Article: Train overcrowding to 'worsen with new station'

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Train overcrowding to 'worsen with new station'

Train overcrowding to 'worsen with new station'
TONY MOORE
October 12, 2009 - 8:51AM

Overcrowding on Gold Coast trains will only worsen when a new railway station opens at Varsity Lakes unless extra trains are diverted via the Ipswich line, a rail lobby group has warned.

Queensland Rail is spending $324 million building a 4.1 kilometre extension of the rail line south from Robina to Varsity Lakes. it is scheduled to open before Christmas.

Rail commuter lobby group Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said QR would have to use the Tennyson rail spur to allow the extra trains to access the Gold Coast line in and out of Brisbane.

The Tennyson rail line connects Yeerongpilly to Corinda, allowing trains switch from the Gold Coast-Beeleigh line to the Ipswich line.

While there are four rail lines on the Ipswich line from Sherwood in to the central city, there are three lines into the city from Yeerongpilly.

One of those lines is dedicated to the XPT train, which travels between Brisbane and Sydney.

Mr Dow said the Tennyson spur would become becoming increasingly important as rail demand grew.

"As I understand it, there is not much more room to put additional services in on the Gold Coast line, particularly on the morning peak," Mr Dow said.

"Using the Tennyson line is a serious option because it would give them the option of putting extra services on," Mr Dow said.

Mr Dow said new rail facilities were about to open on the Gold Coast line between Robina and Varsity Lakes, automatically attracting extra commuters.

"The line has been extended from Robina to Varsity Lakes which will open shortly and there is going to be a lot more people on the train and they are screaming already," Mr Dow said.

"They're standing for up to an hour trying to get home on some of those services.

"Clearly if you extend it from Robina to Varsity Lakes, the overloading is going to get worse.

"They are  going to have to put extra trains on and they are going to have to run them by Tennyson in my opinion."

However, QR has dismissed the suggestion.

"All trains from the new Varsity Lakes station will run to and from the city on the Beenleigh-Gold Coast line, as per the current train path," a QR spokeperson said.

"There is no plan to use the Yeerongpilly to Corinda spur line for Gold Coast/Beenleigh line services."

QR has admitted it does not know if extra trains will be needed to cope with demand.

"Once finalised, an announcement will be made about timetabling for the new Varsity Lakes train station."

A park and ride facility is being built at the new Varsity Lakes station.

Population on the Gold Coast is expected to increase from 497,000 in 2006 to 684,000 by 2021.

Robina is home to the highest population of people aged over 55 on the Gold Coast , while the new areas around Varsity Lakes have higher proportion of working families.

[ozbob]

Despite the comments from QR I have no doubt we will see some peak GC trains running via Tennyson down the track.  There are four tracks in from Sherwood and oodles of capacity.  The real problem is from Park Road to Roma St (Merivale bridge) and some disruption from XPT particularly if running late.   Not many more available train paths between Park Road and Roma St.  This won't be relieved until the Cross River Rail becomes a reality ...

It is not unusual for GC trains to ran via Sherwood when problems between Yeerongpilly and town.  Varsity Lakes will increase loadings, already significant issues.  There will clearly be a need for some more services.  Might also assist in adding some more services to Cleveland line as well if some services via Sherwood for GC.

[somebody]

Suggesting running via Tennyson?  Why bob, why?

For a start the margin in the capacity on the mains is about the same as that on the suburbans.  The mains have 19tph capacity vs 13tph actually run, the suburbans have 25tph capacity vs 19tph actually run.

A much better suggestion would be more appropriate timetabling of the XPT and a curfew if it can't leave by 7:15am our time.

[david]

With the Gold Coast line, another major limitation would be the Beenleigh to Kuraby stretch. There is currently very little room to increase services beyond the "every 15 minutes" from either Beenleigh or the Gold Coast, due to the headways required for the Gold Coast expresses. I honestly think that this needs to be sorted out before even considering using the Tennyson Loop.

Conflicting movements around Sherwood would also decrease the number of Ipswich line trains able to use the suburban tracks (mostly all-stations services) and also creating limitations there. The demand for services is MUCH higher on the Ipswich line than the Gold Coast line, and I wouldn't want to see services on the Ipswich Line sacrificed in order for extra Gold Coast trains.

This article once again highlights the URGENT need for the Cross River Rail project to be fast-tracked ASAP. The Merivale bridge is almost at full capacity and there isn't much more room to add any extra services, unless the signalling system is upgraded.

[ozbob]

Advice received is room effectively for two more train paths only can be added (Park Road to town).   The whole purpose is to highlight the need for action  

For the record QR have looked at using the Tennyson loop in the past and do use it as needed.  There are some empty movements that use it now.

No one is suggesting that all the services run via Tennyson, but when the absolute capacity constraints on the main Southern Line are reached running one or two GC via Tennyson will avoid the bottle neck on the Merivale bridge and allow a couple more pending the completion of the cross river rail project.  It happens now as needed and does not cause any issues.

Unless something happens with Cross River Rail project what you see now is what you have got!

Re XPT  there is some very strong resistance to removing that.  I have suggested in the past building an STD gauge passenger terminal at Acacia Ridge or there abouts.    No one has been too happy with that at all .. lol.  But it is a problem, particularly in view of capacity constraints on the section from Park Road to town.

Cheers

Just as an interesting footnote.  During the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane regular rail services ran from Ipswich line via Tennyson to Sunnybank from memory.  Big success!!

[somebody]

Advice received is room effectively for two more train paths only can be added (Park Road to town).   The whole purpose is to highlight the need for action  

That contradicts the ICRS, which states that 25tph is possible (i.e. 6 extra paths).  I suppose the major limitation is the need for southbound trains returning to Mayne to use platform 7.  This would be reduced by running greater counter peak frequencies.

For the record QR have looked at using the Tennyson loop in the past and do use it as needed.  There are some empty movements that use it now.

And also during trackwork.  That's fair enough.

Re XPT  there is some very strong resistance to removing that.  I have suggested in the past building an STD gauge passenger terminal at Acacia Ridge or there abouts.    No one has been too happy with that at all .. lol.  But it is a problem, particularly in view of capacity constraints on the section from Park Road to town.

You don't need to get rid of the XPT.  Having it there is fine, now that the infrastructure has already been built.  But get it's outbound movements out of the AM peak.  Who's tracks are they anyway?

[ozbob]

But get it's outbound movements out of the AM peak.  Who's tracks are they anyway?

Have often thought that too.  I wonder if reversing the XPT  journeys would work? (Both the Casino and Brisbane XPTs).  Leave Brisbane at night rather than early morning?

[somebody]

But get it's outbound movements out of the AM peak.  Who's tracks are they anyway?

Have often thought that too.  I wonder if reversing the XPT  journeys would work? (Both the Casino and Brisbane XPTs).  Leave Brisbane at night rather than early morning?

It's not up to QLD.  It's really NSW's train.  But it's really quite stupid to have either service terminating at Casino, with bus connections to Brissie.  It used to be that the Casino XPT went on to Murwillumbah, but when that track went unusable, they thought they'd truncate at Casino.  If they're going to think that way, they might as well have canned the whole service.

Really, we should be telling them the acceptable times they can use our track and they can work out the best way to run their service.  A 7:30am departure in winter is unacceptable IMHO.  7:15am would probably be OK, but late running should result in the XPT needed to wait for the next gap.  It's obviously not important that the train not leave too early because they don't run to a Standard time timetable in summer IIRC.

EDIT: Further to my last post, the major problem for the Gold Coast line isn't so much congestion in the CBD, it is much more limited by the size of the Robina stabling.  It only holds 5 trains which is good enough to serve the first 2 trains and 90mins of 15min frequency.  60mins only is used at present.  There is one option which might extend that to 120mins of 15min frequency, and that is to make the first 2 trains 3 car trains, leaving 4 6 car trains at Robina.  Not sure if loads on those first two trains are light enough though: they probably aren't on both of them.

[ozbob]

Three trains presently arrive at Robina between 6am and 7am, included those? 3 + 5 = 8  Could always run a couple more outbound to give the numbers as well.

Also probably be some changes with Varsity Lakes opening.

Re XPT: Further advice that some Commonwealth funding was used for Merivale Bridge and a possible condition was that the Brisbane Limited would run into Roma St?  The XPT being today's Limited.  Which I might add I had some great journeys on.

So that might be a factor too ...

[somebody]

Three trains presently arrive at Robina between 6am and 7am, included those? 3 + 5 = 8  Could always run a couple more outbound to give the numbers as well.

Could only run the outbound trains at outside peak times and/or as empty positioning moves due to the nature of odd numbers of tracks.

Here's my breakdown:
1st stabled train forms 5:23am ex Robina
2nd stabled train forms 5:53am ex Robina
6:12am train arrives from City, forms 6:23am ex Robina
6:32am train arrives from City, forms 6:38am ex Robina (possibly formed by 3rd stabled train instead)
3rd stabled train forms 6:53am ex Robina
6:57am train arrives from City, forms 7:09am ex Robina
4th stabled train forms 7:25am ex Robina
7:43am train arrives from Airport, forms 7:57am ex Robina

Therefore there is one unused slot in the stabling, which probably should be used to form a 7:40am service IMHO.  But there is a case for a 6:08am service as well.  Make it 4 6 car trains & 2 3 car trains in the stabling and you could do both.

Re XPT: Further advice that some Commonwealth funding was used for Merivale Bridge and a possible condition was that the Brisbane Limited would run into Roma St?  The XPT being today's Limited.  Which I might add I had some great journeys on.

So that might be a factor too ...

That's a possibility.  But after all these years, couldn't that be re-negotiated with the Feds, if true and still binding?  I'd hope they'd have no problem with signing off on keeping their nose out after 30 years.

[ozbob]

Thanks, excellent.  I assume there is no stabling provision at Varsity Lakes?

I think the Feds are probably no longer interested in whether the XPT makes across the bridge at peak, or if at all!   

It  should be possible to move it a few hours.  Doing that would help.

[somebody]

Thanks, excellent.  I assume there is no stabling provision at Varsity Lakes?

I think the Feds are probably no longer interested in whether the XPT makes across the bridge at peak, or if at all!   

It  should be possible to move it a few hours.  Doing that would help.

I'd have thought you'd know better than me.  But it doesn't make sense to have stabling at Varsity Lakes.  Robina isn't too far away, and the line is likely to be extended further in the future.  If the extension happens, Varsity Lakes stabling would also need to be decommissioned later.

[ozbob]

I am just a commuter. The reason I ask is some terminal stations have been used for overnight stabling in the past e.g Cleveland.

I would suspect that security these days would be a problem if trains kept overnight at Varsity Lakes.

Elanora possible some time 2014 -2019, Elanora to Coolangatta 2020 to 2026  (source SEQIPP)  vague dates.  If the population projections for the Gold Coast are accurate roughly a 50% increase by 2026 from 2006, then some serious 'training' will be needed!

[somebody]

I am just a commuter. The reason I ask is some terminal stations have been used for overnight stabling in the past e.g Cleveland.

I would suspect that security these days would be a problem if trains kept overnight at Varsity Lakes.

Elanora possible some time 2014 -2019, Elanora to Coolangatta 2020 to 2026  (source SEQIPP)  vague dates.  If the population projections for the Gold Coast are accurate roughly a 50% increase by 2026 from 2006, then some serious 'training' will be needed!

Yes, in hindsight it's a shame that the airport & Robina line weren't built to accommodate 9 car trains, although this would still require some extensive work at the other stations.

[O_128]

QR has admitted it does not know if extra trains will be needed to cope with demand.

[/quote]

Im sorry but WHAT... how many people does QR have employed to do this and they dont know. i not even living on the gold coast can tell them that this will be one busy station it is the first Gold coast station no built in the middle of nowhere and there is a high proortion of working families in the area. What have you been doing for the last 4 years QR!!!!!!!!!!

[O_128]

i heard that stabling at Robina is being expanded and that when the line is finished ib 2050 there will be more stabling there.

[somebody]

With the Gold Coast line, another major limitation would be the Beenleigh to Kuraby stretch. There is currently very little room to increase services beyond the "every 15 minutes" from either Beenleigh or the Gold Coast, due to the headways required for the Gold Coast expresses. I honestly think that this needs to be sorted out before even considering using the Tennyson Loop.

I don't completely agree with this.  The added value of increasing above every 15 minutes, in the sense of reducing waiting times, is miniscule when compared with the length of the journey.  If you want to travel 80km, or even 50km, you should be prepared to wait for a service which only runs every 15mins in peak.  The only problem is that the trains are too small and soon not enough seats will be travelling the corridor.

Perhaps that's the reason for extending the triplication to Kingston though.  Making a 10 minute peak frequency would require a doubling in stabling, minimum.

[mufreight]

The main problem is lack of public transport infrastructure foresight, the culprits SEQIP and Translink, just ask you friendly local politician.

[O_128]

The main problem is lack of public transport infrastructure foresight, the culprits SEQIP and Translink, just ask you friendly local politician.

Varsity seems to be pretty well planned for a start its double track which is a big step for QLD and also the platform is train level and the area around the station is being developed properly

[ButFli]

I think the Feds are probably no longer interested in whether the XPT makes across the bridge at peak, or if at all!   

It  should be possible to move it a few hours.  Doing that would help.

Making the XPT timetable earlier or later will only make things worse. A few hours later would mean it had to leave Sydney right in the middle of their evening peak and arrive back in Sydney very late at night. A few hours earlier and it would arrive and leave Brisbane very early in the morning and arrive back in Sydney in the middle of their evening peak. Until the round trip is made significantly shorter the current XPT timetable is the best as far as peak interference is concerned. The NSW State Government funds the bloody thing (with only a very minor contribution from Qld) so if one city has to lose out it's going to be Brisbane.

In hindsight it is regrettable that the standard gauge line wasn't built around via the Tennyson Line to cross the river at Indooroopilly. With even more hindight it might have been nice to have the standard gauge line come in from the West through Ipswich (or somewhere) rather than the South. Too late now though.

[Derwan]

I assume there is no stabling provision at Varsity Lakes?

I've been past a few times and it looks as though the line continues past the station itself.  I wondered if that could be for stabling.

[somebody]

The main problem is lack of public transport infrastructure foresight, the culprits SEQIP and Translink, just ask you friendly local politician.

That's a little harsh in this context.  The Gold Coast line is something that QLD has actually gotten pretty much right.  The main other thing is the integrated ticketting, which is technically very good; just let down by the fare structure.

I do think we can blame our local politicians for the disgraceful penny pinching in passenger rail.  It's rather pound foolish.

I think the Feds are probably no longer interested in whether the XPT makes across the bridge at peak, or if at all!  

It  should be possible to move it a few hours.  Doing that would help.

Making the XPT timetable earlier or later will only make things worse. A few hours later would mean it had to leave Sydney right in the middle of their evening peak and arrive back in Sydney very late at night. A few hours earlier and it would arrive and leave Brisbane very early in the morning and arrive back in Sydney in the middle of their evening peak. Until the round trip is made significantly shorter the current XPT timetable is the best as far as peak interference is concerned. The NSW State Government funds the bloody thing (with only a very minor contribution from Qld) so if one city has to lose out it's going to be Brisbane.

In hindsight it is regrettable that the standard gauge line wasn't built around via the Tennyson Line to cross the river at Indooroopilly. With even more hindight it might have been nice to have the standard gauge line come in from the West through Ipswich (or somewhere) rather than the South. Too late now though.

The Indooroopilly bridge idea would require substantial works at platforms which aren't double island, due to the need to have all the platforms on the same side of dual guage tracks.

A better idea might have been to have a fourth platform at South Brisbane.

Moving by a few hours would be too drastic by far.  A 6:30am XPT departure would be enough, that's what they do in summer anyway due to the time difference.  In winter, that would mean an 8pm arrival at Sydney Terminal.  Not too bad for their peak, and it's running counter to their peak anyway so why worry about that?  The northbound train already runs through their peak, but that's their problem and it would be aleviated by making the train run earlier rather than making it worse.

It would probably need a 6:40am curfew if the 6:08am ex Robina train is to run though.

[ozbob]

The major error of judgement with the Gold Coast line was the single track.   There is a report by Translink somewhere that says just that.  Still the line is there ...

Hopefully from now on these errors of judgement will not be made again.   Springfield?  Where are you??

[somebody]

The major error of judgement with the Gold Coast line was the single track.   

What parts were single track, by the way?

[O_128]

The major error of judgement with the Gold Coast line was the single track.   

What parts were single track, by the way?

the entire line was built single track and currently only helensvale to coomera is single track. The Gold Coast line however is one of the lines that show if built the people will come and considering the stations are mostly in the middle of nowhere they did a good job

[ozbob]

Duplication of the rail track between Helensvale and Robina was completed in August 2008.

Duplication Ormeau to Coomera completed 2006.

[ButFli]

The Indooroopilly bridge idea would require substantial works at platforms which aren't double island, due to the need to have all the platforms on the same side of dual guage tracks.

A better idea might have been to have a fourth platform at South Brisbane.

I meant the Indooroopilly bridge idea for back before the Merivale Bridge was built. Obviously it is too much work for little (or no) gain now.

And it is only Auchenflower and Milton that aren't double island stations.

[stephenk]

With the Gold Coast line, another major limitation would be the Beenleigh to Kuraby stretch. There is currently very little room to increase services beyond the "every 15 minutes" from either Beenleigh or the Gold Coast, due to the headways required for the Gold Coast expresses. I honestly think that this needs to be sorted out before even considering using the Tennyson Loop.

Conflicting movements around Sherwood would also decrease the number of Ipswich line trains able to use the suburban tracks (mostly all-stations services) and also creating limitations there. The demand for services is MUCH higher on the Ipswich line than the Gold Coast line, and I wouldn't want to see services on the Ipswich Line sacrificed in order for extra Gold Coast trains.

This article once again highlights the URGENT need for the Cross River Rail project to be fast-tracked ASAP. The Merivale bridge is almost at full capacity and there isn't much more room to add any extra services, unless the signalling system is upgraded.

Spot on comments.

If the Gold Coast frequency needs to be improved over 15mins, then there needs to be a triplication from Kuraby to Loganlea and a 4th platform at Kuraby according to the ICRCS. As work has not started on this, then Gold Coast services will either become more crowded or have longer journey times.

Also using the Tennyson Line would increase conflicting movements at 2 junctions - this reduces line capacity, reduces reliability, and complicates Ipswich - Caboolture Line timetabling. It could be just as problematic than trying to squeeze more services down the suburban tracks.

Whilst the ICRCS sees 25tph as being the maximum capacity on the suburban tracks, I think it will be difficult to run more than 20tph reliably.

[O_128]

With the Gold Coast line, another major limitation would be the Beenleigh to Kuraby stretch. There is currently very little room to increase services beyond the "every 15 minutes" from either Beenleigh or the Gold Coast, due to the headways required for the Gold Coast expresses. I honestly think that this needs to be sorted out before even considering using the Tennyson Loop.

Conflicting movements around Sherwood would also decrease the number of Ipswich line trains able to use the suburban tracks (mostly all-stations services) and also creating limitations there. The demand for services is MUCH higher on the Ipswich line than the Gold Coast line, and I wouldn't want to see services on the Ipswich Line sacrificed in order for extra Gold Coast trains.

This article once again highlights the URGENT need for the Cross River Rail project to be fast-tracked ASAP. The Merivale bridge is almost at full capacity and there isn't much more room to add any extra services, unless the signalling system is upgraded.

Spot on comments.

If the Gold Coast frequency needs to be improved over 15mins, then there needs to be a duplication from Kuraby to Loganlea and a 4th platform at Kuraby according to the ICRCS. As work has not started on this, then Gold Coast services will either become more crowded or have longer journey times.

Also using the Tennyson Line would increase conflicting movements at 2 junctions - this reduces line capacity, reduces reliability, and complicates Ipswich - Caboolture Line timetabling. It could be just as problematic than trying to squeeze more services down the suburban tracks.

Whilst the ICRCS sees 25tph as being the maximum capacity on the suburban tracks, I think it will be difficult to run more than 20tph reliably.

hell we lets judt dupliate the line to beenleigh

[Arnz]

With the Gold Coast line, another major limitation would be the Beenleigh to Kuraby stretch. There is currently very little room to increase services beyond the "every 15 minutes" from either Beenleigh or the Gold Coast, due to the headways required for the Gold Coast expresses. I honestly think that this needs to be sorted out before even considering using the Tennyson Loop.

Conflicting movements around Sherwood would also decrease the number of Ipswich line trains able to use the suburban tracks (mostly all-stations services) and also creating limitations there. The demand for services is MUCH higher on the Ipswich line than the Gold Coast line, and I wouldn't want to see services on the Ipswich Line sacrificed in order for extra Gold Coast trains.

This article once again highlights the URGENT need for the Cross River Rail project to be fast-tracked ASAP. The Merivale bridge is almost at full capacity and there isn't much more room to add any extra services, unless the signalling system is upgraded.

Spot on comments.

If the Gold Coast frequency needs to be improved over 15mins, then there needs to be a duplication from Kuraby to Loganlea and a 4th platform at Kuraby according to the ICRCS. As work has not started on this, then Gold Coast services will either become more crowded or have longer journey times.

Also using the Tennyson Line would increase conflicting movements at 2 junctions - this reduces line capacity, reduces reliability, and complicates Ipswich - Caboolture Line timetabling. It could be just as problematic than trying to squeeze more services down the suburban tracks.

Whilst the ICRCS sees 25tph as being the maximum capacity on the suburban tracks, I think it will be difficult to run more than 20tph reliably.

hell we lets judt dupliate the line to beenleigh

The Beenleigh line "is" 'duplicated'. Think you meant triple.

[O_128]

yes

[stephenk]

Sorry, I meant triplication. I've edited the original post.

[somebody]

the entire line was built single track and currently only helensvale to coomera is single track. The Gold Coast line however is one of the lines that show if built the people will come and considering the stations are mostly in the middle of nowhere they did a good job

What with trains waiting at Coomera or wherever to cross trains in the other direction?  Unacceptable.

Still, this mistake is something that could be reasonably easily fixed later.  If they had put down two tracks on a crappy alignment, that would have been far worse.

The Indooroopilly bridge idea would require substantial works at platforms which aren't double island, due to the need to have all the platforms on the same side of dual guage tracks.

A better idea might have been to have a fourth platform at South Brisbane.

I meant the Indooroopilly bridge idea for back before the Merivale Bridge was built. Obviously it is too much work for little (or no) gain now.

And it is only Auchenflower and Milton that aren't double island stations.

Yes, but all stations and all plain track would require work to allow the clearance for dual guage. Probably require a new rail bridge at Indooroopilly too.

[somebody]

If the Gold Coast frequency needs to be improved over 15mins

But does it?

We still haven't tried running a 15min frequency for more than 60mins.  Shouldn't we try such a thing before spending $100m's on track upgrades?

[stephenk]

If the Gold Coast frequency needs to be improved over 15mins

But does it?

Well, it depends on how much Gold Coast commuters whinge. They do seem to have a lot of political clout.

Gold Coast am peak trains only have a few standing passengers (going by some observations at Park Rd in May), but all you need is one passenger to be standing for more than 20mins to result in a statistically overcrowded train. When many other lines have much more heavily loaded trains, and with limited funding available for infrastructure, then I think that Gold Coast Line passengers may unfortunately have to wait a few years before seeing another service increase. As train patronage increases, then the acceptable standing time will have to increase.

[somebody]

Therefore there is one unused slot in the stabling, which probably should be used to form a 7:40am service IMHO.  But there is a case for a 6:08am service as well.  Make it 4 6 car trains & 2 3 car trains in the stabling and you could do both.

I've been thinking some more about this and I think forming the first 2 services out of 3 car trains is very attractive.  They would be returning to Robina at 9:10am and 9:40am, so I would expect that in both directions 3 cars would be adequate for capacity purposes.  It also means 2 3 car trains are running up and down the Gold Coast line through the day and saving electricity without needing to do split/join moves.  In the PM peak you could schedule the 3 car trains to be running northbound at the time.  e.g. arrive Robina at 3:40pm & 4:10pm, leave at 3:53pm & 4:23pm to arrive at the Airport at 5:34pm and 6:04pm.  Next services are obviously missing the peak.

Even if you didn't want to run my proposed 7:40am and 6:08am services, you could remove at least one of the early morning southbound services which is clearly there for positioning purposes.  You would also be getting more bang for your buck out of the fleet.

Perhaps the 5:53am ex Robina is already too busy to be 3 cars, is that what I'm about to be told?

[#Metro]

EDIT: Further to my last post, the major problem for the Gold Coast line isn't so much congestion in the CBD, it is much more limited by the size of the Robina stabling.  It only holds 5 trains which is good enough to serve the first 2 trains and 90mins of 15min frequency.  60mins only is used at present.  There is one option which might extend that to 120mins of 15min frequency, and that is to make the first 2 trains 3 car trains, leaving 4 6 car trains at Robina.  Not sure if loads on those first two trains are light enough though: they probably aren't on both of them.

How about a depot and stabling on the GC, or increase Beenleigh?

[somebody]

How about a depot and stabling on the GC, or increase Beenleigh?

As mentioned previously in this thread there is already stabling at Robina, with room for 5 6 car trains.  More room would be nice: you could (theoretically) store trains on the platforms at Robina, but that could have security issues.

[longboi]

How about a depot and stabling on the GC, or increase Beenleigh?

As mentioned previously in this thread there is already stabling at Robina, with room for 5 6 car trains.  More room would be nice: you could (theoretically) store trains on the platforms at Robina, but that could have security issues.

There's gonna be room for 10 very soon  

[somebody]

There's gonna be room for 10 very soon  

Cool!! That would mean you could remove two early morning southbound moves, which are mostly for positioning purposes as far as I can tell, and add two northbound moves, and still have 2 spare slots.  Not sure what you'd do with them, but perhaps once the triplication to Kingston is done you could have 10min peak frequency.