Article: Springborg stands up for "Bombay Express" passengers

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Springborg stands up for "Bombay Express" passengers

Springborg stands up for "Bombay Express" passengers

Thursday, 7 February 2008

South-east Queensland commuters battling the daily peak hour crush on the "Bombay Express" Gold Coast to Brisbane train line deserve the better services they were promised years ago, State Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said today.

Mr Springborg and Deputy Nationals Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Fiona Simpson travelled on the "Bombay Express" last night and this morning during peak hour to experience the commuter congestion first hand.

Mr Springborg said the Bombay Express problem was another example of south-east Queenslanders needlessly suffering because the Beattie/Bligh Government did not deliver infrastructure where it was needed and when it was needed.

"This morning as Fiona and I stood crammed on the train, I met commuters who have only managed to get a seat once since October," Mr Springborg said.

"People daily bring their own collapsible seat so they don?t have to stand up for over an hour, or they simply sit on the floor ? if there?s enough space.

"Commuters kept telling me that their choices are to either stand squeezed together on the train for an hour, or sit congested in traffic for two hours. The Labor Government hasn?t given people any other options," he said.

"While the Transport Minister is claiming the crush will be eased when new trains come online at some point in the future, commuters have heard those sort of promises before.

"Gold Coast residents were told in 2004 that the train congestion would be fixed and the 30 minute gap between peak services would be reduced to 15 minutes to help ease the squeeze.
"It seems the only thing the Government is delivering at the moment is another delay in their promises," Mr Springborg said.

"I?m listening to what the people of Queensland have to say. People now expect delays from the Government and it doesn?t surprise them anymore. But people want better. They want a State Government that will take action and take responsibility."