30 Nov 2007: SEQ - More Citytrains and staff needed for the long haul.

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 November 2007

SEQ:  More Citytrains and staff needed for the long haul.

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for increased funding for QR and its Citytrain division.  The present and projected train numbers and staff will not meet the demands of SEQ?s expanded commuter rail network.

Robert Dow said:

?Brisbane and SEQ generally is struggling with backlogs of infrastructure investment ignored for the last decade. Foremost of these is the lack of proactive investment in urban passenger rail. SEQ is undergoing rapid and prolonged population growth and there are a number of very necessary rail projects underway but they will not be nearly enough.?

?RAIL Back On Track calls for  the Government to fund a further 44 three car suburban units with funding for crew to match, to enable QR Citytrain to provide the expanded high frequency accessible commuter rail services desperately needed now and for future requirements.?

?This is additional to the very welcome 44 three car trains presently being progressively introduced into regular service.  The lead times are such that the further trains should be ordered now.   Some of the older Citytrain units will also need replacement in time.?

?Additionally the Darra to Springfield railway line construction should be given a high priority.  The triplication of the railway line from Darra to Redbank should also be brought forward.  Funding for a railway from Petrie to Kippa-Ring should also be provided.?

?The massive funding for roads at the expense of rail in SEQ is just condemning citizens to more and more gridlock and congestion.  Buses are important in SEQ, but there are already problems with ?bus-lock? at peak and as fuel price rises bite we are likely to experience a public transport meltdown unless a high capacity rail network is put in place now.?

?The only viable long term environmentally sustainable mass transit transport solution is electric rail,? said Robert Dow spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track