Rosalie Village," Ms Wah said.

"Rosalie Village is a beautiful community hub packed with local businesses, cafes and restaurants, but everyone knows it's not safe for pedestrians."

The plan also includes protected bike lanes on 15 high-priority corridors and lower speed limits on certain residential streets.

Cr Adams so Out of Touch

[Jonno]

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/p/rtP1pPj1PCc2uJao/?mibextid=WC7FNe

First major election campaign pitch of the new year!

Today the Greens are announcing a major commitment of $500 million over the coming four years to build 200 new pedestrian crossings, 35km of separated bike lanes, 200km of new and improved footpaths and 100 traffic calming projects.

This represents the biggest commitment towards local walking and cycling infrastructure improvements in the city's history, and would revolutionise residents' ability to move around the city without depending on private cars.

For years, the major parties have allocated the vast majority of transport infrastructure spending towards widening roads to carry more cars, making it more dangerous and less convenient for pedestrians and cyclists to move around the city.

In contrast, we want to put pedestrians first, and ensure that everyone has safe, accessible walking routes to local destinations like schools, shops and public transport stops.

Wherever you go in the world, the most popular and pleasant neighbourhoods are the ones where cars are deprioritised, so we want Brisbane streets to serve as vibrant public spaces where active transport comes first.

There are hundreds of roads across the city that pedestrians can't safely cross, and heaps of disjointed fake bike lanes that aren't actually safe to ride in.

If you wouldn't feel safe letting your child walk or ride to school, that shows our active transport infrastructure isn't up to scratch."

Obviously one pedestrian crossing or a couple of speed bumps alone wouldn't change much, but if we combine hundreds of new crossings with new footpaths, widening of existing footpaths, new safely separated bike lanes and traffic calming to discourage rat-running and speeding, we get a dramatically improved urban landscape where pedestrians and cyclists don't have to live in fear.

Other cities around the world have been heading in this direction for a long time. Brisbane desperately needs to catch up.

Below is the list of our priorities for bike lane corridors:
North
-    Complete the North Brisbane Bikeway, Wooloowin to Toombul

-    Kedron Brook Road via Wilston Village

-    Viola Place Link to the airport

West

-    Lambert Rd, Indooroopilly

-    Moggill Road, Toowong to Kenmore

-    Sylvan Rd, Toowong

South

-    Annerley Road, Dutton Park to Annerley Junction

-    Main Street, Woolloongabba to Kangaroo Point footbridge

-    Montague Road, West End/South Brisbane

-    Vulture Street, Woolloongabba to West End

East

-    Stanley Street, Norman Park to Woolloongabba

-    Wynnum Road, Norman Park to Cannon Hill

Centre

 -   Ann St from the CBD to Fortitude Valley and Newstead

-    Melbourne Street, South Brisbane (this one is already partially underway)

-    Grey Street, South Brisbane

Let us know what you think of these bike lane priorities, and which locations you'd like to see pedestrian crossings installed at...

[#Metro]

Look at Green Teams strategy. All very small low cost projects that are quick to deliver but a lot of them delivered at scale.

I think blue team are going to be very concerned, because they are still operating within the traditional paradigm of a few high cost projects (big bang approach).

Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is some of the lowest cost and fastest to deliver.

Entirely possible to have a Green Team LM and a red or blue council. A mismatched council and mayor happened in the first term of LM Campbell Newman.

[Jonno]

Greens campaign kicked off - https://x.com/mcberkman/status/1835815010070884471?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

[Jonno]

https://greens.org.au/qld/freePT

Expand services and move to free public transport
Right now, too many Queenslanders are stuck with slow, unreliable or even non-existent public transport. This means many people are missing out on 50 cent fares and have no choice but to drive.

We'll boost capacity on our rail and bus network in South East Queensland, and put high frequency buses in 25 regional cities and towns across Queensland.

Now that both Labor and the LNP have followed the Greens' lead in making public transport far cheaper, we must expand the network to let more Queenslanders save money and move around without a car.

Given that it would cost the State government roughly the same to make public transport completely free as to continue paying for ticketing and enforcement, the Greens will also transition to free public transport by 2026.

The Greens will:

• Create high frequency buses running every 10 minutes or better on major road corridors across Queensland including 25 regional towns and cities with a $700m annual investment
• Put an extra $4 billion into new public transport infrastructure like rail, trams and bus lanes, boosting total public transport infrastructure spending to $14 billion over four years
• Increase train service frequency in SEQ to every 15 minutes or better, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
• Begin the transition to free public transport by improving infrastructure, frequency and coverage to deal with increased demand, pulling out of privatised ticketing contracts and developing better methods to track patronage

Lock in 50c fares

The Greens will lock in 50 cent fares, and begin an ambitious but systematic transition to free public transport for everyone, starting in August 2026.

Greens pressure has won permanent 50c fares in Queensland. While the Greens proposed $1 fares in 2017, and free fares from 2020 onwards, both Labor and LNP have resisted until very recently. Now with both Labor and LNP committed to keeping 50c fares, the Greens' plan to make all public transport completely free will cost just an additional $254 million over 4 years, or about $80-90m per year.

We'll begin the transition to free public transport by improving infrastructure, frequency and coverage to deal with increased demand, pulling out of privatised ticketing contracts and developing better methods to track patronage.

Charging fares may now be costing the government money. Maintaining 50c fares is expected to cost $300m per year, with around $80-90 million remaining in expected revenue from Queenslanders paying 50c per trip. The costs for the privatised ticketing system are secret, but combined with the staff, police and court costs to enforce fares, it is likely higher than $80 million per year. 

Until public transport is free, we will suspend all fines for fare evasion offences. Security and community safety activities on public transport would continue.

High frequency buses in SEQ

We'll expand high frequency buses in SEQ, running on every major road corridor every 10 minutes or better all day, and roll out a network of dedicated bus lanes to support the highest priority routes.

For Brisbane, the high frequency bus routes would be based on the Greens' Brissie Bus Boost plan. These routes would be extended into neighbouring areas including Moreton Bay, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich with a $400 million annual investment in more buses in SEQ.

The Greens' plan would more than double the number of high frequency bus routes in Brisbane. Brisbane would have 43 high frequency routes, up from a total of 21 today, allowing residents to get nearly anywhere by bus. These routes would focus on direct connections between suburbs rather via the CBD.

We would more than double the number of high frequency bus routes in every other SEQ Council area, including Logan, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast.

Independent public transport planning

Planning for the new high frequency routes will be done by Translink in its new role as an independent public transport agency, a recently announced State government reform the Greens have championed for many years. Translink will be responsible for coordinating timetables and routes between buses, trains and trams, and across Local Government Area boundaries.

High frequency buses in 25 regional cities & towns

The Greens will bring high frequency buses to the regions by creating new services in 25 regional cities and towns from Cairns and Townsville to Mt Isa and Moranbah.

We will invest $300 million annually in high frequency buses for the regions. All new high frequency bus routes in both regional and South East Queensland will run every 10 minutes or better seven days per week, from early until late, connecting jobs, shops and services.

These new routes will be the first ever high frequency bus in almost every regional city and town. For example:1

In Cairns, no bus runs more than every 15 minutes, and most buses have just a few services per day on the weekend. Under the Greens' plan, Cairns would get 10 new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Townsville, just a single bus corridor, Ross River Road, has services every 10 minutes, and just 1% of people use public transport. Under the Greens' plan, Townsville would get 11 new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Mackay, most buses are hourly, with no services on Sundays. Under the Greens' plan, Mackay would get six new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Warwick, most buses have three services per day on weekdays, with no services on Sundays. Under the Greens' plan, Warwick would get two new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

Trains every 15 minutes or better
Right now Brisbane and SEQ are not taking advantage of our existing train network. By contrast, Perth has a similar train system with all-day frequency of 15 minutes or better across most of the network.2

The Greens will map out a detailed plan to increase train frequency in SEQ to every 15 minutes or better, 24 hours/day, 7 days/wk. We will transform a huge proportion of stations into "turn up and go", where missing a train no longer means a frustrating 30 minute wait.

Many train lines already have 15 minute frequencies or better at some times, but very poor service at others, for example:

• At Coorparoo, Morningside and all stations on the Cleveland line, Saturday and Sunday services are half-hourly3.
• On the Cleveland line at Murrarie and Wynnum, even weekday services are mostly half-hourly.
• At Fairfield, Moorooka, Salisbury and all stations on the Beenleigh Line, services are half-hourly on weekends.4
• On the Beenleigh line, at Sunnybank, Kuraby and other outer-suburban stations, even weekday services are mostly half-hourly.
• At Windsor, Mitchelton and all other stations on the Ferny Grove line, trains are only half-hourly on weekends and after 7pm on weekdays.5
• At Kippa-Ring, Murrumba Downs and stations on the Redcliffe Peninsula line, trains are half-hourly outside peak hours on weekdays, and on weekends.6
• At Springfield and Richlands on the Springfield Line, services are half-hourly on weekdays outside peak hours, and on weekends.7
• At Hendra and all stations on the Doomben line, trains are never more than half-hourly, run hourly on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays.8

This plan will require infrastructure upgrades, purchasing additional trains, and duplications across various lines including the Shorncliffe, Doomben and Cleveland lines as detailed further below.

Building new public transport infrastructure

The Greens will tax big mining corporations to fund more public transport infrastructure, boosting total public transport infrastructure spending to $14 billion over four years.

Existing State and Federal government public transport infrastructure spending is $2.5 billion per year, or $10 billion over four years.9 The Greens' new $4 billion Public Transport Expansion Fund would increase that spending to $14 billion.

Cancelling wasteful toll roads

We will also cancel the wasteful $10 billion Gympie Rd Toll Tunnel, which would be the most expensive road project in Queensland history and generate even more traffic.10 That cost would be equal to all the other toll tunnels built in Brisbane over the last decade.11 Both Labor and the LNP are planning to spend taxpayers' money building this tunnel which will then be privatised, likely for Transurban who are major donors to both major parties.12

Instead we will complete the Northern Busway and Transitway, extending to Aspley and Carseldine, and start planning for a second heavy rail connection to the Sunshine Coast.

Specific projects

The Greens will use our $4 billion public transport expansion fund to secure matching federal funding for projects including:

Outside Brisbane:

• Sunshine Coast Heavy Rail to Maroochydore and duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour
• Sunshine Coast Rapid Transit (link)
• Begin planning for a second Sunshine Coast rail connection, allowing faster express services.
• Flagstone & Beaudesert passenger rail
• Toowoomba passenger rail
• Gold Coast Heavy Rail extensions to Coolangatta
• Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4
• Faster rail to the Gold Coast, including quadruplication from Dutton Park to Beenleigh

In Brisbane

• High frequency buses on major road corridors, as detailed in the Greens Brissie Bus Boost plan
• Support busway and transitway extensions to expand Bus Rapid Transit projects like the Brisbane Metro 
• Shorncliffe train line duplication (the Sandgate to Shorncliffe section)
• Doomben train line duplication and extension to Hamilton
• Cleveland train line duplication
• Reopen the Tennyson train line between Corinda and Yeerongpilly
• Support a cross-campus bus link at UQ, connecting the west side with the south side directly, bypassing the CBD
• Fund a detailed delivery study for light rail for Brisbane
• Begin planning for the next major cross-city linkage once Cross River Rail is complete, including an east-west link from Indooroopilly to UQ, Woolloongabba, Bulimba and Hamilton (this service could operate similarly to the new Sydney Metro).

[Jonno]

This is very very impressive.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

The Queensland Greens are out of the blocks for the State Elections.  This is presented for your information.  RAIL Back On Track is a non-partisan group.

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Monday 16 September 2024

[SurfRail]

The only thing I really don't like is Tennyson.

[Jonno]

Small price to pay I reckon

[RowBro]

The only thing I really don't like is Tennyson.

I like Tennyson, so long as it makes sense operationally. If it can be made to work without impacting other services, I think it would provide a valuable cross-town link.

[verbatim9]

https://greens.org.au/qld/freePT

Expand services and move to free public transport
Right now, too many Queenslanders are stuck with slow, unreliable or even non-existent public transport. This means many people are missing out on 50 cent fares and have no choice but to drive.

We'll boost capacity on our rail and bus network in South East Queensland, and put high frequency buses in 25 regional cities and towns across Queensland.

Now that both Labor and the LNP have followed the Greens' lead in making public transport far cheaper, we must expand the network to let more Queenslanders save money and move around without a car.

Given that it would cost the State government roughly the same to make public transport completely free as to continue paying for ticketing and enforcement, the Greens will also transition to free public transport by 2026.

The Greens will:

• Create high frequency buses running every 10 minutes or better on major road corridors across Queensland including 25 regional towns and cities with a $700m annual investment
• Put an extra $4 billion into new public transport infrastructure like rail, trams and bus lanes, boosting total public transport infrastructure spending to $14 billion over four years
• Increase train service frequency in SEQ to every 15 minutes or better, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
• Begin the transition to free public transport by improving infrastructure, frequency and coverage to deal with increased demand, pulling out of privatised ticketing contracts and developing better methods to track patronage

Lock in 50c fares

The Greens will lock in 50 cent fares, and begin an ambitious but systematic transition to free public transport for everyone, starting in August 2026.

Greens pressure has won permanent 50c fares in Queensland. While the Greens proposed $1 fares in 2017, and free fares from 2020 onwards, both Labor and LNP have resisted until very recently. Now with both Labor and LNP committed to keeping 50c fares, the Greens' plan to make all public transport completely free will cost just an additional $254 million over 4 years, or about $80-90m per year.

We'll begin the transition to free public transport by improving infrastructure, frequency and coverage to deal with increased demand, pulling out of privatised ticketing contracts and developing better methods to track patronage.

Charging fares may now be costing the government money. Maintaining 50c fares is expected to cost $300m per year, with around $80-90 million remaining in expected revenue from Queenslanders paying 50c per trip. The costs for the privatised ticketing system are secret, but combined with the staff, police and court costs to enforce fares, it is likely higher than $80 million per year. 

Until public transport is free, we will suspend all fines for fare evasion offences. Security and community safety activities on public transport would continue.

High frequency buses in SEQ

We'll expand high frequency buses in SEQ, running on every major road corridor every 10 minutes or better all day, and roll out a network of dedicated bus lanes to support the highest priority routes.

For Brisbane, the high frequency bus routes would be based on the Greens' Brissie Bus Boost plan. These routes would be extended into neighbouring areas including Moreton Bay, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich with a $400 million annual investment in more buses in SEQ.

The Greens' plan would more than double the number of high frequency bus routes in Brisbane. Brisbane would have 43 high frequency routes, up from a total of 21 today, allowing residents to get nearly anywhere by bus. These routes would focus on direct connections between suburbs rather via the CBD.

We would more than double the number of high frequency bus routes in every other SEQ Council area, including Logan, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast.

Independent public transport planning

Planning for the new high frequency routes will be done by Translink in its new role as an independent public transport agency, a recently announced State government reform the Greens have championed for many years. Translink will be responsible for coordinating timetables and routes between buses, trains and trams, and across Local Government Area boundaries.

High frequency buses in 25 regional cities & towns

The Greens will bring high frequency buses to the regions by creating new services in 25 regional cities and towns from Cairns and Townsville to Mt Isa and Moranbah.

We will invest $300 million annually in high frequency buses for the regions. All new high frequency bus routes in both regional and South East Queensland will run every 10 minutes or better seven days per week, from early until late, connecting jobs, shops and services.

These new routes will be the first ever high frequency bus in almost every regional city and town. For example:1

In Cairns, no bus runs more than every 15 minutes, and most buses have just a few services per day on the weekend. Under the Greens' plan, Cairns would get 10 new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Townsville, just a single bus corridor, Ross River Road, has services every 10 minutes, and just 1% of people use public transport. Under the Greens' plan, Townsville would get 11 new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Mackay, most buses are hourly, with no services on Sundays. Under the Greens' plan, Mackay would get six new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

In Warwick, most buses have three services per day on weekdays, with no services on Sundays. Under the Greens' plan, Warwick would get two new high frequency bus routes running every 10 minutes.

Trains every 15 minutes or better
Right now Brisbane and SEQ are not taking advantage of our existing train network. By contrast, Perth has a similar train system with all-day frequency of 15 minutes or better across most of the network.2

The Greens will map out a detailed plan to increase train frequency in SEQ to every 15 minutes or better, 24 hours/day, 7 days/wk. We will transform a huge proportion of stations into "turn up and go", where missing a train no longer means a frustrating 30 minute wait.

Many train lines already have 15 minute frequencies or better at some times, but very poor service at others, for example:

• At Coorparoo, Morningside and all stations on the Cleveland line, Saturday and Sunday services are half-hourly3.
• On the Cleveland line at Murrarie and Wynnum, even weekday services are mostly half-hourly.
• At Fairfield, Moorooka, Salisbury and all stations on the Beenleigh Line, services are half-hourly on weekends.4
• On the Beenleigh line, at Sunnybank, Kuraby and other outer-suburban stations, even weekday services are mostly half-hourly.
• At Windsor, Mitchelton and all other stations on the Ferny Grove line, trains are only half-hourly on weekends and after 7pm on weekdays.5
• At Kippa-Ring, Murrumba Downs and stations on the Redcliffe Peninsula line, trains are half-hourly outside peak hours on weekdays, and on weekends.6
• At Springfield and Richlands on the Springfield Line, services are half-hourly on weekdays outside peak hours, and on weekends.7
• At Hendra and all stations on the Doomben line, trains are never more than half-hourly, run hourly on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays.8

This plan will require infrastructure upgrades, purchasing additional trains, and duplications across various lines including the Shorncliffe, Doomben and Cleveland lines as detailed further below.

Building new public transport infrastructure

The Greens will tax big mining corporations to fund more public transport infrastructure, boosting total public transport infrastructure spending to $14 billion over four years.

Existing State and Federal government public transport infrastructure spending is $2.5 billion per year, or $10 billion over four years.9 The Greens' new $4 billion Public Transport Expansion Fund would increase that spending to $14 billion.

Cancelling wasteful toll roads

We will also cancel the wasteful $10 billion Gympie Rd Toll Tunnel, which would be the most expensive road project in Queensland history and generate even more traffic.10 That cost would be equal to all the other toll tunnels built in Brisbane over the last decade.11 Both Labor and the LNP are planning to spend taxpayers' money building this tunnel which will then be privatised, likely for Transurban who are major donors to both major parties.12

Instead we will complete the Northern Busway and Transitway, extending to Aspley and Carseldine, and start planning for a second heavy rail connection to the Sunshine Coast.

Specific projects

The Greens will use our $4 billion public transport expansion fund to secure matching federal funding for projects including:

Outside Brisbane:

• Sunshine Coast Heavy Rail to Maroochydore and duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour
• Sunshine Coast Rapid Transit (link)
• Begin planning for a second Sunshine Coast rail connection, allowing faster express services.
• Flagstone & Beaudesert passenger rail
• Toowoomba passenger rail
• Gold Coast Heavy Rail extensions to Coolangatta
• Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4
• Faster rail to the Gold Coast, including quadruplication from Dutton Park to Beenleigh

In Brisbane

• High frequency buses on major road corridors, as detailed in the Greens Brissie Bus Boost plan
• Support busway and transitway extensions to expand Bus Rapid Transit projects like the Brisbane Metro 
• Shorncliffe train line duplication (the Sandgate to Shorncliffe section)
• Doomben train line duplication and extension to Hamilton
• Cleveland train line duplication
• Reopen the Tennyson train line between Corinda and Yeerongpilly
• Support a cross-campus bus link at UQ, connecting the west side with the south side directly, bypassing the CBD
• Fund a detailed delivery study for light rail for Brisbane
• Begin planning for the next major cross-city linkage once Cross River Rail is complete, including an east-west link from Indooroopilly to UQ, Woolloongabba, Bulimba and Hamilton (this service could operate similarly to the new Sydney Metro).

I like their interests in the East West links from Indooroopilly, as well as restarting negotiations with UQ to make it happen.

Rail extensions to Coolangatta and stage 1 to Helidon would be well received by the community.

[SilverChased]

This is very very impressive.

Sounds almost as if they read this forum. Very informed.

[Gazza]

Tennyson could make sense if conflicting moves were resolved, and it became an "Inner south line" via the Merivale Bridge (Lets be honest, Cleveland will under-utilise the Merivale)

Then all other services would run express Yeerongpilly to Boggo Rd via CRR, and Yeerongpilly would also become the interchange station for Beaudesert (Beaudesert would run express through Salisbury Rocklea Moorooka)

So 3 patterns probably.

All stations Corinda (Or Darra) to Roma St via Tennyson and South Brisbane.

All stations Beaudesert to to Acacia Ridge, express to Yeerongpilly, then express to Boggo Rd, then CRR

All stations Beenleigh to Yeerongpilly, then express to Boggo Rd, then CRR

[SurfRail]

The only thing I really don't like is Tennyson.

I like Tennyson, so long as it makes sense operationally. If it can be made to work without impacting other services, I think it would provide a valuable cross-town link.

Well yes, but the problem is it can't without compromising other services (including freighters).  Tennyson station no longer exists and only took 3 car trains.  Only one platform at Yeerongpilly will actually point to the fork needed to access the line.  While we are stuck with 2 tracks through Dutton Park into CRR and 3 tracks from just south of there to Kuraby, there isn't enough capacity to run a meaningful service given the contra-peak track will be full of out of service trains.

If it was solely a shuttle from Yeerongpilly to Corinda then maybe, but then you aren't even going to be connecting to Ipswich services which would probably be running express through here full time by the point this comes back (or otherwise you would have to slow down every Ipswich train to stop at Corinda for the small number of people who might want to transfer).

[SurfRail]

Tennyson could make sense if conflicting moves were resolved, and it became an "Inner south line" via the Merivale Bridge (Lets be honest, Cleveland will under-utilise the Merivale)

Then all other services would run express Yeerongpilly to Boggo Rd via CRR, and Yeerongpilly would also become the interchange station for Beaudesert (Beaudesert would run express through Salisbury Rocklea Moorooka)

So 3 patterns probably.

All stations Corinda (Or Darra) to Roma St via Tennyson and South Brisbane.

All stations Beaudesert to to Acacia Ridge, express to Yeerongpilly, then express to Boggo Rd, then CRR

All stations Beenleigh to Yeerongpilly, then express to Boggo Rd, then CRR

Can't see this happening with basically all trains from south of Dutton Park having to pass through the 2 Dutton Park platforms to access the CRR portals.  If CRR can handle 24tph, you are basically going to be stuck at maybe 16tph Gold Coast and Beenleigh (ie stations south of Salisbury) and the rest left over for a Flagstone service which would probably stop all stations.

If we get something sensible like a new tunnel from Kuraby to Boggo Road via the useful bits of Sunnybank (McCullough St / Mains Rd intersection, Nathan / QSAC etc), that takes Gold Coast and Beenleigh (south of Kuraby) out of Dutton Park, but even then you are stuck with maybe 12tph from Dutton Park into Park Road (maybe 6tph each for Kuraby and Flagstone all stations) to allow for the Cleveland line traffic. 

You would then need something like the "Clevewich" option to take outer Cleveland services out of South Bank and route them into the west (say via UQ, emerging somewhere between Corinda and Darra and feeding into the Springfield line).

At that point you can allow for maybe 8tph "inner" Cleveland (say from Cannon Hill), 8tph Kuraby and 8tph Flagstone, with 24tph through CRR dedicated to services that go further south than Kuraby, 24tph for "Clevewich" (which might end up being branched in some way at either end to better use the available capacity) and 24tph using the main lines from the west which would still have an Ipswich express and say a Goodna all stations component.

[#Metro]

Very pleased to see the Green Team has taken a service first approach boosting bus and train frequency on existing infrastructure.

This has really changed the dynamic. Plus the first time they really have gone for the regional initiatives.

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> After success of Labor's 50c fares, Greens want free public transport for Queensland

Not content with Australia's cheapest public transport fares, the Queensland Greens have announced they will take a free travel policy to the upcoming state election.

The state Labor government had slashed fares to just 50c – no matter the distance – as part of a trial that launched in August. There is now bipartisan support in continuing the fares which have generated a substantial increase in bus and train ridership.

The Greens' transport spokesperson, Michael Berkman, said free transport would save some money by eliminating a contract for ticketing equipment and would increase patronage even further. ...

[ozbob]

https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/17/queensland-50c-bus-fares-labor-lnp-greens-free

... Robert Dow, the spokesperson for public transport lobby group RAIL Back on Track, said their organisation didn't support free fares – but backed better bus services.

"Increased service frequency is important. That's one of the big factors that makes our public transport a very poor public transport relative to other jurisdictions," he said.

"Other jurisdictions have frequency. We don't have it.

"Frequency is the main determined (sic should be determinant) to get people to catch public transport." ...

[ozbob]

InQueensland --> A free bus, every 10 minutes: Not even the bus drivers are on board with Greens' plan

Public transport services would arrive every 10 minutes across Queensland and be free in two years under a Greens election proposal.

But a transport union says it is a costly fantasy to roll out the services needed to meet the commitment.

The Greens would expand the public transport network to have buses arrive every 10 minutes in the south east and 25 regional areas including Townsville, Cairns and Toowoomba.

The rail network would also be boosted to have trains arrive every 15 minutes or faster in the southeast.

"What we can't afford to see is countless Queenslanders not able to make the most of 50-cent fares because the services in their area are so poor," Greens MP Michael Berkman told reporters. ...

[#Metro]

^ Story about service first approach in the media. Focused on frequency...

[Jonno]

So let me get this straight.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is knocking a proposal to have...checks notes...CHECKS NOTES AGAIN...a lot more rail/bus jobs!!!

We sure they are not the TWU in disguise.

I have heard everything now!

[RowBro]

So let me get this straight.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is knocking a proposal to have...checks notes...CHECKS NOTES AGAIN...a lot more rail/bus jobs!!!

We sure they are not the TWU in disguise.

I have heard everything now!

Obviously it would result in too much extra work for the existing union members 😭 /s

[timh]

I think their concern is a lack of drivers. Many of the operators are struggling with a lack of drivers to deliver the existing timetable as it is

[Jonno]

I think their concern is a lack of drivers. Many of the operators are struggling with a lack of drivers to deliver the existing timetable as it is

No they stated it was unaffordable??? sooo out of touch

[verbatim9]

I think the 444 could go every 10 mins or better across 7 days, as to the 60, 61, 333, 199, and 130. The 111 and related services are switching to metro bus services anyway.

If you increase these services there would be no need for all those extra event services due to frequency improvements. Therefore, you would solve the human resources problem partially there as well.

[ozbob]

Free and frequent public transport
Expand services and move to free public transport.

https://greens.org.au/qld/freePT