22 Feb 2012: SEQ: RAIL Back On Track welcomes bus upgrade package

[ozbob]

Media release 22 February 2012

SEQ: RAIL Back On Track welcomes bus upgrade package

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 has welcomed TransLink's February bus upgrade packages (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes the introduction of new services this week. The Richlands 'Rocket' - 535 bus Springfield to Richlands via Centenary motorway, will blast off next week and represents a big win for the Springfield community who now don't need to wait for the Springfield line to reach them to take advantage of the new train services. Service upgrades to route 29 will be useful in relieving peak seasonal load as university semester begins. The UQ Lakes Busway station upgrade, although late is progressing, and the construction impacts are being handled commendably. An upgrade to the 462 bus route to now include Darra Centenary Village has given this residential community a regular public transport service for the first time (2)."

"Further upgrades should focus on strengthening the Core Frequent Network - the minimum basic high-frequency public transport network required to properly link the CBD with the suburbs and the suburbs with each-other. This will set the stage for a game-changing transformation of the transport network where connections are used to convert low frequency direct routes into high frequency feeder services feeding into the Core Frequent Network at minimal additional cost (3, 4)."

"Better frequency directly stimulates patronage. Using connections rather than direct services gives high frequency to more people for the same fixed budget."

Further bus priority areas are:

Bulimba (230/235) Centenary Suburbs (400) Wynnum Road Corridor (227 or 220) South Pine Road and Old Northern Road Corridor (359 or 350) The Great Circle Line (break into sections and upgrade).

"It is good to see that revenue from fare rises has funded new services. However, there is an upper limit to what can be charged for before degrading value for money. With fares rising at 15% each year, and fares being some of the highest in the world, there is now a huge public expectation that money will be prioritised to deliver frequency where it is needed most (Core Frequent Network) and that waste will be cut by reviewing 'legacy routes' and cancelling plans for 'Maroon CityGliders' (5)."

"As RAIL Back On Track has always said, services must be frequent, bottom line!"

References:

1.  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1326673903

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7404.0

3.  Building a Core Frequent Network   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

4.  Core Frequent Network Discussion Paper -  less is more  http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/cfn_v1.pdf

5.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7578.msg85869#msg85869

Contact:

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