CM Editorial: Rail planners need to ride with progress

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Rail planners need to ride with progress

Rail planners need to ride with progress
Article from: The Courier-Mail

February 09, 2009 11:00pm

MOST informed forecasts about the likely shape of southeast Queensland in coming years have nominated the sheer effort of getting to and from work as one of the most important economic and social issues the region will confront.

No region can absorb the population increases that southeast Queensland has done ? and is expected to ? and avoid dealing with the consequent difficulties associated with getting around the place. Some organisations have done better than others in tackling this problem and it is to the State Government's credit that it has realised the folly of treating rail transport issues in isolation from the impact that policy decisions about these have on bus or car transport. The region now has, by and large, a single transit network, the only model that can hope to deliver a workable public transport service able to respond to the challenges ahead.

That said, the authority that runs that network, Translink, has a reputation for displaying a cavalier attitude to the needs of its customers. That was on display in its response to figures showing a worsening record for trains running on time. In the final quarter of 2008, Queensland Rail managed to have 92.1 per cent of trains arrive within four minutes of their scheduled time, down from 93.3 per cent in the first quarter. Translink's explanation: passengers were too slow to board.

For southeast Queensland's hard-pressed commuters ? a group that is expected to continue to use a transit network already bulging at the seams ? being told that things would be better if they just hurried up a bit will be hard to digest. What Translink's explanation fails to acknowledge is that if passengers are slow to get on trains it is because there are so many people trying to get to and from work on them. A large number are also turning up at the station only to confront a train stuffed so full of humanity that they have trouble squeezing themselves into it.

It is plain that the region's passenger rail network is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the demand being placed on it. The reason is not the way it is being run; it is the failure to plan for a rapid and sustained increase in demand. Nearly four years ago, then premier Peter Beattie said the regional rail network's need for a second crossing of the Brisbane River was urgent and warned that the Merivale Bridge would reach capacity in 2016. Yet it has taken all that time for the Government's transport planners to complete a pre-feasibility study into the issue. Rather than meet such a need in a timely, no-frills way, the Government has chosen to include it as one component of its latest magic bullet to solve the region's transport woes: an expensive, long-term plan to build an underground metro system. Even if the Federal Government provides the lion's share of the $14 billion it will cost to build a metro system and ensures it is fast-tracked as a job-creation measure in tough economic times, the lack of proper transport planning in southeast Queensland is set to deliver commuters a steady diet of frustration well into the future.

[SteelPan]

Some years ago, when the Terry Mackenroth Infrastructure Plan was just released, I attended a Business Briefing in George Street, concerning just what was in the Plan and what it would mean to business.  My only real comment during the meeting, was to plead for more rail through urban Brisbane, including an underground through the CBD, given the obvious capacity issues then rapidly approaching.  Needless to say, I was not rushed over with support by the govt boffins.  A mere duplication of the Maryvale Bridge, is simply not an option and further would not I believe, provide Brisbane with the quality of service 2 or 3 underground corridors through the city and surrounding higher density regions would.  It may be we have to wait a few years before this long-overdue piece of infrastructure is built, but let us be unrelenting in holding the state (and feds) to the task, regardless of their political colours.  Because trust me, their colours, no matter what they are, do so easily run!!!

[Markus]

I agree with several concerns mentioned in the editorial. I believe:
- station dwell times are mainly due to carriages having just two (2) doors AND the height difference between platforms & carriage doors.
- once it was discovered that a key section of track will reach capacity action was not taken immediately on analysing options.
- Brisbane (BNE) deserves a well integrated, extensive train network (whereby coverage includes the southern BNE CBD ) that includes emergency options IF the Park Rd to Bowen Hills section of track is unusable for any length of time.

From my overseas experience & research, I would much rather see additional tracks, extending the coverage into new locations, for our current system than a Metro system. For if a Metro were built in that area, Park Rd to B. Hills, there wouls still be no alternative route for emergencies, maintenance or future long term route alterations.
One has only to do "Planning 101" or read the works of the Great J.J.C.Bradfield to realise the benefits of heavy rail over another rail type with our particular scenario.
OK, Metro tunnels may be cheaper initially to build, however, BNE is then still without a 2nd heavy rail crossing for its suburban network !
Im for getting this done, then lets worry re a Metro !

Another point I am writing about is:- Perhaps constituents attention needs to be given primarily to the decision-makers i.e. Government.
Both State and "moreso these days, Federal Government". After all, it's the Government that will decide what projects are undertaken, rather than planners or anyone else. From my dealing with planners, they simply "put forward" recommendations after a Government dept. outlines the need for a project and sets the scope.

Maybe, maybe not, just adding to the conversation.
Up to you constituents, its your money and the way I see it, this may be our best chance for awhile.

Carpe Diem.
Markus