Article: Chance to fix public transport

[Fares_Fair]

Maroochy Journal, p5
Friday 3rd June, 2011
by Sherine Conyers

Chance to fix public transport

[Sunbus610]

Thanks for posting this article Fares_Fair. Unfortunately, a rail service to urban areas along the coast ie Caloundra, Kawana Waters, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore (and other mid to southern Sunshine Coast suburbs) are a long way off so urban buses are the way to go for now, I went and had a look at the new Sunbus (TAG) bus depot at Bells Creek (Caloundra) for the second time, it's certainly great to see this new bus depot has been built with plenty of room to accommodate plenty more buses in the future

[Stillwater]

The future fortunes for inter-urban passenger rail, involving duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line, is tied to those for freight services.  It is curious that Mr Deegan wants to 'hear the voices of the Sunshine Coast people' as if he has to be told afresh of the issues.  It is as though all the numerous reports, investigations, suggested ways forward and other documentation conducted by state government agencies, consultants and even the federal department matter for nought.  Can't IA be informed by those? Why adopt this 'we don't know about it unless the people tell us' approach.  Most strange - and very frustrating.

[Stillwater]

What is says is that the state government is falling down on the job by not making representations on behalf of the people it represents to seek federal funding for a track upgrade on the Sunny Coast Line, where passenger and freight trains share the track.  Mr Deegan seems to want the people to shout for improvements in circumstances where the state government is silent.  As Prof. Julius Sumner-Miller used to say:  'Why is it so?'