13 Oct 2010: SEQ: Feed rail when Richlands opens!

[ozbob]

Media release 13 October 2010

SEQ: Feed rail when Richlands opens!

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 a distinctive high frequency Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) loop feeder bus to Richlands station to make public transport a real option for residents of Forest Lake, Doodanella, Ellen Grove and Inala.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Progress at Richlands Rail station has been remarkable and a credit to the project team Horizon Alliance, Queensland Rail, TransLink and the Queensland Government (1). The provision of a bus interchange is also smart. However, the overwhelming majority of residents in Forest Lake, Doodanella, Ellen Grove and Inala do not live within the "walk up" 800 metre catchment zone of Richlands station, which makes it difficult for them to walk to the station."

"The provision of a 650 car park will allow access, however even if this car park is 100% full it will only provide enough passengers to fill a single train. Clearly, a high frequency BRT bus is required to take the passengers to the train station like is done in Perth (2). To complement this a high frequency rail service needs to be provided on the Richlands branch line from day one of operation (3). Thirty minute off peak frequencies which are generally the norm for south-east Queensland are actually a major discouragement for public transport use.  The Richlands branch line is an opportunity to start to improve the appalling train frequency and in so doing returning the maximum benefit for our investments."

"A BRT loop bus could run both ways to allow people to jump on at any point in the route and could connect:

* Richlands Station
* Forest Lake Boulevard
* Pine Village Park
* Forest Lake Shops and School
* Inala Plaza
* Return to Richlands Station

"Clear signage is also required to allow easy cycling access and legible cycling routes to Richlands rail station from Inala and Forest Lake. High quality bicycle racks at BRT feeder loop bus stops could also be considered.

"BRT buses should have a 'no compromise' timetable:

* High frequency
* Meeting every single train, from first train to last train, all day, and on weekends.
* Starting from day one, when the station opens

"BRT services should run every 15 minutes off peak to allow passengers to freely travel between Forest Lake and Inala town centre and access the two shopping centres there. Services every 10 minutes in peak hour would allow people to throw away their timetable, especially if they are employed at these two shopping centres."

"The construction of Richlands station will be a huge improvement to public transport for residents of Forest Lake, Doodanella, Ellen Grove and Inala if people can access it. Bus Rapid Transit to rail is the solution!"

"As construction of the double railway  proceeds to Springfield it is essential that the decision not to build the railway stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes be reversed and these stations be built as 'greenfield' and be in place from day one of operation of the Richlands to Springfield section of the branch line. To catch a train you need railway stations!"

References:

1. Darra to Springfield Stage 1 construction Darra to Richlands
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg36081#msg36081

2. Rockingham City Centre Transit System, Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Projects/CompletedProjects/RockinghamCityCentreTransitSystem/tabid/81/Default.aspx

3. Richlands Rail Station BRT feeder system
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4508.msg34957#msg34957

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

See this discussion thread for photographs ==> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg35111#msg35111

[ozbob]

Richlands is the opportunity to start to move to a best practice integrated public transport service.  Frequency, accessibility, coordination.

Will the authorities rise to the occasion or blunder on?

[#Metro]

What are the chances that someone on the other end of the fax machine is reading the release with eyes wide open, suddenly realising that the 650 car park (which would have cost at least $32.5 million by my estimates @ 1 carpark = $50 000) only has the capacity to fill one peak hour train!



OOPS!!! 

[colinw]

Richlands is the opportunity to start to move to a best practice integrated public transport service.  Frequency, accessibility, coordination.

Will the authorities rise to the occasion or blunder on?

They had better.

Dare I say - if you are only going to provide a service like the rest of Brisbane has then there is no point building a new railway at all.

Spending hundreds of millions building a nice new double track electric railway then running a half hourly service without decent bus links is akin to buying a Ferrari then only driving it to church every sunday.

[O_128]

Richlands is the opportunity to start to move to a best practice integrated public transport service.  Frequency, accessibility, coordination.

Will the authorities rise to the occasion or blunder on?

They had better.

Dare I say - if you are only going to provide a service like the rest of Brisbane has then there is no point building a new railway at all.

Spending hundreds of millions building a nice new double track electric railway then running a half hourly service without decent bus links is akin to buying a Ferrari then only driving it to church every sunday.

Have a look at the government. No way will it be more than half hourly we only have to look at how long it took for the boggo busway to get the 109 on it and off annerly road. What about the 300000 promised seats, what about google map integration???

[#Metro]

Well I hope they open a chocolate chip muffin store nearby!!!

[somebody]

Dare I say - if you are only going to provide a service like the rest of Brisbane has then there is no point building a new railway at all.

That's my thinking too.  I would be surprised if they do much though.  They *STILL* haven't even re-timed the services to Beerburrum to take advantage of the straightening.

I really don't understand what is so hard about designing a decent timetable.  I would presume the delay to the new Ipswich-Caboolture timetable is due to the imminent opening of the Richlands branch.  However, I am not expecting radical improvements in the service.  Improved peak patterns, removal of hour gaps and a 15 minute frequency all day, 7 days is what I am expecting.  If I set the bar that low, and they don't deliver, what would that say about them?

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 20th October 2010 page 5

Bus service needed

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd November 2010

Greetings,

There is a mini rail revolution under way out west in Brisbane.  Without much fanfare a huge construction effort has been proceeding with the track amplification project between Corinda and Darra West, two tracks are now four and are in use.   There has been track and signalling upgrades all along the line. The first new suburban branch line in Brisbane for many many years has been constructed to Richlands, and soon to be extended to Springfield. Darra railway station has been transformed into a key junction station for the main western line and the Richlands (Springfield) branch.  Oxley rail station now has three platforms.

Trains will be commencing services to and from Richlands early next year.  This will mean that an improved service on the Ipswich line will also follow as trains from Richlands will give the opportunity for increased frequency and improved timetables.

This is history unfolding before our very eyes.  It has been  a rare opportunity to observe a major rail civil construction project around a very busy operating railway right on our doorstep.

You should take the time to visit both Darra and Richlands to see the new stations.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org


Links

Darra --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1373.0

Darra - Richlands --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg36081#msg36081

Corinda - Darra -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=225.msg33652#msg33652

Oxley --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=833.msg37467#msg37467