18 Aug 2007: Brisbane: Ferny Grove Line Passenger Congestion

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track - Media Release 18 August 2007

Brisbane: Ferny Grove Line Passenger Congestion

RAIL ? Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has called for additional Citytrain services on the Ferny Grove line as a matter of urgency.

Robert Dow said:

?Chronic congestion on the Ferny Grove Citytrain services is adding to commuters woes.  Besides the parking problems at stations, commuters are now finding it difficult to actually get on board congested services.  This is simply not good enough.?

?A particular problem is the gap between the weekday services that leave Ferny Grove at 6.37am and then 7.05am. Citytrain has started introducing the new IMU series trains.  At least 5 of these new trains are running.  Pending the completion of the duplication of the line from Mitchelton and the next major timetable review in March 2008, there is now the capacity to introduce an extra service between the 6.37am and 7.05am trains from Ferny Grove to the City without delay.?

?Feedback received at RAIL Back On Track from passengers who regularly travel on this line supports strongly this call (1).?

?It is also time to look at other options than just parking spaces at railway stations too.  This is not sustainable, particularly as increases in passenger numbers continues.  Better to consider the introduction of loop buses, running regular pick up routes to feed railway stations.  This would relieve commuters of the need to drive to stations and all the associated hassles.?

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=193

Contact:

Administration
admin@backontrack.org

http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

I travelled from Ferny Grove (FG) this morning (28th) on the 7.05am Service.  It was very heavy loading from Mitchelton, with almost maximum capacity by the time we went through Enoggera.  This congestion was compounded today as the 7.21am service from Mitchelton was cancelled.  Feedback from commuters on the train confirms that the congestion and cancellation are major issues.

There certainly is a need for extra morning and evening peak services.  In the morning additional services are needed between the 6.37am and 7.05am departures from FG, between the 7.34am and 7.56am, and the 7.56am and 8.22am.   This is technically possible even without the completion of the duplication between Mitchelton and Keperra.  When complete it will be easy to increase frequency even further.

Parking is also an acute problem at stations along this line.  The introduction of community feeder buses running frequent local routes would assist greatly.

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Just received this feedback too ..  seems a few issues today 

The 7.34 from FG was also cancelled and with the next run being 7.56 it was madness as you may imagine. A colleague just arrived and said the 8.17 was also pushed backed and ran 10-15 mins late. Another shocker from QR!  I used to sing the praises of our rail system but certainly not any more!

[ozbob]

See this thread for Ferny Grove line too!

Click here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=193.0

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

At last!   

Brisbane mX 20 Feb 2008

Extra services will begin running on the Ferny Grove from Monday.

The increased services are part of a $46 million track and station upgrade between Mitchelton and Keperra that will see 1525 seats on the line by the end of March.

All three-carriage trains during peak hour will be upgraded to six-carriage trains, and an extra morning and afternoon peak hour service will be added - taking the number of morning peak services to 14 and afternoon peak service to 16.

Express services will also run from Mitchelton to Bowen Hills instead of from Enoggera to Bowen Hills.

As part of the upgrade, improvements were being made to the Grovely and Oxford Park stations and would completed by April, transport Minister John Mickel said.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
21/02/2008

Extra services to begin on new Mitchelton to Keperra track

Passengers will benefit from extra train services on the busy Ferny Grove line from Monday following the opening of the $46 million track and station upgrade between Mitchelton and Keperra.

Minister for Transport John Mickel and Member for Ferny Grove Geoff Wilson officially opened the new 2.5 km section of track today at Grovely Station.

"The completion of this project will provide a range of benefits to north-west Brisbane passengers," Mr Mickel said.

"From the end of March, all three-carriage trains during peak hour on the Ferny Grove line will be upgraded to six-carriage trains. This means more leg room for passengers on this popular line.

"An extra morning and an extra afternoon peak hour service will also be added, taking the total morning peak services to 14 and afternoon peak services to 16.

"Overall the March service improvements will provide an extra 1525 seats for passengers on the Ferny Grove line.

The end of March will also see express services run from Mitchelton to Bowen Hills instead of from Enoggera to Bowen Hills,'' he said.

Mr Mickel said more infrastructure projects were planned to enhance services on the busy Ferny Grove line.

"Our long-term goal is to duplicate the line all the way to Ferny Grove as identified in the 2006-2026 South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan. Delivery timeframes for this project are to be determined.

"This goal allows the State Government to continue to improve services for customers while meeting the growing public transport needs of the area."

Mr Mickel said the $46 million project included construction of new station buildings at Grovely and Oxford Park stations and an additional platform and new footbridge at Grovely.

"The station upgrades include new shelters, improved security coverage, additional lighting, real-time passenger information systems and more car parking," Mr Mickel said.

"Station facilities have also been improved to meet Disability Access Standards with lifts, accessible toilets, tactile paving and hearing aid loops.

"The finishing touches are currently being make to the stations and are expected to be completed in April."

Mr Wilson said the Ferny Grove line was one of the busiest on the Citytrain network and the new track would be a winner for commuters.

"With more services on offer, hopefully more people will be encouraged to climb on board public transport. It will help ease traffic congestion on our roads and that means a cleaner environment," he said.

"We're investing in more than public transport, we're investing in our local community - families and young people who rely on public transport to get to school or work or the local shopping centre.

"We're building a better public transport system to help people get safety and quickly to where they want to go.

"I'm delighted with the new station upgrades. Not only will they help people with disabilities, they'll help mothers pushing prams and elderly people who rely on public transport to get around.

"The new express service that is coming on line from Mitchelton to Bowen Hills at the end of March will also be welcomed by busy commuters," Mr Wilson said.

The Mitchelton to Keperra track duplication is part of $7 billion funding that has been committed under the Queensland Government's 20-year SEQ Infrastructure Plan to plan and build a better rail network.


February 21, 2008

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