LNP: Brisbane Metro Plan

[Stillwater]

Let councils look after sewers, rubbish, libraries, potholes and parks etc .... introduce SEQ Master Planning Authority, including planning for public transport.   http://www.gsc.nsw.gov.au

[#Metro]

We already have such and agency - TransLink - that does the planning for all of SEQ, and now all of the state.

It just needs to be enforced. BCC has been thumbing their noses at TL ever since it was created in 2004 IMHO.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th May 2016

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 'Quack' Metro is a Dead Duck!

Greetings,

Seven News covered Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 'Quack' metro last night (1). It is a dead duck!

We have comprehensively and exhaustively demonstrated that even under the most extreme assumptions, the Quirk ' Quack Metro ' has less capacity than the current busway (2, 3). This is a very serious flaw with the proposed ' metro '.

Problems with the Quirk ' Metro ' as proposed:

1.  Delivers less capacity than the present busways - fatal flaw.

2.  Is under-costed, grossly in our opinion. We challenge the Lord Mayor to sign a cost explosion indemnification agreement, guaranteeing that any cost overrun on the project ( over $1.5 BN) will be borne solely by BCC.

3.  Absolutely wrecks the inner-city busway network. Stops one station short of RBWH Hospital (to save costs?)

4.  Is very doubtful if Victoria Bridge can be used due to the significant weight of metro trains, track and electrical systems.

5.  Is not driverless as proposed (despite the comment in the news video). If changed to automatic then cost of stations etc. increases massively. Comparisons with Sydney Metro make this abundantly clear (3).

6.  State owns and controls the busway infrastructure.  It is unlikely that a State Government of any political persuasion would allow the busway system to be wrecked for a system that delivers less capacity than the current network!

7.  Proposed ' metro ' depot site is state owned and is actually earmarked for CRR.

The absolute minimum capacity for a train to reach the touted 30,000 passengers/hour quoted in election vote bait material is 750 passengers per train. The Lord Mayor is suggesting trains with a capacity 2.5x lower that is 300 passengers/train.

Bus reform http://tiny.cc/newnetwork is required, now. Bus network reform will allow time for a mature future vision and plan to be developed. Bus network reform is essentially cost neutral, we do not have to waste billions of dollars on pipe dream schemes.  Start bus network reform today!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. 7 News > https://twitter.com/7NewsQueensland/status/728156831143452673

2. Quirk ' Metro ' Capacity Calculation

1 hour = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds. World's best train throughput is a train every 90 seconds. 3600 seconds / 90 sec = 40 trains per hour.

Therefore 30,000 passengers/hour divided by 40 trains/hour = 750 passengers per train (absolute minimum).

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's Metro is 300 pax/train as proposed.

This means then if trains run every 90 seconds: 40 trains/hour x 300 pax/train = 12 000 passengers/hour (less than the current busway capacity).
Run every 2 minutes (as announced in election) 30 trains / hour x 300 pax/train = 9000 passengers/hour - a backward step for the network.

Even under the most extreme assumptions, the metro would have less capacity than the busway and be at capacity on opening day.

3. 26th March 2016 The Quirk ' Metro ' is a Quack Metro > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg172675#msg172675

[ozbob]

One of the great pleasures of driverless metros, like Vancouver's ... https://t.co/b0yb07n5GI

— Jarrett Walker (@humantransit) May 5, 2016

One of my favourite details on our #Skytrain trains - the great "front seat" view for kids, or the young at heart. pic.twitter.com/Tgl3dvsD46

— Brent Toderian (@BrentToderian) May 5, 2016

[verbatim9]

From the 7 segment everyone seems confused on the model and alignment. Looks like bus reform will only happen once Bne Metro is complete?

[ozbob]

From the 7 segment everyone seems confused on the model and alignment. Looks like bus reform will only happen once Bne Metro is complete?

As LD commented earlier, they (Quirk and Schrinner) are making it up as the go along.  This is in the same league as the ' Cleveland Solution ' ... pure fantasy !

[The Cleveland Solution was a magnificent exercise in fantasy -  really enjoyed the sheer absurdity.  The Quack Metro does. not. stack. up.  A metro in 15 to 20 years that does could well be an option, but not the Quack one.]

Here it is, best. vid. on. youtube.  < 

Quirk and Emerson strong supporters ... lol

[#Metro]

Quack Quack!!

Just as feasible as magic carpet up the busway!

[ozbob]

A magic carpet ride hey?   

[#Metro]

A metro is possible today, however, the proposal put forward by Quirk et al is rubbish.
Quirk's proposal just does not have the capacity.

A proper proposal down the SEB would support a train every 5 minutes in peak hour, using today's patronage.

Bus reform is the fastest, cheapest option and needs to be done anyway. A metro would take about 10 years to deliver, so we would be looking at 2026 at the earliest. Bus reform can hold the fort until then. Would require superbuses IMHO.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Team Quirk ‏@Team_Quirk 1h

LM announces $2M in BCC budget review today to fast-track start of #BrisbaneMetro business case, ahead of 16/17 FY #qldpol

===========

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 43s

. @Team_Quirk Lets hope there is a real attempt to address the problems, as proposed during #bccvotes it doesn't stack up at all #qldpol

============

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 2m

. @Team_Quirk these are major issues with the ' metro ' as proposed

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg173638#msg173638 ... #qldpol needs to deliver real capacity gain

===========

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1m

. @Team_Quirk the good thing is you have acknowledged the bus network is stuffed majorily though.

Needs a metro to fix ... lol #qldpol


============

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 6m

. @Team_Quirk Some of us didn't come down in the last shower ... #qldpol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2016

Re: Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 'Quack' Metro is a Dead Duck!

Greetings,

We note that today BCC has indicated that Lord Mayor has announced $2M to  fast-track start of the Brisbane Metro Business  Case.

BCC has not responded to the problems we have identified with respect to the Metro as proposed during the BCC Election Campaign.

The business case will show serious deficiencies with the proposal.  It will need major modifications and significant increase in costs to deliver anything like the passenger capacity that what was touted during the campaign.

Brisbane Council voters were mislead in our opinion, as our capacity calculations have shown.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Bus network just gets worse, as does congestion generally.

What a mess!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

6th May 2016

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 'Quack' Metro is a Dead Duck!

Greetings,

Seven News covered Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 'Quack' metro last night (1). It is a dead duck!

We have comprehensively and exhaustively demonstrated that even under the most extreme assumptions, the Quirk ' Quack Metro ' has less capacity than the current busway (2, 3). This is a very serious flaw with the proposed ' metro '.

Problems with the Quirk ' Metro ' as proposed:

1.  Delivers less capacity than the present busways - fatal flaw.

2.  Is under-costed, grossly in our opinion. We challenge the Lord Mayor to sign a cost explosion indemnification agreement, guaranteeing that any cost overrun on the project ( over $1.5 BN) will be borne solely by BCC.

3.  Absolutely wrecks the inner-city busway network. Stops one station short of RBWH Hospital (to save costs?)

4.  Is very doubtful if Victoria Bridge can be used due to the significant weight of metro trains, track and electrical systems.

5.  Is not driverless as proposed (despite the comment in the news video). If changed to automatic then cost of stations etc. increases massively. Comparisons with Sydney Metro make this abundantly clear (3).

6.  State owns and controls the busway infrastructure.  It is unlikely that a State Government of any political persuasion would allow the busway system to be wrecked for a system that delivers less capacity than the current network!

7.  Proposed ' metro ' depot site is state owned and is actually earmarked for CRR.

The absolute minimum capacity for a train to reach the touted 30,000 passengers/hour quoted in election vote bait material is 750 passengers per train. The Lord Mayor is suggesting trains with a capacity 2.5x lower that is 300 passengers/train.

Bus reform http://tiny.cc/newnetwork is required, now. Bus network reform will allow time for a mature future vision and plan to be developed. Bus network reform is essentially cost neutral, we do not have to waste billions of dollars on pipe dream schemes.  Start bus network reform today!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. 7 News > https://twitter.com/7NewsQueensland/status/728156831143452673

2. Quirk ' Metro ' Capacity Calculation

1 hour = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds. World's best train throughput is a train every 90 seconds. 3600 seconds / 90 sec = 40 trains per hour.

Therefore 30,000 passengers/hour divided by 40 trains/hour = 750 passengers per train (absolute minimum).

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's Metro is 300 pax/train as proposed.

This means then if trains run every 90 seconds: 40 trains/hour x 300 pax/train = 12 000 passengers/hour (less than the current busway capacity).
Run every 2 minutes (as announced in election) 30 trains / hour x 300 pax/train = 9000 passengers/hour - a backward step for the network.

Even under the most extreme assumptions, the metro would have less capacity than the busway and be at capacity on opening day.

3. 26th March 2016 The Quirk ' Metro ' is a Quack Metro > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg172675#msg172675

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow now Brisbane, Queensland

Tonights movie: ' Montreal Metro's Azur's Inaugural Ride '

> ...

a real rubber tyre metro ping @Team_Quirk O_O

===============

[tazzer9]

Let them have a Business case analysis.   I just hope they get at least two different independent set of companies to do it.   LNP, especially in the BCC have been known to have favourable outcomes for political donors and vice versa. 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 7 hours ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @Team_Quirk 1/2 Time to think big.

A metro from Chermside <> 8MP with a branch to UQ ... 6 car trains 800 pax crush 1000 pax every 3 min

==============

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 7 hours ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @Team_Quirk gives 20000 pphpd ... fully automated could go to 2 min = 30000 pphpd ... that is what is needed ...

You're welcome!

[ozbob]

CRR is never going to happen, the last gasp for Brisbane might well be a proper metro.

[verbatim9]

Both will eventually evolve. Trevor Evans LNP candidate for Brisbane want funds for metro.   

[tazzer9]

The metro that quirk wants will never happen.   A real metro that uses some elements of quirks might happen, but the cbd busway alignment will never happen.

springwood - chermside is good if they use an entirely new tunnel between buranda and RBWH. 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th May 2016

Brisbane needs a real metro, not ducks!

Good Morning,

We have shown conclusively that the proposed Quirk Metro simply does not stack up.

For it to be a real long term transit solution Brisbane needs to have a metro with the capacity that well exceeds the present bus-ways and is future proofed.

A proper metro, running from Chermside through to Eight Mile Plains, that operates 6 car trains (minimum) with a pax capacity of 800 and crush pax capacity of 1000 running every 3 minutes would achieve 20,000 passengers per hour per direction.  If the system is fully automated (driverless) as it should be, the frequency could be 2 minutes which would give 30,000 passengers per hour per direction.  This is many times the capacity of the proposed Quirk Metro. A branch line could serve UQ at St Lucia.

This is the sort of capacity that is needed not the absurd toy metro floated during the BCC campaign. A functional metro system would need a new tunnel between Buranda and RBWH. Victoria Bridge is not suitable for a metro.

This is a major investment.  It would require committment from BCC, State and Federal Governments.

Cross River Rail is languishing.  We fear that when the present Labor Government goes, so will Cross River Rail.  To proceed with a ' half baked Quack metro ' will put Brisbane in the failed city class, a point it is teetering on now.

Careful thought and planning is needed.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Attached: [ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg174142#msg174142 ]

[#Metro]

A functional metro system would need a new tunnel between Buranda and RBWH. Victoria Bridge is not suitable for a metro.

A CRR tunnel would be about $5 BN and a separate metro tunnel probably the same.

Logical thing is to combine both into a single project done at once.

Hence double deck rail over rail tunnel.

There are options for trains on one deck and metro on another deck, or more interestingly, trains on one side of the deck, metro on the other side of the deck, which would give seamless direct cross platform transfer at any of the CRR CBD stations.

Want to go from a Gold Coast train to a chermside metro service? Simple, just walk across the platform at any CRR CBD station.

====

[ozbob]

I see little likelihood of a  ' combined ' approach with the present clowns sadly.

If, as I expect the QLD ALP Govt get turfed, the new QLD LNP Govt might, just might look at things a little differently.  I am not overly optimistic though.

At least we are putting it out there, there are real issues with the Quack Metro, Cross River Rail is presently a fantasy. Both are needed - a proper metro and CRR.  Setting up a CRR construction authority in the end does not guarantee anything.  It can be squashed as the TransLink Transit Authority was squashed.

[#Metro]

I see little likelihood of a  ' combined ' approach with the present clowns sadly.

If, as I expect the QLD ALP Govt get turfed, the new QLD LNP Govt might, just might look at things a little differently.  I am not overly optimistic though.

At least we are putting it out there, there are real issues with the Quack Metro, Cross River Rail is presently a fantasy. Both are needed - a proper metro and CRR.  Setting up a CRR construction authority in the end does not guarantee anything.  It can be squashed as the TransLink Transit Authority was squashed.

I like to see things in terms of a progress:

1. Opening the bus doors
2. Bus mini-reform
3. Bus reform (full and proper)
4. CRR / Metro.

At this stage of the game, we are not even at stage 1 yet. However, there is now a good chance of a change of government. BaT could make a come back and perhaps to accommodate Quirk, a modified BaT/CRR combined option would satisfy the needs of all stakeholders simultaneously.

A combined option makes financial sense (spreads the cost over all 3 stakeholders), engineering sense (single project done once more efficient than 2 separate projects) and political sense (state gov gets CRR, BCC gets metro, bus network forced to be reorganised).

As pointed out in other threads, "we can't do it, lack of funding" is not a valid response here. Long-term government bonds are at record low interest rates, and there are billions and billions locked up in Queensland Government assets that could be borrowed, leased or sold to release funding. And I haven't even got to the land tax reform revenue yet!

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 19th May 2016 page 15

Brisbane stumbling on transport plans

[tazzer9]

The double decked CCR and metro tunnel is so stupid.   If you want a double decked tunnel, make it two proper heavy rail decks.   The metro needs to be completely seperate from all other PT in brisbane.   Its isolation is its only advantage.

[Gazza]

Just on the double deck with cross platform  interchange (eg having metro/qr UP on one deck, and metro/QR DOWN on the lower deck, that doesn't work with a singe bore, because single bore tunnels have side platforms (Recall that was one main difference between CRR and BaT)

[#Metro]

Just on the double deck with cross platform  interchange (eg having metro/qr UP on one deck, and metro/QR DOWN on the lower deck, that doesn't work with a singe bore, because single bore tunnels have side platforms (Recall that was one main difference between CRR and BaT)

True. This is true for a single bore. They would have to go up/down an escalator.

If you want a double decked tunnel, make it two proper heavy rail decks.   The metro needs to be completely seperate from all other PT in brisbane.   Its isolation is its only advantage.

The busway is incompatible with QR heavy rail and would enforce narrow gauge on it, plus electrical overhead, probably 2 staff per train (non-automatic - $$$) etc.

A metro could be automatic with no staff on board, standard gauge, third rail (reliable) and tolerate the curves and grades of the busway.

In any case, at bare minimum, any metro would have to connect to Roma Street, Central, Valley or Bowen Hills. Roma St is the best out of all of those because it has the capacity for transferring pax (Central isn't big enough) and has busway access.

A metro would need to connect to Roma St - that limits the available alignments.

Having common CBD stations is an advantage and convenience, particularly when changing to other lines.

[petey3801]

Having a common CBD station is an advantage and convenience, particularly when changing to other lines.

Fixed.

[tazzer9]

Just on the double deck with cross platform  interchange (eg having metro/qr UP on one deck, and metro/QR DOWN on the lower deck, that doesn't work with a singe bore, because single bore tunnels have side platforms (Recall that was one main difference between CRR and BaT)

True. This is true for a single bore. They would have to go up/down an escalator.

If you want a double decked tunnel, make it two proper heavy rail decks.   The metro needs to be completely seperate from all other PT in brisbane.   Its isolation is its only advantage.

The busway is incompatible with QR heavy rail and would enforce narrow gauge on it, plus electrical overhead, probably 2 staff per train (non-automatic - $$$) etc.

A metro could be automatic with no staff on board, standard gauge, third rail (reliable) and tolerate the curves and grades of the busway.

In any case, at bare minimum, any metro would have to connect to Roma Street, Central, Valley or Bowen Hills. Roma St is the best out of all of those because it has the capacity for transferring pax (Central isn't big enough) and has busway access.

A metro would need to connect to Roma St - that limits the available alignments.

Having common CBD stations is an advantage and convenience, particularly when changing to other lines.

I don't agree with any busway being metro, I would support conversion of parts to metro grade light rail but thats about it.  Metro grade lieght rail is the only thing that would increase speeds and capacity.

[#Metro]

I don't agree with any busway being metro, I would support conversion of parts to metro grade light rail but thats about it.  Metro grade lieght rail is the only thing that would increase speeds and capacity.

Why?

The capacity minimum to reach 30 000 pphd is 750 pax per train. That would be 2 GCLRT trams tied together and then some.

LRT is not automated (at least at the moment). I'm not even sure if high capacity signalling is possible with LRT (i.e. 90 sec), at least off the shelf.

The minimum required peak capacity is 12 000 pphd for current peak  hour levels. You'd want some growth in that for future, so 20 000 pphd seems reasonable to go for, or higher.

[tazzer9]

New LRT on completed separated corridor probably won't be fully automated,  but it would be to a point of all a driver having to do is push a button to start the train, close the doors and make sure no one on the platform or outside the corridor does something stupid (throw stuff off overbridges etc).  If you left the busway north of the eastern busway turnoff alone, it would be easy to extend the platforms to say 120m.  Run 2x60m trains coupled in peak, off peak run only 1 60m train. 90 seconds in peak, 90 seconds in peak, 2 minutes off peak. You won't need 20,000 pphd capacity, since UQ and eastern suburbs are still served by the busway.

In the future hopefully our work culture will learn that jobs can exist outside the cbd and outside the hours of 9-5.  When decentralisation occurs, you will want more frequency over absolute capacity.  Which is why i hope quirks metro never takes off, because it perpetuates the problems with our work culture.  The government should be doing everything in their power to stop people going to work and study at 9am and leaving at 5pm. 

[#Metro]

If you left the busway north of the eastern busway turnoff alone, it would be easy to extend the platforms to say 120m.

I am not sure what you are trying to say here. How does this LRT get into the CBD?

[verbatim9]

Not sure if this has been posted from Brisbane Development as yet?
https://brisbanedevelopment.com/brisbane-city-council-propose-brisbane-metro/

[ozbob]

Not sure if this has been posted from Brisbane Development as yet?
https://brisbanedevelopment.com/brisbane-city-council-propose-brisbane-metro/

It was during the campaign.  That is just the BCC election proposal.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Metro: Lord Mayor warns of 'financial pain'

The Brisbane Metro, which formed the centrepiece of the Liberal National Party's 2016 council election campaign, will cause "financial pain" for the city, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk told an industry briefing on Wednesday.

Brisbane City Council will open the tender process to deliver the Metro's business case almost immediately, with the call going out for designers, engineers, bus network planners, along with financial and legal requirements.

The briefing on the project at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon attracted about 250 industry figures, which a council spokesman said was more than similar briefings held for the Bus and Train Tunnel (205), which has since been scrapped, and Kingsford Smith Drive (45).

Cr Quirk told the gathering the project, which was estimated to cost $1.54 billion, would be majority funded by the council.

While that was nothing new, Cr Quirk said he was under no illusion of what that could mean to the council's budget bottom line.

Brisbane City Council will open the tender process to deliver the Metro's business case almost immediately, with the call going out for designers, engineers, bus network planners, along with financial and legal requirements.

The briefing on the project at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon attracted about 250 industry figures, which a council spokesman said was more than similar briefings held for the Bus and Train Tunnel (205), which has since been scrapped, and Kingsford Smith Drive (45).

Cr Quirk told the gathering the project, which was estimated to cost $1.54 billion, would be majority funded by the council.

While that was nothing new, Cr Quirk said he was under no illusion of what that could mean to the council's budget bottom line.

"It will stretch council's resources, there's no question about that," he said.

"It comes with a bit of financial pain. It would be easy, however, for me to simply sit back and say 'well that's a state responsibility' and wash my hands of it.

"I'm just not prepared to do that."

But Cr Quirk said he could yet go to the state and federal governments to seek funding, but not before the business case was completed.

"I've indicated already that, as a local authority, we will fund the majority of that," he said.

"...That doesn't mean I won't be having conversations with people, absolutely not, I will be keeping people informed at a federal and state level as we go down the track with the business case.

"Indeed, state government representatives will be involved in the development of the business case and it's essential that they are because it is within state infrastructure this project is being built."

Cr Quirk said it would require "a level of goodwill, cooperation and common sense" between the different levels of government to deliver the project.

Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Brisbane Metro would be delivered relatively cheaply because it would repurpose existing infrastructure.

"If you were starting a Brisbane Metro system from scratch, you could easily spend 10, 15 or 20 billion dollars," he said.

"But we've already had significant investment in the busway network.

"Groups like Infrastructure Australia are looking for opportunities whereby existing infrastructure can be used more efficiently and we see this project sliding into that category in particular."

But Labor opposition leader Peter Cumming said the briefing was "vague and lacking in detail" and showed it was still unclear how much it would ultimately end up costing ratepayers.

"What happens if state and federal funding can't be obtained?" he said.

"Is council going to be prepared to pay 100 per cent? I think that would be a very heavy burden on the ratepayers of this city."

Cr Cumming said he would be interested to know what people thought of the project

"It'll be interesting to see what people will make of that. It's alright for him to say it at briefings at that, but we need to make sure everyone in Brisbane hears that and can decide for themselves whether it's worthwhile."

A memo from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, leaked at the height of the council election campaign, warned the project could blow out to as much as $3 billion.

But Cr Quirk's office rubbished that suggestion, which it said had been leaked for political gain.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th May 2016

The Quirk Metro is seriously flawed - time for bus network reform

Good Morning,

We note that Lord Mayor Quirk is intent on proceeding with the flawed Metro Proposal.

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Metro: Lord Mayor warns of 'financial pain'

This a seriously flawed project as proposed. The business case will confirm that.

Problems with the Quirk ' Metro ' as proposed:

1.  Delivers less capacity than the present busways - fatal flaw.

2.  Is under-costed, grossly in our opinion. We challenge the Lord Mayor to sign a cost explosion indemnification agreement, guaranteeing that any cost overrun on the project ( over $1.5 BN) will be borne solely by BCC.

3.  Absolutely wrecks the inner-city busway network. Stops one station short of RBWH Hospital (to save costs?)

4.  Is very doubtful if Victoria Bridge can be used due to the significant weight of metro trains, track and electrical systems.

5.  Is not driverless as proposed. If changed to automatic then cost of stations etc. increases massively. Comparisons with Sydney Metro make this abundantly clear.

6.  State owns and controls the busway infrastructure.  It is unlikely that a State Government of any political persuasion would allow the busway system to be wrecked for a system that delivers less capacity than the current network!

7.  Proposed ' metro ' depot site is state owned and is actually earmarked for CRR.

Team Quirk has failed to provide  detailed responses to these problems.  They are in cloud cuckoo land!

Our Transport authorities and other transport experts have pointed out the Quirk Metro as proposed is a nonsense.

There is no way a competent State Government should or would allow Brisbane to be put into the failed city class.  Time to remove all public transport responsibility from BCC.

It is alarming that the State Government and others generally fail to enter the public space to critically examine this seriously flawed proposal.

Meanwhile Brisbane bus network just gets worse.  Brisbane Transport cannot even meet the minimum performance standards for bus, despite the class A busway network.

Bus network reform will deliver much improvement in the overall public transport network at near neutral cost.   There is no need to waste billions of dollars on a pipe-dream.

Sadly both the State Labor and State LNP parties lack the political courage to stand up to BCC and direct that bus network reform be commenced.

It would appear they are happy to see public transport in Brisbane and SEQ wrecked!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

Brisbanetimes --> State memo warns Quirk's Metro could cost $3 billion

[ Attached: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11952.msg174142#msg174142 ]

[ozbob]

The State Government is publicly silent on this travesty.

Credit to A/Prof Matt Burke for pointing out some of the issues with it - particularly the network issues.

History will show we have been correct in pointing out the serious deficiencies with this proposal.

It joins a growing list of fantasy projects that  LM Quirk has  supported viz.  Brisbane bus tunnel, Cleveland Solution, BaT tunnel. 

[verbatim9]

Does that mean rates will have to go up to compensate ?

[ozbob]

Does that mean rates will have to go up to compensate ?

If it ever went ahead.  Real cost is going to $3 billion plus at least.  I cannot see it happening as proposed, it is simply too flawed.

[#Metro]

Does that mean rates will have to go up to compensate ?

I doubt BCC can afford this. $3BN is its whole budget IIRC. That would put BCC into 100% debt.

For something that reduces busway capacity, I think the Auditor-General would have a field day.

My guess is that they will try to kill the proposal by dumping it if Graham Quirk were to retire from BCC a la Ted Baillieu (VIC) style

(he promised basically rail everywhere in an election, none was built of course) OR they figure out a way to dump the cost on the

QLD Gov't and Federal Govt.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 5m

Automated rubber tyre metro, the real thing FYI @Team_Quirk

>> ... M2 Lausanne #qldpol

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor warns of Brisbane Metro 'financial pain' rates hike

Brisbane City Council's Labor opposition has warned of an upcoming rates hike to pay for the Liberal National Party administration's planned $1.54 billion Brisbane Metro public transport system.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk told a Brisbane Metro industry briefing on Wednesday the project would come with some "financial pain" for the council.

"It will stretch council's resources, there's no question about that," he said.

Labor opposition leader Peter Cumming seized on those remarks and said they pointed to the prospect of a rates hike.

"Quirk hid this massive rates hit from Brisbane residents before the election," he said.

"After yesterday's briefing, we can be quite sure that the Metro will place an unreasonable burden on ratepayers, who will be picking up the tab."

Cr Cumming said there was no talk of "financial pain" in the lead-up to the March 19 election.

"(Cr Quirk) promised on election eve that rates rises would be kept low, but now we find out that the city will have to borrow billions to fund Graham Quirk's folly," he said.


But Cr Quirk said Cr Cumming was running a Labor "scare campaign" and that the high cost of delivering the Brisbane Metro was a necessity.

"Major infrastructure such as the Brisbane Metro would normally be the job of a state government, but since the state government has no intention of fixing our city's bus congestion issues, I'm getting on with the job," he said.

"There will be some financial pain in order to deliver the Brisbane Metro, however, I intend to keep any future rate rises as minimal as possible.

"This administration has done it before and we will do it again, we have a strong track record of funding and delivering major infrastructure for this city."

Cr Quirk said Cr Cumming was simply trying to make a name for himself in his new role as Labor leader in the council chamber.

"This is nothing more than another Labor scare campaign, designed to garner some publicity for the brand new Leader of the opposition, in the long lead-in to the council budget," he said.

Cr Quirk's 2016-17 council budget was due to be handed down on June 15.