Letters to the editor - Not published

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 24

The announcement of a 'green light for a community of 120,000 for the Ripley valley near Ipswich' is lacking any real commitment to sustainable transport.  Experience with Springfield has shown that a failure to put in place the necessary public transport just leads to transport poor car dependent socially disadvantaged urban fringes.

Springfield was touted as a new type of residential community, less car dependent and more environmentally sustainable.  But there is no sign of a railway yet to Springfield.  Latest estimate is 2015 if they are lucky.  To add another 120,000 car dependent citizens into this general area will result in total road and car dependency at the mercy of rising fuel prices and mortgage meltdown.

It is time to change the transport paradigm. Before communities are established build a railway line from Richlands, Springfield, through the Ripley Valley to Ipswich.  Then when new communities are established the public transport is already in place and it becomes the transport option of choice.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 28

Single ticket and go card journeys to the Brisbane Airport from suburban stations on connecting rail services cost more than the sum of the individual fares. This a farce, and makes a mockery of the integrated ticketing concept and seamless travel to the airport.  'Smart State' commuters now break their journey at the CBD stations to stop being ripped off.  Fares for the go card are equivalent to the paper ticketing for connecting services to Brisbane airport. This added fare impost is NOT mentioned in the go card advertising material that promotes the go card as having up front discounts.  Is this a breach of the advertising regulations?  People who do a continuous journey should actually receive a discount rather than an added fare cost.  This is a perverse practice the way commuters are slugged the extra fares.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Brisbane mX September 28

Queensland Rail Passenger services has announced changes for the ticket gates at Central station from the 30th September. This has caused some negative feedback from public transport commuters as they do not fully understand the actual changes.  These changes are not an attempt to force go card uptake, rather, the changes will help reduce fare evasion and will lead to improved flows through the various ticket barriers at the busiest station on the Citytrain network.

An analysis of the barrier changes indicates that during peak paper ticket holders will be able to use 10 ticket gates (presently they can use 9 gates).  The opening up of the Anne St number 1 ticket barrier will give 4 new paper only gates.   Go card users will have 12 dedicated go card gates, and will share a further 6 gates with paper.  The big advantage is that the go card holders will in the main be separated from the paper ticket stream for those go card users passing through the Creek and Edward Street arrays.  This will actually improve commuter flow once people become aware of the changes.

It has been apparent that some commuters have been using a go card for travel that is actually not actively touched on for some journeys.   The recent acquisition of mobile card readers for TransLink Transit Officers, together with a number of progressive gate changes will indeed mean that all commuters will be paying their fares. This is only fair.

The go card is generally working well on rail, but there is a need for off peak and fare capping.  Significant problems still remain with the go card on buses and ferries.  It is important that the go card system be made reliable and fares innovative to keep encouraging up take of the go card. A high uptake of the go card will lead to improved efficiency of our public transport.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail September 30

The announcement by the Premier and Minister for Transport of some extra early-bird services on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines is very welcome.  But to help encourage commuters to utilise the early services and free up some peak capacity incentive ticketing using the go card would be the go!

The go card works well on rail, all that is needed is some incentive fares and off peak fares to help share the load!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 5

Correspondent Geoff Fairless (Letters, C-M Oct 4-5) is spot on. The Building Australia Fund must come forth and support the Queensland Government with their metropolitan rail initiatives.  Immediate priorities should include construction of a double railway line Richlands to Springfield now, commence the long awaited Petrie to Kippa-Ring railway and bring forward the duplication of the Cleveland and Ferny Grove lines. Triplication of  the main western line from Darra to Ipswich is also a priority. An underground Brisbane City rail tunnel is also needed to give much needed capacity and utility.

Urgent further acquisition of rail rolling stock and training of more crew to match is also needed to ramp up frequency on all lines. All lines generally need 15 minutes frequency between 5am and 8pm week days,  peak times 7 and a half minutes or better, and 20 minutes outside these times and on weekends and public holidays.  Matched with local integrated feeder buses this will take a lot of pressure off the roads and radial bus routes, and makes environmental sense. As was demonstrated at the air show this past weekend, public transport properly resourced works!

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 15

The article 'Brisbane needs more busways, C-M Oct 15' highlights the fact that the buses are already at capacity and the need to continue to ramp up rail to give the bulk mass transit capacity as a consequence. 

Read the CSIRO report Fuel for Thought to see what the future holds if we don't.  Buses are not trains. More feeder buses (in the mode that buses cope well with) into key rail and bus stations and more lateral bus routes is essential. Continue to resource our passenger rail properly. The bus-centric fixation on short term transport solutions has failed. Just ask the thousands left standing at bus stops every day. 

The Queensland Government and TransLink have suddenly realised that rail must be a priority if we are to extricate ourselves from the transport meltdown.  Must be an election looming.

The Planning Institute and similar august bodies have contributed to the mess.  Time to move forwards with real rail solutions.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail October 19

Why is it, when it comes to major railway transport infrastructure, Queensland keeps on getting it so wrong? Recent examples include the failure to duplicate the Gold Coast line from the outset, and the failure to duplicate the railway line to Ferny Grove.

As amazing as it might seem, the fourth railway line being constructed between Corinda and Darra is not going to be fully electrified.   It will be electrified for part of the way from Darra to a point before Oxley.  This is despite the overhead masts and everything being in place. This failure to completely electrify the fourth line will lead to capacity constraints and loss of operational flexibility.  It has been determined that the fourth line will be needed by 2015 to give suburban passenger capacity, so it is illogical not to perform the works whilst construction teams are in place and working on the line now. This will actually save money.

The Springfield railway line construction date keeps getting put back.  Bizarrely, the plan for the railway line is for a single track from Richlands to Stepham. The requirement to run 15 minute frequency or better on this line to service the huge population increases forecast for Springfield and the Ripley Valley generally makes this decision look positively stupid.  It will need to be a double track, with stations where people can conveniently access the railway.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 20

Chris Hale (Viewpoint, C-M Oct 20) suggests the first steps to a proper sustainable transport future have only just begun. Why is it then, when it comes to major railway transport infrastructure, has Queensland got it so wrong? Recent examples include the failure to duplicate the Gold Coast line from the outset, and the failure to duplicate the railway line to Ferny Grove.

The failures continue. As amazing as it might seem, the fourth railway line being constructed between Corinda and Darra is not going to be fully electrified.   It will be electrified for part of the way from Darra to a point before Oxley.  This is despite the overhead masts and everything being in place. This failure to completely electrify the fourth line will lead to capacity constraints and loss of operational flexibility.  It has been determined that the fourth line will be needed by 2015 to give suburban passenger capacity, so it is illogical not to perform the works whilst construction teams are in place and working on the line now. This will actually save money.

The Springfield railway line construction date keeps getting put back.  Bizarrely, the plan for the railway line is for a single track from Richlands to Stepham. The requirement to run 15 minute frequency or better on this line to service the huge population increases forecast for Springfield and the Ripley Valley generally makes this decision look positively stupid.  It will need to be a double track, with stations where people can conveniently access the railway.

[ozbob]

Submitted to mX 23 October 2008

For the record I regularly travel on our Citytrains,  normally several times daily.  I am well aware of the problems with so called nuisance offences. Clearly some mX readers cannot grasp the message. Why is it OK to warn fare evaders but not some one who may in all innocence have a sip of water on train?  I was simply highlighting this major inconsistency, a zero tolerance policy should include fare evasion.  Fare evasion is an act of fraud, a sip of water is a long way removed from fraud.  Gravy train tours include refreshments.  No wonder some people feel a little aggrieved.  With the constant failures of the air conditioning on the trains we will see dehydration as the next commuter crisis?  Or will passengers, covertly sip water bottles risking the wrath of TTOs and $100 fines?

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail October 29

The article "Net clamp on users" (C-M, Oct 29) just confirms my worst fears of the naivety of governments with respect to IT matters. As evidenced by the smart card  public transport ticketing fiascos in Melbourne (the bloated myki card, over a billion dollars so far), Sydney (the abandoned T card) and Brisbane (Go card, sometimes it goes, sometimes it slows), Governments haven't a clue when it comes to IT matters. They get done over by narrow interest groups and so called IT specialists out for the quick buck!
Be very concerned Australia, are we to be held to ransom by nutters?

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail October 31


The go card roll out was botched (Go card draws commuters, C-M Oct 31). Fact.

I have been using the go card since early this year and it is generally fine on rail, inequitable fare structure not withstanding. There is an urgent need for capping and off peak and incentive fare pricing.  It is still too expensive for many commuters compared to the daily, weekly and monthly tickets.  As the ten trippers are withdrawn more people are using the go card.

Two other major issues remain with the go card. It is still not working reliably on the buses and ferries  with intermittent failures of equipment, and go card users struggle to get a refund of incorrectly debited fines. Some Go card users have apparently resorted to photographing malfunctioning equipment to support their claims for refunds of incorrectly debited fines. Other Go card users on the buses are reporting ever escalating numbers of free rides.  This must be impacting adversely on revenue from the buses as the ten trippers are replaced by Go cards.  Will this loss of revenue lead to fare increases?

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail November 2

Platforms 3 and 4 at Indooroopilly railway station re-open this morning (Nov 3) following extensive upgrades.  All four platforms have now been upgraded and will provide a much improved facility and better access for commuters. The nautical theme for the station is different and to me nice and bright!  The extensive mural next to platform 4 is very eye-catching.  Well done to all concerned with project!

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail November 16

On Saturday (Nov 15) the Transport Minister John Mickel announced the launch of a Go card education and awareness campaign.

The Go card is generally very convenient, and a high uptake of the go card promises much for the improved efficiency of public transport on the TransLink network.

There is a learning curve for many new public transport go card users and it is good to see that publicly acknowledged.  There are some issues with Go card equipment and some refund latitude given to new Go card users if they receive a number of fixed fare charges during their first month or so of use would also help drive uptake.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail November 18

The Go card is generally very convenient and promises much for the improved efficiency of public transport on the TransLink network if there is a high uptake. The go card education and awareness campaign announced last weekend by Minister Mickel is very welcome.  TransLink has now commissioned a survey for further fare options for the Go card.

My main concern is that the weekly/monthly caps may not be offered as concession fares.  This could be very discriminatory to full time students and for example, retired pensioners and others who do volunteer work and use public transport daily. There is a need for some consideration to be given to off peak discounts on all plans to help ease peak congestion.

For best outcomes all public transport commuters should be able to comment on the various new Go card fare options rather than just a closed online survey, but it is great that TransLink is now looking at improved fares for the Go card.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail November 21

I am sure many public transport commuters have appreciated the efforts to keep public transport operational during the extreme weather events of late. I certainly have. Queensland Rail?s rapid recovery of Ferny Grove line back to normal operations on Thursday afternoon was an outstanding effort. 

Despite the restrictions imposed on some services, the spirit of cooperation and willingness of operators to do the best for commuters is appreciated. The efforts of public transport staff is greatly appreciated.

Yes, there have been some delays and inconvenience.  But as I observed in 1974 during the floods in Brisbane, when things are tough in Brisbane, residents pull together.  Coming home on the QR Citytrain service from Roma St to Dinmore on Thursday afternoon passengers were in good spirit, but keen to get home to secure their property, and in some cases carry on with clean ups and assistance to fellow citizens.

The value of the TransLink Transit Authority as a central coordination agency for public transport was well demonstrated on Thursday.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail November 25

The Citycats and ferries are an important piece of the public transport  puzzle.  There are obvious capacity limits but it is great that some more Citycats are being progressively added to the fleet.

We need to maximise all public transport modes, but particularly rail. Rail will give the bulk mass transit capacity that will allow river ferry and bus to cope.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail December 7

I have noted that the urinating in public has been highlighted as an offence following the passing of legislation last week in the Queensland parliament. 
On our Citytrain railway system, toilets are often closed when people need to use them.  Additionally, some of the long runs on the railway network have trains without toilets.  What are people to do? 

Do they risk the wrath of the law if they discretely pop behind a gum tree to go?  This may be necessitated by a physiological condition e.g. pregnancy or perhaps an individual who has a weak bladder or some other predisposing medical condition.

Surely a reasonable excuse provision could be regulated.  Flagrant breaches of good public order should be dealt with, we agree.  But there are clearly times when some folk have no alternative.  Do you wish people to involuntary soil themselves on public transport?

Koalas, kangaroos and wombats pee everywhere.  Does the government intend to put nappies on them? If it is not possible to include a reasonable excuse provision could arrangements be made for toilets at railway stations to be actually open, and trains with toilets be available for the long haul runs.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail December 18th

Plenty of congestion and gridlock this week in Brisbane.  Isn't time that we got serious about public transport improvements?

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail January 9th

A new Citytrain service commencing on January 12th from Darra at 6.35am to pick up the inner city overload ahead of the presently crush congested 6.14am service from Ipswich, was announced on the 8th January by Transport Minister Mickel.

This new service will run a few minutes ahead of the 6.14am service ex Ipswich from Darra and will help ameliorate the gross overloading that has been occurring on the later service from Indooroopilly. It will help to make the daily commute more comfortable and give more capacity.

As more rolling stock and crew is made available to the Citytrain network, additional services need to be constantly added to ease the congestion bottle necks.  The Caboolture line must be next on the list.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail January 25

In actual fact the sewage leakage in the subway at Indooroopilly railway station has been going on for a long time, prior to any station upgrade (Station in the stink, C-M Jan 24).  The failure of the Brisbane City Council to accept the offers from Queensland Rail and the State Government to fix it as part of the recent upgrade can only be described as petulant.  Council apparently are prepared to let the many citizens of Brisbane who use the subway walk through the mess. The affected section of the subway is Council property and responsibility.  Work on that section cannot be done without the express permission of Council. For the Council to blame Queensland Rail and the State Government for the Brisbane Council Civic Cabinet's shortcomings is a clear sign of incompetence.  For the Lord Mayor to deny knowledge of the problem is very odd considering he is the Chairperson of the Civic Cabinet.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail January 26

The community awaits the road congestion chaos that will impact as normal work and study routines are re-established following the holiday season.  As road gridlock becomes a daily lowlight more commuters will turn to rail. The recent introduction of a week day sweeper service from Darra at 6.35am preceding by a few minutes a service from Ipswich, is already an outstanding success, and will help relieve some of the passenger congestion and give some more capacity at this early peak time on the Ipswich line.

Both the Minister for Transport and the Deputy Premier have recently indicated that more QR Citytrain services are to be introduced early 2009.  We are now in early 2009 and Citytrain passengers are eager for confirmation of the details of these promised services.

[ozbob]

Submitted to all editors


30th January 2009

Dear Editor,

The problems in Melbourne with the suburban railway system are fundamentally the result of poor maintenance over a long period of time.  When essential community services like public transport are privatised there is little incentive to maintain the track infrastructure; which includes the electrical and signalling systems, and properly ensure the operational readiness of rolling stock.

On Tuesday Ms Kosky, Minister for Transport in Victoria conceded that decades of underinvestment in the system had left it vulnerable to failure. She has been responsible for the public transport system since December 2006.  I grew up in Melbourne and when the railways was the great Victorian Railways (VR) track buckles were a very rare event, principally because VR maintained the public transport asset to a very high standard.  Heat waves in Melbourne and Victoria are not new.  The outright neglect is now hitting home hard.  Free ice creams, free bottles of water and free travel is poor compensation for Government failures.

Queensland Rail does maintain it's asset.  Any notion of privatisation must be sent south!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail February 1

The heat wave this past week in Melbourne has brought into the focus the chronic abject failure of the privatised and franchised public transport system in Melbourne.  Private operators will maximise their returns for the period of a contract and care not much for long term maintenance and capability.

The problems in Melbourne with the suburban railway system are the result of poor maintenance and inadequate resourcing over a long period of time.  When essential community services like public transport are privatised or franchised there is little incentive to maintain the track infrastructure; which includes the electrical and signal systems, and properly ensure the operational readiness of rolling stock. Staff levels are reduced to a minimal skeleton level which leads to a lot of further community costs as issues surface with security, safety and the lack of a proper operational reserve. Decades of underinvestment in the system had left it vulnerable to failure.

When the railway in Melbourne was operated by the great Victorian Railways (VR) track buckles were a very rare event, principally because VR maintained the public transport asset to a very high standard.  Heat waves in Melbourne and Victoria are not new.  The outright neglect of the rail system is now hitting home hard.  Free ice creams, free bottles of water and free travel is poor compensation for Government failures.

There are lessons here for all State Governments.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail February 3

The heat wave last week in Melbourne has brought into the focus the chronic abject failure of the privatised and franchised public transport system in Melbourne.  Private operators will maximise their returns for the period of a contract and care not much for long term maintenance and capability.

The problems in Melbourne with the suburban railway system are the result of poor maintenance and inadequate resourcing over a long period of time.  When essential community services like public transport are privatised or franchised there is little incentive to maintain the track infrastructure; which includes the electrical and signal systems, and properly ensure the operational readiness of rolling stock. Staff levels are reduced to a minimal skeleton level which leads to a lot of further community costs as issues surface with security, safety and the lack of a proper operational reserve. Decades of underinvestment in the system had left it vulnerable to failure. 

In Brisbane, QR Citytrain has also been through a period of inadequate resourcing.  Many failures on the network here in Brisbane yesterday perhaps suggests urgent action is needed to catch up before we end up like Melbourne.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail February 4

In Brisbane, QR Citytrain has been through a period of inadequate resourcing.  Apart from the snake shorting out the power, many train failures on the 3rd February added to the problems and perhaps suggests urgent action is needed to catch up before we end up with chronic chaos like Melbourne.

The heat wave last week in Melbourne has brought into the focus the  abject failure of the privatised and franchised public transport system down south.  Private operators will maximise their returns for the period of a contract and care not much for long term maintenance and capability.

The problems in Melbourne with the suburban railway system are the result of poor maintenance and inadequate resourcing over a long period of time.  When essential community services like public transport are privatised or franchised there is little incentive to maintain the track infrastructure; which includes the electrical and signal systems, and properly ensure the operational readiness of rolling stock. Staff levels are reduced to a minimal skeleton level which leads to a lot of further community costs as issues surface with security, safety and the lack of a proper operational reserve. Decades of underinvestment in the system had left it vulnerable to failure.

Rather than cash handouts for the masses, surely smart investment in transport infrastructure is a better alternative and will also provide much employment.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail February 6

In Brisbane, QR Citytrain has been through a period of inadequate resourcing. The threatened industrial action (CM Feb 6) is of no surprise to many concerned rail commuters. Rail crew and train numbers were left to fall to very critically low levels.  The chronic pressure tells.  More crew are needed, which when coupled with some roster changes will bring about an outcome that is a win, win, win. A win for QR rail crew, a win for QR, and a win for the very patient rail commuters. Apart from the snake shorting out the power the other day, many separate  train failures added to the problems and perhaps suggests urgent action is needed to catch up before we end up with chronic chaos like Melbourne.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail Feb 8

The threatened industrial action (Rail strike for February 16, CM Feb 6) is of no great surprise to many concerned rail commuters. Rail crew and train numbers have been left to fall to very critically low levels.  The chronic pressure tells.  Apart from the snake shorting out the power on the northern line the other day, there were many separate train failures which added to the problems, and perhaps suggests urgent action is needed to catch up with maintenance before chronic chaos ensues like Melbourne.

More trains and crew are needed, which when coupled with some roster changes will bring about an outcome that is a win, win, win. A win for QR rail crew, a win for QR, and a win for the very patient rail commuters.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail February 14

It is a great relief to many commuters to know that QR Citytrains will be running normally this week (Rail strikes called off, C-M, Feb 14).  Thanks to all parties for agreeing to further negotiations.  Clearly it would have been a major disruption if the strike action had occurred.

The advanced planning details that were made public by TransLink and QR through the Minister for Transport and on the TransLink website, and in the media were well grounded, but there would have been many problems getting around to work, school or appointments despite the planned arrangements.

Public transport is a key community service, and in time increased service frequency and extended hours of operation will be needed on the train network.  QR Passenger must be properly resourced in terms of crew and trains and there needs to be some workplace flexibility to provide for more services.  Train  crew undertake demanding tasks; fair remuneration and conditions of employment are needed to ensure a safe, efficient and sustainable workforce.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail February 22nd

New QR Citytrain services are to be introduced in the morning peak on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines from today (23rd Feb).  A significant number of very welcome new and improved bus services are also being introduced.

Public transport is about frequency of service and coverage.  The improvements on the rail and bus networks are a significant step forward for public transport in south-east Queensland. 

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 1st

As I squeezed onto another grossly congested Citytrain the other afternoon at Roma St station, I thought that with the election we might hear some good policies for improving rail and public transport generally from all parties. I am still waiting ...

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 5

Despite the spin, we are facing a public transport meltdown in south-east Queensland.  The election campaign so far has been rather light on common-sense solutions and moves forward for our public transport.  A flat refusal by Government to consider any decent fare initiatives for the go card is a failure to capitalise on the benefits for improved efficiency of our buses and ferries that can be gained by using the go card in an imaginative manner.  The fact there are no ticket machines in the major bus stations is just absurd.  We need to make public transport first choice, not last choice. 

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 8

Despite the spin, we are facing a public transport meltdown in south-east Queensland. The LNP has put forward some policies as have the Greens.  Labor have only put forward a more of the same single policy.  An apparent refusal by Government to consider any decent fare initiatives for the Go Card is a failure to capitalise on the benefits for improved efficiency of our buses and ferries that can be gained by using the go card in an imaginative manner.  The fact there are no ticket machines in the major bus stations is just absurd.  We need to make public transport first choice, not last choice.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 19th

The 2009 State Election has generally been a policy poor campaign with respect to public transport and rail, debate and innovation.

The LNP and Greens have put forward some new policies, but there has not been much further development during the campaign itself.

I congratulate the LNP and Greens for having developed policies, but I believe there is a lot more all parties and candidates could put forward for an efficient sustainable transport future.

The ALP has so far relied on a 'steady as it goes' approach.

The problem is 'steady as it goes' is not keeping pace with the public transport demands.  We need innovation.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 22

Transport has not figured publicly as the major issue in this election.  The global financial crisis has ensured that, but it is clear from the Premier's comments Saturday night that improved outcomes in service delivery particularly transport is on the agenda for the next term.  As the recession bites, public transport will become an even more critical matter. It is time Government had a dedicated portfolio and Minister for Transport.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail March 29

The new Minister for Transport (The Honourable Member for Ipswich) is now well placed to continue the momentum for increased services on all railway lines.  Ipswich line has received some additional morning services recently, but  much more is needed particularly in the afternoon peaks.  The Caboolture line also needs more trains urgently both morning and afternoon. 

A local Ipswich matter than needs some attention is the fact that commuters are unable to purchase Go cards at the busy Ipswich railway station.  Excuses rolled out for the past year are starting to grate.

[ozbob]

Submitted to Courier Mail April 1

Chris Hale (There's no joke in getting around Brisbane on the buses, CM April 1) has highlighted the precarious nature of our public transport in south-east Queensland in capacity terms.  This is no April fool joke indeed.  Long suffering commuters are despairing. We have the capacity to fix it by properly resourcing our rail networks, light and heavy. One bus is 45 fewer cars on the road, one 6 car train is 600 less cars.  It is clear where our bulk mass transit capability will be gained.  Buses are important but they are not trains.  Time for the big transport moves.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail April 5

The Ipswich railway line commuters were subjected to considerable delay and inconvenience last Friday as a consequence of the early start of the rugby league game, and the failure to put in place additional pre-game rail services. This was flagged in last Fridays Courier Mail (Brisbane commuters face Broncos gridlock, CM Apr 3).  For future games that clash with peak times, shuttle rail services to take football patrons off the outbound Ipswich services in the pre-game peak are achievable with a bit of lateral thinking. Let us move forward with solutions.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail April 16

The new railway line upgrade between Caboolture and Beerburrum was commissioned over Easter, and normal train services are now running on this superb high speed double mainline. This is stage one of the planned duplication between Caboolture and Landsborough; stage two of the upgrade between Beerburrum and Landsborough has been put on hold unfortunately.  Rather than delaying stage two, it is essential to continue moving forwards to gain the real benefits of shorter train journey times and increased train capacity.  Nonetheless, the new railway line between Caboolture and Beerburrum, and the new stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum are a taste of things to come.  Congratulations to all concerned with the project.

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail May 3

The tunnel machines being used to bore the Clem7 tunnel will soon have completed their tasks. The diameter of these machines bore is 12.4 metres. A size which is more than adequate for a standard QR double railway line with overhead electrification. The machines cost $50 million each.

The Inner City Inner City Rail Upgrade Project is now urgently needed to provide capacity on the rail network. Wouldn't it make sense to use the tunnel machines already in Brisbane? Construction of the rail tunnels could be started later this year. Why wait till 2012?

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Courier Mail May 10

The article 'Boom gate crashers cost $4 million', CM May 9, confirms what an abject failure present road safety laws and enforcement procedures are.

Over the Labor day weekend more slaughter and mayhem has occurred on Queensland's roads and it continues sadly.  Clearly there is a failure of road safety of major proportions.  The costs to the community in terms of deaths and injuries are enormous.  Present policies are clearly failing.

As highlighted in the article there is a flippant disregard of road rules by road vehicle drivers at level crossings.

The Courier Mail has reported that 'Figures released to The Courier-Mail show motorists are increasingly running the gauntlet at level crossings. There were 53 collisions with boom gates during the first three months of this year - a rate of four a week'.

The present penalties are nothing short of a joke; $300 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points.   This needs to be changed to automatic license suspension for failing to stop as directed at level crossings.  Nothing less is going to force drivers to stop.

Additionally there should be cost recovery from offenders.

As a community we must encourage the expansion of rail passenger and freight services.  We are clearly not able to stop the carnage on the roads.  We must therefore return to safe transport modes.