7 Oct 2007: Brisbane - Flawed Queensland Transport planning highlighted.

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track - Media Release 7 October 2007

Brisbane:  Flawed Queensland Transport planning highlighted.

RAIL - Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has congratulated Channel 7 News Brisbane for the report on the Darra to Springfield railway line which was shown during the News on Saturday 6th October. RAIL Back On Track and Community Action for Sustainable Transport (CAST) have previously highlighted Queensland Transport?s myopia in not building all four railway stations on the Darra to Springfield railway line right from the commencement of construction.

Robert Dow said:

"The Darra to Springfield railway line will be a very welcome addition to South East Queensland's transport infrastructure.  Springfield is already a major population centre and rail will provide frequent and safe access to and from the Brisbane CBD, and other suburbs by Citytrain when the line is built.

"The provision of this vital new infrastructure is the prerequisite for fulfillment of the vision of Springfield as a region with low dependence on private cars for transport.  Springfield itself has poor public transport options at the moment though.

"As further highlighted by comments of people interviewed  on the report by Channel 7 News, there is already a need for railway stations at Springfield lakes and Ellen Grove. Building these two stations after the opening of the line is also a false economy for Government as it is likely that costs would be inflated due to the additional construction costs incurred by building around an operational railway line. Buses are already suffering congestion problems from Forest Lake, which a railway station at Ellen Grove would relieve.

"It is to the Queensland Government?s credit that they recognise the importance of providing a sound foundation for future growth of the Western Corridor through construction of the Springfield railway line.  However skimping on the initial construction by not providing required stations on the line will only short change all parties in the medium term.

"Rail Back on Track calls for the construction of the stations at Springfield Lakes and Ellen Grove, in addition to the stations at Richlands and Springfield Central to be built as part of the initial works.

"It is time Queensland Transport snapped out of their short term thinking paradigm and moved forwards with sustainable transport solutions without delay."

Contact:

Robert Dow

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

[ozbob]

These threads would be of interest too:


11 Sep 2007: BCC demonstrates the need for station near Forest Lake
--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=224.0

and

9 Aug 2007 Brisbane: Darra to Springfield Railway Line ? More stations needed!
--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=185.0

[ozbob]

?All aboard!  The Darra to Springfield Central service with stops at Richlands, Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes is about to depart platform 1.  Stand clear please!?

I can imagine hearing this announcement at Darra railway station in the not too distant future.  A railway line from Darra to Springfield is about to be constructed.  The proposed stations on the 16 km line are from Darra; Richlands, Ellen Grove, Springfield Lakes and Springfield Central the terminus.  This railway makes a lot of sense as the greater Springfield area is one of the fastest growing regions in terms of population increases in South East Queensland.  On average three new families move into the Springfield area each day.   But there is a problem.  Of the four proposed stations only Richlands and Springfield Central are to be initially built.  Queensland Transport has indicated that the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes are not going to be constructed till well after the line is opened.  I and many other residents in the general area believe that by not having all stations operational at day one it will be a major public transport folly and  a lost opportunity to embed sustainable transport solutions in the greater Springfield area.

The residential areas of Springfield Lakes are now above 90% occupied and a need is already there for a station.  Similarly, Ellen Grove needs its station immediately, not only for all the workers in the industrial areas between the railway line and Ipswich Motorway, but also to provide direct access for commuters from Forest Lake to rapid sustainable transport.  Bus services from Forest Lake are chronically overcrowded and it is one of the routes that sweeper buses will be added too shortly in attempts to cope with the congestion. How much more in a few years when the line is built?

With the rapid growth occurring in the Springfield region it is likely that limited bus services in Springfield Lakes will be similarly overstretched in the near future.
Springfield Lakes will be getting a pedestrian bridge so that residents and 2400 school children and staff from Woodcrest College can cross the railway and the motorway. What use will it really be if they cannot catch the train at Springfield Lakes station?

It is important that all stations are operational from day one.  This establishes positive transport habits right from the outset and will minimise road traffic congestion and environmental impacts. Recent RACQ estimates on the annual cost of running new motor vehicles for the first five years at an average 15000 km per year, have indicated costs of anywhere between $6200 and $12000 per year (1).  Fuel price rises will surely add to these costs. Maximising public transport options saves money for communities.

Four operating railway stations from the commencement of services will truly support and confirm the vision of the greater Springfield area as a Transit Oriented Development region, with maximum public transport use and minimal motor vehicle dependence.  A no-brainer?

?All aboard for Springfield Lakes and Ellen Grove!?


1. http://www.racq.com.au/images/Motoring/vehicle_running_costs_jul07.pdf

[ozbob]

Line pushed back to 2015 completion.

But at least a commitment to get started to Richlands.

See http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=321.msg1684#msg1684