23 Oct 2011: SEQ: Rail initiatives welcome

[ozbob]

Media release 23 October 2011

SEQ: Rail initiatives welcome

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 official commencement of the dual track railway from Richlands to Springfield Central (1), and the release of the Connecting SEQ 2031 Integrated Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Cross River Rail is an essential project for a sustainable transport future for South East Queensland. It is pleasing to see this is the lynch pin of Connecting SEQ 2031."

"The railway line to Springfield Central will be the first real new extension to the public passenger rail network for many decades apart from the recently completed first stage to Richlands.  Greater Springfield is planned to undergo rapid and extensive expansion, rail of course is needed to support the booming population.  The line will also enable the future extension into the Ripley Valley and eventually to Ipswich."

"Now is the hour for rail, light and heavy!"

Footnote:

The Australasian Railway Association's (ARA) 'True Value of Rail' Report (3) shows that:

    One passenger train takes 525 cars off the road. In one year, one train-load of passengers is equal to removing more than three million vehicle kilometres of traffic from our roads.

    One freight train in place of trucks between Melbourne and Brisbane reduces carbon emissions by the same amount as a household of three going without electricity for 46 years.

    One train-load of passengers travelling by rail instead of car for one year reduces accident costs by an amount that could fund 130 hospital visits, 505 hospital beds per day, or 6 doctors for one year.

    Road travel produces more than 40% more carbon pollution than rail travel per passenger kilometre.

    Road transport generates almost eight times the amount of accident costs as rail transport does.

    Heavy vehicle road freight users do not face the full maintenance costs that they cause. Under-recovery of these costs has been estimated at between $7,000 and $10,500 per truck each year.

References:

1. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=77225

2. http://www.connectingseq.qld.gov.au/

3. http://www.ara.net.au/site/publications_tvor.php

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Richlands to Springfield Central discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3940.0

Connecting SEQ 2031 discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6912.0