Hale St Bridge Project - Impact on Ipswich line

[#Metro]

We'll this will be a nice trial in what will happen when you shut down a major road, or didn't build one in the first place. Presumably, it will have the same effect as the Riverside Expressway, when it had to be closed down.
And I think Coronation Drive will be congestion free, at least for the first few days.

It will also be a natural trial for using a city-shuttle and hub scheme. Rail services are being held constant, so we will see how BCC's limited bus fleet will cope under what I think is a more efficient operational scheme to move mass numbers of people. I have wondered how it might work if only a 444 shuttle ran between the city and Indooroopilly, with all other routes requiring a change at Indro. Now we will have the experience to find out!

People will catch buses and trains, and I hope that everyone can suck their stomachs in!
Or like the Gold Coast line, BYO chair.

There are other routes, for example the Sherwood-Ipswich Road-City route, and if there are a lack of train paths on the Ipswich line, there is always the Tennyson loop to allow more trains through.

[stephenk]

Considering Sydney trains can carry over triple what ours can they are then introducing over 300000 new seats a  day yet we cant do a 1000 something is terribly wrong here!

Can you please show us how you ended up with that figure of 300000 new seats a day?  

100 new services added. capacity of 3000 people

Can you reference either of these figures? There's no way 3000 people will fit on a Sydney train, and 100 extra daily services seems a bit dubious!

3 x 27x units are sitting in Mayne looking rather bored during the am peaks!

What 27x 3 car units sitting around in Mayne during the AM peak but they refuse to increase service at normal times, but even more especially during this shutdown?  What are they doing?

Since when has 3 x 27x units become 27x 3 car units? 
The units sitting in Mayne in the am peak are 277, 278, and ?273

[david]

It will also be a natural trial for using a city-shuttle and hub scheme. Rail services are being held constant, so we will see how BCC's limited bus fleet will cope under what I think is a more efficient operational scheme to move mass numbers of people. I have wondered how it might work if only a 444 shuttle ran between the city and Indooroopilly, with all other routes requiring a change at Indro. Now we will have the experience to find out!

Yes...I always thought in the back on my mind that this could serve as a very useful trial. If it works, the idea could be implemented in other major hubs, especially Garden City and Chermside. Perhaps they should conduct a study into this then?

[ozbob]

The new timetable would provide 100 extra weekday services and better connections with buses, Mr Campbell said.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=873130

[ozbob]

Problem with this as a trial is the compounding congestion which is going to slow up the buses. At least 50 minutes according to TL.  This is code for up to an hour and half .... 

[stephenk]

Evening peak gaps (using same rules as per morning peak).
Times are Central Dep

4:20 - 4:35 - 15mins
4:35 - 4:50 - 15mins
4:55 - 5:06 - 11mins
5:13 - 5:21 - 8 mins
5:27 - 5:34 - 7 mins
5:34 - 5:42 - 8 mins
5:48 - 6:05 - 17 mins

Certainly a few gaps for extra services, particularly if both outbound tracks are available beyond Milton

[somebody]

I have wondered how it might work if only a 444 shuttle ran between the city and Indooroopilly, with all other routes requiring a change at Indro. Now we will have the experience to find out!

I'd think that a bus every 15 mins off peak would not provide adequate people moving power* on City-Indooroopilly, so unless you are going to stagger the 444, you would need to run a City-Indro bus every 15mins for an overall corridor frequency of 7.5mins.  Then you might as well connect those services to some of the outer services.  Oh wait, you'd have a situation not too far different from present, but with a sensible timetable.

I'd actually think it was OK to change at Indooroopilly so long as the frequency on the City-Indro corridor off peak was no worse than 7.5mins off peak, and all those buses left from the same stop in the city.  The present 3 stops + 1 train station is shocker.  The worst part about the changing is on the outbound run: what if your bus is delayed and you miss your connection?  There should be guaranteed connections such that the bus starting from Indooroopilly is held at Indooroopilly if the bus from the city is late.

* I am defining adequate people moving power for off peak as a strong likelyhood of everyone getting a seat.

The new timetable would provide 100 extra weekday services and better connections with buses, Mr Campbell said.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=873130

Oops, that link seems to be incorrect: It points to a story on CityRail.

[ozbob]

The new timetable would provide 100 extra weekday services and better connections with buses, Mr Campbell said.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=873130
Oops, that link seems to be incorrect: It points to a story on CityRail.

That's correct, StephenK was querying where the 100 services for Sydney came from.

[Derwan]

Reported on Seven news tonight that negotiations are under way between the Council and QLD Government do provide additional train services.

While this is good news, these "negotiations" should have happened long ago - along with a published timetable for additional services starting Monday.

Instead it will only be public pressure (not planning or logical foresight) that will force the government's hand.

[#Metro]

The worst part about the changing is on the outbound run: what if your bus is delayed and you miss your connection?

It is really little different to missing the bus in the city.
Anyway, like it or not, it is coming. So we will hopefully have real answers to the question based on practical results.

[mufreight]

A lot of well intentioned comment but I am glad that the majority of those contributing are not running our Public Transport, but then you would have to be an improvement on the disfunctional Translink Transport? Planners? currently the brains? planning current transport coordination.   

[O_128]

Reported on Seven news tonight that negotiations are under way between the Council and QLD Government do provide additional train services.

While this is good news, these "negotiations" should have happened long ago - along with a published timetable for additional services starting Monday.

Instead it will only be public pressure (not planning or logical foresight) that will force the government's hand.

this is pathetic. so because BCC are funding the bridge the state gov can just go not our problem

[#Metro]

  They are supposed to be working for us!;
Sometimes I just get get the impression that so much time is wasted in bureaucratic paper-throwing interdepartmental/intergovernmental turf wars. 

[ozbob]

Media Release 1 November 2009

SEQ:  Go Between Bridge construction chaos for commuters, a constructive call for commonsense

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 more rail services between Corinda/Darra and the CBD to be put in place for the duration of the construction works associated with the Go Between bridge.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The transport plan that has been put forward a few days prior to the disruption on the western approaches to the city only goes part of the way (1).  TransLink has indicated that there will be delays on the bus of at least 50 minutes with the plan to run shuttle buses from Indooroopilly to the City.  Shuttles buses are only going to add to the congestion chaos and we would suggest that delays of only up to 50 minutes is very optimistic."

"It takes 13 minutes, by rail stopping all stations to travel from Indooroopilly railway station to Roma St station.  This avoids the massive road delays and is a lot safer than the chaotic roads.  It follows then that commuters should be actively encouraged to use the rail service for their commute rather than add to the congestion crisis. To do this there must be some more capacity added to the both the morning and afternoon peak on rail."

"Despite TransLink's advice (2) there is some capacity on some services arriving at the CBD after 7am on the Ipswich line. The services which originate from Corinda at 7:39am and 7:49am have some capacity.  An extra service departing Corinda at 7:21am would also assist. In the PM peak situation, an extra service to Darra at 4:28pm from Central for example would do wonders for the 4.35pm Ipswich service which is a chronic congestion sardine can. A number of well placed services will assist greatly."

"Further more at the Indooroopilly bus interchange offer everyone the chance to head down to Indooroopilly rail station, with  signs at the bus station telling them when the next train departs, and when they can expect to arrive at the City. Have some shuttle services to Indooroopilly rail station for those who prefer not to walk."

"Target the Centenary suburbs. Put on more feeder services to Darra/Oxley station, make them frequent and provide them with the comparison to driving/catching a bus to the City - 'expect delays of 1 hour GUARANTEED'. Extend the 7:49am ex Corinda to originate at Darra. Provide people with information as to which services are the lighter loading ones, and strongly suggest that they use those services. Change the timetables for the bus routes 451, 452 and 462 so that the bus-rail connections are better."

"Place some warning signs before the Walter Taylor Bridge - probably around the Graceville area - something like 'expect 1.5 hours delay'. Then, have signs saying - catch a train - arrive in the City in 15 minutes!'"

"RAIL Back On Track has been suggesting commonsense transport solutions for this chaos since 2007 (3).  We again make an urgent request on behalf of commuters for commonsense, please put aside the politics and act in the community's best interests."

References:

1.   http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=209

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=213

3.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=292.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[mufreight]

A partial solution would be to have some of the bus services that terminate or originate from Indoorpilly Bus station extend their route to Indoorpilly Railway station via Station Road then looping via Westminster Road, Clarence Street and Lambert Road into a bus stop in Railway Avenue adjacent to the station with the loop then continuing back into Westminster Street and Station Road back to the bus station,
This would encourage commuters to use public transport and help overcome the lack of parking at or in the vicinity of the rail station.
As a temporary measure it would probably mean that Railway Avenue betwen Lambert Road and Westminister Street would have to be closed to other traffic other than vehicles setting down and to enable buses to make the left turn out of Railway Avenue into Westminster Street over the rail bridge a traffic controller might be needed but it would take many cars out of the traffic flow into the city by providing a shorter journey time with the minimum of inconvenience to commuters.

[O_128]

A partial solution would be to have some of the bus services that terminate or originate from Indoorpilly Bus station extend their route to Indoorpilly Railway station via Station Road then looping via Westminster Road, Clarence Street and Lambert Road into a bus stop in Railway Avenue adjacent to the station with the loop then continuing back into Westminster Street and Station Road back to the bus station,
This would encourage commuters to use public transport and help overcome the lack of parking at or in the vicinity of the rail station.
As a temporary measure it would probably mean that Railway Avenue betwen Lambert Road and Westminister Street would have to be closed to other traffic other than vehicles setting down and to enable buses to make the left turn out of Railway Avenue into Westminster Street over the rail bridge a traffic controller might be needed but it would take many cars out of the traffic flow into the city by providing a shorter journey time with the minimum of inconvenience to commuters.

this is a great idea. im not a regualar at indoorpilly station is there a large bus stop?

[somebody]

this is a great idea. im not a regualar at indoorpilly station is there a large bus stop?

No.  The major problem with extending the buses terminating at Indooroopilly to the railway station is the lack of room for a stop.

A partial solution would be to have some of the bus services that terminate or originate from Indoorpilly Bus station extend their route to Indoorpilly Railway station via Station Road then looping via Westminster Road, Clarence Street and Lambert Road into a bus stop in Railway Avenue adjacent to the station with the loop then continuing back into Westminster Street and Station Road back to the bus station,

I think Railway Av is too narrow for buses.  You would need to loop around Clarence Rd/Lambert Rd/Central Av/Ward St/Clarence Rd.  Also, the intersections of Coonan St/Westminster Rd and Westminster Rd/Clarence Rd are already reasonably congested in the PM peak with people trying to get over the Indooroopilly bridge.

"Despite TransLink's advice (2) there is some capacity on some services arriving at the CBD after 7am on the Ipswich line.

Nitpick: this is a slight misquote, they say there is capacity before 7am.  Which is tantamount to acknowledging they know there is insufficient capacity after 7am, while STILL refusing to do anything about it.

A lot of well intentioned comment but I am glad that the majority of those contributing are not running our Public Transport, but then you would have to be an improvement on the disfunctional Translink Transport? Planners? currently the brains? planning current transport coordination.   

No need for rude comments, mate.  If you have a point of disagreement, then just talk about that.

The worst part about the changing is on the outbound run: what if your bus is delayed and you miss your connection?

It is really little different to missing the bus in the city.
Anyway, like it or not, it is coming. So we will hopefully have real answers to the question based on practical results.

No, it's much worse than missing your bus in the city.  If you miss your bus in the city, then it's your fault, but if you miss your connection due to traffic congestion, it's the transport providers fault.  Also, I would rather be stuck in the city for an hour or even half an hour than at Indooroopilly, especially after the shops have closed.

That's correct, StephenK was querying where the 100 services for Sydney came from.

Fair enough.

[ozbob]

"Despite TransLink's advice (2) there is some capacity on some services arriving at the CBD after 7am on the Ipswich line.

No misquote, simply making the point you made.  Despite TransLinks advice (that there is capacity before 7am [the logical deduction therefore being no capacity after 7am]) there is some capacity after 7am.  But the failure to address as you suggest is the basic issue.

Cheers
Bob

[stephenk]

The new timetable would provide 100 extra weekday services and better connections with buses, Mr Campbell said.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=873130
Oops, that link seems to be incorrect: It points to a story on CityRail.

That's correct, StephenK was querying where the 100 services for Sydney came from.

Is "100 extra weekday" services, 100 extra per week (weekdays only), or 100 extra per day? I would very much doubt the latter. Sounds like spin to me. Maybe 100 altered services per day?

By the way, 2 weeks after CityRail's new timetable release they have made quite a few alterations (15/day) based on customer feedback.

Going back to Brisbane. It is certainly possible to add a couple of extra inbound and outbound peak services to the Ipswich Line. There are trains available, and each train = approx 10 buses! As long as freight trains don't get in the way, there are two inbound tracks that can be used, so that an extra all stations Corinda to Bowen Hills service doesn't need to hold up an express.

[#Metro]

No, it's much worse than missing your bus in the city.  If you miss your bus in the city, then it's your fault, but if you miss your connection due to traffic congestion, it's the transport providers fault.  Also, I would rather be stuck in the city for an hour or even half an hour than at Indooroopilly, especially after the shops have closed.

Sometimes life has its discomforts and inconveniences. Its just too bad.
Traffic congestion is more due to motorists, not PT providers.

[ButFli]

It's actually a 26x series, isn't it?

[Derwan]

It's actually a 26x series, isn't it?

Correct - http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/fleet/smu/smu260.asp

I think the point was that the 3 sitting in Mayne were numbered 27x.  Brand new.  Sitting there doing nothing.  No doubt they need to go through testing, but several 260 series SMU's have been placed into service over the last few months without a change to the timetable.  While this allows QR to address the maintenance backlog, I think something needs to be done about the current crisis.

[stephenk]

It's actually a 26x series, isn't it?

Sorry, I'm not a train spotter.

[awotam]

This situation truly is unbelievable. This web site pointed out the problems two years ago, and contributors since then have been suggesting ways around it. In particular, the blindingly obvious MORE RAIL SERVICES. The transport authorities sit on their hands for those two years, and release their plans TWO DAYS in advance. That plan is to replace existing buses with other buses on already congested roads!?!?!? Honestly, you'd laugh if it wasn't so farcical. And this is supposed to be the Smart State?!?!?  God help those who live in the Dumb, Dumber, Ignorant and Dimwitted States   

[#Metro]

I feel for those people living in the Western suburbs.
They have inconvenient transport options already.
No Western Busway, bus lanes on Coro drive revoked, full trains etc...

I think in the first few days everyone will think the traffic will be bad- leaving the road un-congested.
After that, traffic might return. At least the tourists atop Mt Cootha will be able will be able to watch something new.

[somebody]

No misquote

Ozbob: 2
Somebody: 0

Is "100 extra weekday" services, 100 extra per week (weekdays only), or 100 extra per day?

I'd say it's 100 per week from the wording of the article.  Although my reading hasn't been too good lately.

A point though: In Sydney, it is not necessary for the public to whinge loudly to get these sorts of improvements to rail services.  In Brisbane, it's only when people really get annoyed with overcrowding that the even think about extra services.

No, it's much worse than missing your bus in the city.  If you miss your bus in the city, then it's your fault, but if you miss your connection due to traffic congestion, it's the transport providers fault.  Also, I would rather be stuck in the city for an hour or even half an hour than at Indooroopilly, especially after the shops have closed.

Sometimes life has its discomforts and inconveniences. Its just too bad.
Traffic congestion is more due to motorists, not PT providers.

Perhaps "fault" is the wrong word, "responsibility" might be better.  Notice how the Airtrain is now advertising "Miss the plane, we'll cop the blame".  This is to encourage greater usage of their service.  If you are going to force a change at Indooroopilly, then PT should take responsibility for that connection, at least in the outbound (i.e. troublesome) direction.  Otherwise the service will be hated.

Thinking further about this, one way of doing the connection thing might be to have the 444 run as present, but the 4 extra buses/hour run from Indooroopilly to the Cultural Centre as per the current CityExpress route, then stop in KGSBS, Roma St BS, and then their normal outbound run.  Until around 7pm on weekdays, this might be best done by 453/454, but afterwards you would need to add probably 425 & 430.  On weekends, 450, 425 and 430.  Perhaps adding in the 460 when the 450 goes back to hourly.  I do like the idea of a 7.5 minute service from the Cultural Centre/KGSBS/Roma St and in the same direction at the Cultural Centre, rather than Indooropilly buses on both platforms there at present.  The major problem with this is it doesn't provide for any make up time in the city, but at least you don't need to use the (slow) bus turnaround anymore.


Going back to the plan: Notice how nothing is said about 411/412/417.  I think I might as well walk rather than use the 417.  Why don't they do the obvious thing and forget about running between Toowong and the City for all those routes?

[stephenk]

Is "100 extra weekday" services, 100 extra per week (weekdays only), or 100 extra per day?

I'd say it's 100 per week from the wording of the article.  Although my reading hasn't been too good lately.

A point though: In Sydney, it is not necessary for the public to whinge loudly to get these sorts of improvements to rail services.  In Brisbane, it's only when people really get annoyed with overcrowding that the even think about extra services.

After a bit more reading on CityRail's website, it is actually 100 extra services/day. However they are counting the services extended onto the new Epping-Chatsworth Rail Link which replaced an interim shuttle service since it opened. So 100 extra services/day is a somewhat made up figure!

Having had a look at the Sydney CityRail timetables, the peak hour timetables seem to have much more regular operating patterns compared to the almost random peak timetables we have to endure in Brisbane. For most inner suburban stations in Sydney, the longest am peak gaps are approx 15 mins, compared to some 20min+ gaps that QR/Translink seem to think is acceptable.

[O_128]

Is "100 extra weekday" services, 100 extra per week (weekdays only), or 100 extra per day?

I'd say it's 100 per week from the wording of the article.  Although my reading hasn't been too good lately.

A point though: In Sydney, it is not necessary for the public to whinge loudly to get these sorts of improvements to rail services.  In Brisbane, it's only when people really get annoyed with overcrowding that the even think about extra services.

After a bit more reading on CityRail's website, it is actually 100 extra services/day. However they are counting the services extended onto the new Epping-Chatsworth Rail Link which replaced an interim shuttle service since it opened. So 100 extra services/day is a somewhat made up figure!

Having had a look at the Sydney CityRail timetables, the peak hour timetables seem to have much more regular operating patterns compared to the almost random peak timetables we have to endure in Brisbane. For most inner suburban stations in Sydney, the longest am peak gaps are approx 15 mins, compared to some 20min+ gaps that QR/Translink seem to think is acceptable.

sigh honestly how hard can it be to make an efficient timetable.

example of the eratic timetabling on the cleveland line. 6:58,7:13,7:17.7:28,7:36,7:42,7:48,7:54. why cant a simple timetable with a regular pattern be implemented.

also the news on channel 9 was saying that coro drive traffic was liek a weekday so i cant wait to see it tommorow

[Derwan]

I've got it!  All we need to do is buy a few Rickshaws and hire people to run them.  They can run along the bike track beside the river.  So much faster than driving!

This will also provide jobs for people who don't pass the new rules for taxi drivers!

[#Metro]

Oh, we have them.

http://www.greencabs.net.au/

Any takers?

[ozbob]

   wow!  Good on them!


http://www.greencabs.net.au/img/cab.jpg

[Mozz]

Remember the bikeway is also subject to congestion at the morning and afternoon peaks, not much capacity to tolerate many of this type of transport.

[brismike]

And this is supposed to be the Smart State?!?!?  God help those who live in the Dumb, Dumber, Ignorant and Dimwitted States   

I vote that as the best line of the blog this week. I laughed so much when I read that lol. 

[stephenk]

sigh honestly how hard can it be to make an efficient timetable.

example of the eratic timetabling on the cleveland line. 6:58,7:13,7:17.7:28,7:36,7:42,7:48,7:54. why cant a simple timetable with a regular pattern be implemented.

also the news on channel 9 was saying that coro drive traffic was liek a weekday so i cant wait to see it tommorow

QRs single track sections are a problem. The Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Airport, and Ferny Grove Line could theoretically be timetabled around a 15min reoccurring timetable in the am peak which would equal 20tph. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Line's single track sections can only cope with trains every 16 mins when trains are running in both directions. The only way around this with current infrastructure is to do some fleeting of services, which is limited by the number of platforms at Cleveland. Fleeting, also doesn't help with getting the Cleveland in sync with the others. Thus the random timetable. 

[brismike]

What is "Fleeting"?  Sorry for my ignorance but I have never heard that term in reference to the topic mentioned in the previous post.

[somebody]

However they are counting the services extended onto the new Epping-Chatsworth Rail Link which replaced an interim shuttle service since it opened. So 100 extra services/day is a somewhat made up figure!

Having had a look at the Sydney CityRail timetables, the peak hour timetables seem to have much more regular operating patterns compared to the almost random peak timetables we have to endure in Brisbane. For most inner suburban stations in Sydney, the longest am peak gaps are approx 15 mins, compared to some 20min+ gaps that QR/Translink seem to think is acceptable.

I did think that figure smelt.  Getting another 100 services through the CBD if in peak times would be rather challenging in Sydney.

They do still do some stupid things in Sydney: With the Epping-Chatswood link, note that the timetable has no increase in services in the peak!  Although there was only ever a 15 minute express service in peak (i.e. the ECRL has slowed down the trains to the city in peak times).  Also, that every second train at certain times runs from Hornsby-Epping-Chatswood and then terminates!?  Why doesn't it continue to the Western line.  Also there is a 30 minute frequency Eastwood-North Strathfield.  And don't get me started on the Carlingford or Richmond lines, or terminating trains at Liverpool.  But they've definitely realised the problem with unpredictable express patterns.

QRs single track sections are a problem. The Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Airport, and Ferny Grove Line could theoretically be timetabled around a 15min reoccurring timetable in the am peak which would equal 20tph. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Line's single track sections can only cope with trains every 16 mins when trains are running in both directions. The only way around this with current infrastructure is to do some fleeting of services, which is limited by the number of platforms at Cleveland. Fleeting, also doesn't help with getting the Cleveland in sync with the others. Thus the random timetable.  

Couldn't they use the two platforms at Wellington Point?  Besides, I didn't know QR ever ran greater than 30min frequency in the counter peak direction between Manly and Cleveland.  They seem to be able to handle the single track sections on the Gold Coast and Airport lines in the peaks, although the Cleveland line's section is much longer.  The other thing that seems a bit unexpected is that the express services don't save very much journey time at all on the Cleveland line.  I don't know if they have slack in their timings, or if the winding track causes problems, but I expect it's more the former.  It also applies in some cases on the Beenleigh line too

But it never ceases to amaze me why they make a single track section in the middle then double track all the way to the end of the line.  This has also been proposed for the Cleveland line somewhere: duplication WP to Cleveland IIRC.  But if you are going to pinch the pennies, a single track Ormiston-Cleveland wouldn't cause ANY operational difficulties IMHO: probably better to duplicate Ormiston-Birkdale.  It's also the plan for the Springfield line.

Here's an interesting link, showing how full the average CityRail train is: http://www.cityrail.info/about/our_performance/service_capacity.jsp
Just remember that a CityRail train at 125% of seating capacity is more or less equivalent to a Citytrain train at 150% of seating capacity or maybe more.

What is "Fleeting"?  Sorry for my ignorance but I have never heard that term in reference to the topic mentioned in the previous post.

Multiple consecutive trains in one direction on a single track section.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Hale Street Link overpass to cause months of gridlock

Hale Street Link overpass to cause months of gridlock
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Sophie Elsworth

November 02, 2009 12:00am

BRISBANE'S long-suffering commuters face the first day of months more frustration with the start of construction for an overpass on Coronation Drive.

Deputy Mayor and infrastructure committee chairman Graham Quirk said significant delays should be expected while the $370 million Hale Street Link was built.

"I think there are a few messages for people, including to allow for time and to stagger your travel times to off-peak if it's at all possible."

The Courier-Mail revealed at the weekend that lives could be put at risk by roadworks blocking hospital emergency departments.

Peak-hour motorists may face 50-minute delays on Coronation Drive, 40 minutes on Milton Rd and 30 minutes if travelling west on the Riverside Expressway, due to 24-hour construction works, including closed lanes and 40km/h speed limits.

Cr Quirk suggested commuters take advantage of extra bus services to and from Indooroopilly to the city.

He said it will take a few days for "people to sort themselves out" as they get used to the new traffic arrangements.

"A last reminder for motorists is to make sure you position yourself in the correct laneways heading towards the construction," Mr Quirk said.

Motorists travelling on Coronation Drive need to move into the left lane early to turn right into Hale St and motorists going straight on Coronation Drive must stay in the right lane.

Motorists travelling from the Riverside Expressway along Coronation Drive need to be in the right-hand lane, and for commuters travelling to Inner City Bypass via Boomerang St overpass they need to be in the left-hand lane.

The Hale Street Link website received more than 70,000 hits last month and more than 25,000 hits this week.

The traffic changes will be in place until February 28.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Clogged roads prompt plea for more trains

Clogged roads prompt plea for more trains
DANIEL HURST
November 2, 2009 - 5:00AM

Authorities have been asked to schedule more train services from the western suburbs as motorists brace for massive peak-hour delays on Coronation Drive from today.

Brisbane City Council last week warned western suburbs residents that travel times to and from work in the city could blow out to 90 minutes each way following lane closures that took effect yesterday.

The traffic changes, expected to remain in place for four months, will allow workers to construct an overpass connecting the new $380 million Go Between Bridge to the Inner City Bypass.

Translink has advised that normal bus services will no longer operate between the Indooroopilly exchange and the CBD during peak times on weekdays, with shuttle buses instead taking passengers to and from the King George Square bus station.

Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said the predicted 50-minute delays during construction work would prompt people to switch to rail "in big numbers" because the train journey between Indooroopilly and the CBD only took 13 minutes.

"It will be so frustrating to drive or travel by bus," he said.

"The fact they've opted to use shuttle buses is evidence they expect serious delays and they want to keep commuter buses out of it.

"It would seem logical to put on some additional rail services on the Ipswich line."

The Translink website advises commuters consider alternative transport options, such as cycling, walking or catching the CityCat, but does not actively encourage rail travel.

Mr Dow disputed claims Ipswich line rail services only had additional capacity for inbound passengers arriving at Central prior to 7am.

He said an extra service from Corinda at 7.21am and an extra service from Central at 4.28pm to Darra could be scheduled without disrupting timetables.

"We understand QR Passenger has got the trains and the crew to add some additional services at short notice," he said. "By doing that it gives consumers real choice.

"We think it comes down to a funding issue more than anything."

Translink and Queensland Rail declined to comment yesterday.

[Mozz]

Rode in on the bicycle again this morning - around 6.30am on coro drive coming in from the west all was good. HOWEVER.... the traffic from the south was terrible, backed up all the way across the captain cook and this is without any of the usual nose to tail accidents. The sky was also full with 2 or 3 choppers watching the traffic watching the choppers.......

[ozbob]

Presently at Indro rail station, check twitter for updates (click on twitter in signature line).