13 Sep 2009: SEQ: Options for bus rapid transit from the West

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 September 2009

SEQ:  Options for bus rapid transit from the West

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 called for an immediate committment to provide rapid bus transit from the western suburbs of Brisbane.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There is a new park and ride facility being set up at Kenmore (1).  This is a welcome initiative, however, journey times from there to the CBD can be an hour or more at peak times.  Clearly there is a need for a western busway or a bus priority system to provide rapid public transport to avoid the serious road congestion between Kenmore and the CBD, and from other western suburbs as well."

"The Northern Link tunnel provides an opportunity for part of the solution.  The Northern Link tunnel will allow for bus lanes to established on either Milton Road or Coronation Drive if the projected traffic reductions occur on these thoroughfares when the tunnel is in operation, but if the Northern Link tunnel itself was modified to allow a bus entry exit point from the tunnel to the Inner Northern Busway, it would assist greatly in allowing express bus services to bypass the mess on Milton Road and Coronation Drive particularly."

"The Western Freeway could have additional T3 lanes added. These lanes could be extended through to Mount Ommaney on the Centenary Highway as well. From the Western freeway to Kenmore, Moggill Road could have T3 lanes added. Future bus stations could be built at Kenmore, and Fig Tree Pocket, Jindalee and Mt Ommaney for example."

"There are many options for improving bus rapid transit from the western suburbs ranging from a new subterranean busway to use of T3 and bus lanes on existing roads (2)."

"Our suggestions are just some of the possibilities. Regardless which solutions are chosen it is imperative that something be done now.  The situation for many people is already a commuting nightmare and will only get worse."

References:

1.   http://www.translink.com.au/kenmore.php

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2713.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org