Hovercraft an option for Sunshine Coast commuters?

[Fares_Fair]

There is an article in today's Maroochy Journal, by Sherine Conyers, about an option for a hovercraft service from the Sunshine Coast to Redcliffe to meet the MBRL for trips into the CBD.

It is being promoted by the Hon Peter Slipper MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He has even commissioned a study into the proposal.
It would travel at 95km/h and carry around 200-250 passengers.

He acknowledges that rail is still important but that other options should be looked into.


Disclaimer: Information above recalled from memory. Story is not yet online.

[ozbob]

From the Maroochy Journal  http://quest.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Hovercraft to beat rush?   

Hovercraft to beat rush?   

9 Mar 2012
Maroochy Journal
SHERINE CONYERS conyerss@qst.newsltd.com.au

COULD a $10 million hovercraft be floated as a shortterm solution to the Sunshine Coast's transport woes? That's the question Member for Fisher Peter Slipper wants answered and has asked for a paper to be drawn up on the feasibility of commercial hovercraft for use from Caloundra to Redcliffe.

Mr Slipper said, given the coast's expected population growth by 2020, "new and different thinking" could be used to explore transport options.

"Initial findings indicate 200 to 250 passengers can be transported on these craft at speeds of 95km/h, therefore reducing cars on the already overcrowded Bruce Highway and/or lessening the load on our railway system,'' he said.

"Let me be clear, the railway upgrade would still remain a priority for the longterm future, but this could help bridge the transportation needs for now." So how would it work? A spokesman at Mr Slipper's office said commercial hovercraft could possibly run on the Pumicestone Passage between Caloundra and Shorncliffe, or to Redcliffe to meet the Morton Bay Rail Link due for completion in 2016.

Mr Slipper must read our Wacky Dude Corner ... yo!

[Arnz]

Slipper's Maglev Hovercraft to Maroochydore   :hg 

[#Metro]

It's a bit early for April fools.

[Fares_Fair]

I quite like the idea of the ocean breeze, it'd be a nice way to travel, not sure that his proposal would be any quicker.

I showed it to one of the ladies in our morning train crew, she said that it would leave her hair in a mess and be cold in winter!  
Can't please everyone, it seems.

I seriously think it is worthwhile looking into, but you would need a fleet of them, and at what cost?

[Gazza]

she said that it would leave her hair in a mess and be cold in winter!

Sit in the indoor seats?

[Fares_Fair]

Our train crew have often talked about a surface vessel or tourist submarine to transport passengers to Brisbane, as we considered it may well be quicker than the current dismal longer timeframes.

I cannot believe that the Sunshine Coast could have been so badly neglected for so long given ALL the abundance of evidence for the duplication of the line.
Justice is its own reward.

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Hover commute to float Slipper's boat
by: Kathleen Donaghey
From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
April 01, 201212:00AM

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/hover-commute-to-float-slippers-boat/story-fn6ck45n-1226315369698

JAMES Bond has driven them and Jackie Chan was run over by one. Now independent MP Peter Slipper wants commuters to zip to Brisbane on them.

Hovercraft have been floated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as a solution to transport woes on the Sunshine Coast.

The futuristic-looking, high-speed craft have proven popular in blockbuster movies and the military.

But despite being around for decades they have not taken hold as a form of large-scale passenger transport.

Mr Slipper wants to investigate using hovercraft on the Pumicestone Passage between Caloundra and Brisbane to take congestion off the Bruce Highway.

A parliamentary paper ordered by Mr Slipper and supplied to The Sunday Mail has described the idea as "a novel solution". But the report warned it could be a "rough ride ahead" for any proposal given a previous lack of success in Australia.

Hover commute to float Slipper's boat: Courier-Mail http://bit.ly/H5wrBp #duplicatesuncoastrail instead, cheaper, greener & more efficient

[Stillwater]

Mr Slipper's little April Fool's joke on us all.

[somebody]

This idea actually isn't as ridiculous as it first seems except for two points: there is nowhere on the MBRL for the hovercraft to connect with the train.  And I'm sure the hovercraft would cost more than $10mil!

[Arnz]

This idea actually isn't as ridiculous as it first seems except for two points: there is nowhere on the MBRL for the hovercraft to connect with the train.  And I'm sure the hovercraft would cost more than $10mil!

Shorncliffe Line?

[Gazza]

Still a bit of a walk to transfer...Would it really save any time?

[Stillwater]

Nope.  About 8 min walk from end of Shorncliffe Pier to the Shorncliffe railway station.

[Gazza]

Theres that other marina too, next to the golfcourse, which might be closer.

[Stillwater]

It would be closer, yes, and flat land from there to station.  Maybe dredge a canal and have a water platform/dock at the station.   

[ozbob]

Could always use the ex Sydney monorail, to get the hovercraft pax  to the rail station ....   

[Arnz]

It would be closer, yes, and flat land from there to station.  Maybe dredge a canal and have a water platform/dock at the station.   

Forget that, here's a better idea.  Extend the Route 314 to a FUZ!!   

314 might even get some usage after being upgraded from the one service a day. 

[Fares_Fair]

FUZ... flotilla upgrade zone?

[Mr X]

FUZ... f**king useless service?