Ripley Valley - articles discussion etc

[#Metro]

"Buyers will be able to select from lots ranging in size from 330sqm-630sqm and priced from $160,000-$199,000.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Japan's revolutionary electric buses on their way

Japan's revolutionary electric buses on their way
Joel Gould | 28th Oct 2014 5:00 AM

IPSWICH is on the cusp of introducing revolutionary electric buses to the city after a productive visit by Mayor Paul Pisasale to Japan.

Global giant Toshiba has spent millions of dollars in research and development on electric buses and Cr Pisasale rode a prototype bus in Tokyo.

The battery-operated bus has a charge unit and the progressive charge levels of the bus are monitored from a central computer to ensure it never runs too low.

Cr Pisasale said Toshiba "wants to take its innovative and sustainable Japanese technology to the world".

In partnership with the Japanese Government and leading house and community developer Sekisui House, the aim is to introduce the buses initially to Sekisui's Ripley Valley development.

Cr Pisasale met with officials from Toshiba, Japan's Ministry of the Environment and Government, Austrade and Sekisui House CEO Isami Wada to discuss the innovative plan to make Ipswich a pilot site for Australia.

He said an official from Toshiba would visit Ipswich in December to hold more talks about bringing the plan to fruition.

"Toshiba and the Japanese Government have invested millions in developing the electric bus," Cr Pisasale said.

"Ipswich is also fortunate to be linked with Sekisui House, whose whole philosophy is based on sustainability. They are keen to make sure their public transport is second to none in Ripley Valley.

"One of the conditions of the development application was they have to provide public transport.

"The State Government won't fund it until the volumes are up so Sekisui House is looking to subsidise it from the first house.

"They want Ipswich to be the first city in Australia to operate on electric buses."

Cr Pisasale envisaged the first buses would link Ripley Valley with rail transport hubs in Springfield and the Ipswich CBD.

"The range of the bus at the moment is 52 kilometres and it takes five minutes to charge," he said.

"The batteries they use in the bus are re-useable and when they get to a certain stage in their life they place them in another unit that can power buildings, which we can do in Australia.

During his visit Cr Pisasale inspected the light rail system operating in Kyoto.

He said he had plans to see the driverless system utilised in Ipswich to "connect all our growth centres together and link people to the transport hubs".

Cr Pisasale envisaged light rail servicing Springfield, Ripley, the CBD, USQ, Brassall and industry hubs at Bundamba, Redbank and Carole Park.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ripley Valley development selling more than one block a day

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Building work has started on the first homes in the masterplanned Ecco Ripley development, near Ipswich.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Dow flags rapid transit buses for future Ripley boom

A RAIL corridor from Ripley into Ipswich exists but public transport advocate Robert Dow has flagged that it may not be possible to successfully implement a rail line there.

The corridor has been set aside by the State Government for future rail line extensions from Springfield Central in a loop back into the centre of Ipswich.

With the Ripley Valley to house 120,000 people in the future, public transport will be the key to preventing major congestion on roads.

"But I am not sure whether the rail option will work because of the development that has already occurred," Mr Dow said.

"It will be very difficult to push a line from Ripley back into Ipswich via the old Churchill line, which is the alleged corridor.

"It would be a massive disruption to the community and involve massive resumptions, but I think the heavy rail should be extended (from Springfield Central) to Redbank Plains and Ripley."

Mr Dow's analysis reveals how difficult it is to retro-fit infrastructure once development has taken place.

He said he favoured bus rapid transit (BRT) being used from Ripley to Ipswich like exists in Brisbane.

"Bus rapid transit is where you have dedicated lanes on surface roads for buses and they run high frequency and high capacity," he said.

"You might look at running electric buses from Ripley to Ipswich because they are coming into their own.

"You would then have your rail at Ripley feeding back into Redbank Plains, Springfield and Darra. That would be achievable and sensible."

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Rail plan to cover burial sites at Deebing Creek

COMMUTERS will walk across mass graves and the burial sites of indigenous elders to access a train station under the proposed route for a new Ipswich rail line.

The planned rail line linking Springfield and Ipswich via Ripley passes directly through the Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission and Cemetery area, reportedly the site of murder and massacres.

Traditional owners were outraged to discover the long-standing plans only this year, despite multiple State Government consultation sessions throughout the past 10 years.

An Environmental Impact Study recognises the cultural significance of the area but concludes the transport corridor "would not significantly impact" on the heritage significance of the site because the infrastructure is proposed to be elevated, "allowing pedestrian access and local traffic underneath".

Daniel Thompson, who was given elders' permission to speak on behalf of his family group, the Yuggera-Daran Thompson-Turner line, said his people disagree.

He claims that while consultation was carried out with the people nominated to represent traditional owners, confirmed by the Department of Main Roads as representatives of the Jagera People, his group had never been approached by anyone.

He also said those listed under native title agreements did not have permission from his people to speak on their behalf.

"Our relatives are resting here," Mr Thompson said.

"This ground should be left alone. Our descendants have always been in this area. My grandparents were born at Purga Mission.

"Why weren't we made aware of it and why haven't we been included in any of the discussions?

"This concerns every group in Queensland because there are ancestors buried here from other groups and they deserve consultation too."

Daniel Thompson, descendant of Henry Thompson Snr and King Billy Turner, traditional owners of the Deebing Creek Mission area. Helen Spelitis

During the consultation period, which included letters, newspaper ads, newsletters and public displays, Main Roads received no objections to the proposed route.

Mr Thompson said his family understood the need for a new rail line, but wanted it diverted around Deebing Creek and the Purga Mission, also impacted by the proposal.


Extract from the Ipswich to Spingfield Public Transport Corridor Study

If the line goes ahead as proposed, the Ripley North station will be on the doorstep of burial sites.

One recommendation handed down in the Ipswich to Springfield Public Transport Corridor Study was to engage the Jagera Duran people more, before any construction or final plans were drafted.

Mr Thompson, a descendant of Harry Thompson Snr and King Billy Turner who are considered original owners of the land in question, fears that consultation won't include his family.

For Jill Davidson, the idea of people walking across the land where her grandmother's daughter was killed and buried, was unimaginable.

"They aren't just buried in the cemetery, they're buried all around here," Aunty Jill said.

Last year ground penetrating radars revealed a mass grave near the headstone of a school teacher, a white woman.

The imaging showed the bodies were not buried in plots as they would have been on the consecrated ground of the old mission cemetery.

There is no documented evidence of a mass burial in the area but indigenous elders tell the story of a school teacher who tried to stop troopers shooting young children and was caught in the cross fire.

Records show a school had been established at the mission in 1895 and lists the names of 25 children.

Today, a meeting will be held in Ipswich to decide on the future of a current Native Title agreement.


A map of the proposed rail route.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/203826

A new bus for Ripley Valley



From early 2019, a new bus route will be introduced into Ripley Valley.

Route 531 will connect with trains at Springfield station and buses at Yamanto Village, making travel to Brisbane city and Ipswich easy.

There will be 14 services a day (in each direction) and will operate Monday to Friday, between approximately 5.30am and 10pm.

Stopping locations
This service will stop in the following locations:

Springfield Central station and Orion Shopping Centre
Providence Harmony Crescent
Providence Splash 'n' Play
Ripley Town Centre
Ecco Ripley
Yamanto Village.
Map of bus route

Information stalls
Come and have a chat to us at any of the below information stalls.

Date   Time   Location
Saturday, 10 November 2018   8am to 10.30am   Providence Community Expo, Providence Centre
Monday, 12 November 2018   6.30am to 9am   Springfield Central station
Thursday, 15 November 2018   3pm to 8pm   Ripley Town Centre
Wednesday 21 November 2018   4pm to 6pm   Springfield Central station
Thursday, 22 November 2018   9am to 8pm   Ripley Town Centre
Thursday, 29 November 2018   3pm to 8pm   Ripley Town Centre
Saturday, 1 December 2018   9am to 4pm   Ripley Town Centre
Saturday, 8 December 2018   9am to 4pm   Ripley Town Centre
More sessions will be added in the new year, please keep checking back.

Timetables
A timetable and more details about when this bus will be in service will be available soon, please keep checking this page for more information.

More information
We'll keep this page updated as more information becomes available about route 531, please keep checking back.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1060991651768754176

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th November 2018

Ripley Valley - new bus the 531 welcomed !

Greetings,

Some good news for the Western bus region, TransLink will be introducing a route bus to the Ripley Valley early in 2019.

See > https://translink.com.au/service-updates/203826

Map of route 531



Proposed hours of operation are at this stage to be between 5.30am and 10pm.  This bus will connect Ripley to the Springfield Central rail station to the east, and at Yamanto and the 515 route bus to the west.  The 515 bus provides frequent connections to Ipswich City. The first weekday train departure from Springfield Central is 5.09am, it would be good if the first bus could start earlier from Ripley to connect to that rail service.  Parking is a problem at Springfield Central station so the more passengers who can choose to use the bus the better!

There are information stalls for local residents commencing today, 10th November 2018.  For full details see > https://translink.com.au/service-updates/203826

Overall this is a very welcome addition to the TransLink public transport network.  Thank you.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1061064595811561473

[ozbob]

Been a strong response to this facebook post.  Shows that improvements need not be based around costly infrastructure to be well received, how much better if there was some overall decent bus network reform!   

[SurfRail]

^ Sorry to be a touch negative, but why on earth would they not be providing weekend and public holiday services?  Even a basic smattering surely.  We are well past this point I would have thought.

[ozbob]

^ Sorry to be a touch negative, but why on earth would they not be providing weekend and public holiday services?  Even a basic smattering surely.  We are well past this point I would have thought.

Yes, a bit disappointing.  I am hoping that during the information sessions there will be some feedback on that.  The way development is going ahead I am confident that it will go 7 days before long.  It has taken a while to get to this point. 

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 12th November 2018 page 2

Ripley's new transport



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

Queensland Times 12th November 2018 page 12 My comment (editorial)

Ripley bus a good first step to fix

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/11/12/new-bus-route-for-ripley-valley-and-springfield-central

Media Statements

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Monday, November 12, 2018

New bus route for Ripley Valley and Springfield Central

A new bus service for residents of Ripley Valley will help meet demand for public transport in the booming region.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said from early in the New Year the new 531 route would connect Springfield Central station and Orion Shopping Centre to Yamanto, via the Ripley Village Priority Development Area for the first time.

"This is great news for all those who live, work and visit this rapidly growing district," Ms Howard said.

"I am proud to be part of a government that is providing new public transport infrastructure to link bus and train services and greater transport flexibility for the local community."

Ms Howard said that with a travel time of just 26 minutes from Ecco Ripley to Springfield Central train station, the route would provide a convenient and easy connection to the Springfield rail line for residents of Ripley.

"The delivery of the 531 bus route once again proves we are committed to providing reliable, convenient public transport in this strong growth corridor," she said.

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen welcomed the new route for her community.

"This new service will relieve some of the carparking pressure at Springfield Central station as residents driving in from Ripley and Yamanto will now have another option to get around the local area."

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will contribute $6.6 million towards the early provision of public transport services through municipal infrastructure charges levied on developers.

"This is a greenfield project that recognises the importance of delivering effective and efficient solutions to meet the emerging public transport needs of Ripley Valley residents," he said.

"EDQ, the state government's specialist land use planning and property development unit, and Department of Transport and Main Roads (Translink) have been working closely on the project since early-2018.

"The proposed service is in response to Translink's route and demand analysis and follows extensive discussions with Ipswich City Council and Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the services would provide an important new spoke in western Brisbane's transport network.

"Public transport use across south-east Queensland is at record levels with 182 million trips taken last financial year," he said.

"We know that if you provide the right mix of services and new infrastructure and connect it efficiently with other transport, then people will use it.

"We will continue to monitor how the service is used as the community grows and make adjustments where necessary to support passenger needs and travel patterns."

The 531 route will feature seven stops and will start from Springfield about 5.30am with the last service to terminate at Yamanto about 10pm.

The route will be operated by Westside Bus Company.

The seven stops on the 531 route will be located at:

    Orion Springfield Central
    Springfield Central station
    Providence Parade
    Harmony Crescent, Providence
    Ripley Town Centre
    Parkview Parade, Ecco Ripley
    Yamanto Shopping Centre

For further information on services visit translink.com.au (external site), download the MyTransLink app (external site), or call 13 12 30.

ENDS

[Cazza]

They have even said it themselves:

"This new service will relieve some of the carparking pressure at Springfield Central station as residents driving in from Ripley and Yamanto will now have another option to get around the local area"

There's no need for big, expensive PnR upgrades because feeder buses do that for you!

When will they start listening?!!

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_11_12_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Ripley, Bus Service

Ms HOWARD: My question is directed to the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing,
Infrastructure and Planning. Will the minister please update the House on new bus services in Ripley
and is the minister aware of any other approaches?

Mr DICK: I welcome to the gallery of the parliament students from the Anglican Church Grammar
School, a very fine school. I thank the member for Ipswich for her question and acknowledge her strong
advocacy for public transport services in her electorate. The Ipswich corridor is among the fastest
growing in the country and the new Ripley development is among the fastest growing areas in that
corridor. That is why, this week, I was delighted to announce a new bus service for Ripley, the 531
service, to better serve the needs of that community. I announced that as the Minister for State
Development responsible for that priority development area, including getting people in that area to
work. This is an important bus route.

Last week in Queensland there was another bus route. Unlike the 531 bus service, there was
no-one on this bus. Certainly, no-one was doing any work on that bus. That leads me to the Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, who is clearly of the view, 'Why visit Queensland when you can fly over the
top of it?' The ScoMo ghost bus was emptier than the policy platform of the member for Nanango. We
have to feel sorry for the driver of the bus. There he is in the lame duck express going up the Bruce
Highway. He has all the pies in the back, but no-one is there to eat them.

This morning on the radio we heard the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, say to
people in Queensland who want more funding for public transport and roads, 'Try living somewhere
else.' That was his answer to Queenslanders. There are no new buses from him. There are no new
trains from him. What about the state LNP bus? Do members remember that they were all in the
kombivan fuelled by renewables? That has broken down on the side of the road.

Mr Stevens interjected.

Mr DICK: The member for Mermaid Beach is calling out. He has cut off the dreadlocks. The
member for Burleigh prefers trains in Canada. He does not want to support public transport. Pacing the
aisle as the conductor is Gary Spence. He says, 'Show me your ticket'—an extreme right ticket—
'otherwise get off the bus. Verity Barton, get off the bus.' On hops the member for Broadwater. He wants
to start driving the bus straightaway. 'Member for Chatsworth, member for Currumbin and member for
Clayfield, got a conscience? Off you get. You don't need to be on the bus. You are excess baggage.
We don't need you.'

The truth is that the LNP bus is the bus that no Queenslander wants to ride on. It is going in
circles. The backbench is getting restless. They keep asking the same question, 'Are we there yet?' For
as long as the member for Nanango is driving, they are never going to get there. With the member for
Nanango driving the bus, you are all on the road to nowhere.

Mr SPEAKER: Minister for State Development, I remind you to put your comments through the
chair.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 14th November 2018 page 15

Good news for the Western bus region

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1062419885932732416

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> New rail urgent to facilitate growth

INFRASTRUCTURE is not keeping pace with population growth and will cause gridlock in the next 20 years, according to a new transport study.

The Council of Mayors' regional People Mass Movement Study, to be released in January 2019, will highlight benefits to residents and future transport goals.

The study is an in-depth view of the growth and transport challenges facing the region, ultimately delivering a roadmap to reduce congestion and drive stronger regional connectivity in the coming decades.

While it is being delivered as part of an investigation into a regional 2032 Olympic Games, the Council of Mayors believes the findings are vital to the future of southeast Queensland.

Initial findings from the study have been released, which shows by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and make fascinating reading for Ipswich commuters.

Currently, it takes 58 minutes to travel by train from Ipswich Central to Brisbane Central.

A proposed faster rail program, to be delivered by 2031, would see a reduction in travel time of 66 per cent to just 20 minutes.

Ipswich administrator Greg Chemello said a faster rail program would be crucial for the region as population soared at an unprecedented rate.

He welcomed a trip of 20 minutes between the two cities.

"We recently passed the 215,000 population point and we are heading towards 500,000 within 20 years," Mr Chemello said.

"It is absolutely vital that public transport is significantly improved to cater for that growth.

"That means rail, buses and a better transport and road network."

The Springfield railway line opened in December 2013, but commuters have to change trains at Darra to get to Ipswich.

The State Government's Connecting SEQ 2031 Plan includes an extension of the Springfield line to Redbank Plains and Ripley - two of the region's fastest growing suburbs - and through to Ipswich.

The council has been lobbying with the State Government to introduce the link sooner, with land available now to build the extension to Redbank Plains and Ripley.

"We can't stress enough the importance of this rail link," Mr Chemello said.

"Ipswich is growing rapidly and we need the transport infrastructure urgently to cope with the population explosion."

The People Mass Movement Study revealed infrastructure delivery in southeast Queensland was not keeping pace with the region's projected population growth.

"Traffic congestion will continue to worsen on all of southeast Queensland's major corridors as we head towards 2031, and by 2041, all major corridors will be over capacity in peak hours conditions," it said.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 12th December 2018 page 5

Rail line a ' no-brainer '

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Miller throws down demand to colleagues: Build the rail line

JO-ANN Miller urged the State Government to continue the Springfield rail line to Redbank Plains in 2013 to keep costs down, she said.

Ms Miller, the Member for Bundamba, revealed she urged the State Government to extend the rail line while it was being built; an urge rejected.

"It would have been cheaper to keep the project going," Ms Miller said.

"Funding was not provided and it terminated."

Ms Miller supports the vital expansion to the railway and said her residents did too.

"We need to have the railway put through to Redbank Plains and Ripley because people in Ipswich traditionally like rail travel," she said.

"I want it built, there's no question about that."

A spokesman from Transport Minister Mark Bailey's office said Springfield's rail extension wouldn't be built until the mid-2020s.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to build the rail extension to Redbank Plains and Ripley but this is not possible without Cross River Rail which will be the catalyst for expansion of the network throughout southeast Queensland," he said.

"The government fully appreciates the need to expand services in line with population growth, which is why Cross River Rail is so vital.

"Cross River Rail will unlock the bottleneck at the centre of our rail system currently restricting growth and will enable a needed significant increase in network capacity.

"In anticipation of a new European Train Control System signalling system and Cross River Rail on schedule to be operating by the mid-2020s, a strategy is under development to assess future demand and determine how investment in the network could be staged over the next decade."

Ms Miller called on her colleagues to build the line sooner to improve public transport for residents.

"They use the railway line and they want it closer to their homes," she said.

"At Redbank Plains there are plans for a significant park and ride and it would actually reduce the park and ride congestion at Springfield, Goodna and Redbank."

Yesterday Rail Back on Track advocacy group spokesman Robert Dow said the project was ready to start.

"From a civil construction point of view the corridor is already there and there's no problem with land acquisitions," he said.

"The line can be extended almost immediately through to Redbank Plains.

He disputed the State Government's claim the expansion could not be built before Cross River Rail.

Queensland Times 13th December 2018 page 5

Hurry up and build rail line: MP Miller

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1072884635397382144

[Stillwater]

Mark Bailey, from QT article: "In anticipation of a new European Train Control System signalling system and Cross River Rail on schedule to be operating by the mid-2020s, a strategy is under development to assess future demand and determine how investment in the network could be staged over the next decade."

So, Queensland is only at the stage of DEVELOPING the strategy under which network improvements will be made over the next decade.  They don't have the strategy?  They don't know now, 10 years out [or sooner] what they are going to build and when?

The SCL duplication has only just entered the 'final design stage'.

The state government is powering ahead at a snail's pace when it comes to rail infrastructure planning and implementation.  The policy very clearly appears to be focus on CRR, everything else stops until then.

[#Metro]

They're just using one issue to springboard to a completely separate issue that they want to talk about.

That way you don't even engage in the issue at hand.

That area is getting a bus I believe.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 15th March 2019  pages 1 and 2

We can't wait



Rail link a priority for city life quality

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1106267279493226496

[ozbob]

Note map in article is missing a couple of stations

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/I/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor-Study

A total of 9 new stations are planned.

The University of Queensland, Ipswich Campus
Berry Street, One Mile (Park 'n' Ride)
Yamanto
Deebing South (Park 'n' Ride)
Ripley North
Ripley Valley Town Centre
Swanbank (Park 'n' Ride)
School Road, Redbank Plains
Keidges Road, Bellbird Park (Park 'n' Ride).

[ozbob]

Letter to Editor Queensland Times 18th March 2019 page 13

Publishing of rail line story to be applauded

[ozbob]

Ipswich First --> Report cements importance of Springfield Central to Ipswich Central rail line

The development of a 25-kilometre public transport corridor from Ipswich Central to Springfield Central is seen as critical to the future of the city and South East Queensland.

A special report presented to Ipswich City Council this week, Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor, details the importance of this line, including providing an essential link to new suburbs emerging across the city, new business and employment opportunities.

Council's Economic Development manager Paul Massingham said the project presents an opportunity to deliver a public transport solution that addresses the current and emerging growth facing the Ipswich region and South East Queensland.

"The Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor is approximately 25km in length and is proposed to include the construction of nine stations," he said.

"The project is a critical component of the transport network and will create new social and economic opportunities and community services, connecting the key activity centres of Ipswich, Ripley Valley, Springfield and surrounding areas.

"This project is critical to the future of Ipswich and SEQ with population growth in this corridor already the highest in Queensland and expected to grow to almost 259,000 by 2036."

The Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor is recognised as a priority project by the State Government and is considered the region's highest priority infrastructure project to meet the needs of our future growth.

"Network effectiveness and road congestion are increasingly significant impediments to economic productivity and overall quality of life for communities. Improved transport services are critical to the regions ability to deliver real economic and community outcomes," Mr Massingham said.

"Projects of this scale require years of rigorous planning and therefore it is critical that council takes a leadership position on driving this project forward."

Council's Office of Economic Development will work with key stakeholders and immediately progress with the implementation of stage 1 (Strategic Business Case) of three formal planning stages.

"The Ipswich Central to Spring Central public transport corridor will enhance the benefits delivered by Cross River Rail (CRR), increasing capacity and efficiency in the SEQrail network," he said.

"To enable the project to be ready for construction after the completion of CRR, it is imperative that the three key stages of planning are completed prior to CRR becoming operational in 2024.

"Immediate action is critical to ensure that the Ipswich Central to Springfield Central public transport corridor remains a priority project at all levels of government and is delivered in a timeframe that meets the needs of the regions rapid growth."

Currently, Springfield residents travelling by rail to Ipswich have to catch a Brisbane CBD-bound train, get off at Darra station then switch to an Ipswich-bound train.

That trips takes a minimum 50 minutes providing the connection as Darra is prompt. A direct Springfield Central to Ipswich Central train would halve the time for that journey.

A community survey conducted by council found that 43 per cent of respondents said public transport was not convenient or easy to use; 46 per cent said it takes too long, and 38 per cent did not use it because of the lack of stops or stations near their home or travel destination.

This dissatisfaction has created a fundamental problem in Ipswich – an over-reliance on private vehicles and congestion on our roads.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 28th March 2019 page 3

Spend money on existing rail, not just plans: RACQ

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Commuters are lining up to catch city's new bus service


Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track is pleased to see more commuters utilising the Ripley Valley 531 bus service. Picture Rob Williams

PATRONAGE on the new Ripley Valley 531 bus service continues to grow, with around 500 people catching the bus each month week.

The route, which connects Yamanto to Springfield Central train station via Ripley Valley, has been running since January 29.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the service was being used by customers of all ages, with adults representing 37 per cent of passengers.

"During the first full week of the service in February there were 314 trips taken," Ms Howard said.

"This has grown to 451 trips in the last week recorded, peaking at 498 trips during the week beginning March 18.

"Residents told us the Ripley Valley 531 service would be important for the area and that's been made clear by the growing number of passengers hopping on board."

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow described the figures as "encouraging".

"Up to 500 passengers per month week so far is a really great start," Mr Dow said.

"We are delighted the numbers are going upwards, and I am fairly confident we will see those numbers rise to 1000 passengers each month  week very soon."

The bus service currently has seven stops, with 14 services offered daily every Monday to Friday. It stops at Orion Springfield Central, Springfield Central Station, Providence Parade, Harmony Crescent, Providence, Ripley Town Centre, Parkview Parade, Ecco Ripley and Yamanto Shopping Centre.

Mr Dow said he hoped to see weekend services added to the 531 timetable in the future.

"The rail lines run seven days a week so this will give more people options for travelling on the weekend," he said.

"This will be very beneficial to the people of Ripley who want to travel into Springfield or Ipswich."

Services on the route start from Springfield at 5.30am with the last service terminating at Yamanto around 10pm.

The route is operated by Westside Bus Company.

Ed:  Source article has now been corrected.

[ozbob]

    Up to 119 trips a day are conducted on this service.

    The average number of daily trips is 76.

    Trips per week has increased from 314 in the first full week of service to almost 500 trips in recent weeks.

    Adults account for approximately 37% of passenger trips.

    Monday 18 March has been the busiest week to date for the service with 498 passenger trips recorded.



=====

Steady increase.  500 per week ~= 26,000 per year.  I think it will get to 1000 per week by the end of year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1118543269250551808

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 25th April 2019 page 3

Ripley family, building hotspot

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/IpswichCouncil/status/1125658523117989888

[SurfRail]

Geez it might be a good idea to run some buses on the weekend, hey?

[timh]

So I was taking a look at the alignment for the proposed Springfield - Ipswich rail extension, and I noticed on the Ipswich end it seems to follow a disused rail corridor (forgive me if I'm wrong)

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/Projects/I/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor-Study/ipswich-springfield-future-rail-corridor-0216.pdf?la=en

Curves off just west of Ipswich station, crosses Chalinor street, Tiger street, Keogh street, Omar Street, Moffatt Street. I couldn't find any reference to a branch line there in my digging online. Anyone know what this corridor was/is? Looks to me like a disused rail corridor but could be some other track idk.

[Stillwater]

Maybe this it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dugandan_railway_line