Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

^

G'day Lurkers!   I've got a plan.  Have you?

Have a nice day 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1296525556377239552

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1296658338189631491

[ozbob]

Sent to OIC

29th July 2020

Good Morning. 

RAIL Back On Track is seeking the rail service plan for when Cross River Rail opens.  This how the rail network will operate, routing of the trains, pattern of operation and service frequency.  It is the sort of information that should be available publicly.  We wrote to the CRRDA a month ago seeking the information with no result.  Our next step was to be a RTI.  However, I received advice from TMR RTI Officer that

" I've been advised that the document you are enquiring about is a document of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (CRRDA) and is in relation to their commercial activities. Schedule 2 of the Right to Information Act 2009, states that the commercial functions of CRRDA are not subject to the Right to Information Act (RTI Act).
As a result, you would not be able to request the document under the RTI Act."

I have checked the legislation:

====

Right to Information Act 2009

Reprint current from 18 November 2019 to date (accessed 28 July 2020 at 16:18)

Schedule 2

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-013#sch.2

Entities to which this Act does not apply


the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority established under the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority Act 2016, section 8, in relation to its functions, except so far as they relate to community service obligations under that Act

====

I am not sure how a rail service plan relates to commercial activities.  It is simply how the rail network will operate.

Is there any other avenue for finding out this information, information which I might add is publicly available in other states for similar projects?

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

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1297201870662860806

[ozbob]

Nothing about how the Citytrain network will operate on the CRR website at https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/rail-network-improvements

Nothing ..

Vague assertions that there will be TUAG public transport throughout SEQ is just babble.  Got that lurkers!

[BrizCommuter]

Clearly something to hide, but we already know that don't we!

[ozbob]

Redland City Bulletin --> Rail Back on Track supports Cross River Rail underground station at Boggo Road, giving Cleveland commuters direct access to the new underground

The new Boggo Road underground station will become south-east Queensland's second busiest transport interchange, with Cleveland commuters benefiting from the new Cross River Rail station.

State Development Minister Kate Jones confirmed in Parliament this month that the New Dutton station plan had been rejected by the government and Boggo Road would go ahead, although some issues had to be resolved.

The government had decided on a design that delivered the best option for the most commuters.

"By delivering the new Boggo Road station, we will create a new interchange for travellers coming from both the Gold Coast and Cleveland lines, enabling them to connect directly to the new underground and new Cross River Rail stations," she said.


"For example, bayside and eastern suburb residents on the Cleveland line would have been significantly disadvantaged by the New Dutton station compared to the Boggo Road interchange that we are delivering."

The Boggo Road station proposal has been attacked by the Opposition which argues that it was a dud decision by former deputy premier Jackie Trad, that had the potential to cost hundreds of million extra because of engineering and safety problems.

But Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the lobby group strongly supported Boggo Road and it would ensure a seamless transfer for Cleveland commuters.

"It will be one of the busiest stations in the network, and has a crucial role in terms of allowing people to make connections between services and other modes," he said.

Cleveland commuters would benefit from a shorter, quicker journey even if they had to transfer at Park Road or Boggo Road.

"We are confident there will be more trains and the network will operate smoother - so a train fault won't affect the whole network. It will be a better ... for all passengers," he said.

Mr Dow said he had worked hard to get Cleveland line improvements, but the Manly to Cleveland section was a challenge.

He called on Cross River Rail to publish an updated service plan to see how many trains would run and how it would integrate with Brisbane Metro.

Capalaba MP Don Brown said Dutton Park serviced more than 600 people every day with most being frontline health staff and sick people trying to access Princess Alexandra Hospital.

"The LNP wanted to close this station and force these people to walk up to 10 minutes in the blazing sun. It was utter madness."

The Cross River Rail project includes a 10.2 kilometre line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills with 5.9 kilometres of tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD .

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1298067427213733888

[ozbob]

Good Morning Lurkers!

Ha Ha Ha ....

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RailExpressNews/status/1300928180904026112

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/fictillius/status/1301040281559523328

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

How will the rail network work when Cross River Rail opens?

3rd September 2020

Good Morning,

We note Minister Bailey's comments in this recent Brisbanetimes article:

Ticket to ride at 160km/h as Queensland works on two Fast Rail cases
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/ticket-to-ride-at-160km-h-as-queensland-works-on-two-fast-rail-cases-20200902-p55rst.html

Mr Bailey said the Queensland government was forced to fund Brisbane's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project – which will provide better rail links between the Gold and Sunshine coasts – with no help from the federal government.

"Cross River Rail is a really important part of getting a faster rail network and we are building that now," Mr Bailey said.

"We have 20 per cent of it built already.

"So there is a lot of work being done in this space already.

"Getting the preparation work for the next phase [Fast Rail] is important, but Cross River Rail, when it opens, will cut travel time for people particularly on the Gold and Sunshine Coast lines by more than 10 minutes."

In the absence of any published information on how the Citytrain network will operate when Cross River Rail opens it is difficult to accept this as fact.   We again call on Minister Jones and the Cross River Rail Development Authority to publish the Cross River Rail rail service plans for AM  and PM peaks and the inter-peak periods, including the line pairings.

What is there to hide?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Resent 21st August 2020.

The lack of transparency with Cross River Rail will no doubt be an issue leading into the Queensland State election.

====

Sent to all outlets:

Cross River Rail - how will the rail network work?

19th August 2020

Good Morning,

The last information published by CRRDA (or any government body) on the proposed operations for Cross River Rail can be found in the 2017 business case. That business case, which was criticised by Infrastructure Australia, described the AM peak hour operating plans for both 2026 and 2036 (1).

These plans showed a total of up to 30tph coming from the Caboolture and Kippa-Ring lines, with the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast trains connected to the Gold Coast by CRR, and the Kippa-Ring trains connected to Ipswich and Springfield via the existing Mains. However, the information released by the Coordinator-General in Requests for Project Change 4 (June 2019) and 7 (June 2020) show infrastructure detail which can no longer allow this operating plan, and limits the total capacity for these lines to a maximum of 24tph. Immediately this reduction of 20% in capacity from the northern growth corridor means that the benefits of CRR must also be reduced.

However, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority has so far refused to publish any new information as to how the network will operate. Their "Check Mate" web tool used to provide indicative frequencies for each station on the network, but even this has been removed. Moreover, the CRRDA has been protected against Right To Information requests, and listing activities as "commercial-in-confidence". There is nothing commercial about the proposed operation of the network, detailing which lines connect via which corridors. What this amounts to is a $6bn public project using public funds with no mechanism for the public to access the information has to how that money is being spent and what benefits it will bring (if any). There is a complete lack of transparency.

Requests to view the operational plans by community organisations including RAIL Back On Track have been met with obfuscation, with responses stating that the 'operational readiness' will not occur until close to the time of opening, with exact service frequencies not available until the middle of the decade. Notwithstanding the fact that this is being deliberately opaque, it misses the key point that operational readiness is completely separate to a "concept of operations" – or ConOps -which every major rail infrastructure project must be based upon. While the ConOps varies between projects depending on scale, for something like Cross River Rail it would be expected to include the operating plans and service patterns for each period of the day – AM peak, interpeak, PM peak – for a year "-1" (just before opening), a year 1 (at opening) and potentially a year 10 and/or end-state which describes the operations some time in the future. These plans nominate the connection between lines (e.g. Cleveland to Shorncliffe via Suburbans), the frequency of service, the train type and length, and the movements to and from stabling yards such as Mayne and Clapham. A ConOps is therefore required to determine the way in which new infrastructure is built, the size of the stabling facilities, and the number of trains required to operate the service.

A refusal to release the operating plans for CRR can lead to only one of two conclusions. Either the outcome is so poor that the CRRDA do not want to release the operating plan publicly for fear of ridicule, or alternatively construction of CRR has begun with no ConOps in place which means that there is no understanding of how the finished project should operate. Either of these outcomes would be a massive scandal given the scale of funding allocated to the project.

To give context as to how common the publication of ConOps documents, or at least generalised operational plans, is, consider this range of contemporary examples: - The Melbourne Metro tunnel, a project similar in scale and nature to Cross River Rail, has its concept of operations publicly available. The plan details network maps showing the line structure and connectivity, describes in words the future connection between lines of the existing network, and defines the service frequency for each of the lines in the effected area by the AM peak hour, interpeak, contra-peak, and all other times. Further than this, it describes the same information for a future extended state of the network, taking into account the project's role towards a long-term network vision (2).

- The Auckland City Rail Link displays a before-and-after network map for peak frequencies, showing the change in line connectivity and frequencies from each station in both scenarios (3).

- London's Crossrail (which Cross River Rail seems to have plagiarised the logo) has its operational plan available online. This operational plan details through six stages of integration and expansion the level of service and connectivity across the southeast of England, including the train types and responsible parties for each component throughout the project's lifecycle (4).

- Even Queensland used to provide operational plans – the 2017 business case for Cross River Rail described the AM peak hour operations across 2026 and 2036. Even Connecting SEQ 2031 described the tiers of services and how the connected, envisioning (for example) a CoastLink service connecting the Gold and Sunshine Coasts via CRR and a Trouts Road Corridor.

It is therefore common practice for major rail projects to publish their operational plans, and they are often used as a form of promotion because the enhanced operations are where the benefits of the project are found. To hide and obfuscate the operations suggests that the benefits will not be forthcoming, or not worthy of the $6bn expenditure.

All of these problems are ultimately rooted in the lack of a long-term rail strategy for the Brisbane and SEQ region. Connecting SEQ 2031 appears to have been dis-endorsed, and there is no guiding framework for which to hold transport investment to account. Not only is it unclear as to how Cross River Rail will provide any benefit in the short term with the way it has been designed, but there is no long term plan for it to contribute towards. Investments in rail of the scale of CRR should ultimately be leading to delivering a vision for the rail network in SEQ, but there is no evidence that CRR is being designed to meet either the short or long term requirements of the region, and plenty of evidence to the contrary.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1.  Figure 6.11 and Figure 6.12 https://cabinet.qld.gov.au/documents/2017/Aug/CRRBusCase/Attachments/BusinessCase.pdf page 174
2.  https://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/40481/MM-Business-Case-Feb-2016-APPENDIX-04.PDF
3.  https://www.cityraillink.co.nz/crls-benefits
4.  https://learninglegacy.crossrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1L-001-09_Management-Plan-Volume-4-Operations-Rev-1.0.pdf

Sent to all outlets:

Cross River Rail - is there a rail service plan? Where is it please?

16th August 2020

Good Morning,

RAIL Back On Track and its Members have been strong and constant advocates for Cross River Rail.  This advocacy history since 2009 can be reviewed on our forum here https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.0

We still strongly support Cross River Rail.  We have a major concern  that the 'Concept of Operations' (the rail service plan) for the project is not available publicly.

Before a project such as Cross River Rail can be built there must be planning as to how the network is going to be operated.  In the case of SEQ Citytrain network what lines will be paired, what lines will be routed through CRR and what will be routed through the existing CBD route.

We accept that exact frequencies are not yet able to be determined but the line pairings and general concept of operations must be known for the project to be constructed.  The planners must  know how the line pairings and how trains would run because that is important in making sure the track layouts north and south of the tunnel will be optimal and operational.

CRRDA published the diagram below for the AM Peak in 2017.   We can guess as to what the line pairings are in that diagram but I am sure it has been revised since then.



We would like know what the current ' Concept of Operations ' (rail service plan) is for the project please.  We have a very keen interest in these matters.  Uncertainty leads to a lack of confidence.  There has been a recent history of major problems with rail and rail related projects in SEQ .  We need to be sure that this project is on track.  We need to see the actual Concept of Operations (rail service plan), not only hear words of promise and hope.

We need, and reasonably expect as citizens of Queensland, hard evidence.

Yours sincerely,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

Cross River Rail - is there a rail service plan?

19th July 2020

Good Morning,

We note the ongoing advertising campaign for Cross River Rail.  Is this wise expenditure of public money?

Today for example, on page 21 of the Sunday Mail (19th July 2020) is promoting " ' CHECKMATE ' Find out what Cross River Rail means for you."



If the reader goes to ' CHECKMATE ' ( https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/my-journey-benefits ) and finds out the benefits for their location what results is generic spin essentially.

Some examples:

Go to checkmate, put in 4300 (Goodna)

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Centenary Highway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future infrastructure upgrades and service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support a future rail link to Ripley

Put in Nambour

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Bruce Highway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support the future, committed Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade

Put in Ferny Grove

TURN-UP-AND-GO TRANSPORT
With more trains, more often during peak, across the whole of South East Queensland

UNLOCKING THE BOTTLENECK
Better access to Brisbane with connections to five new inner-city stations

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as Samford Road

Put in Varsity Lakes

MORE TRAINS, MORE OFTEN
Added network capacity means more trains running to, from and through Brisbane

MORE SEATS
Because more trains, more often means more seats during peak travel times

EASED ROAD CONGESTION
Eased pressure on major roads such as the Pacific Motorway

CAPACITY FOR NETWORK GROWTH
Cross River Rail, together with future infrastructure upgrades and service initiatives, creates the capacity and network growth to support a future rail link to the Gold Coast Airport

====

All also come up with 5 new stations:

Albert Street Station
Boggo Road Station
Exhibition Station
Roma Street Station
Woolloongabba Station

Nothing about real service levels (train frequency) and operational plan (routing and line pairings).

What is needed is the publication of a rail service plan that indicates the real frequency, routing and line pairings that will be operating on the SEQ Citytrain Network when Cross River Rail is commissioned.

For example Melbourne is presently constructing a rail tunnel, the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.  The proposed service plan is available for all to see at https://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/40481/MM-Business-Case-Feb-2016-APPENDIX-04.PDF

There is no comparable publicly available document for Cross River Rail. Where is it?  Is there one, or is it being deliberately withheld because the service levels are not significantly different from now? Are planned routing changes being kept secret in a hope that people will not be influenced before the election?

It is time for Minister Kate Jones to direct CRRDA to publish a proper service plan for Cross River Rail.  Generic spin, and a lack of meaningful information is not acceptable.

Thank you.

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1301227097566797824

[ozbob]

Good Morning Lurkers!

How's life behind the firewall of mediocrity?   

Enjoy this ditty ... nice live effort hey?

[ozbob]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/project-benefits/#toplist

Accessed 0758 8th September 2020

Sunshine Coast

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Sunshine Coast:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Nambour line north of Caboolture, with capacity for an extra 450 seats

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

fewer road users on major arterial roads such as the Bruce Highway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks means more opportunity for local jobs, education, and business growth

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the duplication of the Sunshine Coast line between Beerburrum and Nambour.

====

Somerset

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Somerset:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak from Ipswich Station with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving every 5 minutes on average from Caboolture station during the morning peak with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak for Brisbane on the Nambour line north of Caboolture, with capacity for an extra 450 seats

fewer road users on major arterial roads, such as the Ipswich Motorway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Moreton Bay

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Moreton Bay:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Caboolture line, with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Redcliffe Peninsula line, with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 7.5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Ferny Grove line

fewer road users on major arterial roads such as the Bruce Highway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks means more opportunity for local jobs, education, and business growth

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Lockyer Valley

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Lockyer Valley:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Ipswich line (from Ipswich station) with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

fewer road users on major arterial roads, such as the Ipswich Motorway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Ipswich

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Ipswich:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich line (from Ipswich station), with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

fewer road users on the Ipswich Motorway and Centenary Highway, as 47,000 people across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as proposed rail extensions to Ripley and Redbank Plains.

====

Brisbane

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean:

More trains, more often across all lines travelling into the CBD in the morning peak

capacity for almost 18,000 additional seats into Brisbane across all lines in the morning peak

integration with bus services to enable a turn-up-and-go transport network

better transport options with five new inner-city train stations, including access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

fewer road users on key feeder roads into Brisbane, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036.

====

Redlands

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Redlands:

a train leaving every 5.5 minutes on average to Brisbane on the Cleveland line (from Manly station) in the morning peak with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving every 15 minutes on average to Brisbane on the Cleveland line (from Cleveland station) with capacity for an extra 450 seats

fewer road users on Old Cleveland and Wynnum Roads, as 47,000 people across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, as well as The Gabba and year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

easier travel from Brisbane for visitors to Redlands and Moreton Bay Islands

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as line enhancements between Manly and Cleveland.

====

Logan

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Logan:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats into Brisbane

a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station), with capacity for an extra 2700 extra seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

fewer road users on the Pacific Motorway and Kingston Road, as 47,000 people across SEQ choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the proposed rail extension to Flagstone.

====

Gold Coast

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Gold Coast:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Beenleigh station)

fewer road users on the Pacific Motorway, as 47,000 people across SEQ will choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks, including Gold Coast Light Rail

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Scenic Rim

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Scenic Rim:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak from Ipswich Station with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station), with capacity for an extra 2700 extra seats into Brisbane

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

fewer road users on the Ipswich Motorway, Brisbane Road and the Pacific Motorway, as 47,000 people across SEQ choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, as well as The Gabba and year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the proposed rail extension to Flagstone.

[Gazza]

a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station), with capacity for an extra 2700 extra seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Beenleigh station)

So basically 10tph from Loganlea, 4tph from Beenleigh and 12tph from the GC for a total of 26tph?

Big, if true.

Edit: More likely is that the Beenleigh starters are extensions of Loganlea starters, so it would be 6tph from Loganlea all stops, 4tph from Beenleigh all stops and 12tph from GC all stops for a total of 22tph.

[ozbob]

Need to get a hurry up with some LX removal and more track capacity Kuraby to Beenleigh for a start.

It is all ' could mean ' which means not going to be delivered in 2024 and you would be lucky in 2036.

Deceptive spin really.

[kram0]

Updated......but I am not seeing any major changes to Dutton Park station.

http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/coordinator-general/assessments-and-approvals/coordinated-projects/completed-projects/cross-river-rail-project/project-changes.html

[ozbob]

So what is the current Concept of Operations (rail service plans) for Cross River Rail?

An update on the state of play:

* Over a year since we've asked for details of the operations

* Discovered CRRDA is protected from direct RTI action except for a narrow range of Community Service Obligations

* RBoT has now put in RTIs into both QR and DTMR to request the details, both of whom now have referred to CRRDA as a third party

* No visible service plan since the 2017 business case, which has been proven to not work on the updated infrastructure

* Multiple requests to the Minister's office denied

[kram0]

Welcome to the corrupt state of Queensland.

Also, was speaking to my mate working on the project, and while he did not disclose any information re Dutton Park station, he eluded to the plans not being released until post election as they might not be popular........this has me concerned.

Possible closure even though they said this would not be an option?

[Cazza]

The closure of Dutton Park sounds like best case scenario...

The slack can easily be picked up by a boost to Route 196 and Annerley Rd services, the abundance of Ipswich Rd services, walking to PA Hospital Station or even walking to Park/Boggo Rd Station.

The majority of the patronage that uses Dutton Park anyway is alighting in the AM and boarding in the PM peak, so they are likely to mainly be hospital workers. Weekend and nighttime patronage is near non-existant.

[BrizCommuter]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/project-benefits/#toplist

Accessed 0758 8th September 2020

Sunshine Coast

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Sunshine Coast:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Nambour line north of Caboolture, with capacity for an extra 450 seats

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

fewer road users on major arterial roads such as the Bruce Highway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks means more opportunity for local jobs, education, and business growth

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the duplication of the Sunshine Coast line between Beerburrum and Nambour.

====

Somerset

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Somerset:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak from Ipswich Station with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving every 5 minutes on average from Caboolture station during the morning peak with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak for Brisbane on the Nambour line north of Caboolture, with capacity for an extra 450 seats

fewer road users on major arterial roads, such as the Ipswich Motorway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Moreton Bay

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Moreton Bay:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Caboolture line, with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Redcliffe Peninsula line, with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 7.5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Ferny Grove line

fewer road users on major arterial roads such as the Bruce Highway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks means more opportunity for local jobs, education, and business growth

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Lockyer Valley

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Lockyer Valley:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Ipswich line (from Ipswich station) with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

fewer road users on major arterial roads, such as the Ipswich Motorway, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Ipswich

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Ipswich:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich line (from Ipswich station), with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

fewer road users on the Ipswich Motorway and Centenary Highway, as 47,000 people across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as proposed rail extensions to Ripley and Redbank Plains.

====

Brisbane

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean:

More trains, more often across all lines travelling into the CBD in the morning peak

capacity for almost 18,000 additional seats into Brisbane across all lines in the morning peak

integration with bus services to enable a turn-up-and-go transport network

better transport options with five new inner-city train stations, including access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

fewer road users on key feeder roads into Brisbane, as 47,000 road users across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036.

====

Redlands

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Redlands:

a train leaving every 5.5 minutes on average to Brisbane on the Cleveland line (from Manly station) in the morning peak with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving every 15 minutes on average to Brisbane on the Cleveland line (from Cleveland station) with capacity for an extra 450 seats

fewer road users on Old Cleveland and Wynnum Roads, as 47,000 people across South East Queensland choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, as well as The Gabba and year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

easier travel from Brisbane for visitors to Redlands and Moreton Bay Islands

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as line enhancements between Manly and Cleveland.

====

Logan

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for Logan:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats into Brisbane

a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station), with capacity for an extra 2700 extra seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

fewer road users on the Pacific Motorway and Kingston Road, as 47,000 people across SEQ choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the proposed rail extension to Flagstone.

====

Gold Coast

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Gold Coast:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Beenleigh station)

fewer road users on the Pacific Motorway, as 47,000 people across SEQ will choose rail instead, by 2036

better connectivity with other public transport networks, including Gold Coast Light Rail

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, and The Gabba as well as year-round access to the RNA precinct.

====

Scenic Rim

With increased capacity for more frequent rail services, Cross River Rail could mean for the Scenic Rim:

a train leaving for Brisbane every 15 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Ipswich Rosewood line (from Rosewood station) with capacity for an extra 900 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average in the morning peak from Ipswich Station with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 6 minutes on average in the morning peak on the Beenleigh line (from Loganlea station), with capacity for an extra 2700 extra seats into Brisbane

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Springfield line with capacity for an extra 1800 seats

a train leaving for Brisbane every 5 minutes on average during the morning peak on the Gold Coast line with capacity for an extra 3150 seats

fewer road users on the Ipswich Motorway, Brisbane Road and the Pacific Motorway, as 47,000 people across SEQ choose rail instead, by 2036

access by rail for the first time to Albert Street in the CBD, as well as The Gabba and year-round access to the RNA precinct

better connectivity with other public transport networks

extra capacity on the network to support other rail network growth projects, such as the proposed rail extension to Flagstone.

That info was all pulled from the Check Mate section of the website many months back. Looks like they forgot it was still available somewhere on the website. Many of those service claims are not possible without associated infrastructure projects, and some frequencies are illogical for rail operations.

[ozbob]

^ Yo Briz.  Thought I had better grab it ...   

[kram0]

The closure of Dutton Park sounds like best case scenario...

The slack can easily be picked up by a boost to Route 196 and Annerley Rd services, the abundance of Ipswich Rd services, walking to PA Hospital Station or even walking to Park/Boggo Rd Station.

The majority of the patronage that uses Dutton Park anyway is alighting in the AM and boarding in the PM peak, so they are likely to mainly be hospital workers. Weekend and nighttime patronage is near non-existant.

I would be very disappointed with the closure of Dutton Park. When my wife worked at the PA, she used this station often along with many of her colleagues and I think the walk from Boggo Rd, would not be appealing for the workers.

They (labor) are also on record that this station (Dutton Park) is definitely part of the plan, so it would be very hypercritical if they go back on their word, but they are politicians so you cannot rule it out.

[Gazza]

I think it will still exist but it will be moved a fair way from the current site.

[BrizCommuter]

Kate Jones has just quit (well won't be re-contesting her seat). Interesting...

[ozbob]

Kate Jones has just quit (well won't be re-contesting her seat). Interesting...

I thought the fast ferry thing was very odd.  It was so silly to be absurd.  I reckon she was set up and I said so.

Question is who takes over command of HMQS CRRDA  ?

I think it should be the Transport Minister if they are not going have a 'Minister for Public & Active Transport and CRR' < preferred.

[kram0]

Kate jumping off the sinking ship CRR..........

[verbatim9]

Kate jumping off the sinking ship CRR..........

Sinking Government more like it

[Gazza]

But there have been an equal number of LNP resignations.

I don't think it's a case of rats deserting a sinking ship, rather if you are going to step down, you serve your term and pass the baton on, rather than doing it mid term and wasting public money on a by-election.

[MTPCo]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/project-benefits/#toplist

Accessed 0758 8th September 2020

I've been giving some thought to these service levels and what they might translate to in terms of actual timetables. Some of it is fairly straightforward, if underwhelming, while some of it is downright confusing.

As far as I can see, most of these are aligning with the CheckMate scour that BrizCommuter did (and is still on the blog - thanks!), so whether it's still current or a hangover that we all missed is unclear, but nevertheless it's what we have to go on.

Starting with the easiest first:
4tph Nambour
12tph Caboolture (assume incl 4 Nambour as extensions, for 8tph Caboolture starters)
12tph Ipswich (assume incl 4 Rosewood as extensions, for 8tph Ipswich starters)
4tph Rosewood
12tph Kippa-Ring
8tph Ferny Grove
12tph Springfield

All these would be expected to largely operate as per today - e.g. Springfield/Kippa-Ring/Ferny Grove stopping all-stations, while the Rosewood and Nambour trains would be extensions of the express Ipswich and Caboolture trains, respectively. The western services would go through the Mains, while the Caboolture and Kippa-Ring trains would presumably go through CRR (based on analysis a few months back).
 
All of those are relatively clear, noting of course that there is a grand total of 0tph (zero) above what could have been provided to these areas by ETCS alone (not that the west would have benefited from CRR anyway).

Then the rest gets weird. Cleveland line first.

4tph Cleveland
11tph from Manly (assume incl 4 Cleveland trains for 7tph Manly starters)

4tph Cleveland would expect to be fixed to the rigid 15 minute pattern both by design and necessity. This leaves 7tph to start at Manly. A 7tph is an odd frequency at the best of times, but one that certainly doesn't harmonise with a 15 minute frequency if it is at regular intervals (you can see that mathematically there's no ability to schedule an 8.7min frequency around a 15 minute frequency and not run into a problem at some point). One could reasonably expect it to be 8tph with one gap such that each 15 minute slot has 1 Cleveland and 2 Manly services, with perhaps the reduction due to rollingstock limitations, turnback capacity, patronage, or something else. 

In that case, to maximise utility this would probably see a Manly service 'sweep' after the Cleveland (say at a 2 minute separation as a following train) with another service approximately 7.5 minutes thereafter (or 9.5 minutes after the Cleveland train has been through, and 5.5 minutes ahead of the next Cleveland train) to provide a regular pattern for the stations being serviced by the all-stations trains. This probably then means that Cleveland services, even if running express, will only be around 3 minutes faster than all-stations services from Manly. Of course it may not be the intention to run them express at all.

In summary, there's no clear view from those frequencies as to how the timetable could be made to work sensibly. On to Beenleigh and the Gold Coast. 
 
12tph Gold Coast
10tph Loganlea
4tph Beenleigh

Note that while all the other lines seem to have an implicit combined frequency at a common stopping station (e.g. Caboolture shows 12tph, with an understanding that 4tph of these are actually starting at Nambour), Beenleigh is only showing 4tph. This could reasonably imply that at least some of the Gold Coast trains are not stopping at Beenleigh.

If a clockface Gold Coast service was provided, every 5 minutes, this would make spacing Beenleigh starters quite difficult - there would be a maximum of 2.5 minutes headway either side of a Beenleigh starter, which is the same as what ETCS can provide but would require all trains operating at all-stations speed.

My guess (and it is only that) would be that there are no Beenleigh starters, and that the 4tph are Gold Coast services with additional stops. These probably then run to Loganlea, where they are joined by 6tph starting from Loganlea, which are fed by either turnbacks or trains running from Beenleigh stabling (given it is on the 'wrong side' this would minimise the impact of the egress moves). This more or less aligns with the level of service shown in the 2017 business case, which had 6tph starting from Beenleigh, so having the same level of service from Loganlea would make sense). The 10tph at Loganlea are therefore formed of the 4tph limited express Gold Coast trains and the 6tph Loganlea starters. Of course, even this causes a lot of problems - to keep the travel times as fast as possible would mean fleeting the limited express trains behind the express trains, meaning an underlying frequency of 8tph (at 7.5 minute frequency, as per today) of express trains, with an overlay of a 15 minute frequency limited express service likely scheduled at 2-3 minutes behind an express. Even then, this would cause some amount of slowing to occur.

Alternatively, there could be a regular 5 minute frequency with every third train making the additional stops, and all services slowed to operate at all-stations speed from Beenleigh to Loganlea.

None of the above are particularly wonderful options, but it's hard to see how else those frequencies could be turned into a semi-reasonable timetable. 

[ozbob]

^ thanks for those comments MTPCo.   It is very puzzling indeed.

[paulg]

I think the key words in each of the frequency claims on the website are "COULD mean".
They've tried to work out how many services you could potentially squeeze into those lines with CRR complete (probably together with additional works not in scope).
I doubt there's any intention or ability to provide those frequencies any time soon.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[BrizCommuter]

This was a "Check Mate" review from last year.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/11/check-mate-cross-river-rails-bs-ometer.html?m=1

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/856-2020.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 856

Asked on 12 August 2020

MR A POWELL ASKED THE MINISTER FOR STATE DEVELOPMENT,
TOURISM AND INNOVATION (HON K JONES) ―

QUESTION:

With reference to the investment needed to activate the government's Cross
River Rail project—

Will the Minister provide the estimated costs for (a) the ETCS signalling and
train control system, (b) upgrades to the automatic train protection (ATP)
system, (c) the additional NGR train sets required, (d) upgrades to the Gold
Coast line between Kuraby and Beenleigh, (e) the level of provision made for
cost overruns, (f) removal of level crossings across the rail network and (g)
upgraded station at Roma Street?

ANSWER:

In 2016, the Queensland Rail (QR) business case for the European Train
Control System (ETCS) Inner City Project was approved, with $634 million
allocated to deliver the new signalling and train control system.

In 2018 the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority became responsible for the
procurement and delivery of the ETCS Inner City Project, in consultation with
QR, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads as the Project Sponsor.
The ETCS signalling component for Cross River Rail's (CRR) 5.9 kilometre twin
underground tunnels and connection to existing railway is allocated within the
$5.4 billion investment by the Palaszczuk Government to deliver CRR.

Project contingency costs for the ETCS Inner City Project and the ETCS
component of CRR are allocated within their respective project budgets.
The cost to upgrade the Roma Street Station is commercial-in-confidence and
is provided for in the CRR Project budget.

The remaining components of the question are within the portfolio
responsibilities of the Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

====

The old crock ' commercial in confidence ' ... 

[ozbob]

Good Morning Lurkers!

Could be a big week hey?

While steeling yourselves enjoy some Bo!  Bo Diddley ...  rockin' 

[kram0]

Is the existing Roma Street station getting an upgrade as part of the CRR program?

[ozbob]

Is the existing Roma Street station getting an upgrade as part of the CRR program?

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/precincts/roma-street-station-precinct/

The video starts with an aerial view of Brisbane with the rail alignment highlighted. The camera pans down to Roma Street opposite the Brisbane Transit Centre.

The screen wipes to show the proposed concept for the Roma Street station entrance, revealing a tree lined public space with seating and potential for food and beverage outlets.

A cutaway of Roma Street station is shown which reveals that the station platform is four levels below the street entrance. The new station building provides inter-connectivity for both the busway and existing railways, which will transition Roma Street into the major transport hub for Brisbane.

The video closes showing the potential for development opportunities around the station, including the multi-use arena, Brisbane Live.

[verbatim9]

Is the existing Roma Street station getting an upgrade as part of the CRR program?

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/precincts/roma-street-station-precinct/

The video starts with an aerial view of Brisbane with the rail alignment highlighted. The camera pans down to Roma Street opposite the Brisbane Transit Centre.

The screen wipes to show the proposed concept for the Roma Street station entrance, revealing a tree lined public space with seating and potential for food and beverage outlets.

A cutaway of Roma Street station is shown which reveals that the station platform is four levels below the street entrance. The new station building provides inter-connectivity for both the busway and existing railways, which will transition Roma Street into the major transport hub for Brisbane.

The video closes showing the potential for development opportunities around the station, including the multi-use arena, Brisbane Live.

Is the Busway still going underground?