Richlands to Springfield Central - Stage 2

[ozbob]

I am looking forward to the car park v. train pics ...   

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp 16m

Spoiler Alert: Sneak preview of new Springfield Central Station. Hope to see you at community event tomorrow. http://t.co/MZ9upeWULZ

[ozbob]

Springfield open day

Local residents affected by project construction have been invited to attend an open day to familiarise themselves with Springfield and Springfield Central stations on Sunday 1 December.

Shuttle trains will operate every 15 minutes from 11am – 1pm between Springfield Central, Springfield and Richlands stations.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CurrentProjects/DarratoSpringfield/Pages/SpringfieldRailLineOpening.aspx

[Set in train]

Springfield open day

Local residents affected by project construction have been invited to attend an open day to familiarise themselves with Springfield and Springfield Central stations on Sunday 1 December.

Shuttle trains will operate every 15 minutes from 11am – 1pm between Springfield Central, Springfield and Richlands stations.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CurrentProjects/DarratoSpringfield/Pages/SpringfieldRailLineOpening.aspx

This would have to be one of the lowest profile open day marketing efforts I've seen. It's like they don't want many to come?

I knew it was opening for regular service on Monday and having been away for a few weeks, it took going to your forum to find details. Hidden or non existent elsewhere.

[aldonius]

There might've been a letterbox/carpark flyer drop for all we know.

[ozbob]

^ there was a local letter box drop.

Great day the official opening.  Many residents, visitors, and local political characters attended.  Was not a political event though was done very well.  A highlight was the Ipswich Town Crier, and Mayor of Ipswich welcoming the train on arrival at Springfield Central.

Springfield station is superb.

Some initial photographs.  Official invite.  I used my go card to see how it went .. ;-)



Go card history  Seniors go card

01 Dec 2013
08:11 AM    Darra    08:46 AM    Richlands    $ 1.32    
09:52 AM    Richlands    10:18 AM    Springfield Central    $ 1.54    
10:39 AM    Springfield Central    11:02 AM    Springfield    $0.00    
11:03 AM    Springfield    11:53 AM    Darra    $ 0.29    


















\
























Photographs R Dow 1st December 2013

[ozbob]

Twitter

AnnastaciaPalaszczuk ‏@AnnastaciaMP 11m

Great to see @Robert_Dow & local MPs @bernieripollmp & @JoAnnMillerMP at the Springfield Central Station opening. http://t.co/kiwzBvHoos

[ozbob]

Twitter

Raynuha Sinnathamby ‏@Raynuha 1h

A great cake to celebrate the Rail to Springfield ! http://t.co/1CGZJfFbrl

[ozbob]

Twitter

SteveMinnikinMP ‏@SteveMinnikinMP 6h

At the official opening of Springfield Central train station with Minister Emerson & Mr Sinnathamby. #qldpol http://t.co/A0BJftavwP

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

With @PaulPisasale just officially opened new Springfield rail line and stations. http://t.co/cMX3F0Ot3X

[ozbob]

I personally thanked Cr David Morrison on behalf of all members, and the community generally,  for his undying efforts in lobbying for Springfield Rail.  Particularly the station at Springfield (Lakes).  I first met with Cr Morrison in 2006.  He has been a very strong representative for  his community, unrelenting.  Thanks David! Rail is here! 

[ozbob]

The presentation by the Minister (official opening) was well done.  There was no politics, just the appropriate recognition of all the original inhabitants,  MPs Councillors, Community and the like. There was a welcome to Country by a local Elder. Brilliant to here a prayer for us all. Thank you.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp 6h

Great to join @SteveMinnikinMP @TarnyaSmithMP & @IanBerryMP on 1st passenger train trip to Springfield. http://t.co/5o6NSIZ3U7

[ozbob]

Twitter

AnnastaciaPalaszczuk ‏@AnnastaciaMP 5h

Catching the 1st train to Springfield Central Station from Richlands today with @JoAnnMillerMP & the community. http://t.co/G4caOxDgqX

[ozbob]

Members on the board the Official VIP train were ..

Mufreight, Gazza, STB and Ozbob.  There may have been others who I was not aware of.

All, thanks for coming out today.  It was marvelous to finally see a project fulfilled.  Thanks for your support all members over the years.  It is never easy, but hey, what's the point if it isn't?

Onwards to Ripley!   

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Springfield connected: new rail line opened

Thousands of Queenslanders in one of the state's fastest growing areas are now connected to the rail network, with the official opening of the Springfield rail line today.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the official opening of the rail line was a momentous occasion for the community.

"Today is a major coming of age milestone for Springfield with work on the rail component officially complete," Mr Emerson said.

"Springfield residents now have a fast and integrated rail connection to the south east Queensland network, and it will go a long way toward relieving traffic congestion on major arterial roads.

"This new line and the frequency of operation delivers on our election promise to revitalise frontline services.

"From tomorrow, services will run every six to 12 minutes in the morning peak and every 12 minutes in afternoon peak.

"There'll be plenty of services on the weekend as well, with consistent 30-minute departures on Saturdays; and services every hour from 7am and every 30 minutes from around 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays."

Mr Emerson said the Newman Government had to step up after the election and fix another Labor mess, after they failed to plan properly for the parking needs of passengers.

"We have found the savings to deliver an additional 400 spaces at Springfield Central, in partnership with the Ipswich council," he said

"There are 100 park 'n' ride spaces available at Springfield Central and from early next year there'll be an additional 400 spaces ready to use.

"Thanks to the help of Mirvac we have also delivered an interim parking solution for commuters at Springfield Central, by installing a 300-space temporary car park opposite Orion shopping centre available in the next couple of weeks."

Mr Emerson said the new stations also had new bus connections for the local community, with Springfield Central becoming a major bus interchange for the area.

"Springfield station is situated a short walk from the route 522 bus stop on Woodcrest Way and the new interchange will be serviced by routes 522, 526 and 534."

"Work on the 5.5km road component of the project is still underway and includes the duplication of the Centenary Highway between the Logan Motorway Interchange and Springfield Parkway.

"These road upgrades are scheduled for completion early next year."

[ozbob]

First scheduled service departed Springfield Central 5.39am SMU279/278. 50 to 60 pax, another 12 or so joined at Springfield.









Photographs R Dow 2nd December 2013

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 10m

All aboard the brand new train service departing Springfield this morning @QueenslandRail @PaulPisasale
http://t.co/Ypm0N3nxKg

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Fast track to growth: Springfield train line is opened

[ozbob]

The process was in train before he was elected.  But it did receive universal support in Parliament when the necessary planning changes were done.  This was mentioned yesterday in one of the speeches I recall.

[Jonno]

Would love to know passenger loadings on day 1. I suspect peak hr might have full trains.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Springfield train line opens

Commuters are "so excited" to board the first train out of the new Springfield Central station Monday morning for the 40 minute trip to Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Richlands to Springfield Track Construction

[petey3801]

Would love to know passenger loadings on day 1. I suspect peak hr might have full trains.

I went for a trip from Springfield to Springfield Central earlier today around 1100, there were a reasonable amount of people on board both trains (to SFC and return), especially for off-peak.

[Golliwog]

Photographs R Dow 2nd December 2013

FYI, video footage of the taking of this photo was featured in The Project on Channel 10 this evening.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 3rd December 2013 page 11

Commuters make tracks to our new train service

[Jonno]

Car parking...again ...can clearly only cater for a very small % of users.  Cost to provide enough parking is prohibitive.  Cycling, walking and bus should have been priority!!

Fire suit is on!

[ozbob]

Agreed.    I am actively seeking feedback from locals re the feeder bus and issues.  Some parking is needed but bus arrangements do need improvement.

[SurfRail]

Feeder bus from first to last should have been available, especially in light of the identified parking limitations.  15 minute or better service in peak.

Frankly, the alignment around Springfield is rubbish too.  The 522 is clearly trying to do too much for a single half-hourly route.  Heaven forfend if you want to go north of Springfield, you spend 20 minutes trekking around the entire area before finally leaving it.

[STB]

I would have thought that route 522 would operate every 15mins between Goodna and Springfield, at least during peak hour.   

And I'm guessing that they wanted to simplify the network (ie: have 1 clear route that runs between Springfield and Goodna, and Redbank for that matter with route 526) and get more use out of the buses by abolishing route 530 and absorbing that into route 522.  The old 522 run was about 40mins long, which meant that you had about 20mins dead time in the timetable for a 60min frequency, which since the changes has increased in a 50min long route between Goodna and Springfield, which means that there is a 10min reduction on the timetable in dead time, sitting at the stop waiting to do the next run.

[Cam]

Frankly, the alignment around Springfield is rubbish too.  The 522 is clearly trying to do too much for a single half-hourly route.  Heaven forfend if you want to go north of Springfield, you spend 20 minutes trekking around the entire area before finally leaving it.

Agree. A work colleague has been complaining about it. Was faster when the bus took him to Richlands. He's considering other options to travel to either of the stations.

[SurfRail]

I don't see why the 522 and 526 couldn't both extend past Springfield Central/Orion and funnel back covering different areas.

It might be more practical to have a local service akin to the North Lakes 688/689 bi-di loop which covers the area and feeds Springfield Central, with the 522, 526 and 534 terminating at the station and shops.  The road network seems to allow for it.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Springfield rail line a 'life saver' for western corridor's traffic woes, says Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow

BRISBANE'S sternest train critic has given a glowing report to Springfield's new rail line, citing it as a potential "life saver" in the battle of the western corridor's growing traffic woes.

But Robert Dow, spokesman for public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track, said underperforming bus services could derail grand plans for the new rail line to ease traffic congestion.

Mr Dow said without adequate feeder buses, the rail service would not be convenient enough to lure drivers out of their cars.

"A lot of people are decentralised and will need to drive to Springfield Central. The feeder bus arrangements aren't optimal," Mr Dow said.

"The frequency, where they are running in terms of routes, and the hours of operation are three things that need to be looked at.

"We think they need to be improved and are asking the community for feedback which we can then put forward to the Public Transport Advisory Group."

TransLink said it had earlier this week introduced new connections to trains and increased service frequency following customer feedback.

Route 522 now provides an all-day service for customers in areas including Springfield Lakes and Springfield Central to connect with trains at Springfield Central station (or Goodna train station).

Customers in Redbank Plains and Augustine Heights can catch route 526 buses between Redbank and Orion Springfield that connect with trains at Springfield Central station.

Customers in Forest Lake, Ellen Grove and Carole Park can catch route 534 buses between Browns Plains and Orion Springfield that connect with trains at Springfield Central station.

Mr Dow said the rail line itself was one of the greatest pieces of infrastructure southeast Queensland had seen.

"It's marvellous, it's an example of very good engineering and the track allows train to run up to 140km/h," he said.

"It has really been built for the future and ensures a fairly fast run between Richlands, Springfield and Springfield Central.

"The double track, if run optimally, can carry as much as a 30-lane highway. That just shows its capacity.

"It's a wonderful thing for the western corridor, but what we've got to do now is make sure people can get on it."

[ozbob]

I think I will head out there early next week for some bus trips.  I have received some feedback from Springfield area locals who are a bit frustrated with the present bus routes, frequency and span.

Eg.

I travel every day from Speckled Circuit, Springfield Lakes > Central Station and need to be work every morning at 8am.

·         It's a 15 minute  1km walk to the bus stop on Summit Drive (the area has grown and new houses built and they have not considered making a stop closer to include more people within walking distance)
·         Then I would catch the new 522 bus to the new Springfield Central Station and that now takes 16 minutes (so far I have travelled 31 minutes just to the station and I only live 3.5km away, a bus to that location used to take 7 minutes before the bus changes as it now goes around the whole of Springfield lakes
·         Then hopefully the peak  every 30 minutes bus arrives on time to connect with a train than will take 40 minutes (non-express) into the city.
·         Total travel time 1hr 10 minutes

In fact travelling on the 522 to Goodna and catching an express takes the exactly the same time as travelling to my new station?!!!  I could also go to Springfield station but the buses don't automatically provide a connection. As they didn't really consider that.  My old bus 535 to Richlands and train was quicker for me into the city than before these timetable changes.

My suggestions therefore are the following:

·         Review existing bus stops in the older part of Springfield Lakes
·         Have two routes one direct and one that services Springfield Lakes
·         30 mins off peak and 10 mins peak to connect with new train stations not just  Springfield Central so people can travel easier on the 522 to both         
stations
·         Express train from Springfield Central and Springfield Stations into the city now that is dreaming!!

[ozbob]

Yes, often quoted by Government and others re CRR.   The potential pax carrying capacity of a dual rail line (maximum) can achieve the capacity of a 30 lane road system.  Unlikely to be achieved though ...   

[BrizCommuter]

A bit late, but here is the BrizCommuter word on the Springfield Line.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/springfield-line-opens.html

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Another cinema complex and Bunnings for Ipswich

GOLD class cinemas and a new Bunnings are the main attractions of a major expansion of Orion shopping centre in Springfield Central.

Orion is set for a big boost with approval of a gold class, nine-cinema complex, specialty stores and a Bunnings opposite rival Masters.

On Friday, Ipswich City Council approved the Mirvac town centre stage three development application, giving the green light for construction to start next year ...

More --> http://www.qt.com.au/news/another-cinema-complex-for-city-green-light-for-go/2108700/

[ozbob]

I think I will head out there early next week for some bus trips.  I have received some feedback from Springfield area locals who are a bit frustrated with the present bus routes, frequency and span.

Eg.

I travel every day from Speckled Circuit, Springfield Lakes > Central Station and need to be work every morning at 8am.

·         It's a 15 minute  1km walk to the bus stop on Summit Drive (the area has grown and new houses built and they have not considered making a stop closer to include more people within walking distance)
·         Then I would catch the new 522 bus to the new Springfield Central Station and that now takes 16 minutes (so far I have travelled 31 minutes just to the station and I only live 3.5km away, a bus to that location used to take 7 minutes before the bus changes as it now goes around the whole of Springfield lakes
·         Then hopefully the peak  every 30 minutes bus arrives on time to connect with a train than will take 40 minutes (non-express) into the city.
·         Total travel time 1hr 10 minutes

In fact travelling on the 522 to Goodna and catching an express takes the exactly the same time as travelling to my new station?!!!  I could also go to Springfield station but the buses don't automatically provide a connection. As they didn't really consider that.  My old bus 535 to Richlands and train was quicker for me into the city than before these timetable changes.

My suggestions therefore are the following:

·         Review existing bus stops in the older part of Springfield Lakes
·         Have two routes one direct and one that services Springfield Lakes
·         30 mins off peak and 10 mins peak to connect with new train stations not just  Springfield Central so people can travel easier on the 522 to both         
stations
·         Express train from Springfield Central and Springfield Stations into the city now that is dreaming!!

I went for a ride on the 522 yesterday from Goodna to Springfield Central.   Route is too long and tortuous to be a good feeder, and bypasses Springfield station effectively.











Photographs R Dow 9th December 2013

[ozbob]

From the Quest South West News 11th December 2013 page 7

A collection of letters to the editor re the 522 principally ...  not happy 

[minbrisbane]

Yikes.  I knew it was bad, but not that bad! 

I was there yesterday.  Two 522 arrived at the same time, I gather one late running inbound and one on-time outbound.