27 Feb 2012: SEQ: 535 Richlands Rocket - congratulations on a job well done!

[ozbob]

Media release 27 February 2012

SEQ: 535 Richlands Rocket - congratulations on a job well done!

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 congratulated Westside Bus Company, TransLink and Queensland Government for the successful commencement of the 535 'Richlands Rocket' bus (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"About a year ago, RAIL Back on Track began to receive feedback from Springfield residents about wanting to access the new Richlands station. Residents didn't want to wait until the rail project was finished, they wanted services to get them directly there and as soon as possible."

"Following consultation by TransLink, 99% of survey respondents supported the introduction of a direct 'Richlands Rocket' bus. This morning RAIL Back On Track was pleased to observe that the initial loads on the first 535 services were good indeed and the service is likely to become a big success due to its no-nonsense, direct and fast route which sticks to fast arterial roads (Centenary Motorway). A surprising observation is that counter-peak (outbound) services also appear to be used by students."

"RAIL Back On Track calls for routes 460 and 461 Inala/Forest Lake which compete with the Richlands line to be terminated at Indooroopilly Interchange. This would free up funding for other service improvements, such as more 535 bus services during the off peak as popularity of this bus service increases."

"It is a myth that we have to wait for big ticket, multi-billion dollar construction projects that take decades to deliver before we can get improvements to bus and train services. By using connecting bus services to existing busways and existing rail stations we can get services now, using existing infrastructure."

"Once again, congratulations on a job well done!"

Reference:

1. Bus link from Springfield to Richlands train station http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5226.0

Contact:

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




535  bus at Richlands railway station, bus stop A.

Photograph R Dow 27th February 2012

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5226.0