25 Sep 2010: SEQ 2031: Don't miss the tram!

[ozbob]

Media Release 25th September 2010

SEQ 2031: Don't miss the tram!

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 welcomed the Draft Connecting SEQ 2031 document but notes that Light Rail options for Brisbane are missing. Rail Back on Track asks that Light Rail solutions for Brisbane be considered in the final SEQ 2031 document.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Light Rail is an efficient, comfortable and high capacity public transport service that deserves to be considered for Brisbane. Light rail is operating in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and is to be built on the Gold Coast."

"The number of  passenger journeys being taken on Melbourne's Yarra Trams is pushing 180 million annually, which is more than Brisbane's buses and trains combined. (1) "

"The Adelaide Light Rail service has had extensions and extensions are being planned for the Sydney Light Rail service."

"Brisbane's BUZ lines and major road corridors should be considered for upgrading to surface Light Rail in the Connecting 2031 document. Compared to bus lanes on roads, the strengths of Light Rail are the ability to stimulate Transit-Oriented Development, the increased comfort of the ride, zero local exhaust emissions and its high capacity on streets without expensive grade-separation."

"Recent media reports (2) about increasing bus operator cost pressures on the Brisbane City Council, highlight the growing need for a labour-efficient mode of public transport. Light Rail is that mode, and can be adjusted to meet demand, through the linking of multiple vehicles into light rail 'trains' (3)."

"Brisbane City Council once proudly operated a very well patronised tram service, and it can do so again as a modern light rail network. The future for Brisbane's sustainable mass transit is rail light and heavy, supported by an integrated network of high frequency feeder buses (4)."

References:

1. Facts and Figures, Yarra Trams http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-47//74_read-117/

2. 'Bus Boom causes council staff crunch', Brisbane Times, 15 September 2010
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus-boom-causes-council-staff-crunch-20100914-15atl.html

3. Melbourne visit August 2010 http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4195.msg31267#msg31267

4. Mar 2010: SEQ: Rail - light and heavy is the sustainable transport solution
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3534.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4362.0