10 July 2010: SEQ: Express bus plans welcome, but more than one catch

[ozbob]

Media Release 10 July 2010

SEQ:  Express bus plans welcome, but more than one catch

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 welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport of two proposed bus express routes (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We recently highlighted that frequency is the key for encouraging maximum public transport use (2). The plan for a high frequency Indooroopilly-CBD service that will run express with limited stops via Coronation Drive, and a southern high frequency service using the Captain Cook Bridge and stops at all South East Busway stations between Buranda and Eight Mile Plains are welcome.  Apart from the conditions stated by the Minister in the Statement, there are also some other considerations."

"Both of these proposed routes are using very congested roads, namely Coronation Drive and Captain Cook Bridge.  To complement these services bus priority should be provided on these roads (3).  A high frequency 'buz' stuck in traffic is not the best way forward. Adding to the road congestion is not smart!"

"The plan for the Indooroopilly-CBD service further highlights the appalling planning decision NOT to incorporate a bus exchange as part of the recent Indooroopilly Railway station upgrade.  Indooroopilly has a quadruple railway track to the CBD and increased rail frequency would avoid the mess on the roads, particularly in the absence of any serious moves for better bus priority on the roads."

"The planned express buses are good news, but as a community we must maximise the use of already existing infrastructure.  South-east Queensland needs a dramatic improvement in rail frequency both peak and off peak. Buses also need to be given proper priority on the roads."


1. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=70593

2. SEQ:  Frequency: The silver bullet to world class public transport for Brisbane http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4059.msg29421#msg29421

3. SEQ: Bus priority needed - more bus lanes and traffic light priority http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4045.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4069.0