New timetable - Doomben line

[ozbob]

Your suggestions please.

[ozbob]

More services needed to encourage utilisation.  Extensions possible to Hamilton developments.  Possible candidate for light rail ( similar in that respect to the former VR line suburban line to St Kilda, now light rail  see --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Kilda_railway_line,_Melbourne ).

[ozbob]

Extensions from Doomben to the new developments could be light rail.  Tram trains could be the go!

--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram-train

[O_128]

Extensions from Doomben to the new developments could be light rail.  Tram trains could be the go!

--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram-train

This would most likely be the cheapest option as it means a major station wouldnt have to be built. How far into hamilton would you run it?

[#Metro]

Right down to Remora Road/Portside

[O_128]

Right down to Remora Road/Portside

Good construction will start monday cancel the KSD upgrade and use the funds for this 

[#Metro]

It wouldn't require too much work. The platform might have to be lowered or extended with a low portion.
The rail stays the same, the wires stay the same. The signaling stays the same.

The rails would have to be replaced/made continuous along KSD. Then stabling at the end.
How much time would that take? 1 year? Maybe less?

High floor and low floor versions available. One vehicle for busway, roadway and railway to rival the car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexity_Swift
http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-vehicles/light-rail-vehicles?docID=0901260d8000a536

[stephenk]

It wouldn't require too much work. The platform might have to be lowered or extended with a low portion.
The rail stays the same, the wires stay the same. The signaling stays the same.

The rails would have to be replaced/made continuous along KSD. Then stabling at the end.
How much time would that take? 1 year? Maybe less?

High floor and low floor versions available. One vehicle for busway, roadway and railway to rival the car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexity_Swift
http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/products-services/rail-vehicles/light-rail-vehicles?docID=0901260d8000a536

Hold your horses. I would take substantially longer than a year to build!

There are some questions to ask before light rail would be a possibility:
Would the line terminate at Eagle Junction, if so where would you build the new platform?
Would freight trains still run along the line, if so, there will need to be a second track or more passing places?
Would the extended line have some road running to new developments?
Would you have low floor trams thus having to lower the existing platform heights, or would they be high floor trams requiring high platforms on newly built sections?
Where would you build the depot?
Who would operate the tram?
Wh will build an maintain the trams?
What would it's be frequency be? Every 15mins off-peak to connect with Caboolture & Shorncliffe services?
How much would it cost, and how will it be funded?
Would a Buz bus be more cost effective?

[ozbob]

There are some questions to ask before light rail would be a possibility:
Would the line terminate at Eagle Junction, if so where would you build the new platform?
Would freight trains still run along the line, if so, there will need to be a second track or more passing places?
Would the extended line have some road running to new developments?
Would you have low floor trams thus having to lower the existing platform heights, or would they be high floor trams requiring high platforms on newly built sections?
Where would you build the depot?
Who would operate the tram?
Wh will build an maintain the trams?
What would it's be frequency be? Every 15mins off-peak to connect with Caboolture & Shorncliffe services?
How much would it cost, and how will it be funded?
Would a Buz bus be more cost effective?

No worries Stephen, we would use the 'go card' approach and put out a couple of spinners  ' Public embraces light rail as a concept '  and ' Service enhancements with the tram trains are a smart state success ' ....  That will create expectations of success, and then do nothing ... 



Seriously, fair questions of course but all solvable.   St Kilda and Port Melbourne lines were changed over no real issues, but existing tram infrastructure of course.  I think the Gold Coast will give a bit of  a positive kick to light rail.   

[#Metro]

Hold your horses. I would take substantially longer than a year to build!

There are some questions to ask before light rail would be a possibility:
Would the line terminate at Eagle Junction, if so where would you build the new platform?
Would freight trains still run along the line, if so, there will need to be a second track or more passing places?
Would the extended line have some road running to new developments?
Would you have low floor trams thus having to lower the existing platform heights, or would they be high floor trams requiring high platforms on newly built sections?
Where would you build the depot?
Who would operate the tram?
Wh will build an maintain the trams?
What would it's be frequency be? Every 15mins off-peak to connect with Caboolture & Shorncliffe services?
How much would it cost, and how will it be funded?
Would a Buz bus be more cost effective?

Stephen, I think my horse died with the other thread  

The first step is a big media release! Seriously, someone should make a satirical cartoon about all the ridiculous antics that go on when spending money be it for stimulus or infrastructures. It would be a great addition to the daily Courier Mail. And not just one, but a whole strip series.


It should run to the city if possible. (Dare I say via Exhibition? or maybe an on-road route is safer after that?
Freight: Yes, and Yes. There are petrol places out that way (how ironic, petrol on rail).
Possibly road running. Crossings can either be controlled by traffic light or rail boom gates.
Low floor or 70% low floor. Study for this.
Where would you build the depot?
Stabling at the end, where there is space. Heaps of space on the Doomben line.
Someone other than QR to operate please! BCC perhaps, I've heard that they are good.
The operator should maintain. The BCC bus building facility is out at Tradecoast, could accept trams perhaps?
Frequency: Not sure. At least every 30 minutes. Depends
Developer contributions, development and sale of Portside wharf, diverted funding from not using a heavy rail service and debt funding.
Possibly BUZ might be cost effective, but then the route being rail and traffic congestion KSD /busway construction costs might factor. Too close to say- try a study first. CityGlider will operate in this area...[/i]

[stephenk]

The first step is a big media release!

Before that, maybe weighing up all the options would be an idea?
Do nothing - leave the Doomben corridor with a sporadic and unattractive rail/bus service.
Light rail - attractive, but requires construction $$$, and higher operating costs than bus.
Improve heavy rail - more attractive frequencies, but would operating costs be justified? What about freight capacity?
Replace with Buz bus - more attractive frequencies, lower operating costs, but could Buz cope on race days?

[#Metro]

Before that, maybe weighing up all the options would be an idea?

No of course not. This is how we do things in Queensland.
Tout it for all it is worth, and think about options and funding later- or never!

(get the joke? )