8 Oct 2009: SEQ: Where is the public transport plan ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 October 2009

SEQ:  Where is the public transport plan to cope with the inner western chaos?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has been highlighting the impacts of the Go Between bridge construction and associated works on the public transport systems from the western suburbs since 2007! (1).  As the significant delays are now imminent it would be a reasonable hope the TransLink would have put in place a plan for extra rail services on the Ipswich line to allow commuters to transit in a reasonable time frame (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Is anyone actually doing any coherent public transport planning in Brisbane?   Today I journeyed on the 4.38pm Ipswich service from Roma St and it was as usual a congestion basket case!  What hope will commuters have on getting on board the heavily congested trains on journeys during peak between CBD and Darra when the road chaos hits?  Not much hope at all I would suggest!"

"Nothing has changed since we called for extra services to cope with the overloads last August. (3)"

"Extra peak sweeper rail services between the CBD and Redbank are urgently needed.  The neglect of Brisbane's west in terms of  busway and bus priority lanes means bus will also be caught up the mess. Rail is the only solution."

"Does anyone care?"

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=292.0

2.  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/innerwest-traffic-about-to-get-worse-20091008-goei.html

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2600.0


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

====================

Media Release 12 August 2009

SEQ:  Hale St Link project will impact on public transport

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has highlighted the impacts of the Hale St Link project in terms of congestion crises on an already overloaded peak public transport particularly the Ipswich railway line services since 2007! (1).  Recent media confirms that the road congestion chaos will be considerable so now is the time to ramp up services on the Ipswich railway line to give the capacity so that motorists and bus passengers coming in from the western regions will be able to escape the mess (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There is no doubt we are about to enter into a very difficult time on Brisbane's roads, particularly around the Hale St Link project.  Now is the time to ramp up rail services so that buses can feed into key stations on the main western line and provide commuters with a quick transit by rail through to the CBD."

"Measures will need to be taken by TransLink, Brisbane Transport and QR Passenger to drive change.  Fundamental is the need to schedule more rail services, particularly in the peaks to handle the increase in patronage that will occur as motorists become frustrated with hours spent in traffic jams. We would also suggest that motorists that do make the change to public transport will continue to use public transport once they realise how efficient it can be.  They will save time and money.  They will leave less of an environmental impact.  They are less likely to suffer an injury on the way to and from their daily toil.  They might actually experience some exercise at the beginning and end of their public transport commute.  These are all positive outcomes and we should be doing our utmost to drive change."

"Other measures to assist will be further encouragement to travel early and late, and off peaks.  The go card provides an easy way to implement such a strategy (3)."

"Time that all transport agencies and authorities worked to together to provide citizens with real options.  We look forward to the details of how public transport services will be increased to cope with the ever worsening road congestion in Brisbane."

References:

1.  Hale St Bridge Project - Impact on Ipswich line http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=52.

2.  Hale Street Link hell as projects put brakes on traffic http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25917161-952,00.html

3.  SEQ: Time to GO! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2528.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 9th October 2009 page 5

Count on delays in the west