Bombay Express + Airport line

[somebody]

The other day I had a look at the Gold Coast/Airport line timetable, and I noticed some strange things.  Firstly, the turnaround times are long at both ends, and inexplicably at the Robina end.  Secondly, there's only two extra trains in the peak direction in both peak times!  The Robina stabling has room for 5 trains, and two trains depart before the first train arrives.  That means it should be easy to add a third extra AM peak service.  Further examination shows that all 5 slots would be filled in the evening without running an empty.  So the empty must be being run inbound.  Converting this to an AM peak inbound service wouldn't be expensive at all, unless I'm getting it wrong (possible).  But we need this service, and we probably also need more PM peak outbound services too.  Is the 5 trains in the stabling the absolute limit, or could you also park one or two trains at the platforms?

The cross with the XPT is exceedingly dodgy, but it seems like the Beenleigh line takes the fall for this.

At the airport end, you have a 24 minute dwell to prevent the cross happening in the single line section.  Doesn't that make the saving of the 30 minute frequency minimal?  And the cross at International is exceedingly dodgy: any delay to the northbound train is passed on to the southbound train. Perhaps the off peak Cleveland line trains should connect with the Airport.  The 30 minute frequency on the Airport line off peak is pretty unacceptable with the premium ticket prices.  And Airports don't have peaks which synchronise that much with the commuter peaks.

[O_128]

though off topic i noticed going to the city form nerang today that at bethania they are adding a third platform could. Also if the cleveland line can mostly 5-10 min services [bar a few gaps] then why can the gold coast line. Better integration with the beenleigh line is needed and some services could go tennyson cant they

[longboi]

The other day I had a look at the Gold Coast/Airport line timetable, and I noticed some strange things.  Firstly, the turnaround times are long at both ends, and inexplicably at the Robina end.  Secondly, there's only two extra trains in the peak direction in both peak times!  The Robina stabling has room for 5 trains, and two trains depart before the first train arrives.  That means it should be easy to add a third extra AM peak service.  Further examination shows that all 5 slots would be filled in the evening without running an empty.  So the empty must be being run inbound.  Converting this to an AM peak inbound service wouldn't be expensive at all, unless I'm getting it wrong (possible).  But we need this service, and we probably also need more PM peak outbound services too.  Is the 5 trains in the stabling the absolute limit, or could you also park one or two trains at the platforms

You could squeeze in two more services between the 0523 and 0553 ex Robina. But I doubt it will happen because the hadways through South Brisbane and at Airport Junction are too tight for QR's liking.

Generally trains are only stabled in yards which can be locked up. Besides, Robina won't be the terminus much longer - Varsity Lakes will be done soon.

[ButFli]

The long dwell times at Robina are because the timetable is made with the Varsity Lakes extension in mind. When that is opened, rather than the train waiting at Robina, it will have time to make it to Varsity Lakes and back without changes to the timetable.

Or so I heard.

[O_128]

i think that in peak services ex beenlieh shouls start from robina and terminate at bowen hills.they can be all stoppers

[david]

Hmmm...I reckon that a 13 minute dwell (during off-peak) at Robina is quite reasonable. They may have to adjust the timetable once Varsity Lakes is open, to allow for more time for the driver to change cabs. Then again, there is the massive wait at the domestic airport. Perhaps this will be reduced once Varsity Lakes opens?

Oh...and can people stop referring to the Gold Coast Line as the Bombay express? The Ipswich/Caboolture lines are far worse...

[somebody]

The long dwell times at Robina are because the timetable is made with the Varsity Lakes extension in mind. When that is opened, rather than the train waiting at Robina, it will have time to make it to Varsity Lakes and back without changes to the timetable.

Or so I heard.

That's makes sense.

i think that in peak services ex beenlieh shouls start from robina and terminate at bowen hills.they can be all stoppers

Did you mean in the counter peak direction?  Otherwise I think that's a stupid idea.  For a start, you'd need more trains to convey the same number of passengers, but you'd also destroy a lot of the incentive to catch the train and a portion would just go back to their cars.

Even in the counter peak direction the only reason to do this is for positioning purposes.  But then you increase the burden on the Beenleigh stabling.

Then again, there is the massive wait at the domestic airport.

Wasn't my explanation of this clear?  With the 30 minute frequency, you would need to turn around immediately at the airport to clear the single line section for the next northbound train.  No operating margin, if you can make it at all.  It's a far better compromise to go with a 15 minute frequency and a 10 minute dwell at the domestic airport.  That would be much more appropriate anyway.

[stephenk]

Also if the cleveland line can mostly 5-10 min services [bar a few gaps] then why can the gold coast line. Better integration with the beenleigh line is needed and some services could go tennyson cant they

1) The Gold Coast lines does not currently justify a 5-10min service
2) A 5-10min service would not be able to overtake the Beenleigh Line services.

i think that in peak services ex beenlieh shouls start from robina and terminate at bowen hills.they can be all stoppers

Just a sec, are saying that all Robina peak services should be all stations? That's the worst idea I've seen for a long time. I'm sure Gold Coast users would love the extra 15mins journey time!

[STB]

though off topic i noticed going to the city form nerang today that at bethania they are adding a third platform could. Also if the cleveland line can mostly 5-10 min services [bar a few gaps] then why can the gold coast line. Better integration with the beenleigh line is needed and some services could go tennyson cant they

Er...O128, that third platform at Bethania has always been there, all they are doing is rasing the centre of the platform for DDA requirements.