5 May 2013: SEQ: Better bus and rail connections needed

[ozbob]

Media release 5 May 2013



SEQ: Better bus and rail connections 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 called for a review of bus rail connections and ways to improve.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is very frustrating for public transport passengers to arrive at rail stations and see their connecting bus depart before they can make the connection.  Similarly, see trains depart as their bus arrives at the station (1)."

"Most of south-east Queensland has poor train and bus frequency, and failed connections can mean very long waits for the next connecting service."

"Some examples are bus routes 224/223 timetabled to depart Manly railway station as trains arrive! Bus route 327 at Geebung arriving at the same time as inbound and outbound trains arrive. Passengers seeing trains depart at Eagle Junction when transferring from bus 369, this is partly related to an uneven timetabling of trains that leaves service gaps."

"At many rail stations bus drivers have difficulty in seeing if passengers are heading for the bus. There appears to be very little communication to bus drivers with respect to late rail services. If a bus waited for even a couple of minutes at times, this can mean hours saved for some passengers."

"A rare example of good communication is the direct radio communication between Landsborough rail station and Sunbus for communicating late running bus services to and from Landsborough rail station and vice-versa. This has saved many a passenger hours of journey time."

"To optimise utility of the public transport, connections must be improved.  A review of bus and rail timetables with a view to addressing this aspect is needed.  Some consideration needs to be given to how communication can be improved between rail and bus operators, so each is aware of delays and this then gives the opportunity for better overall management of coordination and facilitating the connections."

"Improving service frequency does greatly assist in coordination, but until that occurs connections must be improved."

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=195.msg125646#msg125646

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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