The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Stillwater]

I assume Mr Powell defends the 'do nothing' status quo ... and dishes out the usual line about the need to pay off 'Labor's Big Bad Debt' as a prerequisite to any substantial improvement to the NCL.  Meanwhile, back in the real world: http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2013/july-2013/july-3-2013/other-top-stories/qld-freight-strategy-focuses-on-increased-rail-share

[Stillwater]

Heaven help us when, as expected, Tiaro Coal begins exploiting proven coal reserves on mining leases it owns between Gympie and Maryborough.  It is likely that Tiaro will want to transport its coal by rail to the Port of Brisbane, although export through Gladstone would be a possibility also.

If a Coalition government is elected in Canberra, the federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss will be not only Deputy Prime Minister, but his portfolio responsibilities will be Infrastructure and Transport.  The electorate of Wide Bay includes Maryborough, where Mr Truss has his office, and Gympie.

Tiaro Coal mines inland from Maryborough will be a major new industry for Mr Truss' electorate.  The main Brisbane-Gladstone rail line bisects the company's exploration tenements.

Will his government argue that it won't help fund the cost of duplicating the SCL to Nambour while at the same time expecting that coal transport trains (of short length, because of the crossing loop restrictions) will somehow be able to squeeze onto an overworked line?

Tiaro Coal will be screaming at the government to allow superfreighter-length trains to cart its coal to port to meet the cost efficiencies of coal mining operations in the Hunter Valley and Central Queensland.  How long will a passenger train have to sit at Landsborough while a two-kilometre coal train chugs south?

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/coal-mine-bid-by-year-end/1789297/

http://www.tiarocoal.com.au/site_folders/231/TCM%2021%20Dec%202012%20Principal%20partner%20transport%20MOU.pdf

http://www.tiarocoal.com.au/Business-and-Project-Overview.htm

http://www.topstocks.com.au/stock_discussion_forum.php?action=show_thread&threadid=870066

We are doomed to more short-sightedness regarding the Sunshine Coast Line.

[Stillwater]

If, as the polls suggest, the Coalition will be swept to power federally on September 7th.

The Nationals have announced their backing for a standard gauge inland rail freight line linking Melbourne and Brisbane via Parkes.  The Coalition will build it.

The Nationals' election strategy details this promise and then goes on to state that: "The Nationals will ensure that any existing regional hub lines, which feed into the main inland rail network, are appropriately upgraded and, where necessary, new lines are constructed."

What is the SCL/NCL if not a rail freight line that 'feeds into the main inland rail network.'  Products and produce from major provincial cities along the Queensland coast are destined for southern markets.  These regional cities and markets are prime Nationals territory.

The Nationals will reinstate the Auslink strategy of funding a network of interstate and inter-regional railways and highways.  The NCL to Townsville and the Bruce Highway to Cairns are part of that national network.

Yet the Auslink strategy states that funding for the NCL is solely a state government responsibility.  Interestingly, the Queensland Government's latest position is that, no, it is a federal government responsibility.

It is the Nationals who are caught in a dilemma of saying they will ensure that 'any existing regional hub lines, which feed into the main inland rail line, are appropriately upgraded and, where necessary, new lines are constructed.'  They just won't do that in Queensland, the state where they get major electoral support.  The Nationals will fund mainline and regional railway lines in every other state, except along the NCL to the regional cities and communities where they hope to garner votes next weekend.

Tony Abbott has specifically ruled out any federal money for the SCL bottleneck (south of Nambour) seemingly on the basis that this rail freight line is used by passenger trains.  It seems the SCL is doomed to remain in stasis -- a permanent state of 'do nothing'.

It is the classic political football.  And it is disgusting how the major political parties are behaving around this issue.

After berating Beattie/Bligh Labor for doing nothing to improve the SCL, the LNP has adopted the same position as its Labor predecessors, even cutting back on some improvements that Labor had set in train to deliver (ie Nambour disability access upgrade).  Its official position now is that any improvement to the SCL is a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT responsibility.  The Nationals, speaking on behalf of the Coalition, say it is in the category of railway lines a federal Coalition would fund.  However, it has also stated that the Sunshine Coast Line and the North Coast Line to the north are excluded specifically from this undertaking.  Why?

We have the leader of the Opposition, and likely future prime minister, also specifically ruling out any funding for duplication south of Nambour on the basis that it is a 'passenger line.'  Auslink, which the Coalition touts as its future policy specifically states that the railway line to Townsville, although part of the Auslink network, won't get federal money either, in contravention of the Nationals policy.

State and federal government are united in one position -- NEITHER WILL PUT MONEY INTO THE LINE while, at the same time, blaming the other level of government for not putting money into its upgrade.

Cop that for polly waffle!

References:

The Nationals – Policy for Regional Australia (see page 99)
http://www.nationals.org.au/Portals/0/2013/policy/Policy_Platform_August2013.pdf

Page 44 of the Auslink White Paper states that:  'It is Queensland Government's responsibility to continue the upgrading of the North Coast railway from Brisbane to Townsville'
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/publications/files/whitepaper.pdf

[Stillwater]

Confirmation from Mr Truss' office that LNP plan for duplication between Beerburrum and Nambour is the same old schedule as state Labor.  Mr Truss advises (today): "Upgrades to the North Coast Railway Line are a medium-term priority for the Queensland Government. The Queensland Infrastructure Plan released by the former Labor State Government a few years ago expected the duplication of the line from Beerburrum to Landsborough by 2021 and the Landsborough to Nambour section by 2031. I understand that the LNP Government has stated that, given their current budgetary position, they are unable to fast-track these works."

So, the situation we have is that Mr Powell, on behalf of the Queensland LNP government, says the duplication is a matter for the (new) federal government.  The new federal government (via Mr Truss) says it is a state responsibility and the Queensland LNP government can't fast-track construction due to budgetary constraints.

Nothing has changed.

[Fares_Fair]

Confirmation from Mr Truss' office that LNP plan for duplication between Beerburrum and Nambour is the same old schedule as state Labor.  Mr Truss advises (today): "Upgrades to the North Coast Railway Line are a medium-term priority for the Queensland Government. The Queensland Infrastructure Plan released by the former Labor State Government a few years ago expected the duplication of the line from Beerburrum to Landsborough by 2021 and the Landsborough to Nambour section by 2031. I understand that the LNP Government has stated that, given their current budgetary position, they are unable to fast-track these works."

So, the situation we have is that Mr Powell, on behalf of the Queensland LNP government, says the duplication is a matter for the (new) federal government.  The new federal government (via Mr Truss) says it is a state responsibility and the Queensland LNP government can't fast-track construction due to budgetary constraints.

Nothing has changed.

I have been told by 2 current serving state government ministers that rail duplication to Nambour is the second highest rail priority for Queensland.
That appears to be at odds with the "medium term" priority advice stated.
Second only to the Brisbane Underground (former and now reduced Cross River Rail) project.

[#Metro]

Has Clive Palmer won yet? The only way anybody will sit up and take notice.

[Stillwater]

I have quoted Mr Truss accurately. 

FF, my take is that since you received this assurance from the two serving LNP Ministers, there has been a game-changer, and this is the Inland Rail project.  Queensland LNP has fallen into line so that the stream of federal dollars flowing to this state for (freight) rail goes to the standard gauge Toowoomba / Warwick to Port of Brisbane link, thus putting SCL duplication (to facilitate efficient rail freight to North Qld) a distant third on the list of priorities.

The stupidity is that we now have the LNP with a two-pronged policy in relation to SCL duplication -- each of the elements opposed to the other.  We won't get sense out of Mr Emerson, maybe time to write to the Premier, pointing out his government's lame policy.

One policy prong (as articulated in a letter from Mr Powell) is that the state LNP believes funding of the SCL duplication is a federal responsibility.  We now have the incoming federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport as saying it is a state responsibility and that duplication to Nambour won't be achieved by the state until 2031.

After all the promises from the LNP, their position on the SCL duplication is EXACTLY the same as in the discredited Labor 'Connecting SEQ 2031' document.

[Stillwater]

Confirmation that the LNP has not moved SCL duplication one iota beyond where Labor left off -- and that will be the position until 2024.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/lnp-mps-talk-but-no-rail/2025409/

And the LNP is soul-searching wondering why Mal Brough got fewer votes than Alex Somlyay in Fisher and why Clive Palmer pared away their numbers in Fairfax.

At the state election before the last one, LNP MPs on the Sunshine Coast pledged to produce a SC Transport Plan, based around rail duplication.  It's vanished.  They deny knowledge of it.

[Stillwater]

LNP polly waffle.

This, from the SC Council site, show the planning for the integrated transport plan, now gone with the wind.
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=council-news&id=12455

Back in 2010, the LNP members on the Sunny Coast believed railway duplication to Nambour should proceed in the "next few years."
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/maroochydore-train-station-hope-dead/623905/

How easy is it to dash off a media statement in opposition, calling for immediate action.  However, when the shoe is on the other foot.....
http://www.andrewpowell.com.au/2011/03/22/powell-media-release-new-minister-delivers-same-old-bad-news-23-march-2011/

Back in 2010, Mr Powell's view was that the track duplication was required immediately.
http://www.andrewpowell.com.au/2010/11/22/powell-media-release-did-someone-mention-a-rail-upgrade-22-november-2010/

State Labor just did not care, we were told.  Could it be that the LNP doesn't care either?
http://www.andrewpowell.com.au/2010/11/12/rail-upgrade-petition/

[Fares_Fair]

Jeff Addison ‏@Jeffrey_Addison  51m 
A lesson in #rail history.. #SunshineCoast style. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.msg131729#msg131729 ...
'Stillwater' hits the nails on the heads! #2tracks #auspol #qldpol

[#Metro]

Hurry up Clive Palmer and win Fairfax...

[Fares_Fair]

 Nooo, Ted O'Brien of the LNP promised to meet with me to discuss the rail situation, should he be elected.

[Stillwater]

     :conf         

[Stillwater]

Well FF, now you have the chance to make contact with Palmersaurus Clive.  The way to his heart is to rename the SCL the PalmerLine and change the destination board on Nambour trains so t ey show Coolum as the destination. 

[Fares_Fair]

Well FF, now you have the chance to make contact with Palmersaurus Clive.  The way to his heart is to rename the SCL the PalmerLine and change the destination board on Nambour trains so t ey show Coolum as the destination. 

I will give it a try .. again.

Latest projections are that he may win by about 43 votes.
Will have a better idea after lunchtime today according to the returning officer, David McKenzie (via local ABC Coast FM radio).
Automatic recount will follow for sure if less than 100 votes difference.

He needs to understand that when he said better rail facilities and timetabling - that that approach actually won't work very well due to the single track, freight shared nature of the extraordinarily windy section of track, not to mention the 26 daily rail buses (13 each way) that pretend to be trains.
I sent him my report on the matter and clearly he hasn't read it.
The line has to be realigned and regraded to get significantly faster trains to Brisbane - better signalling can only help a small amount.
It's the congestion, grade and windy track that are the issues.

He has said that we need a faster rail link to Brisbane.
This from http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/Clive-promises-400-million-upgrade-to-airport/1979155/

He said the region's representatives should have been making noise about it in Opposition and made it happen in government.
The air, rail and road upgrades needed to be delivered "not with a whimper but a bang" and be delivered now.
"To get here (tourists) have to sit on a bus on a congested highway. There should be a fast rail link to Brisbane."

He went on to say:

"Under the Palmer United Party, the airport will receive a significant $400 million upgrade to bring it to international standards."
He promised that a Palmer United Party government would invest heavily in better rail facilities and timetabling to end what he described as "the nightmare currently faced by commuters".

The question for him is - how do we best achieve that - or anything for this region?
As a single candidate in parliament and not being in Government (as his carefully worded statement above suggests) we may be in for a long, long wait.

I can't see him holding the Government to ransom in the Senate over this critical issue - but with Clive you just never know.

[Fares_Fair]

David Lewis ‏@dlewis89  1h 
Clive Palmer has won Fairfax with 36 votes. A distribution of preferences will take place on Monday. Recount likely. @abcnews @ABCNews24

3AW Melbourne ‏@3AW693  1m 
Clive Palmer has taken the seat of Fairfax by just 36 votes, but that joy will probably be short lived with a recount expected on Monday

[Stillwater]

Pity Sunny Coasters didn't make Fisher a marginal seat too -- give the LNP some incentive to woo voters next time round.

[Stillwater]

I wonder whether we can 'adapt' the Wikipedia entry to include information about the compelling case to upgrade the SCL?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambour_and_Gympie_North_railway_line

[Fares_Fair]

I wonder whether we can 'adapt' the Wikipedia entry to include information about the compelling case to upgrade the SCL?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambour_and_Gympie_North_railway_line

Great idea 
May take a few goes to get it all in there ... but I have begun a history.

[Fares_Fair]

What does Coast want?
Sunshine Coast Daily
by Emily Ditchburn
Saturday 28th Sep 2013 9:00 AM
 
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/what-does-coast-want/2035367/

THE future of Sunshine Coast transport is blurred and Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says the community must know what it wants before the State Government can act.

"As politicians, how do we say we're going to do this when the Coast doesn't know what it wants?" Mr Bleijie told Kawana Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

Mr Bleijie said he aimed to hold further community consultation into next year.

After years of proposed transport options for the Coast, Mr Bleijie said there was confusion about what was in the pipeline and what the best options were.

"I think what we need to do as a Coast is get a bit of consensus," he said.

"As a local member, I need to know how my community stands on projects like the Coast Connect.

"What we've got to work out is we've got to move people. We've got to look at in the next 30 years how we are going to move people."

Three tiers of government met in Maroochydore yesterday to discuss the future of Sunshine Coast.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the council's vision for transport was an integration of services.

"We want duplication of the Bruce Hwy, duplication of the North Coast rail, and then for that to integrate with a very effective local transport system on the Sunshine Coast," he said.

"Given our very linear nature, light rail is seen as a very suitable solution, but obviously, it would be light rail in combination with buses.

"What's important at this stage and before we take things to the community is to be confident about that detail and what we're going to be able to deliver."

The Sunshine Coast Council has endorsed light rail as its vision for public transport and has begun studying the business case and feasibility of a system, including potential routes.

Mr Jamieson said the success of any future transport schemes on the Coast would rely heavily on State Government funding.

"Ultimately, the State Government has responsibility for public transport," he said.

[Stillwater]

For Mr Bleijie to say that he doesn't know what Sunny Coasters want re transport is just a delaying tactic.  Goodness, there is a pretty comprehensive SCC transport strategy.  Maybe if Mr B and his fellow LNP members on the Sunshine Coast had followed through with their own transport plan for the Coast, we would have had a bit of leadership from LNP members on the Coast.  THEN, Clive Palmer and his mates might not have polled so strongly at the recent federal election.

All Mr Bleijie has to do is ask his parliamentary colleague, Andrew Powell, whose mantra before the state election was the duplication to Nambour had to proceed immediately.

For Mr Bleijie to say that there is a lack on consensus is just a stalling tactic on the Attorney-General's part.

[Stillwater]

Another smash on the Bruce Highway at Sunshine Coast -- long delays for people getting home to Brisbane.  Qld government reliance on road as the principal means of travel on the Coast - even it isn't working.  And we have wall-to-wall government ministers across the Coast too afraid to walk into the Premier's office to demand better road/rail links to the Coast.  They won't even caucus and act on regional issues.   

No wonder people on the Sunny Coast have swung behind whacky Clive -- allows them to vote conservative without voting for LNP.  He is threatening to stand a swag of PUP candidates at the next state election and it is likely that a few of them will get up in the state seats based around Fairfax, Fisher, Wide Bay.  Maybe that will motivate SC members locally.

[Stillwater]

The state government seems to have settled into a line of spin to explain its inaction towards duplicating the SCL between Beerburrum and Nambour -- it's the federal government's responsibility.  Unfortunately, the feds say it is the state's responsibility.  So, it is a Mexican stand-off.  Meanwhile, nothing gets done.

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily 24th October 2013 page 18

Forget the airport, build rail

[Stillwater]

The SC airport is owned by the SC Council, so state government is not the lead agency for its new runway.  On the other hand, the state is the lead agency, and has financially responsible for the Sunshine Coast Line duplication.

With groups such as this calling on the state government to duplicate the SC Line to Landsborough, then to Nambour, electoral support is increasing for those political parties who do promise funding for this important infrastructure.

Right now, that is the Palmer United Party.  The state LNP government must think carefully whether its neglect of important SC infrastructure would lead to the rise of the PUP in the state legislature and allow development of an enclave for the PUP on the Sunshine Coast, knocking off LNP encumbents such as the Attorney-General and also the Environment and Heritage Minister.

The bikies are not that dumb.  I am sure if RailBOT approached them nicely, the bikies would fund an advertising campaign for rail duplication in Mr Bleijie's seat.  Why shouldn't they give the government a headache -- and on a issue that matters?

[Set in train]

Right now, that is the Palmer United Party.  The state LNP government must think carefully whether its neglect of important SC infrastructure would lead to the rise of the PUP in the state legislature and allow development of an enclave for the PUP on the Sunshine Coast, knocking off LNP encumbents such as the Attorney-General and also the Environment and Heritage Minister.

The bikies are not that dumb.  I am sure if RailBOT approached them nicely, the bikies would fund an advertising campaign for rail duplication in Mr Bleijie's seat.  Why shouldn't they give the government a headache -- and on a issue that matters?

That's if PUP embrace backing those projects. Clive was able to promise anything he wanted in the Federal election as he knew he'd pick up only a few seats. State will be a different matter, there'll be more scrutiny on him than the hayseeds at KAP ever had. Susie, Jim and their team (Clive's) will actually have to balance budgets, show costings, revenue or his hopes of toppling the LNP or simply stopping the ALP pick up seats will fail miserably.

Love the lateral thinking about the bikies and a campaign!

[Stillwater]

The bikies would back a drover's dog to win in Mr Bleijie's seat!

[Arnz]

I wouldn't be surprised if PUP does pick up seats at the next Qld state election, most likely at the expense of the LNP.   Prediction is that Labor may only have minimal gains (again at the LNP's expensive), so a dark chance that "PUP" may possibly even be the "official" state opposition in 2 years time.

[Fares_Fair]

As from 20th January 2014, the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture will each receive 2 new daily services.

Sunshine Coast:
The AM peak service departs Nambour at 5:07am, and runs express from Caboolture to Northgate (14 stations), arriving at the CBD at 6:53am.
The PM peak service departs the CBD at 4:22pm, and runs express Bowen Hills to Northgate to Caboolture (19 stations), arriving at Nambour at 6:10pm.

Sunshine Coast timetable modifications:
The current 4.34pm Nambour express service will depart Central station 6 minutes later at 4.40pm.

Caboolture:
A PM peak service will depart Central at 3.55pm and will run express Northgate to Petrie (9 stations), arriving at Caboolture at 4.50pm.
A PM peak service will depart Central at 4.10pm and will run express Northgate to Petrie (9 stations), arriving at Caboolture at 5.05pm.

Caboolture timetable modifications:
The current all stops Caboolture service departing at 4.07pm, will terminate at Petrie. If you normally catch this train to stations beyond Petrie, you will need to transfer.
The current 4.22pm Caboolture express service will depart Central station 6 minutes later at 4.28pm.

Gympie North timetable modifications:
The AM northbound service will depart Central station 4 minutes earlier at 9.33am. It will arrive at Caboolture at 10.17am and Gympie North at 12.39pm.
The PM northbound service will depart Central station at 5.51pm - arriving at Nambour at 7.44pm and Gympie North at 8.48pm.
This is 6 minutes later than the current 5:45pm departure time.[/color]

Further information can be found here --> [/color] http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/1046/details

Though the additional 2 services are very good, and around 10-12 minutes quicker then equivalent services, ultimately the Sunshine Coast is falling further behind.
The reason is frequency of services - the driving force to increasing patronage on any train line.
The most stark example of this is the increase to the Ferny Grove line patronage since its services went to a 15 minute frequency under an LNP election commitment 2 year trial.

After 20 January 2014, when the 7.5% fare hikes will have kicked in, the Gold Coast will have peak hour services at 8 minutes frequency. 
In stark contrast to this, the Sunshine Coast will have a dog's breakfast of train frequencies.
In the AM, these range from 2 services 17 minutes apart, 1 service 24 minutes apart and the remainder at 1/2 hour to 1 hour frequency.

It's why we desperately need #2tracks rail duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour.

[Arnz]

Another fact is that from January 20, the 4 trains to and from Gympie North on Weekdays (3 on Weekends), plus the 4:22pm Central to Nambour will be the only trains running express on the Bowen Hills to Northgate corridor.

The question that has to be asked, how did the planners manage to find the capacity for the 4:22pm's odd one out stopping pattern.

Also to that, every line on the QR City network except the Sunshine Coast Line has 1-2 simplified stopping patterns, thanks to capacity issues both north and south of Caboolture.

With now up to 5 stopping patterns (up to 7 if you count the odd train and railbus shuttles), trying to simplify stopping patterns on the SCL is a complete dog's breakfast.

[James]

The question that has to be asked, how did the planners manage to find the capacity for the 4:22pm's odd one out stopping pattern.

Also to that, every line on the QR City network except the Sunshine Coast Line has 1-2 simplified stopping patterns, thanks to capacity issues both north and south of Caboolture.

With now up to 5 stopping patterns (up to 7 if you count the odd train and railbus shuttles), trying to simplify stopping patterns on the SCL is a complete dog's breakfast.

I believe a service has been removed along the inner Bowen Hills - Northgate stretch, allowing for an express to run without reducing current capacity.

If we wanted to fix stopping pattern issues, simply start running the trains express Bowen Hills - Eagle Junction - Northgate. There is no reason why it can't happen in the off-peak (Nambour trains leave 3 minutes before an all-stopping Caboolture train), and peak I believe Shorncliffe trains + all stopping Airport/Doomben trains will be enough to take up the slack of Toombul/Nundah/Wooloowin/Albion such that all Caboolture/Nambour/Petrie trains can run express Northgate - Bowen Hills in the peaks.

I would wait until Shorncliffe gets 15 minute frequency on weekends before expressing Caboolture (and eventually KR trains) in the off-peak.

[SurfRail]

^ And in the long run, if we end up with Brisbane Underground combined with the NWTC, Strathpine and Shorncliffe can both have 15 minute frequency giving 7.5min headways Northgate to Toombul and then running express through Albion and Wooloowin on the mains, leaving 15 minute Airport and 30 minute or better Doomben trains for the inner section.  All services from north of Strathpine would no longer go via Northgate.

[James]

^ And in the long run, if we end up with Brisbane Underground combined with the NWTC, Strathpine and Shorncliffe can both have 15 minute frequency giving 7.5min headways Northgate to Toombul and then running express through Albion and Wooloowin on the mains, leaving 15 minute Airport and 30 minute or better Doomben trains for the inner section.  All services from north of Strathpine would no longer go via Northgate.

It is only 37 minutes from Roma Street to Shorncliffe. There is no need for Shorncliffe trains to run express, and there will not be for at least a few decades. Much better off boosting frequency. I hope Shorncliffe can operate like the Ferny Grove line one day. I know some will say the pax loads don't justify it, but if you fixed the frequency and the crap network, the loads will.

But we shouldn't derail (haha pun) this thread any further.

[Stillwater]

From memory, the toll booth (on what previously was a 'free' road) went when the people of the Sunshine Coast worked a track past the toll booths and started driving on that!  Maybe we should turn up one Saturday at Beerburrum for a 'duplication' working bee. 

[Stillwater]

We are in election mode, well and truly.  Labor could get brownie-points for making a promise to restart duplication upon being elected into government (although they would have a credibility problem due to halting duplication at Beerburrum abruptly).  Better still if Clive Palmer Party gave an undertaking to duplicate to Nambour.  The people of the Sunshine Coast can't quite bring themselves to voting Labor, but they have no qualms about voting for 'alternative conservative' (ie Palmer Party versus LNP).

We just need to figure out a way to get Labor and Palmer to make that promise, leaving the LNP like a shag on a rock.

More noise from LNP members last week, in the light of the bridge strike at Palmwoods saying they are 'lobbying hard' for duplication (as though they are in Opposition still) despite having said before the election that an 'immediate start' was warranted.  The solution could be to bring forward duplication either side of Palmwoods and through town, remove the bridge altogether and allow town to develop.  It can't while railway track is where it is.

[Stillwater]

From the QR Annual Report:

"Queensland Rail Travel provides long distance services throughout regional Queensland. In FY2012/13, more than 750,000 passengers
travelled with Queensland Rail along the Queensland coast, west to Charleville, Longreach and Mount Isa, as well as along the
Kuranda Scenic Railway."

How many long-distance passengers would use trains that traverse the Sunshine Coast and North Coast Lines? (Three-quarters, or 500,000?)

Brisbane-Cairns, Brisbane-Rockhampton, Brisbane-Bundaberg and Brisbane-Longreach long-distance passenger trains travel via the Sunshine Coast Line.  These passengers are not counted in the CityTrain passenger statistics.  However, they add considerably to the number of QR passengers using the Sunshine Coast Line.  The overall figures demonstrate the significance of this line to the QR network.

Yet it remains the line with the greatest deficiencies.

Query:  Are those Translink customers who use the Caboolture-Nambour rail-buses counted as 'rail' customers or as 'bus' passengers; and therefore not considered when QR determines the number of people travelling by train between Brisbane and Nambour?

[Arnz]

Query:  Are those Translink customers who use the Caboolture-Nambour rail-buses counted as 'rail' customers or as 'bus' passengers; and therefore not considered when QR determines the number of people travelling by train between Brisbane and Nambour?

IIRC, Route 649 passengers are counted as "bus passengers", and are not counted in QR's statistics.  Note that KBL has since repainted the 'railbuses' into the TransLink livery a few years ago, and KBL has been operating the 649 as a standard route.  I noticed KBL are trying put the 'former' railbuses on the route where possible, but any other type of bus can be found on the 649 as well. 

This is as opposed to having dedicated uniforms and dedicated buses with the Maroon and Gold QR livery when the 'Railbus' first started.

I would assume according to the TransLink Bus Review (which has the data of all bus routes including the railbuses of the Lockyer Valley), Route 649's bus patronage is very low.   OFC, it was kept for obvious reasons (to 'supplement' the rail service in weekday off-peak).

[Stillwater]

   Thanks Arnz. 

Worthwhile noting that the railbus users are considered as 'bus travellers', not rail travellers.  It tends to distort the statistics, doesn't it!  These are people who would use rail if they had a choice.

Couple that with the 400,000 to 500,000 passengers using the line as passengers in long distance passenger trains (stopping at Caboolture, Landsborough, Nambour, Cooroy and Gympie) and the patronage would be well up there with Brisbane suburban lines.

[STB]

Query:  Are those Translink customers who use the Caboolture-Nambour rail-buses counted as 'rail' customers or as 'bus' passengers; and therefore not considered when QR determines the number of people travelling by train between Brisbane and Nambour?

IIRC, Route 649 passengers are counted as "bus passengers", and are not counted in QR's statistics.  Note that KBL has since repainted the 'railbuses' into the TransLink livery a few years ago, and KBL has been operating the 649 as a standard route.  I noticed KBL are trying put the 'former' railbuses on the route where possible, but any other type of bus can be found on the 649 as well. 

This is as opposed to having dedicated uniforms and dedicated buses with the Maroon and Gold QR livery when the 'Railbus' first started.

I would assume according to the TransLink Bus Review (which has the data of all bus routes including the railbuses of the Lockyer Valley), Route 649's bus patronage is very low.   OFC, it was kept for obvious reasons (to 'supplement' the rail service in weekday off-peak).

The railbuses used to be managed and administrated by a section underneath Queensland Rail (in fact, my former supervisor at TL was the manager of those railbuses and the Citytrans initiative, which in itself was an experimental version of the now TransLink integrated ticketing system).  A few years after TransLink came on board, route 649 was transferred over to TransLink and placed as a normal TransLink route.

[Stillwater]

Thanks for that explanation SBT.

It shows that QR is relying on distorted data when it comes to calculating patronage on the Sunshine Coast Line.  Each of the buses calls at railway stations along the route in lieu of trains.  There's no question that if trains were available all the bus passengers would use that mode of transport.

This is an issue worth pursuing further.