1 Dec 2014: SEQ Rail Reform: Express Trains for the Ipswich Line ...

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Media release 1st December 2014

SEQ Rail Reform: Express Trains for the Ipswich Line, more trains for the Springfield 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 passengers calls on Ipswich Line and Springfield Line Electorate candidates to support more trains more often for Springfield and all-day express trains for Ipswich.



Ipswich & Springfield lines - proposed
Image: Under rail reform, trains on the Springfield Line would run every 15 minutes. Ipswich line passengers would have express trains all day.
Image Credit: dancingmongoose http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/ippyr.jpg

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Rail reform goes hand-in-hand with bus reform."

"Ipswich and Springfield train services are too slow or take too long to wait for. Voters in Ipswich and Bundamba electorates also deserve fast and frequent services. Under rail reform, Springfield line train services would be doubled to a train every 15 minutes all day, dramatically slashing journey times by up to 15 minutes to the Brisbane CBD by cutting waiting time at the train station. This change permits all Ipswich trains to run express from Darra to Roma Street stopping only at Indooroopilly, all day, from first service to last service, saving around 8 - 10 minutes off journey times from Ipswich to the Brisbane CBD. The construction of a Perth-style interchange at Indooroopilly will allow all day express journeys for bus passengers in Brisbane's western suburbs. An express train takes just 8 minutes to travel between Indooroopilly and the Brisbane CBD, while a Brisbane City Council (BCC) bus can take up to twice as long to complete the same journey and risks becoming trapped in Coronation Drive congestion.  In contrast to BCC's express bus services, which only operate in peak hour, our proposed Ipswich express train service will operate all day. A similar arrangement already occurs on the Gold Coast Line."

"A faster train service for Ipswich means better access to jobs in Brisbane, and better access for Brisbane residents to cheaper homes and rentals in Ipswich. Similar benefits will be realised for Springfield."

"The New Zealanders in Auckland are improving train services because buses are being rearranged to collect passengers and drop them off at train stations. After a decade, why is it in Queensland we haven't been able to co-ordinate buses and trains to work together as a single system? Perth has also set up a similar system, which has led to Perth trains carrying more passengers than Queensland Rail despite having a lower population than Brisbane."

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

Reference:

Auckland Transport, NZ, new network
https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/new-public-transport-network/

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Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11108.0

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