13 May 2009: SEQ: Time for Plan B, Plan A is gone ?

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 May 2009

SEQ:  Time for Plan B,  Plan A is gone ?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters  has said that we now face a public transport crisis in Brisbane with the present failing transport paradigms.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"As I travelled home on the 4.35 Ipswich Citytrain service from Central this afternoon, sandwiched by the seething masses in the heavily loaded lead carriage;  fortunately for me this time I had the luxury of a seat, I had cause to reflect on the abject planning failures that characterizes not only public transport in Brisbane, but most of the major capital cities of our nation."

"It is a national disgrace."

"Mumbo jumbo about green initiatives and sustainable transport is just spin for the gullible.  The reality is that governments are captive to roads, the road lobby, and short term expedient solutions.  The cost to the community of road transport in terms of deaths and injury is enormous.  Environmental costs are hidden."

"Time for plan B.  What is plan B?  Plan B is using what we have to the best advantage.  There are no pennies from heaven."

"The first thing we need to do is to broaden the peaks.  A combination of incentive ticketing practices; early, late and off peak fares is easily implemented using the Go card.  Introduce capping of fares on the go card to match or better the present paper tickets.  This will lead to a natural surge in uptake of the Go card, which in turn will improve the efficiency of our public transport network.  Real time load data will allow for proper matching of services with actual passenger loads."

"Actively encourage changes in employment hours where practical to allow travel at less congested times."

"We have rail assets that are not properly utilised.  For example the Exhibition loop line and the loop line from Yeerongpilly to Corinda/Sherwood.  There are opportunities to introduce passenger services via these loops to provide more novel transport options.   The Exhibition loop line can be effectively used during the Ekka, why not all year round?  With the announcement of the redevelopment of the Exhibition site today it would be logical to include the railway station in this redevelopment, and also restore a railway station at Normanby to provide access to QUT Kelvin Grove and an interchange with the Normanby bus station.  The Herston Medical precinct which includes the Royal Brisbane Hospital could be easily accessed from the Exhibition station."

"The major looming initial capacity constraint on the Citytrain network is the Merivale bridge.  Why not route some of the peak Gold Coast services via Sherwood and Tennyson?  There are 4 tracks from Sherwood to the City.  This would give some relief to the main southern line and the double line Merivale bridge."

"Continue the steady increase in rail rolling stock.  Review the bus routes, where possible consider more lateral or cross country routes to avoid the need for commuters to transit through the CBD."

"It will be many years, if at all, till underground rail extensions are constructed.  Some innovative practices will be required.  We simply cannot keep doing what we have been doing and expect the present transport systems to cope.  They won't."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[O_128]

Why you are not transport minster absolutely astounds me.
Rachael Nohlan has failed to act and therefore it is time that she and trans link acted before the entire city grinds to a halt