13 Apr 2011: SEQ: Caboolture line off peak upgrade needed now!

[ozbob]

Media release 13 April 2011

SEQ: Caboolture line off peak upgrade needed now!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for an immediate upgrade to the off peak service on the Caboolture line.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A recent poll of RAIL Back on Track members (1) wanted either the Richlands-Bowen Hills trains extended to the Caboolture line or a full solution of a 15 minute frequency to Shorncliffe, a limited stops Petrie service on a 15 minute frequency and a fast service to Caboolture on a 15 minute frequency.  An earlier poll (2) wanted a 15 frequency to Shorncliffe and a 15 minute limited stops Caboolture service."

"RAIL Back On Track has been highlighting the issue of poor train frequency for some years.  The only conceivable difficulty of extending the Richlands trains past Bowen Hills is that increased bus services would need to be provided when track work is done on the Caboolture line.  It would make no difference to the current situation if track work needs to be done on the core Roma St-Bowen Hills part of the network.  It really is very frustrating that easily achievable upgrades are not proceeded with. BUZ has shown the way in that a reliable 15 minute frequency will be patronised (3).

"Similar policies were implemented by Labor in NSW, where only 2 trains per hour reached Campbelltown via East Hills off peak while they then wondered what to do about the congestion on the M5.  These policies helped ensure they reached political oblivion and opposition ... "

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5627.0

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4452.0

3. http://www.thredbo-conference-series.org/downloads/thredbo10_papers/thredbo10-themeA-Warren.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5627.0

[ozbob]

Passenger Information Display platform 4 Darra Railway Station, Saturday morning ..

The trains terminating at Bowen Hills seem to be a wasted opportunity ...



Photograph R Dow 30 April 2011

[#Metro]

Is it actually real? I have to pinch myself....

[somebody]

The trains terminating at Bowen Hills seem to be a wasted opportunity ...

Indeed they are.

Equally it is a wasted opportunity simply extending them to Petrie.  It annoys me that anyone voted for this in the most recent poll (Ref (1)).  These trains would be serving Albion at exactly the same time as the Shorncliffe trains, but that appears to be the mediocre way people want it.  Urgh!!

Are you going to tell me to relax?

[#Metro]

  I am confused...

Huh?

I need to see a proposed timetable/map before I can make sense of these things...

[ozbob]

The trains terminating at Bowen Hills seem to be a wasted opportunity ...

Indeed they are.

Equally it is a wasted opportunity simply extending them to Petrie.  It annoys me that anyone voted for this in the most recent poll (Ref (1)).  These trains would be serving Albion at exactly the same time as the Shorncliffe trains, but that appears to be the mediocre way people want it.  Urgh!!

Are you going to tell me to relax?

I think it is understood that the times (and operating patterns) for Shorncliffe would be revised of course.  Exending the Richlands starters to Petrie is just pre-empting MBRL, and why not give the frequency increase now?  Inner city stopping patterns could also be reviewed.  Incremental improvements are the way forward, this mob will not make massive overnight changes for many reasons.  At least we are now seeing some improvements, the first really significent ones since the 1990s ...  best to keep this momentum and keep doing improvements.  Shorncliffe line is being revised as part of the second phase timetable review this year, now is the hour!

Relax?  Well today is a holiday of sorts ...  

[somebody]

I am confused...

Huh?

I need to see a proposed timetable/map before I can make sense of these things...

Based on the current timetable, the Caboolture trains leave Central at :07 and :37 and arrive at Toombul at :21 and :51.  The Shorncliffe trains leave Central at :22 and :52 and arrive at Toombul at :36 and :06.  The Richlands to Bowen Hills trains also leave Central at :22 and :52.  These trains, if merely extended to Petrie, would also be arriving at Toombul at :36 and :06.  Retiming the Shorncliffe trains is largely futile, as there would still be 15 minute gaps in the timetable, unless the Shornliffe and Doomben trains coordinate for a 7-8 minute frequency at Albion and Wooloowin.  I do not see that this outweighs a limited stop service for the Caboolture line.

I don't know how I can explain it more clearly than that.