7 Nov 2011: SEQ: Sunshine Coast Light Rail & Transport - Forward planning needed

[ozbob]

Media release 7 November 2011

SEQ: Sunshine Coast Light Rail & Transport - Forward planning needed!

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 welcomed the news that Sunshine Coast Council is canvassing improved transport options for the Sunshine Coast.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Sunshine Coast has many problems when it comes to public transport. Firstly the single-track bottlenecks on the Sunshine Coast line north of Beerburrum restrict freight and passenger movements, there are many delays and frankly the service is 'worst class' (1, 2). Track amplification is required (3)."

"Secondly, rail needs to be brought to the people living on the Sunshine Coast. RAIL Back On Track strongly supports the staged construction of CAMCOS at bare minimum to Caloundra to allow buses to interconnect with rail to Brisbane."

"Thirdly, corridors and plans need to be put in place to allow space for a future rapid transit system that is separated from cars on the Sunshine Coast. This should identify a preferred alignment, stops and be mode neutral as it is too early and not necessary at this stage to decide what kind of vehicle - Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit - should ultimately perform the transport task."

"The Sunshine Coast is well suited to a rapid transit corridor as much of the urban development forms a linear urban form around a main north-south axis."

"There is much that can be done in the meantime to improve bus services, and improvements to bus can go ahead regardless of whether a Light Rail system will ultimately be built or not (4).

References:

1. Commuters tire of 'worst class' http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/10/13/commuters-tire-of-worst-class-rail/

2. Sunshine Coast Line delays http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6766.0

3. SEQ: Partial duplications for the Sunshine Coast Line needed now http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5839.0

4. Light rail a pipe dream http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/11/05/light-rail-a-pipe-dream/

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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