10 May 2009: SEQ: Brisbane City Council congratulated on their bus improvements

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Media Release 10 May 2009

SEQ:  Brisbane City Council congratulated on their bus improvements

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has congratulated Brisbane Transport and Brisbane City Council on a job well done with the progressive improvements in the bus transport over the last five years.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Buses in Brisbane have seen nothing short of a spectacular growth in patronage as more buses and improved service frequencies have been introduced.   There will be around a 50% increase in passenger trips in 2009 when compared to 2004 (1)."

"This is a great effort.  Projections are now starting to flatten out however, as radial bus routes and busways are nearing capacity (1)."

"We are now finally starting to see the same ramp up that occurred with the buses from 2004 with our QR Citytrain network.  The next major quantum in bulk mass transit capacity will be gained on rail.  The present  projected rolling stock additions and track capacity increases will see QR Citytrain surpassing 100 million passenger trips within 5 years."

"RAIL Back On Track believes the introduction of more feeder and lateral bus routes will be necessary to minimise the need for bus passengers to transit on the radial bus routes to allow a high efficiency busway bus rapid transit system to be maintained .  More bus routes feeding key rail and bus stations will also be needed."

"Brisbane City Council has done a great job with their buses.  It is time that other councils looked towards improving the local transport options for their citizens and contribute as appropriate to help fund further expansions.  Public transport doesn't stop at Council boundaries."

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2238.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org