Some interesting reading

[ozbob]

A little dated but now more urgent than ever ..

http://www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/resources/infrastructure-funding/exec-report-qld-key-infrastructure-themes-projects.pdf

Some extracts:

"The cost of road congestion for Brisbane, estimated by the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) is currently about $1.2 billion, which contributes 13.3% to the national total cost of $9 billion. By 2020, the aggregate cost projections are forecast to double to approximately $3 billion for Brisbane, which is 15% of a national total of $20 billion. Rapid population growth and the increasing freight task are major contributing factors to increases in travel time in Queensland. BTRE estimates the projected traffic increase in Brisbane for the period 1990-2020 to be 43%, which is greater than any other Australian city.

"Previous rail capacity studies undertaken have identified that the services required to support the growth in inner city rail patronage demand will need to be upgraded by 2016.

Demand modelling undertaken in 2007 for the study has identified forecast growth increases of between 4.7% and 5.8% p.a. by 2016, a growth rate more than 50% higher than historical growth rates (3% per annum).

"Passenger boardings in the morning 2-hour peak period are currently forecast to increase from 44,500 in 2006 to between 70,250-78,500 in 2016, and between 104,000- 131,000 in 2026.

"In order to cater for this increase in passenger demand, the passenger train service levels on the rail network need to increase by a similar quantum, from morning 2 hour peak level of 82 to 143 in 2016, and 207 in 2026. Under the higher fuel price scenario, train service levels will be up to 25% higher again.

"If upgrades are not undertaken, the inner city will become a bottleneck in the SEQ passenger and freight rail system, with consequences for the statewide rail freight network."

[Stillwater]

From the end of next month, the Queensland Parliament will have a number of Committees, similar to the situation in the federal arena.  For the first time, Heads of Departments can, and will,  be called before those committees (as is the case federally) and must give evidence under oath.

Maybe it is time for RailBOT members to compile some questions for the heads of TMR, QR and Translink in this forum, using information such as is disclosed here.

It may just be that someone in Opposition might jot down a few of those questions and actually ask them.  Who knows just who reads this site.