8 Sep 2007: Shorncliffe Line Passenger Congestion and Cancellations

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track - Media Release 8 September 2007

Brisbane: Shorncliffe Line Passenger Congestion and Cancellations

RAIL ? Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has called for additional Citytrain services on the Shorncliffe line as a matter of urgency.

Robert Dow said:

?Congestion on the Shorncliffe line Citytrain services is adding to commuters? woes, particularly as this line is often targeted for ?no notice service cancellations? for the often stated ?operational reasons?.  These ?operational reasons? are generally either crew or serviceable train shortfalls at peak and it seems that the Shorncliffe line is one of the first lines to have services cancelled.?

?A particular problem is the gap between the morning peak weekday services that leave Shorncliffe at 7.20am and 7.47am. Citytrain has started introducing the new IMU series trains.  At least 6 of these new trains are running. There is now the capacity to introduce an extra service between the 7.20am and 7.47am services from Shorncliffe to the City without delay.?

?In the early afternoon peak, two gaps are causing congestion. These are the gaps between the 3.53pm and 4.25pm, and the 4.25pm and 4.53pm services from Central to Shorncliffe.  Peak times are earlier these days and of longer duration.  Extra services between these times say around 4.10pm and 4.40pm would help ease the early afternoon peak congestion.

?Feedback received at RAIL Back On Track from passengers who regularly travel on this line supports strongly this call (1).?

"RAIL Back On Track also requests that more services generally for the Shorncliffe line be considered in the next timetable review scheduled for March 2008."

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=208.0

Contact:

Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Northside Chronicle has done a follow up story.  Thanks for your support.

--> http://www.questnews.com.au/article/2007/09/18/20535_nc_news.html

Shorncliffe rail plea

SEPTEMBER 19: A public transport lobby group has called on Queensland Rail to increase services on the Shorncliffe line during peak times.

The State Government's decision to continually ignore the train transport needs of northside residents is "absurd'', according to the not-for-profit organisation Brisbane North Development Forum.

President Paul Stapleton said with the staggering growth in new urban communities such as North Lakes and others about to get under way in Caboolture Shire, something had to give.

"I just think the State Government is sticking their head in the sand,'' Mr Stapleton said.

"All they say is that it's not on their agenda at the moment.''

Mr Stapleton said the government had to address the fact the Caboolture and Shorncliffe train lines were showing the highest increase in passenger demand in the Citytrain network.

"We can't be silent any longer,'' Mr Stapleton said.

Rail Back on Track administrator Robert Dow said the Shorncliffe line needed more trains immediately.

"A particular problem is the gap between the morning peak weekday services that leave Shorncliffe at 7.20am and 7.47am,'' Mr Dow said. "In the early afternoon peak, two gaps are causing congestion. These are the gaps between the 3.53pm and 4.25pm, and the 4.25pm and 4.53pm services from Central to Shorncliffe.''

A spokeswoman for Queensland Rail (QR) said there were plans to improve services on the Shorncliffe line.
To meet with the increase in passenger demand, QR had ordered 38 six carriage trains and they would be operating on all suburban lines, according to demand, by 2010.

[ozbob]

Cancellations and problems still occurring with the Shorncliffe line.  Many commuters are being forced back into cars.  Appalling situation.

Admin