Article: Calls for Gabba station grow

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Calls for Gabba station grow

Calls for Gabba station grow
Melissa Singer | January 14, 2009 - 1:07PM

New State Government figures on public transport usage for major events in Brisbane highlight the need for an inner-city rail link to the Gabba, a rail users advocacy group has said.

The figures showed an average 40 to 45 per cent of patrons catch public transport to events at the Gabba, compared with upwards of 90 per cent to Suncorp Stadium.

Robert Dow, spokesman for Rail: Back on Track, said the statistics added further weight to the argument for a rail line to Woolloongabba.

"An underground rail line at Woolloongabba is essential to provide seamless public transport to the area," he said.

Transport Minister John Mickel agreed Gabba patrons had not embraced public transport in the same way as ticket-holders at other venues.

"This compares with Suncorp Stadium, which regularly topped 90 per cent public transport use," Mr Mickel said.

Ticket-holders to last night's Twenty20 match between Australia and South Africa could catch free public transport to the Gabba from anywhere on the Translink network.

The State Government is due to commence a feasibility study into an inner-city rail loop, which would likely take in Woolloongabba and could also include Park Road, Spring Hill and Bowen Hills.

The study is due for completion in 2011, with a working rail line unlikely before 2016.

Mr Dow said that while his group welcomed the government study, improvements were needed more urgently.

He said passengers had voted with their feet and preferred rail to buses, which often required several route changes to reach major sporting venues.

"(Passengers) are not as keen (to catch buses) because if you can just get a train, get off and you're there, then that's terrific."

The Gabba is too far from Buranda and South Bank stations - the closest rail stops to the ground - to make the walk viable for most people.

He said the Government needed to choose the inner-city rail model that would best provide a "seamless transport experience" for event-goers.

He praised transport authorities for making Suncorp Stadium a public transport-friendly destination.

According to the Government data, public transport usage was highest for the Queensland Roar v Perth Glory A-League match on November 23, when 96.7 per cent of patrons caught public transport to the event. In comparison, just 40 per cent of patrons who attended day one of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand on November 20 left the car at home.

Mr Mickel said patrons at last week's Brisbane International tennis tournament at Tennyson had embraced public transport, with patronage about 80 per cent.

Public transport figures were not yet available for last night's Twenty20 match.

[ozbob]

From  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1757.0