Poll: Rail Upgrade Zones. Which line first?

[#Metro]

Poll will close in 7 days time.

[Jon Bryant]

Where is the All of the Above choice    

[#Metro]

Now now! you know that only big cities like Perth can do that.

[Derwan]

Where's Shorncliffe? 

[#Metro]

Bugger.
Sorry for the oversight. I knew one was missing and looked at a map... didn't pick it up.

No offence if you live on the Shorncliffe line.
I'll ask OzBob if the poll can be modified as I can't seem to alter it now.

If that doesn't work, put the vote into "Exhibition line".
Votes can be changed at any time up until closing time.

[Arnz]

Missed quite a few lines.  Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast-Nambour should be added, as much as many think both coasts' line are down on the priority list for off-peak increases.

[#Metro]

Ha ha.
I guess I'm thinking 1979!

[ozbob]

Admin:  Added Shorncliffe, Sunshine Coast and Gold Cost to poll.

[stephenk]

Sorry to be scathing again, but this poll is not well thought out.

To attract people in significant numbers to public transport, more than one line needs 15 min frequency! If people are making a journey using multiple lines, and one of those lines has a poor frequency, then that journey will not be attractive vs using the car. The same goes for connecting bus services, particularly at the end of the journey. So to make public transport attractive all of the "busier" lines should run at 15mins on inner suburban sections i.e. Corinda/Darra to Petrie, Ferny Grove to Kuraby, Bowen Hills to Manly. I would also like to see the Airtrain running every 15mins even though it's usually transporting air.

[#Metro]

Hi Stephenk
Yes, it would be great if Brisbane could match Perth's performance!
The phenomenon you talk about is called a "Transfer penalty", and it happens when a person expects to wait a long time to transfer to the next service.

The poll asks which line should be first. I'm implying that there should be a second, third etc...
I've done this as although high frequency is orthodoxy with BUZ services and to some extent CityCats, I would think the planners would be hesitant to put so many trains on as they don't see so many passengers (because the frequency is bad- a self-fulfilling view) and perhaps don't look at the Mohring effect or to external examples, i.e. Perth's example.

Trials and small pilot experiments help get the right information so that the planners can be comfortable to step outside the square.
That and I think people should really stand up and say "Hey, every 30 minutes, that's not good enough!"
Even three trains per hour would be an improvement.

On an aside, Higher frequency can mean spill over benefits for people living near the line.  To this end I think the Shorncliffe and especially the Doomben lines have real potential for development and quick transport to the City. With Kippa-Ring etc the trick is to get commitment and synchronise the developers with the rail building because no government wants to spend lots of $ on a rail line through empty paddocks and no developer wants to build in an empty paddock with no transport links!

Slowly, but surely.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohring_effect

[somebody]

I would also like to see the Airtrain running every 15mins even though it's usually transporting air.

When the Airtrain first openned it was getting about 6000pax/week on forecasts of 6000pax/day.  Now, it's getting about 5000pax/day and growing.  Likely, it will get to the forecast patronage in 2010/2011, and if not then, the year after almost certainly.  Last weekend I was talking to someone who's friend missed a flight to Bangkok due to an accident somewhere.  Stories like this make the train look very attractive.

In the short term, I'd like sensible timetabling in the PM peak, and a later finish.  i.e. a southbound service between 5:02pm and 5:30pm and what's with that 7:13pm service?  Wouldn't 6:13pm make more sense.  That would give a roughly 15minute southbound service 3:30pm-6:30pm.  Also, how about a clockface service rather than the staggers which apply now.

[#Metro]

I love the Airtrain.
They've even integrated with GoCard. Unlike the CityGlider experience, no bickering or turf war etc...

Apparently there is a station for DFO? Any news on that?

[somebody]

I love the Airtrain.
They've even integrated with GoCard. Unlike the CityGlider experience, no bickering or turf war etc...

Apparently there is a station for DFO? Any news on that?

I'd think that a station in the single line section would cause a lot of operational problems, and slow down the services generally.  Not to mention being troublesome to construct.  I'm open to counter arguments though.

I suppose they do have those positive points, but with the rip off fares for combined journeys.

[O_128]

I love the Airtrain.
They've even integrated with GoCard. Unlike the CityGlider experience, no bickering or turf war etc...

Apparently there is a station for DFO? Any news on that?

I'd think that a station in the single line section would cause a lot of operational problems, and slow down the services generally.  Not to mention being troublesome to construct.  I'm open to counter arguments though.

I suppose they do have those positive points, but with the rip off fares for combined journeys.

it wouldnt be that hard would it just make it a 2 platform station

[Derwan]

The station near DFO appeared in the 2006 Refidex as a "Future Station" - right over Airport Drive.  Not sure if anything's appeared since then as these days I use GPS navigation.

[somebody]

Re: the station at DFO

it wouldnt be that hard would it just make it a 2 platform station

That would require precision crosses though.  And would the timings cause a conflict at the Coomera-Helensvale single track?  Crosses at the platform like that are an anachronism, which I can't really believe QR are still doing in the city.  At least they got rid of the one at Keperra.

I'd think that's something that a railway which charges premium fares should have real hesitation in implementing.