27 Sep 2010: SEQ: Bring 15 minute off peak world class 'Perth' frequencies ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 27th September 2010

SEQ: Bring 15 minute off peak world class 'Perth' frequencies to Brisbane!

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 called for 15 minute off peak frequencies where possible on the rail network. RAIL Back on Track has always said that services must be frequent, bottom line.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane now has a BUZ network which runs 6am -11 pm every 15 minutes or more frequently as standard, even on weekends. Brisbane also has a CityCat route which runs 15 minutes during off peak times. It seems the only odd one out is the rail network which still runs services every half hour or one hour or worse off peak on most lines."

"Brisbane cannot credibly claim that it has 'world class' public transport when the frequencies off peak on suburban rail lines are still at anti-public transport frequencies. At this level of frequency, a large proportion of passenger time in the overall journey is simply wasted waiting at the platform for the next available service to arrive."

"Ad-hoc transfers also become extremely difficult at such low frequencies and total journey time, waiting and in vehicle time, become deeply uncompetitive compared against the car."

"A 15 minute 'transitional timetable' should be rolled out as an introduction to, and in anticipation of, a better and more frequent timetable that will be possible once Cross River Rail is complete."

"Ideally, frequencies off peak would be increased on all major lines together to make marketing and communicating the changes to the public easier and allow the full 'network effect' to take place. (1)"

Rail Back on Track believes 15 minute frequencies are possible now on the following lines with minimal or no infrastructure upgrades required and with some timetabling adjustments:

* Ipswich and Caboolture lines - 15 minutes off peak to all stations, 30 minute Rosewood.
* Ferny Grove line - 15 minutes off peak to all stations
* Cleveland line - 15 minutes off peak as far as Manly rail station
* Shorncliffe line - 15 minutes off peak to all stations
* Beenleigh line- 15 minutes off peak to all stations (except in counter peak hour) (2)

"The Sunshine Coast line timetable is abysmal and needs an urgent overhaul with more services, at least hourly to and from Nambour off peak with extra daily services to Gympie North."

"There should be enough trains left over from peak hour to run these new services. Connecting bus services should be boosted to allow passengers to access and patronise the services. The hours of operation of rail station feeder buses need extended.  It is not much point in encouraging citizens onboard public transport if they cannot get home!"

"The BUZ initiative shows what can happen when the quality of public transport is improved. Much of that growth occurred in the off peak periods. Perth manages to supply trains every 15 minutes off peak on all lines. Brisbane should follow Perth in implementing best practice."

"Poor off peak frequency is simply anti-public transport and a powerful discouragement to catch public transport. It fails to support initiatives such as staggered work hours or peak hour spreading."

"To use an analogy, would you drive your car if you had to wait half an hour, or an hour or longer before the ignition would start? Of course not. It's not rocket science!"

References:

1.  Network design for Public Transport success- theory and examples
http://www.thredbo.itls.usyd.edu.au/downloads/thredbo10_papers/thredbo10-themeE-Nielsen-Lange.pdf

2.  How far down the Beenleigh line is 15 min off peak frequency possible? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4506

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

The Queensland Government's '15 minute neighborhoods' isn't going to work if the trains and buses that transport people around is only every 30 minutes. And it will be hard to 'retrofit' existing suburbs, given the time it takes to plan, approve, build and consult for these things. And there is NIMBY too...

I had a read of the Integrated transport plan 1997 recently. It contains this futuristic "urban greenway" concept.
13 years later, which suburbs of Brisbane can claim to have an "urban greenway"? None that I know of!

Most of the housing stock people will live in in 2031 (21 years in the future) has already been built.
Building the entire city and suburbs at higher densities and TODs will help but will take time- a lot of time to build critical mass. The street format in some newer suburbs is also anti-public transport, with extensive traffic calming and cul-de-sacs that traps buses and extensive time-wasting windy streets- all of which literally designs in car dependence.

Reference #1 contains examples of small cities that have managed to install good PT with limited resources and time.

[MrBusDriver]

Even Adelaide's Rail Network has better frequencies on some lines, than Brisbane's rail network.

I agree 15 minute frequencies are needed, and i also believe the services should operate 24/7 on Beenleigh, Ispwich, Caboolture and Gold Coast lines, on hourly frequencie between 11pm and 5am.

[Arnz]

Even Adelaide's Rail Network has better frequencies on some lines, than Brisbane's rail network.

Incorrect.

Only one line has 15 minute frequencies, and even then not all stations on that line has 15 min frequencies due to skip-stop operation.  That line iirc is the equivalent of the Corinda 15 min off-peak service in Brisbane.