Ministerial Statement: Salisbury to Kuraby rail upgrade paves the way ...

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
02/03/2008

Salisbury to Kuraby rail upgrade paves the way for more train services

The $256 million Salisbury to Kuraby rail upgrade was officially opened by the Transport Minister, John Mickel today, paving the way for an increase in train services from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.

Mr Mickel attended the Family Fun Day at Runcorn today to celebrate the completion of the project with the local community.

Under the project, a third 9.5 kilometre track was built from Salisbury to Kuraby as seven stations along the rail corridor, including Coopers Plains, Sunnybank and Runcorn stations, were upgraded.

Mr Mickel said the Salisbury to Kuraby third track project was one of the biggest infrastructure projects to be completed in south-east Queensland in the past decade.

"We have not seen a rail infrastructure project of this scale since the 8.7 kilometre Nerang to Robina track extension that was finished in May 1998," Mr Mickel said.

"In that time the Gold Coast line has become one of the busiest on the QR Citytrain network, prompting the need to build the third track from Salisbury to Kuraby.

"I am delighted to say this project has been completed and paves the way for more train services from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.

"We first committed to delivering this project in November 2003 and we have delivered it on time."

Mr Mickel said passengers from Brisbane's southern suburbs now enjoyed revamped stations while Gold Coast and Beenleigh commuters benefited from a new track.

"Local passengers will benefit from the upgraded seven stations between Coopers Plains and Kuraby, that feature new lifts, footbridges, increased security, more car parks, new set down zones and electronic train advice systems.

"Improvements have also been made to ensure the stations meet Australian Disability Standards, with the addition of lifts and easily accessible car parks. A number of the stations also include high level platforms for easy access to trains."

Mr Mickel said the project provided QR with the necessary infrastructure to operate more frequent services on the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines, including express services.

"The Salisbury to Kuraby rail upgrade is part of a broader program of works to improve rail services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast," Mr Mickel said.

"Our government's commitment to improving rail services for the Gold Coast community is on track and has been progressively moving forward for the past nine years.

"In that time we have increased the frequency of services and planned and constructed new tracks and track extensions.

"But the work isn't done and we need to stay on the ball to cater for the continual increase in demand for rail services as the region's population soars.

"A track duplication between Ormeau and Coomera was completed in late 2006. We are currently duplicating the track between Helensvale and Robina and extending the track from Robina to Varsity Lakes, where there will be a new station.

"Overall this work represents a $672 million investment in linking the nation's third and sixth largest cities."

Mr Mickel said the government faced challenges meeting the Gold Coast's escalating demand for public transport.

"QR is currently reviewing its Citytrain timetables to provide extra services across the network and is due to deliver new timetables in March and September this year," Mr Mickel said.

"As part of the new March timetable, there will be Gold Coast services every 15 minutes in the peak morning and afternoon periods. These frequent services will depart the Gold Coast for Brisbane between 7.35am and 8.45am and travel from the city back to the coast from 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

"A significant investment in additional rollingstock is needed to run these services, and the Government is investing more than $500 million dollars in 44 new trains.

"QR has already accepted 12 of the new trains and the rest will be progressively rolled out during the next two years.

"Many of these trains will run on the Gold Coast line and that is great news for those passengers who use what has become one of the busiest lines on the QR Citytrain network."

The Salisbury to Kuraby rail upgrade is part of a $7 billion investment under the 20-year, South-East Queensland Infrastructure Plan to plan and build a better rail network.

March 2, 2008

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[ozbob]

The busiest lines on the network are the main northern and main western lines Minister 

Still good see the Gold Coast getting more services, hopefully the rest of the network in time ...

[ozbob]

Both Brisbane times and Courier Mail have follow up stories.

Click Brisbane times  Courier Mail

My C-M blog comment:

It is great to see the upgrades on the Gold Coast line.

The sad reality is that all lines are suffering years of neglect. The 44 three car trains (of which 12 have been delivered) are about a 30% increase in the number of suburban trains.  Crew are also needed.  With the 44 new trains this only covers the last three years increased passenger loadings.  The increased services on the Gold Coast will soon be full.  Particular problems are the Caboolture line and the Ipswich line.  These lines may get some increased services in September if they are lucky.  Ferny Grove line is to get some more services in March.

We need to continue the ramp up and accelerate. A further 60 three car trains should be ordered now.  The railway line to Springfield and Petrie to Kippa-Ring now.  Quadruplication of the line to Ipswich - essential.  By doing this frequency can be made 15 minute off peak, 5 minute peak.  Widen the peak periods to match the changing demographics and work hours.

As fuel price rises bite, we need to have sustainable transport solutions in place.

[brad C]

The Ministerial statement has failed to recognise the additional kilometres of track to the airport (opened in 2004) or the quadruplication of the northern lines to Northgate(opened in December 1999) and the triplication Northgate to Petrie (opened in 2002).
ALL of these projects were more significant in distance than the Nerang-Robina extension.

The Northern lines are the system's busiest and most diversified.
I commented on this in the CM blog.

What the statement fails to recognise is the added congestion additional services will create on the section between Roma Street and South Brisbane, even with bi directional trackage, which is ineffective during peak flows. All this adds fuel to the case for a second inner city river crossing.
Brad C