Richlands to Springfield Central - Stage 2

[mufreight]

Slightly off topic but an example of the different approach.
When the developers kicked off Jindalee (Centenary Estates) they approached the local bus operator, (Oxley bus service) which ran a school service along Seventeen Mile Rocks Road and put a proposal that the operator provide a basic general service into the estate from Oxley six days a week and also ran school services as required to Corinda primary and high schools.
The developer provided the finance for the additional buses required and a monthly subsidy in return for which the company name was changed to Centenary Bus service and carried advertising for the developer Cenrenary Estates on the rear of the buses.
This provided immediate public transport to Oxley Station and the schools while the estate developed, apart from the "workers" services and the school buses none of the services to Oxley station through the day would have carried enough passengers to cover the fuel costs for the first few years (from memory the agreement with the developer ran for 5 years).
There is no reason why Springfield Corperation could not set up a similar arrangement at Springfield to provide feeder bus services.

[Jonno]

I love how none of the articles mention feeder buses as an option...

Has been mentioned, the problem with Springfield is needs both feeder bus and adequate park n' ride.  Similar to Mandurah line in that respect.

Springfield is a good location to start charging for park n' ride down the track as feeders become established. 

Adequate feeder bus is years away ...  Springfield area is only 14% developed at this point ..

Would love to see the current trip stats which are clearly high enough to cause traffic congestions problems and what % of those need to use a feeder service (to get to train and the shops right next door) to make it viable.  Would be an interesting analysis.

[Gazza]

Adequate feeder bus is years away ...  Springfield area is only 14% developed at this point ..

But we can still do a simple feeder network for the 14% that is built!

I've done the drawings remember, and it is entirely possible to have everyone serviced.

[ozbob]

Also possible to set up proper feeder bus networks for Goodna, Petrie, and Richlands, but will they?

Not for a while yet.  Springfield needs both.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Kippa Ring/Redcliffe has a good feeder network and Hornibrook are improving the network there (more feeders to Scarbrough) even before the railway has reached there!

[ozbob]

Kippa Ring/Redcliffe has a good feeder network and Hornibrook are improving the network there (more feeders to Scarbrough) even before the railway has reached there!

Well developed areas generally and good to see bus established.  Springfield has a long long way to go, 14% after 15 years or so ... 

It looks like there will be now some temporary parking facilities at Springfield Central, will be needed, particularly for the longer distance commuters and shift workers and what not.  I hope they do put on decent feeder buses, Gazza's plan is a good one,  but past form is not encouraging.  It took a lot of effort to get the Richlands <-> Springfield (rail) bus, and only peak  .  Roam zone C at Goodna is missing out on a bus, despite considerable residential development and community needs.

[Gazza]

I'd argue that Richards has some decent options, e.g. the 460 meets majority of trains.

[ozbob]

I'd argue that Richards has some decent options, e.g. the 460 meets majority of trains.

Certainly a bit better than some of the others in terms of broad frequency and span ...

[SurfRail]

Far as I am concerned for developments of sufficient scale, it should be as much part of the DA process as paying for sewerage, power etc to be reticulated to the development.

[Jonno]

Far as I am concerned for developments of sufficient scale, it should be as much part of the DA process as paying for sewerage, power etc to be reticulated to the development.

+1

[Gazza]

Overhead masts are now going up on the viaduct. No pics, but basically they are are steel and an L shape, and the bottom end of the L is bolted sideways onto each of the T shaped coulumn things holding up the viaduct (so cantelievered really)...hope they are strong!

[Jonno]

Any updates on construction progress?

[minbrisbane]

Heres a photo from last week.

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 20th March 2013 page 4

Residents predict car parking woes

[mufreight]

Once again Minister Emerson returns to his continual bleat of it is all the previous governments fault because of their poor planning and leaving the state broke.
Well the facts as they stand today are the LNP has now been in government for a year, they have had a year to address the shortcomings of the previous governments planning but have done and apparently intend to do nothing, as for the states finances the failure to provide adequate parking at Springfield Central and Springfield stations will see the line condemed to underutilization and increasing numbers of cars using the already congeated Centenary Highway.
It is well past time Minister Emerson started to address the problems of a lack of rail related infrastructure and its effects on public transport and private car useage.

[Old Northern Road]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Richlands parked out ... http://t.co/eWgwL25x

===============

Went for a run on the 462, 8 pax on board ... 

You call that parked out? You should see Petrie. You have people parked on the footpaths and in the gardens. Same at Ferny Grove and they've only just opened a brand new 1000 space park and ride there.

[#Metro]

I keep saying it! Charge for parking!!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Daniel Bowen ‏@danielbowen 23h

Should parking at Melbourne railway stations be free? http://www.danielbowen.com/2013/03/20/station-parking-charges/ ... #metrotrains #springst

[ozbob]

Anyone out on the branch today?  You might see a rail motor RM 1901 ...

[mufreight]

Anyone out on the branch today?  You might see a rail motor RM 1901 ...

1901 was rostered to do an inspection run for QR officials but it pulled a sickie instead and the official party did the trip to Richlands on a scheduled service comprising a pair of EMU's with EMU 20 leading.

[SurfRail]

What's the current extent of track-laying at present?

Hard to keep myself updated since Nearmap effectively vanished.

[petey3801]

What's the current extent of track-laying at present?

Hard to keep myself updated since Nearmap effectively vanished.

Track laying is still stopped at the Logan Motorway overpass, as far as I can see. There are many piles of sleepers along the rest of the route waiting for track laying though. Masts are in place most of the way along (currently stop at the Springfield Parkway overpass, halfway over, by what i've seen), with partial overhead installed until just before Springfield station.

Both stations seem to be coming along nicely, formwork at Springfield for the stairs from the cutting edge down to the platform is in place, getting ready to build the stairs. At Springfield Central, the overhead platform shelter frames are in place with work continuing.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

Local residents are urged to have their say about the need for more carparks at Springfield Train Station

Local residents are urged to have their say about the need for more carparks at Springfield Train Station

    by: Reshni Ratnam, Springfield News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    March 27, 2013 12:00AM

A petition calling on the State Government to provide 500 carpark spaces at Springfield Central has been launched by Oxley federal Labor MP Bernie Ripoll.

Mr Ripoll is calling on residents to express their concerns about the proposed 200 carpark spaces at Springfield Central station.

"For an area with a population greater than 20,000 people, only 200 car parking spaces is clearly not enough,'' Mr Ripoll said.

"The development of a train station in Springfield is essential to keep up with the rapidly expanding community but it must be planned to ensure a majority of the community will be able to utilise the service.

"When I speak to locals the number one concern they raise with me is traffic congestion.''

Public transport advocate RAIL Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the park `n' ride was inadequate at Springfield.

"We won't see an adequate feeder bus service in Springfield for many years,'' Mr Dow said.

"Richlands has 650 carparks and they are full by 8am. If we want people to to get on public transport they have to be able to get on the train.''

Mr Ripoll said if nothing was done to increase carparks, roads would remain clogged.

"I know that a free flowing road network is vital for the liveability and economic productivity of our suburbs,'' he said.

To sign the petition phone Mr Ripoll's office on 38796440.

[ozbob]

Managed to get out to Springfield today, excellent progress .. Going to be an impressive ride out from Darra to Springfield ..

Around Ellen Grove
















This is the where the subway through to Ellen Grove station (from Carole Park side) will be ...






Springfield (Lakes)
















Springfield Central


This sign is actually at Springfield Central







Photographs R Dow 2nd April 2013

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd April 2013

Springfield

Greetings,

Had a look at the rapid progress on the railway to Springfield Central yesterday.  -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3940.msg123403#msg123403

A very impressive railway line particularly with the 0.9km bridge.  Stations at Springfield and Springfield Central progressing well.

Unfortunately there are only 100 park n' ride spaces planned for Springfield Central, 200 at Springfield.

In view of the collapse of the bus review as proposed by TransLink, it is unlikely that an adequate feeder bus network will be available to support the railway line.

There is been some talk of increased park n' ride being made available at Springfield Central.  As it is, there will be limited patronage for the rail line.

This project is shaping up as another transport planning failure.  So characteristic of Queensland.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Media release 17th October 2012

SEQ: Springfield, Simpsons' or South-east Queensland?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the Springfield Railway line is being set up for failure (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The railway line from Richlands to Springfield is presently being constructed.  Of great concern to the community is the failure to build Ellen Grove station 'greenfield' and limited park and ride facilities planned for Springfield and Springfield Central railway stations (1).  It also appears the planned train frequency on the line will replicate the poor service on the bulk of the rail network."

"The recent decision to not construct the bicycle path from Richlands to Springfield as planned, has just further highlighted the diabolical situation with transport planning in south-east Queensland (2).  It is presently a paradigm for failure and congestion."

"Richlands has 650 car parking spaces, Springfield will have 200 and Springfield Central 100, a total of 950 spaces. Compare this to the Mandurah railway line in West Australia, that has 3700 car parking spaces for a similar demographic and situation (1)."

"A billion dollars is being spent on the railway line but it is being set up for less than optimal usage.  What is wrong with the planners in Transport and Main Roads?  Are they captured by the car-centric congestion chaos paradigm?  No jurisdiction has solved congestion by building more roads.  Optimising public transport will."

"The State Government is distinguishing itself as one that is focussed on achieving transport mediocrity. A major disappointment to Queenslanders."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3940.msg110773#msg110773

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3940.msg110809#msg110809

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Old Northern Road]

Park and Rides are no substitute for bus services.

[somebody]

Park and Rides are no substitute for bus services.

Agree.

And they compete with them all the same.

[Jonno]

Here is a proposal as I ride the Nambour train north.  Springfield can have 500 car park provided 500 spaces are red-developed/removed at other station where the parking now stands out like a sore thumb next to urban and some times transit-oriented development!

[SurfRail]

There is actually a surprising amount of dead parking space around virtually inner city stations.  The car park at Auchenflower seems half-empty whenever I pass through, there is an entire abandoned car park at Yeronga...

[#Metro]

There is actually a surprising amount of dead parking space around virtually inner city stations.  The car park at Auchenflower seems half-empty whenever I pass through, there is an entire abandoned car park at Yeronga...

The people of Yeronga have given up on Public Transport. The bus does a 10 minute timewasting safari tour and is slated towards the pensioner demographic. It comes once per hour. Train comes half hourly. Total waste of time, car is much faster!

A CityCat stop would be interesting, has been argued before, and knocked back on travel time, but given the bus is hourly, and ferries are 15 minutes, would still be very useful IMHO for getting to Toowong, UQ, West End.

[Old Northern Road]

Pretty much every single car park on the Caboolture line is completely full by around 7am. When I used to live at North Lakes I had to drive all the way to Albion to get a park.

[Old Northern Road]

Here is a proposal as I ride the Nambour train north.  Springfield can have 500 car park provided 500 spaces are red-developed/removed at other station where the parking now stands out like a sore thumb next to urban and some times transit-oriented development!

At Springfield station (which really should be called Springfield Lakes) that would be OK however I certainly don't support any increase in parking at Springfield Central.

[somebody]

Springfield station (which really should be called Springfield Lakes)

Yes please.  I really hate having stations Wynnum + Wynnum Central, with Wynnum North added in too.

I don't mind Ipswich and East Ipswich.  It's clear enough.

Pretty much every single car park on the Caboolture line is completely full by around 7am. When I used to live at North Lakes I had to drive all the way to Albion to get a park.

But people will scream if you suggest parks should be paid for.  Go figure!

[ozbob]

For the record, it was the locals, those who live there that wanted the name changed from Springfield Lakes to Springfield. It was because of the shift from the eastern side of the road (which is Springfield Lakes) to the western side (which is Springfield).  I think of it as Stepham, but perhaps best we not go there  .. LOL ....  Springfield Central vs Springfield is confusing and you have no doubt noted some confusion in the media.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Pretty much every single car park on the Caboolture line is completely full by around 7am. When I used to live at North Lakes I had to drive all the way to Albion to get a park.

But people will scream if you suggest parks should be paid for.  Go figure!

And so they should. As I have said and brought up countless times before for us people that use the Caboolture line there are hardly any or no alternative ways to get to and from the train stations because of a p%ss poor feeder network and unsafe lighting away from the station. If you live at Narangba and you get on the 5.56pm Caboolture service there's a chance you won't meet any futher connecting feeder buses to Narangba (IIRC the last bus that is schedulled to leave Narangba is at something like 6.30 with the 7pm bus being a request only service - Burpengary is the exact same with the last bus at 6.30 and the 7pm bus being request only). Strathpine-Lawnton feeder network is hourly during peak hour and that stops when the sun sets. North Lakes is slightly better by being able to get on a 8pm bus from Petrie but still 8pm final bus. Dakabin has houses close by. There is also a large carpark near by for the sports ground. But as soon as the sun sets you better make sure you have a torch. Fix up the cruddy quality network first before trying to fleece customers out of more money because of poor planning.

[Jonno]

Pretty much every single car park on the Caboolture line is completely full by around 7am. When I used to live at North Lakes I had to drive all the way to Albion to get a park.

But people will scream if you suggest parks should be paid for.  Go figure!

And so they should. As I have said and brought up countless times before for us people that use the Caboolture line there are hardly any or no alternative ways to get to and from the train stations because of a p%ss poor feeder network and unsafe lighting away from the station. If you live at Narangba and you get on the 5.56pm Caboolture service there's a chance you won't meet any futher connecting feeder buses to Narangba (IIRC the last bus that is schedulled to leave Narangba is at something like 6.30 with the 7pm bus being a request only service - Burpengary is the exact same with the last bus at 6.30 and the 7pm bus being request only). Strathpine-Lawnton feeder network is hourly during peak hour and that stops when the sun sets. North Lakes is slightly better by being able to get on a 8pm bus from Petrie but still 8pm final bus. Dakabin has houses close by. There is also a large carpark near by for the sports ground. But as soon as the sun sets you better make sure you have a torch. Fix up the cruddy quality network first before trying to fleece customers out of more money because of poor planning.

2 wrongs don't make a right

[HappyTrainGuy]

And slugging more from PT users because of their short sightness isn't the correct way to go about it.

[Jonno]

And slugging more from PT users because of their short sightness isn't the correct way to go about it.

sure isn't

[#Metro]

Charging people to park will make people look at alternative ways to get to the station - cycling, walking and catching the bus (assuming that outbreaks of hysteria are controlled).

[HappyTrainGuy]

catching the bus

What bus! 

http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/327
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/329
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/335
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/336
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/337
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/640
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/643
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/670
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/671
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/672
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/673
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/674
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/676
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/678
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/681

I don't mind paid parking but when the supporting network is flawed then I do take issue with that no matter how "good" you can swing it by getting people to ride/walk to the station as even that is not an option for most people just because of the distance that has to be covered.