Public transport policies for #qldvotes2020

[ozbob]

Please add policies you would like see political parties and independents address leading up to the state election in October 2020.
We need to get in early when policy formulation is occurring.

Some for a start.

1.  Bus reform and service improvement particularly in outer regions - TransLink is starved of service funding.

2.  Public Transport Ombudsman Queensland.

3.  Commitment to sort out TransLink twitter service disruptions.

4.  Further roll out of ETCS signalling on the Citytrain network ( additional to present commitments).

5.  Commitment to acceleration in level crossing removal (grade separation).

6.  Shuttle rail services ( at least 5 per day ) between Nambour and Gympie North. 

7.  Implementation of the services promised in 2016 for the Nambour line services.

8.  All door boarding, at least on busway and BUZ routes.

9.  Removal of ad-wrap from the windows of public transport vehicles.

10.  Implement a proper bridge strike prevention program.

11.  Public Transport Queensland - stand alone statutory authority.

[#Metro]

12. R1 north and south

13. Commission of Inquiry into the merits (or lack thereof) of placing Queensland Rail and BCC buses to an open and competitive tender

14. Default TOD zoning around PT stations (rail, light rail, bus)

[achiruel]

I think we need land use as a major policy. Now, I realise it doesn't sound transport-oriented at first bite, but it is so important to successful PT policy.

Population densities of major capital city metro areas:

Brisbane: 145/km²
Perth: 317/km²
Sydney: 400/km²
Melbourne: 453/km²

Source: http://www.population.net.au/brisbane-population/
(I've checked around a few other places and the figures seem about right ± 5. If anyone knows how to extract the official census figures, feel free to do so).

We are up against it constantly without an increase in population density, particularly in rail and busway corridors. There were locals kicking up a stink around Sandgate recently because BCC wanted to zone the area around the station for increased density (low-medium, 3 stories). NIMBYism is alive and well, which is why we've ended up with suburbs like Yarrabilba and Flagstone. Enough is enough - no more urban sprawl!

The State Government needs to stop turning SEQ into a clone of Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, although even that has a higher density than Brisbane!

[verbatim9]

I think we need land use as a major policy. Now, I realise it doesn't sound transport-oriented at first bite, but it is so important to successful PT policy.

Population densities of major capital city metro areas:

Brisbane: 145/km²
Perth: 317/km²
Sydney: 400/km²
Melbourne: 453/km²

Source: http://www.population.net.au/brisbane-population/
(I've checked around a few other places and the figures seem about right ± 5. If anyone knows how to extract the official census figures, feel free to do so).

We are up against it constantly without an increase in population density, particularly in rail and busway corridors. There were locals kicking up a stink around Sandgate recently because BCC wanted to zone the area around the station for increased density (low-medium, 3 stories). NIMBYism is alive and well, which is why we've ended up with suburbs like Yarrabilba and Flagstone. Enough is enough - no more urban sprawl!

The State Government needs to stop turning SEQ into a clone of Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, although even that has a higher density than Brisbane!

^^Definitely higher density. What's been happening over the last few years with new  land releases is incredible. It should be high density up to 20 stories from Kedron to Indooroopilly and out to Coorparoo. More Green sustainable buildings.

[ozbob]

From https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13768.0

Sent to all outlets:

3rd November 2019

SEQ heavy rail infrastructure backlog ...

Good Morning,

The backlog in heavy rail projects in SEQ continues to worsen.   Cross River Rail alone will not deliver the rail services that will be needed to provide sustainable accessible public transport.  Below is a list of projects that need acceleration.  We will be looking for real commitments to getting a lot of these past the 'line on paper' stage to actuality during the forthcoming state election.

Consider ..

1.  Sunshine Coast line  duplication north of Beerburrum, a decade behind now.

2.  CAMCOS ( Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study ) - nothing but a line on a piece of paper.

3.  Salisbury to Beaudesert commuter rail.  In limbo since 2010.

4.  Springfield Central - Ripley - Ipswich rail extension. A project being championed by Ipswich City Council.

5.  Cleveland line duplication.

6.   ATP (automatic train protection) for entire Citytrain network.

7.   DDA station compliance - often half baked when done, e.g. partial platform raising, progress very slow.  DDA compliance deadline will not be met.

8.   Rollingstock, sufficient numbers, even with the 75 NGR trains?

9.   Kuraby to Beenleigh upgrade. How will 5 minute peak services on the Gold Coast line be achievable unless there is track capacity improvement?

10.  Level crossing removals. Stagnation since 2014. As train frequency increases there will be road network chaos at peak times unless removal is stepped up.

11.  Inland freight line - Acacia Ridge to the Port of Brisbane?

12.  Doomben line duplication - Hamilton extension.  Fifty years behind.

13.  Gold Coast line extension to Coolangatta  Gold Coast Airport.

The above list is not a priority list, but a general list of the network shortfalls.   It does not paint a bright picture for progress does it?

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

[Gazza]

I think we need land use as a major policy. Now, I realise it doesn't sound transport-oriented at first bite, but it is so important to successful PT policy.

Population densities of major capital city metro areas:

Brisbane: 145/km²
Perth: 317/km²
Sydney: 400/km²
Melbourne: 453/km²

Source: http://www.population.net.au/brisbane-population/
(I've checked around a few other places and the figures seem about right ± 5. If anyone knows how to extract the official census figures, feel free to do so).

We are up against it constantly without an increase in population density, particularly in rail and busway corridors. There were locals kicking up a stink around Sandgate recently because BCC wanted to zone the area around the station for increased density (low-medium, 3 stories). NIMBYism is alive and well, which is why we've ended up with suburbs like Yarrabilba and Flagstone. Enough is enough - no more urban sprawl!

The State Government needs to stop turning SEQ into a clone of Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, although even that has a higher density than Brisbane!

We need to be cautious how they have calculated....Eg does the Brisbane stat include Moreton island?

[SurfRail]

I don't believe that "Brisbane" is less dense than "Perth" for a minute.

You need to use the ABS stats for the SUAs to get a proper picture (ie ignoring huge swathes of open area like national park or remote islands).  Even then you need to probably make some allowance for different areas.

Also, GCLR3A for the list.

[aldonius]

The correct stat for much of this is population-weighted density. Instead of asking "What density is the average parcel of land?" ask "What density does the average person live at?".

I don't see RRR as a priority for this electoral cycle, there's way too much other stuff to be getting on with. "Start preliminary planning" is enough for now.

Zoning is largely up to the Councils in March, unless the State govt wants to wade in there.

As an aside, levels-of-government issues are arguably the core driver for much of Aussie urban dysfunction. the Feds control the population-growth levers and politics complicates the funding they kick in; the States have to build most of the schools, hospitals and transport; and the Councils handle a lot of the zoning.

[verbatim9]

I don't believe that "Brisbane" is less dense than "Perth" for a minute.

You need to use the ABS stats for the SUAs to get a proper picture (ie ignoring huge swathes of open area like national park or remote islands).  Even then you need to probably make some allowance for different areas.

Also, GCLR3A for the list.

I was going to mention that as well that it seems strange for Perth to be more dense then Brisbane. Must be the Moreton Island thing? Maybe the housing blocks are smaller there? But when I visited earlier this year it felt like a regional city and its been classified by the Federal Government as regional to entice people to settle there.

[aldonius]

This is my gold standard for thinking about urban density in Australia.

https://chartingtransport.com/2019/04/21/how-is-density-changing-in-australian-cities-2nd-edition/

Brisbane's a bit over 20 persons/hectare, Perth is a bit under, Wollongong and then Adelaide are in between. Melbourne's in the 30s and Sydney in the 40s.

For international comparisons, see

https://chartingtransport.com/2015/11/26/comparing-the-densities-of-australian-and-european-cities/

[SurfRail]

Canberra-Queanbeyan overtaking Gold Coast-Tweed doesn't surprise me, all the Geocon / Doma stuff going up in Civic and around the light rail corridor is the main driver for that.  More of that would be residential than the average Gold Coast tower project which are often just lettings.  Also, Canberra has more well-defined town centres than we do.

Also unsurprised by the Gong being denser than Adelaide.  They are both hard up against an escarpment/range, but Adelaide isn't as constrained and the relative CBD footprints are very different.  The Wollongong CBD seriously feels busier than Adelaide.

[verbatim9]

Canberra-Queanbeyan overtaking Gold Coast-Tweed doesn't surprise me, all the Geocon / Doma stuff going up in Civic and around the light rail corridor is the main driver for that.  More of that would be residential than the average Gold Coast tower project which are often just lettings.  Also, Canberra has more well-defined town centres than we do.

Also unsurprised by the Gong being denser than Adelaide.  They are both hard up against an escarpment/range, but Adelaide isn't as constrained and the relative CBD footprints are very different.  The Wollongong CBD seriously feels busier than Adelaide.

Canberra is going "Gang Busters" in relation to infill. Yes, they are lucky due to the previous design of the place that mini town centres are more prevalent.

If Council was smart new town centres could be created here in Bne in existing locations like Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chermside,  Lutwyche, Upper Mount Gravatt, Coorparoo and Carindale. It's happening a bit but very slow. Plus the building heights are still inadequate. More 20 storey buildings are needed with a mix of office, residential and retail. A mass transit corridor (Tram, BRT or Metro) is also needed out to Indooroopilly via West end and UQ and St Lucia. It would be very successful as this corridor would run through the most densely populated areas in Bne. The tunnel under Melbourne street South Brisbane is a start in the right direction.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New ban on Brisbane townhouses, apartments

Brisbane City Council is about to rezone a massive parcel of land, effectively shutting down new plans for townhouses and apartments in some areas.

THE construction of apartments and townhouses in Brisbane's low-density neighbourhoods is set to be officially banned under a range of sweeping changes that will also protect the heritage-listed Lamb House.

The council will move to introduce a raft of reforms to the City Plan at today's meeting as it pushes ahead with a bid to safeguard the character of neighbourhoods and protect parts of Brisbane's heritage.

The Courier-Mail can reveal that this will include rezoning a massive 40ha of land across the city so that its primary use is for low-density residential buildings, preventing apartments from being built on the land. The rezoning will make it harder for ­developers to apply for commercial developments.

The 40ha, which is ­currently classified as "emerging community", is spread across 54 parcels of land in suburbs such as Kenmore, Mansfield, Belmont, Carindale and ­Sunnybank.

City Planning chair Matthew Bourke told The Courier-Mail they wanted to give residents certainty that they could expect one or two-storey homes on those blocks of land.

Not all emerging community land will be rezoned.

The council will also today vote to ban townhouse and apartment developments in all low-density residential areas across Brisbane.

It follows months of ­consultation, where some concerns were raised about the impact that the reforms could have on housing affordability and diversity.

Cr Bourke said they had received "very strong feedback" from residents that they wanted less townhouses in areas that were meant for one or two story homes.

"They want areas in those outer suburbs in particular that are one and two-storey homes to remain that way with that particular character and feel," he said. "They'd like to see density and growth in the city happening around major transport corridors and transport nodes."

Lamb House at Kangaroo Point is also to be given ­better safeguards, with the land it sits on to be rezoned so that it reflects current temporary protections.

More than 60 significant trees and 27 newly identified pre-1911 home are set to be added to the City Plan as well.

Carparking space requirements in suburban areas will also be adjusted, making it mandatory for apartments with two bedrooms to have two carparking spaces – up from the current requirement of 1.25 spaces. A three-bedroom unit will also require two car spaces while units with four or more bedrooms will need 2.5 spaces.

Several other changes, including the rezoning of emerging community land, will require further community consultation, as well as State Government approval before they can formally be introduced to the City Plan. Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy described the changes as the "longest mea culpa in Brisbane's planning history" and said that they were an attempt from the LNP to reinvent themselves before an election.

Cr Bourke hit back, claiming the Opposition had "no ideas and no vision".

Alderley mother of eight-year-old twins Alexis and ­Oliver Taylor, Naomi Dorland said preserving back yards was vital for children's health and development.

"I'm all about back yards," she said. "We're lucky to have one as big as we do."

Having already lost some view due to development in her suburb, she said the changes were more than welcome.

[achiruel]

Yay, let's do our best to create an even more car-dependent city! 

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 5th July 2020 page 18

Free rides plan ferry helpful for students

[verbatim9]

Sunday Mail 5th July 2020 page 18

Free rides plan ferry helpful for students

There is an opportunity to redesign the fare system for all users Statewide by reintroducing weekend, weekly and monthly caps with smart ticketing. This will encourage off peak trips and help bust congestion. #publictransport #Queensland #TransLinkSEQ #lnpqld #railbotforum

https://twitter.com/verbatim18/status/1279607806753042435

[verbatim9]

I am not a big fan of bandaid solutions in regards to the fare system by offering incentives to sub groups while the regular punter pays more in the long run.

The current incentives of 50% off for seniors and students is well adequate and with the potential of the reintroduction of capping those sub groups will be well catered for.

[verbatim9]

Despite ongoing congestion in NSW the capping system is very popular. Having something similar in place here, especially on weekends, would really help out people catching Public Transport.

[James]

Bus network reform & a proper CRR plan are what is required, but that's too difficult to expand and will just lead to the ALP yelling about 'cuts' for the entire election campaign.

Less convinced about paying Uni students $500 a year for transport, particularly if it goes on fuel. Uni students in PT-less areas should drive to the nearest station / frequent service and go from there, not be paid for fuel. Ideally, this would take the form of a subsidised (or free) 'transit pass' for students, like they have in other countries.

But it is a good start. If the LNP win, hopefully this plan is refined further.

[Andrew]

There is an opportunity to redesign the fare system for all users Statewide by reintroducing weekend, weekly and monthly caps with smart ticketing. This will encourage off peak trips and help bust congestion. #publictransport #Queensland #TransLinkSEQ #lnpqld #railbotforum

https://twitter.com/verbatim18/status/1279607806753042435

Absolutely agree.

[achiruel]

Less convinced about paying Uni students $500 a year for transport, particularly if it goes on fuel. Uni students in PT-less areas should drive to the nearest station / frequent service and go from there, not be paid for fuel. Ideally, this would take the form of a subsidised (or free) 'transit pass' for students, like they have in other countries.

How do you make it equitable for students who go to universities that are very poorly serviced by public transport, though?

I'm thinking of e.g. Toowoomba where services run hourly and finish before 6pm, and probably similar (or worse) services to othe rregional unis.

[Jonno]

Frequency and span of services plus cheaper fairs in peak is a must The list from 2019 just shows how car centric the infrastructure spend in SEQ particularly is!! Neither major party will say that they need to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport before cars. They still think more of the same is going to work!! The list from 2019 above must be the SEQ priority not more bloody freeways!! And they think we can host the Ympics with more of the same!!

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> LNP's bold election promise to deliver free public transport

SENIORS and students could have free access to public transport after the LNP made a bold election promise should it win power when Queenslanders hit the polls in October.

The LNP said it would introduce free off-peak travel for all seniors across the Citytrain network, which stretches from Gympie to the Gold Coast and inland to Ipswich, in a bid to alleviate road congestion.

Students starting full-time university and TAFE courses across Queensland will also be given $500 vouchers to pay for bus or train fares – or petrol if they live in areas lacking public transport.

SENIORS and students could have free access to public transport after the LNP made a bold election promise should it win power when Queenslanders hit the polls in October.

The LNP said it would introduce free off-peak travel for all seniors across the Citytrain network, which stretches from Gympie to the Gold Coast and inland to Ipswich, in a bid to alleviate road congestion.

Students starting full-time university and TAFE courses across Queensland will also be given $500 vouchers to pay for bus or train fares – or petrol if they live in areas lacking public transport.

"My plan will get more Queenslanders off the roads and create more capacity on peak-hour trains by encouraging travel at less crowded times," LNP leader Deb Frecklington said.

Under the LNP travel plan, seniors would be offered free travel on the Citytrain network between 8.30am and 3.30pm and between 7pm and 6am, as well as all-day on weekends and public holidays.

The scheme would cost an estimated $2.7m a year.

Student travel vouchers would be available to those starting new full-time courses to encourage them to defer car purchases and use public transport instead.

The two-year trial scheme would cost $5m a year.

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said like any promise, budgets need to be taken into consideration.

"I guess like any promise the LNP has made, they have to say where the money is coming from and how it's going to affect the existing budgets for Queensland Rail," he said.

"I'd like to see the time period that peak hour trains operate be extended from the short period they operate now, so we could have more peak hour trains."

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the government already covers about 80 per cent of the cost of every bus, tram, ferry and train ticket.

"The LNP's so-called 'congestion busting' policy will only apply during off-peak – it won't benefit anyone who wants to travel on public transport during normal commuting times," she said.

"Students who are already enrolled or who only study part time will miss out too because the student travel vouchers will only be given to new students starting full-time courses next year or the year after."

Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum echoed his fellow Labor members'comments.

"Seniors and university students already have access to concession fairs on public transport, under the scheme we introduced back in 2016 to make public transport fairs fairer," Mr McCallum said.

[achiruel]

Whether or not seniors should receive free off-peak travel is a perhaps a matter of equity, but to pretend that giving free travel to seniors travelling off-peak when the majority of road congestion occurs during peak hours is just ridiculous. Another brain fart from the LNP.

As an aside, it seems the cuts at the QT included proofreaders. public transport 'fairs' 

[aldonius]

The usual point of making off peak travel FREE!!1!1!! is to try and shift as much demand as possible out of peak.

[SurfRail]

I think the fact it talks about train fares and not public transport fares is evidence of how divorced from the situation on the ground the parties are.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th July 2020

Time to Prioritise Active & Public Transport not waste taxes on More Freeways

With a Queensland State election approaching in October 2020, RAIL Back On Track Members again highlight that active and public transport in SEQ (around 20-25% of trips) lags way behind the rest of the world and the rail and busway network has seen limited additional additional capacity or improvement over the last decade.

At the same time freeways across the region continue to be widened or extended resulting in more congestion on top of more congestion (1).  Trying to "bust" congestion by building additional road capacity is wasting more and more tax payer money whilst active and public transport remain well behind leading cities from around the world.

Every trip by car that should be by active or public transport (upward of 60% of trips) is costing a minimum of 6 times in tax payer subsidies (2) for the same economic benefit.

RAIL Back On Track calls on the major political parties and the RACQ to stop proposing "congestion busting" urban freeway projects in the upcoming Queensland election and instead announce major significant public transport and supporting active transport investment including:   

1. Sunshine Coast line amplification - Beerburrum to Nambour, a decade behind now.

2. CAMCOS (Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study) to Sunshine Coast Airport - almost 20 years ago.

3. Trouts Road (NWTC) line - maximising the potential of CRR/SEQ Fast Rail.

4. Salisbury to Beaudesert commuter rail.  In limbo since 2010.

5. Springfield Central - Ripley - Ipswich rail extension. A project being championed by Ipswich City Council.

6. Cleveland line duplication. A project being championed by Redland City Council.

7. DDA/DSAPT station compliance and station upgrades - progress slow.  Compliance deadline will not be met.

8. Rollingstock, sufficient numbers, even with the 75 NGR trains?

9. Beenleigh/Gold Cost line upgrades.

10. Level crossing removals. Stagnation since 2014.

11. Doomben line duplication - Hamilton extension.  Fifty years overdue.

12. Gold Coast heavy rail line extension to Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport. Gold Coast light rail extensions.

13. Busways to Capalaba and Bracken Ridge, with fast tracked bus-priority on road transit lanes in the interim.

14. Busway Extension to Loganholme.

15. Bus Network Redesign incorporating Brisbane Metro.

16. Northern Busway between Herston and Windsor.

Study after plan after study is completed on the rail network but the investment continues towards freeways and tunnels despite their known health impacts (3,4) and damaging effects on our cities (5). COVID-19 has shown the region the benefits of less cars on the road and we do not have to return to 'normal' if we prioritise walking, cycling, public transport and freight before the car. (6)

After decades of trying to out build congestion, this change in priority will require an open and honest discussion with the public similar to Toronto's "Feeling Congested" campaign. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30tauq

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://t4america.org/maps-tools/congestion-con/
2. https://thediscourse.ca/scarborough/full-cost-commute
3. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/health-risks-for-those-living-within-500m-of-main-roads-20100619-yo2h.html
4. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/25/living-near-busy-road-stunts-childrens-lung-growth-study-says
5. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Increasing-density-in-Australia-Evidence-Review-2012.pdf
6. https://denver.streetsblog.org/2017/02/09/brent-toderian-dont-balance-modes-prioritize-walking-biking-and-transit/

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1282691456298135552

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Services increase on SEQ network, but group calls for more infrastructure

105 train services will be added to the South East Queensland (SEQ) public transport network on weekdays from August 10, to support safe travel.

The train services are in addition to almost 1,000 extra bus services as the state welcomes commuters back to public transport.

"We have no community transmission here and active cases are in single digits, so our buses, trains, trams and ferries are safe," said Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

Patronage is down on the network by about 50 per cent compared to the same time last year, however the state is expecting an increase with universities reopening and office workers returning to the CBD. Currently about 330,000 trips are made a day on the public transport network.

"We don't expect those numbers to immediately climb back to where they were before COVID-19 arrived but we still want to spread passengers out as much as we can, and these extra services will help do that," said Bailey.

"This boost to morning and afternoon peak services will add almost 58,000 extra seats on buses and trains."

While the increase in bus services are a trial, the extra train services will be permanent across seven lines. Services will run every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon on the Beenleigh, Caboolture, Cleveland, Ipswich, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe, and Springfrield lines.

Queensland is still encouraging passengers to spread their commute where possible outside of the peaks and as part of its COVID-19 Safe Public Transport Plan is installing hand sanitiser stations at all train stations.

The Queensland government has been encouraging passengers to use active transport and public transport as part of the "Reboot your commute" campaign, however Robert Dow from RAIL Back on Track said that active and public transport in South East Queensland remained low by international standards.

"RAIL Back On Track calls on the major political parties and the RACQ to stop proposing 'congestion busting' urban freeway projects in the upcoming Queensland election and instead announce major significant public transport and supporting active transport investment," said Dow.

Dow listed 16 initiatives across SEQ, including some such as the Beerburrum to Nambour and Salisbury to Beaudesert commuter rail upgrades which have been languishing for 10 years or more.

[Stillwater]

The federal-state-council City Deal has been postponed until after the election.  It will happen in early 2021.  Could the state government please release its preferred list of infrastructure projects it is prepared to fund in conjunction with the Commonwealth and SEQ councils as part of the City Deal joint funding package?  Since the LNP is convinced it will win in October, what does it want to negotiate to be in the City Deal they would sign?

[ozbob]

The federal-state-council City Deal has been postponed until after the election.  It will happen in early 2021.  Could the state government please release its preferred list of infrastructure projects it is prepared to fund in conjunction with the Commonwealth and SEQ councils as part of the City Deal joint funding package?  Since the LNP is convinced it will win in October, what does it want to negotiate to be in the City Deal they would sign?

For SEQ City Deal discussion see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13238.msg238034#msg238034

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Up to Twice as Many Jobs by Investing in Active & Public Transport

23rd July 2020

With Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington outlining her vision to get shovels in the ground and people in jobs, starting with the plan to improve traffic for the 100,000 people who take the Centenary Highway each day, RAIL Back On Track Members again highlight that widening freeways will simply create more congestion not "bust" it (1).  Every trip by car that should be by active or public transport (upward of 60% of trips) is costing the tax payer a minimum of 6 times more in subsidies (2) for the same economic benefit.

Research out of the US by Smart Growth America (3) noted that if countries spent as much federal stimulus money on public transportation as was spent on highways, they would have created twice as much work and put a bigger dent in the unemployment rate. The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials also found that greenway, sidewalks and bicycle facilities generated almost 40% more jobs that widening roads.(4)

There are also significant health impacts for those living around major roads, particularly children, and this impact is being totally ignored (5).

So investing in more freeways and major road expansions creates more congestion, generates half as many jobs, increases the health risk for those living nearby and requires more tax payer subsidies year in year out.  That's a Lose-Lose-Lose-Lose situation.

RAIL Back On Track again calls on the major political parties to stop proposing "congestion busting" urban freeway projects in the upcoming Queensland election and instead announce major significant public transport and supporting active transport investment.

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

References:

1. http://t4america.org/maps-tools/congestion-con/
2. https://thediscourse.ca/scarborough/full-cost-commute
3. https://www.wired.com/2010/01/jobs-for-main-street-act/
4. https://smartgrowth.org/pedaling-through-pandemic-how-e-cycling-can-keep-post-covid-cities-moving/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/25/living-near-busy-road-stunts-childrens-lung-growth-study-says

Sent to all outlets:

14th July 2020

Time to Prioritise Active & Public Transport not waste taxes on More Freeways

With a Queensland State election approaching in October 2020, RAIL Back On Track Members again highlight that active and public transport in SEQ (around 20-25% of trips) lags way behind the rest of the world and the rail and busway network has seen limited additional additional capacity or improvement over the last decade.

At the same time freeways across the region continue to be widened or extended resulting in more congestion on top of more congestion (1).  Trying to "bust" congestion by building additional road capacity is wasting more and more tax payer money whilst active and public transport remain well behind leading cities from around the world.

Every trip by car that should be by active or public transport (upward of 60% of trips) is costing a minimum of 6 times in tax payer subsidies (2) for the same economic benefit.

RAIL Back On Track calls on the major political parties and the RACQ to stop proposing "congestion busting" urban freeway projects in the upcoming Queensland election and instead announce major significant public transport and supporting active transport investment including:   

1. Sunshine Coast line amplification - Beerburrum to Nambour, a decade behind now.

2. CAMCOS (Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study) to Sunshine Coast Airport - almost 20 years ago.

3. Trouts Road (NWTC) line - maximising the potential of CRR/SEQ Fast Rail.

4. Salisbury to Beaudesert commuter rail.  In limbo since 2010.

5. Springfield Central - Ripley - Ipswich rail extension. A project being championed by Ipswich City Council.

6. Cleveland line duplication. A project being championed by Redland City Council.

7. DDA/DSAPT station compliance and station upgrades - progress slow.  Compliance deadline will not be met.

8. Rollingstock, sufficient numbers, even with the 75 NGR trains?

9. Beenleigh/Gold Cost line upgrades.

10. Level crossing removals. Stagnation since 2014.

11. Doomben line duplication - Hamilton extension.  Fifty years overdue.

12. Gold Coast heavy rail line extension to Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport. Gold Coast light rail extensions.

13. Busways to Capalaba and Bracken Ridge, with fast tracked bus-priority on road transit lanes in the interim.

14. Busway Extension to Loganholme.

15. Bus Network Redesign incorporating Brisbane Metro.

16. Northern Busway between Herston and Windsor.

Study after plan after study is completed on the rail network but the investment continues towards freeways and tunnels despite their known health impacts (3,4) and damaging effects on our cities (5). COVID-19 has shown the region the benefits of less cars on the road and we do not have to return to 'normal' if we prioritise walking, cycling, public transport and freight before the car. (6)

After decades of trying to out build congestion, this change in priority will require an open and honest discussion with the public similar to Toronto's "Feeling Congested" campaign. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30tauq

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://t4america.org/maps-tools/congestion-con/
2. https://thediscourse.ca/scarborough/full-cost-commute
3. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/health-risks-for-those-living-within-500m-of-main-roads-20100619-yo2h.html
4. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/25/living-near-busy-road-stunts-childrens-lung-growth-study-says
5. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Increasing-density-in-Australia-Evidence-Review-2012.pdf
6. https://denver.streetsblog.org/2017/02/09/brent-toderian-dont-balance-modes-prioritize-walking-biking-and-transit/

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1286196291609845761

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 2nd August 2020 page 25

LNP Vow to board bus plan

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/1296619192917979136

[achiruel]

Yeah, that's what we need, no improvements to feeder buses just MOAR CARPARKS!!! 

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Light Rail Prediction: LNP promises business case for western route, labelled 'diabolical' by Mark Bailey

THE LNP is promising to launch a business case which will see light rail on a western route heading south from Varsity Lakes along the heavy rail corridor to the Gold Coast Airport.

But the election promise, to undertake the research as part of the Stage 4 light rail business case, made by leader Deb Frecklington with Burleigh MP Michael Hart and Currumbin MP Laura Gerber, has been ridiculed by Labor.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey told The Bulletin the government's research showed there was not enough room for both transport modes in the corridor next to the M1.

"The question there is only way to get heavy rail from Varsity Lakes to the airport and that is along the allocated and protected heavy rail corridor," he said.

"There going to use that for light rail and now they're saying for heavy rail as well. The only way will be to resume hundreds and hundreds of houses.

"Look at the map. So their policy confusion on this is diabolical. There is only one plan that works — light rail on the Gold Coast Highway, heavy rail in the corridor, M1 upgrades all working together. The LNP policy makes no sense whatsoever."

Earlier in the Coast today, Ms Frecklington labelled the heavy rail connection the "missing piece" for the Gold Coast's transport needs and took aim at the Labor Government.

"There is already an existing heavy rail corridor to the Gold Coast Airport and it's bizarre that Labor's business case will ignore it," she said.

"Labor's lack of planning has held back the Gold Coast for years. The LNP's business case will put all the options on the table and deliver a public transport system that busts congestion and creates jobs."

Mr Hart said developing a plan for heavy rail would enable all potential routes for light rail Stage 4 to be fully considered.

"The LNP's approach will deliver a plan that busts congestion, meets local needs and improves connectivity between the airport, the Gold Coast and Brisbane," he said.

[SurfRail]

Idiots.