26 Mar 2009: SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 March 2009

SEQ:  Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens, community rage - solution?

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 again called for urgent action to address the car parking crisis at and around railway and bus stations.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The car parking problem is a major issue throughout most Brisbane suburbs."

"The solutions to this crisis touted during the recent election by the ALP and the LNP are doomed to failure. Some increase in parking space is needed, but it is not working now nor will it the future unless sustainable solutions are put in place urgently.

"RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted the problems but we have also suggested solutions." (1,2,3)

"Immediate relief for residents and businesses is required; however yellow lines and restricted parking in the streets near stations will only push the parking overload further out from the stations unless  long term sustainable solutions are put in place."

"Part of the solution is to introduce local 'station' buses that provide convenient public transport from suburban residences to key stations.  These station buses would be separate from the normal bus services, although some integration and variation of the normal routes would be possible if station buses were introduced. The Brisbane City Loop buses are a good model for the station bus concept."

"On Monday to Friday 5am to 10am, and 3pm to 8pm daily we call for local neighbourhood buses to be introduced to provide transport for commuters to and from their residences to stations.  These buses could be painted a bright TransLink orange and become part of the local neighbourhood facilities and culture (3).  Routes could be chosen such that residents only have short walks to stops to catch the station bus."

"By having these dedicated station buses the pressure would be off the present parking facilities, and those commuters who need to travel outside the peak times would be able to park without the present problems."

"An extensive community education campaign would also be needed including promotion of active transport, and consideration of the introduction of parking fees at car parks at stations at peak times. These fees could offset the cost of the buses.  The station buses would be part of the normal TransLink ticketing.  This would encourage people to catch the station bus or use active transport rather than drive and overload the streets."

"Improve bicycle storage facilities at stations."

"It is time we moved forward with solutions, other than just knocking down houses and building more and more car parks, which in turn just acts as further encouragement for masses to drive."



Mythical Station Bus

References:

1.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 21 June 2008
SEQ:  Car parking, congestion, chaos and calamity.
A solution! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1056.0

2.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 24 August 2008
SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations - solution?
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1262.0

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg4651#msg4651

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks.

I agree entirely.  Where I live at Burpengary, they have just introduced a local bus that does go to the station as part of its loop, however the first bus does not arrive at the station until after 6.30am and by that time, there are already over a hundred cars in the car park and goodness knows how many other people have walked, ridden bikes or been dropped there by someone else. At night, the last bus is at 7.30pm.  Forget about the fact that there is a train at 7.28 (dep Central at 6.32pm) which if late misses by 'that much' (This time is a bit of a fudge, because the trains before and after leave at 6.02pm and 7.02pm and arrive at Burpengary at 6.59pm and 7.59pm - an extra minute in running times.)

These buses not well patronised because they often take a very roundabout route and can take 20 minutes to deliver people the stops less than 2 or 3 km away.

People have become used to using the car and real initiatives need to used to get people to look at better options.

Since I moved there they have increased the size of the car parks to now hold over 300 cars and still people are parking on grassed areas up to 250 metres away.  The cars sit there all day and probably this is most of what they are used for.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th September 2010

Greetings,

The car parking situation throughout Brisbane continues to worsen.  The construction of park and ride facilities in isolation of any real sustainable approaches to address the issue is flawed.  Park and ride is expensive and of limited long term utility; it is just encouraging more to drive and flood the car parks and lead to congestion and overflow issues in the streets.

It is time a car parking task force was formed: Councils, TransLink, State Government, Community groups. Put the 'thinking caps' on and put in place solutions that work.

There are better ways.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track


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

Media Release 26 March 2009 Re-released 28 September 2010

SEQ:  Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens, community rage - solution?

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 again called for urgent action to address the car parking crisis at and around railway and bus stations.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The car parking problem is a major issue throughout most Brisbane suburbs."

"The solutions to this crisis touted during the recent election by the ALP and the LNP are doomed to failure. Some increase in parking space is needed, but it is not working now nor will it the future unless sustainable solutions are put in place urgently.

"RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted the problems but we have also suggested solutions." (1,2,3)

"Immediate relief for residents and businesses is required; however yellow lines and restricted parking in the streets near stations will only push the parking overload further out from the stations unless  long term sustainable solutions are put in place."

"Part of the solution is to introduce local 'station' buses that provide convenient public transport from suburban residences to key stations.  These station buses would be separate from the normal bus services, although some integration and variation of the normal routes would be possible if station buses were introduced. The Brisbane City Loop buses are a good model for the station bus concept."

"On Monday to Friday 5am to 10am, and 3pm to 8pm daily we call for local neighbourhood buses to be introduced to provide transport for commuters to and from their residences to stations.  These buses could be painted a bright TransLink orange and become part of the local neighbourhood facilities and culture (3).  Routes could be chosen such that residents only have short walks to stops to catch the station bus."

"By having these dedicated station buses the pressure would be off the present parking facilities, and those commuters who need to travel outside the peak times would be able to park without the present problems."

"An extensive community education campaign would also be needed including promotion of active transport, and consideration of the introduction of parking fees at car parks at stations at peak times. These fees could offset the cost of the buses.  The station buses would be part of the normal TransLink ticketing.  This would encourage people to catch the station bus or use active transport rather than drive and overload the streets."

"Improve bicycle storage facilities at stations."

"It is time we moved forward with solutions, other than just knocking down houses and building more and more car parks, which in turn just acts as further encouragement for masses to drive."



Mythical Station Bus

References:

1.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 21 June 2008
SEQ:  Car parking, congestion, chaos and calamity.
A solution! http://railbotforum/mbs/index.php?topic=1056.0

2.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 24 August 2008
SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations - solution?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1262.0

3.  http://railbotforum/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg4651#msg4651

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track