are we ready for new lines?

[richard]

While I think it is excellent to be considering new lines, I think the next big problem to face the railways will be parking.  An indicator of where new railways could be is the number of cars at the local station.  For example, extending the Ferny Grove Branch one more station would take a lot of the pressure off parking and traffic at the terminus. A new station at Bracken Ridge at the level crossing between Carseldine and Bald Hills would assist parking.  

Richard

[ozbob]

Excellent point Richard.  I have some friends who regularly travel on the Ferny Grove line and they have commented that commuter parking is a real issue on that line.  I travel often from Oxley, we don't normally park our car there but when we do it is usually a matter of parking in a side street somewhere.   This aspect has been often overlooked by the planners.  As lines are upgraded real attempts have to be made to allow folks to use the transport.

Lack of a bus/rail interchange at Indooroopilly needs attention as well.

Clearly, land has to be obtained to expand parking facilities.  This will become increasingly important as we move further to grid lock and city central parking and acess restrictions.

Something which is also not done properly is using buses as feeders for commuters to local stations.  Buses cannot cope with increasing passenger numbers in the same way as rail for runs to the city etc.  How often are passengers left stranded by already full buses?

Regards
ozbob

[richard]

Bob

I agree about the buses - as it was my first post I thought mentioning road based transport may be too controversial!

[ozbob]

No worries. Bertie Bus has it's uses Richard :roll:  But it is very very annoying for an increasing number of passengers to be left standing at bus stops.  It is a real disincentive to public transport travel.  Increase the frequency on the suburban lines. Run buses to intermediate railway stations is the practical solution.  

There is a limit to the number of buses that can be introduced to pick up ever increasing numbers of bus passengers.  Clearly, buses will continue to be used in areas where no railway lines.  But they will have to rethink how they will cope with disenchanted passengers left standing at stops.  It is appalling.  

Regards
Bob

[SteveT79]

I strongly agree on the need for a new station in Bracken Ridge, being a resident there myself. To catch the train from Bald Hills station I have to cross the horrible Strathpine Road overpass, which only lets a small number of cars through each light change westbound. In peak hour it can take 5-15 minutes to get through this intersection.

The Gap between Carseldine to Bald Hills is huge. And there are a lot of residential estates being built in the Lacey Road area that also would service a Bracken Ridge Station.

best, there is open land there, room for ample car parking to be built.

That, along with the Redcliffe line (I never understand why that isn't being built - it would service North Lakes with a local feeder bus). I've known Redcliffe residents who have the worst time getting into and out of the city.

I hope more rail corridors are built soon. Road congestion is very bad but with large areas unserviced well people will stick to cars.

SteveT

SteveT

[ozbob]

Welcome SteveT79!

Yes agree wholeheartedly.  Lets hope Government and the new Transit Authority listens.

Regards
Ozbob

[brad C]

To add a comment re the need for a station between Carseldine and Bald Hills, I would suggest that this be considered only in conjunction with a new grade separated crossing at Telegraph Road.
The volume of traffic now using Telegraph Road and the congestion created by the level crossing would only be exacerbated if trains stopped at a station, thus leaving the gates closed for longer periods. One only has to look at the mess at Geebung or Beams Road to see the chaos gates and an adjacent station create.
In addition, the triplication in this area would require major realignment (and slower running) to accommodate island platforms for a new station. Not insurmountable but will need careful design.
Perhaps parking on the eastern side of the Gympie Arterial with safr access under the bridge to Bald Hills Station would provide some temporary relief.
A few thoughts to digest.........

Brad C

[ozbob]

This may be of interest too  Call for new station at Bracken Ridge

--> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=215.0

Regards
Ozbob

[SteveT79]

100% on the telgraph road boom gates to - just recently an estate has been built at the end there which means now you get some traffic turning some going straight. It was bad enough when it was just turning traffic.

[Markus]

To Ozbob et al,
Good points below, especially the lack of a decent bus/ rail interchange at Indooroopilly - or nearby station.
With our Western subs growing around Kenmore & Brookfield area, the I'pilly area needs a seamless transport interchange.

One other point re the link below is that I'm not sure it's always planners who overlook aspects, but rather people who give ultimate approval to projects. i.e. Politicians. Sure wqe give the recommendations, but are as helpless as anyone else if politicians or bureaucrats alter plans or delete certain parts at a later stage to save money. 

Not meaning to be picky Ozbob, just letting the world know how things work so when politicians say they are going to do X or Y, we say to them, OK, but dont change or minimize a thing or you won't get my vote next time.

-----------------                        ------------------               ------------------

Excellent point Richard.  I have some friends who regularly travel on the Ferny Grove line and they have commented that commuter parking is a real issue on that line.  I travel often from Oxley, we don't normally park our car there but when we do it is usually a matter of parking in a side street somewhere.   This aspect has been often overlooked by the planners.  As lines are upgraded real attempts have to be made to allow folks to use the transport.

Lack of a bus/rail interchange at Indooroopilly needs attention as well.

Clearly, land has to be obtained to expand parking facilities.  This will become increasingly important as we move further to grid lock and city central parking and acess restrictions.

Something which is also not done properly is using buses as feeders for commuters to local stations.  Buses cannot cope with increasing passenger numbers in the same way as rail for runs to the city etc.  How often are passengers left stranded by already full buses?

Regards
ozbob

[kw]

To add a comment re the need for a station between Carseldine and Bald Hills, I would suggest that this be considered only in conjunction with a new grade separated crossing at Telegraph Road.
The volume of traffic now using Telegraph Road and the congestion created by the level crossing would only be exacerbated if trains stopped at a station, thus leaving the gates closed for longer periods. One only has to look at the mess at Geebung or Beams Road to see the chaos gates and an adjacent station create.
In addition, the triplication in this area would require major realignment (and slower running) to accommodate island platforms for a new station. Not insurmountable but will need careful design.
Perhaps parking on the eastern side of the Gympie Arterial with safr access under the bridge to Bald Hills Station would provide some temporary relief.
A few thoughts to digest.........

Brad C

Perhaps this as a plan to ease traffic near the Telegraph Road level crossing>>> http://members.optuszoo.com.au/gjwagner/telegraphroad.JPG

[brad C]

Thanks Kentwagner - well researched.
This explains why the Linkfield Rd intersection has not been upgraded.
The proposed new station will be a boost to the new housing estates in the area  and car parkers from Bald Hills station, but I would assume that it would be called Fitzgibbon to align with its geography.
I wonder what the timeframe is, given that a Newman Road overbridge at Geebung is in preliminary consultation and design phase with a probable squillion dollar price tag.
The grade separared crossing of the Shorncliffe Line on Toombul Rd took over 7 years to get off the ground!!!

As road and rail traffic increase and more denser urban fabric emerges around rail lines generally, a priority needs to be given to the eventual elimination of a prioritised list of at grade rail crossings around the suburban area over the next decade.
This will improve traffic flows, whilst improving public safety and amenity (less use of klaxon horns).
Has anyone inspected the work at Acacia Ridge on Beaudesert Road for the bridging of the standard guage line???
Brad C