31 Jan 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Don't sacrifice network quality

[ozbob]

Media release  31 January 2012

SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Don't sacrifice network quality



RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers is concerned about 'half baking' of major infrastructure.

The construction of heavy 'big ticket' infrastructure is both costly and time consuming (approximately 200 million dollars per km of busway or rail and many years of construction). It is therefore essential that it be built right from day one so that passengers get what they paid for and get decent, frequent services. RAIL Back On Track is concerned about what we call 'half baking' - that is building the infrastructure, but only building it to a level where the full realisation of its utility is hampered or restricted in some critical way. This prevents the full benefit of the infrastructure being realised.

In other words, it's being penny wise, but pound foolish.

Here are a few examples of this apparent approach:

1. Rebuilding the Gold Coast Line with single track sections which restricts frequency, costs passengers time in the form of delays and imposes extra costs in the form of start up and shut down project costs.

2. Not completing the Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication immediately following the Caboolture-Beerburrum duplication.

3. Duplicating Mitchelton to Keperra, but then not Keperra to Ferny Grove until 4 years later. Ferny Grove line users are yet to see any increases to off peak train frequencies. In effect, millions of dollars has been spent on concrete and steel but still no-one on the Ferny Grove Line can get around anywhere faster after the upgrade.

4. Not electrifying the 4th track between Corinda and Darra, which reduces timetabling and operational flexibility.

5. Missing out Ellen Grove station on the Springfield Line.

6. Only triplicating instead of quadruplicating Salisbury to Kuraby.

7. 30 minute frequencies on the Richlands line, which cost millions and millions of dollars to construct but is no more frequent than the parallel 460 bus which it replaces. The net increase in mobility over the pre-existing bus is thus zero.  The 460 bus route needs modification as continuing duplication is financially wasteful.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"This 'half baked' approach means that restrictions and small projects build up over time and the result is a system riddled with operational inflexibilities, limitations and conflicts such that it is not possible to even run a basic 15 minute train service in both directions at the same time to the ends of many train lines for example the Cleveland and Beenleigh/Gold Coast lines, with consistent clock-face times."

"RAIL Back On Track thus calls for the Kippa-Ring line to be connected to the Caboolture line by means of a overpass structure if needed so that conflicts do not occur and so that cross-platform connections are possible should the service need to be run as a shuttle in the future. This will also allow ExpressLink trains to speed through Petrie free from conflicts in the years to come."

"Frequency and thus operational flexibility is central to decent attractive transit, so infrastructure needs to be built right the first time. It costs money and time and headaches to go back and fix up mistakes."

Reference:

1.  http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2012/01/moreton-bay-rail-link-also-half-baked.html

Contact:

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