7 Feb 2008: SEQ - Catch a train, ease the strain!

[ozbob]

Media Release 7 February 2008

SEQ:  Catch a train, ease the strain!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has welcomed the announcement of increased services on the Gold Coast line which will be introduced from March.  We look forward to further improvements in September to other lines as well.

Robert Dow said:

?QR Citytrain has been undergoing steady and sustained increases in passenger loadings.  Many lines are experiencing chronic congestion at peak and unless more resources are made available for QR Citytrain this congestion will get worse.?

?Recent track improvements and increases in capacity will allow for increased services particularly during the peak times on the Gold Coast line.  This is important as passenger loadings are increasing at about 9% per year.  It is likely that this annual increase will be higher in the years to come.?

?The 44 new 3 car trains being progressively introduced will only match the general growth in passengers on the whole system for the period 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/8.?

?It is clear that more trains must be ordered now. We must protect the community from the looming fuel crises and environmental impacts of motor vehicles, and help ease the road, bus and ferry congestion.  The present massive funding imbalance in favour of roads needs to be turned to the favour of sustainable public transport.  If we don?t start to turn the tide now it will be too late.?

?QR Citytrain has undertaken a number of recent initiatives to further improve service such as real time train information and clear concise communication with passengers. This already has had a positive impact. Well done QR Citytrain.?

?It is essential to properly resource our transport agencies so that public transport becomes the first choice by commuters. Rail is the sustainable transport solution now and for the future.? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Contact:

Robert  Dow

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

[mufreight]

another Mufreight observation
One must query all this hot air and spin, what is needed to stay in the game and possibly catch up with demand is actions not words
More trains should be ordered now as an extension of the current contracts and more tracks.
write to your local member and ask what is his/her position on public transport with particular relevance to rail then post their answers on the website so everyone will know their views.
Where is the line to Kippa-Ring, the extension of the Ferny Grove to Samford, what about an electrified line up the Brisbane valley at least as far as Lowood, what is their position on electrifing to Gatton,the unreal and unrealistic time frame for the Springfield line now not before 2015
Cars, buses, tunnels and motorways will not solve the congestion problems nor will they resolve the problems they will create in terms of polution or greenhouse emissions.
The George Street genius's want to build more roads that will be so overcrowded by the time they are built that they will be extended parking lots so their opinions and intentions on these matters would be of interest to the general electorate.
Your thoughts please.