28 June 2008: More early peak morning and afternoon services needed ....

[ozbob]

Media Release 28 June 2008

SEQ:  More early peak morning and afternoon services needed to ease congestion on the Shorncliffe line


RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for  more early peak rail services for the Shorncliffe line to cope with the congestion and overloading and to provide some more capacity as  commuters turn to rail.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?It is a characteristic of most of the suburban rail lines in south-east Queensland that not enough early peak services are provided to match the loadings. There have been significant changes in demographics and work hours and timetables have not matched these changes.?

?The Shorncliffe line has a number of early peak issues which should be addressed. ?

?In the weekday  mornings, the services originating at Shorncliffe at 7:09 and 7:23 am are heavily congested.  There is a 24-minute gap before the 7:09 and a 26-minute gap after the 7:23.  Even the addition of one more service with better spacing would alleviate the congestion during this period.?

?In the afternoon, additional services on the Shorncliffe line do not commence until after 5pm.  With many city workers finishing as early as 4pm, the 4:26 and 4:51 pm services from Central are heavily congested.  The 5:20 pm service is often less congested than either of these two services.  The addition of at least one more service between 4 and 5pm is required - preferably two.?

?It is essential that public transport provides a realistic alternative for commuters as they are forced from cars as petrol price rises and environmental costs take their toll.?

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org