Improving services Sunshine Coast line

[ozbob]

Following discussions with citizens at Pomona it is clear that there is a need for some rail shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie.
This has been raised before ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4615.msg36068#msg36068 ).

There is plenty of capacity north of Nambour.

The population is expanding and the population is aging.  Many citizens are no longer able to drive or choose not to drive cars.

A lot of people in towns like Pomona, Cooroy, Cooran and so forth travel locally, particularly to Nambour for medical appointments, business and social reasons.

A service that departs Nambour say around 7am, for a return from Gympie North at around 8.30am would be very useful for the community.

A service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm.

The present services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm. Keep these as is, but add in the two shuttle services.  Would have a tremendous positive impact in this part of Queensland.

[Mr X]

Good idea, but make sure that those using the shuttles aren't shafted onto a Nambour shuttle (who then have to hop onto an all stopper at Caboolture) because that would be ridiculous.

[ozbob]

Media release 1st September 2012

SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed.

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 called for some more weekday rail services between Nambour and Gympie North (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following discussions with citizens at Pomona recently, it is clear that there is a need for some rail shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie. This has been raised before by RAIL Back On Track and others (1). There are plenty of train-paths available for more services north of Nambour."

"The population on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland is expanding and the population is aging.  Many citizens are no longer able to drive or choose not to drive cars.

"A lot of people in towns like Gympie, Pomona, Cooroy, Cooran and so forth travel locally, particularly to and from Nambour for medical appointments, business and social reasons."

"A service that departs Nambour say around 7am, for a return from Gympie North at around 8.30am would be very useful for the community."

"Similarly a service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm."

"The present limited rail weekday services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm (2). Keep these as is, but add in the two proposed shuttle services."

"This would have a tremendous positive impact in this part of Queensland in terms of improved mobility and would provide a safe option for travel other than the very dangerous roads. The infrastructure is there; stations and track, time it was properly used!"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4615.msg36068#msg36068

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/timetables/120723-sunshine-coast-line.pdf

Contact:

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

[Fares_Fair]

Great idea.

[Otto]

I wanted to go up to Gympie for the day to visit friends during my holidays. Was quite disappointed to see I could not do that by Train.
I did not want to drive up there. I drive all day at work. ( And I don't want to go by bus. )

[mufreight]

Quote
"Similarly a service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm."

"The present limited rail weekday services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm (2). Keep these as is, but add in the two proposed shuttle services."

If the service were to be provided it would be most interesting to see how many passengers it would carry on the 6.00pm ex service from Gympie North, and the effect that the ability to return would have on the loadings on the earlier north bound services.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th September 2014

SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed.

Greetings,

The ICE* trains are increasingly unreliable.  They cause conflicts on the inner rail network as well as they are restricted to certain platforms.

Might be time to bite the bullet and introduce regular shuttles between Nambour and Gympie North.  This will also allow for more train capacity south of Nambour.

Best wishes
Robert

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


*ICE = Intercity Express > http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/MediaCentre/Fleet/Pages/ice.aspx

================================




Media release 1st September 2012 re-released 14th September 2014

SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed.

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 called for some more weekday rail services between Nambour and Gympie North (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following discussions with citizens at Pomona recently, it is clear that there is a need for some rail shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie. This has been raised before by RAIL Back On Track and others (1). There are plenty of train-paths available for more services north of Nambour."

"The population on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland is expanding and the population is aging.  Many citizens are no longer able to drive or choose not to drive cars.

"A lot of people in towns like Gympie, Pomona, Cooroy, Cooran and so forth travel locally, particularly to and from Nambour for medical appointments, business and social reasons."

"A service that departs Nambour say around 7am, for a return from Gympie North at around 8.30am would be very useful for the community."

"Similarly a service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm."

"The present limited rail weekday services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm (2). Keep these as is, but add in the two proposed shuttle services."

"This would have a tremendous positive impact in this part of Queensland in terms of improved mobility and would provide a safe option for travel other than the very dangerous roads. The infrastructure is there; stations and track, time it was properly used!"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4615.msg36068#msg36068

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/timetables/120723-sunshine-coast-line.pdf

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

One 3 car IMU could be allocated for the shuttles.  Would greatly improve quality of life for all ...

[Arnz]

Shuttles will need to be timed to connect with the ex-NBR departures and arrivals.  The RST-NBR trains could terminate on the dock platform at NBR whilst the GYN-NBR shuttles could take up the main road platform (simple cross-platform transfer)

[ozbob]

Shuttles will need to be timed to connect with the ex-NBR departures and arrivals.  The RST-NBR trains could terminate on the dock platform at NBR whilst the GYN-NBR shuttles could take up the main road platform (simple cross-platform transfer)

Yo, understood.  Some adjustments will be necessary.

[ozbob]

From the Cooroora Connect October 2014 page 6

Advocacy group renews calls for more daily train services

[darthcaligula666]

agree wholeheartedly. i am sure there are people who live in bris who work at the coast who could possibly catch the train to work if more frequent services allowed them to arrive on time. it seems to me that the unshine coast line is like the poorer little cousin to the gold coast line which has regular services and trains which are slightly more reliable than the ice (i do like the ice though, having said that!)

i love the idea of shuttles, it is almost like the ipswich with rosewood connection, why not have nambour with gympie connections running ever hour? give it a trial for a month or so and see if it works.

[Stillwater]

Extract from the Rail Service and Infrastructure Requirements Study:

"Inter-City Express (ICE) trains provide insufficient capacity for the demand from Gympie and Nambour. The passenger capacity of the ICE cars is less than ½ of standard IMUs/EMUs, while consuming the same infrastructure capacity. This is a significant constraint for future operations."

[Stillwater]

Is there merit in this rail travel pattern off-peak?

Six-car train from Brisbane to Nembour, splits into two at Nambour -- three cars head to Gympie and back, while remaining three cars head to Caboolture and back; the two three-car train sets then join to head to Brisbane as a six-car set.

What's stopping this pattern would be the rail-bus operations on the SCL, but things may change if Beerburrum-Landsborough is duplicated.

[Stillwater]

Ozbob, looks like CCIQ is on side: 

Extract from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) Submission to the Queensland Government's Strong Choices Program process:

"As the Sunshine Coast is eager to promote itself as a lifestyle destination within commuting distance of the Brisbane CBD, it is necessary to increase the frequency of commuter services and extend services on existing lines (e.g. extend more than two peak services daily beyond Nambour) ..."

(page 6)

https://www.cciq.com.au/assets/Documents/Advocacy/submissions/StrongChoices-investment-040914.pdf

[ozbob]

 

Thanks!

[riccardo]

Extract from the Rail Service and Infrastructure Requirements Study:

"Inter-City Express (ICE) trains provide insufficient capacity for the demand from Gympie and Nambour. The passenger capacity of the ICE cars is less than ½ of standard IMUs/EMUs, while consuming the same infrastructure capacity. This is a significant constraint for future operations."

Need some double deck 1067mm gauge stock! Over here in Japan they have them


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

   Have you had the opportunity to travel on them?  Be great if you could grab some pics thanks.



The real issue is simple lack of frequency north of Nambour.  This might well be an important local issue in the forthcoming state election.

[ozbob]

17th October 2014

SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed

Greetings,

It makes a lot of sense to use existing infrastructure and improve public transport options for the Sunshine Coast.

Support for our call for more rail services has been echoed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) in their submission to the Queensland Government's Strong Choices Program process:

"As the Sunshine Coast is eager to promote itself as a lifestyle destination within commuting distance of the Brisbane CBD, it is necessary to increase the frequency of commuter services and extend services on existing lines (e.g. extend more than two peak services daily beyond Nambour) ..."

(page 6)

https://www.cciq.com.au/assets/Documents/Advocacy/submissions/StrongChoices-investment-040914.pdf

Best wishes
Robert

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

================================

Media release 1st September 2012 re-released 14th September 2014 re-released 17th October 2014



SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed

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 called for some more weekday rail services between Nambour and Gympie North (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following discussions with citizens at Pomona recently, it is clear that there is a need for some rail shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie. This has been raised before by RAIL Back On Track and others (1). There are plenty of train-paths available for more services north of Nambour."

"The population on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland is expanding and the population is aging.  Many citizens are no longer able to drive or choose not to drive cars.

"A lot of people in towns like Gympie, Pomona, Cooroy, Cooran and so forth travel locally, particularly to and from Nambour for medical appointments, business and social reasons."

"A service that departs Nambour say around 7am, for a return from Gympie North at around 8.30am would be very useful for the community."

"Similarly a service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm."

"The present limited rail weekday services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm (2). Keep these as is, but add in the two proposed shuttle services."

"This would have a tremendous positive impact in this part of Queensland in terms of improved mobility and would provide a safe option for travel other than the very dangerous roads. The infrastructure is there; stations and track, time it was properly used!"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4615.msg36068#msg36068

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/timetables/120723-sunshine-coast-line.pdf

Contact:

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

[dancingmongoose]

On a sort of side note, when CAMCOS is built the branch should be built in both directions so it can have both a service to Brisbane and a service to Nambour/Cooroy

[Arnz]

I believe cross-town demand between the coast and Nambour/Gympie via Beerwah would be very low, if any demand at all.  I do agree that there should be access to CAMCOS in both directions at the junction north of Beerwah for operational reasons (namely empty Rollingstock movements between depots).

[Stillwater]

Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman, will team with Chinese interests to invest $500 million in a milk powder operation using milk sourced from corporate farms in the South Burnett and Mary Valley.  The factory at the heart of the operation will be located on the Old Bruce Highway, 24km south of Gympie.  It will be operational in late 2016, employing up to 200 people.  Nearby it is planned to build a quarter-horse racing complex, vet hospital, straight racing track, motel and housing estate, another couple of hundred jobs.  The nearest station to both facilities is Traveston.  Makes it interesting if the companies provide a bus service to meet the train, allowing workers to live in towns along the NCL.

[jozz30]

Also have a Sunday morning shuttle from Gympie that links with trains from Nambour to Brisbane. This gives the option for Gympie people to have a day out in Brisbane on a Sunday. And a 7 day morning shuttle to Gympie.

[ozbob]

Also have a Sunday morning shuttle from Gympie that links with trains from Nambour to Brisbane. This gives the option for Gympie people to have a day out in Brisbane on a Sunday. And a 7 day morning shuttle to Gympie.

Welcome jozz30!

Good idea, thanks!

[Arnz]

A Sunday morning shuttle would mean having a early morning BNE-Gympie North service on Sunday to form a morning GYN-NBR/BNE service due to the train returning GYN to BNE on Saturday night (no crew overnighters on Sat).

[Stillwater]

Following news that a consortium of Gina Rinehart and Chinese business partners will invest $500m in a new dairy venture, including an export factory on the edge of the Mary Valley Valley, south of town, the Gympie Council has unveiled plans for a revitalisation of the town centre, including a 'transit centre' off the Bruce Highway through town.  The existing transit centre is a modest bus shelter and buses travelling Brisbane-Cairns slip off the highway to pick up-drop off passengers and freight.

http://www.gympietimes.com.au/news/upbeat-plans-for-city-heart/2457621/

Gympie is getting a new fire station and aquatic centre.  The state and federal government is investing up to $1 billion in the upgrading of the Bruce Highway between Gympie and the Sunshine Coast.  Meanwhile, the Gympielander chug, chug, chugs along with a twice daily return service to Brisbane.

Brisbane-Gympie full adult bus fare $46.

[riccardo]

Good to see, someone charging transport close to its true cost.

You do realise, rail has never succeeded in Gympie. I love the town, but it was a disaster, a gold town built in a creek gully that trains had to do the double switchback to access, flooded in a light shower, and depended on declining industries.

Let it go. Get Berrburrm to Landsborough working. Lands to Nambour and beerwah to Noosa. Maybe look at how Noosa to Hervey Bay can happen. These cities are where the world is at. Gympie north is adequate if a passing loop and bypass is needed by freight.

[Stillwater]

A rail bypass of Gympie has been in place for some time.  The old Gympie railway station (containing the largest timber railway station building in Queensland) is home to the Mary Valley Heritage Railway (The Rattler), while the mainline passenger rail station is Gympie North, about 4km out of town.  Parts of the 'double switchback' still exist, but only connection now is via Banks Pocket.  Freight, tilt, other long-distance passenger and suburban passenger trains rumble through Gympie North station every day.

[riccardo]

And no reason any of that should change. There is not enough of a market for rail to justify any improvement to Gympie services. But to the coastal cities, a much stronger case. I think the whole SCLR is just mucking around. Build CAMCOS. Leave room for a Noosa alignment and then back to the NCL with improvements to the Gympie to Maryborough line and then a new alignment to Hervey Bay.

[Stillwater]

If market is defined in commercial terms NCL is a 'good little earner' due to the freight component, and its improvement should not be an 'either-or' proposition with CAMCOS (passenger rail).  In fact, NCL upgrade south of Maryborough (not duplication, but modest improvements involving extended crossing loops and ironing out some kinks) likely to occur before CAMCOS.  CAMCOS important to SC public transport task and its planning has it terminating at Maroochydore, going no further.  Stops are planned for Caloundra and Kawana.  Extending heavy rail to Noosa from Maroochydore would require a line passing through swampy ground and a national park, immediately behind the coastal strip, whereas light rail would be along the coastal strip and probably would be feasible to Coolum, linking back into an expanded SC Airport.  Light rail might work around coastal Noosa, not connected to the SC further south.  Huge engineering required to open a rail corridor back to Cooroy, currently the 'Noosa station' on the NCL.

[ozbob]

I support more local rail services between Nambour and Gympie North. Conversations with locals have indicated that is needed.

Infrastructure exists.   Time a real ' CanDo ' attitude replaced the do nothing attitudes of the past.

We need to use existing infrastructure properly.  A fundamental ongoing issue in SEQ.

[riccardo]

I support more local rail services between Nambour and Gympie North. Conversations with locals have indicated that is needed.

Infrastructure exists.   Time a real ' CanDo ' attitude replaced the do nothing attitudes of the past.

We need to use existing infrastructure properly.  A fundamental ongoing issue in SEQ.

Are these locals gonna pay? What transport problem are you trying to solve by running trains (as opposed to buses or taxis) between these stations?

[riccardo]

If market is defined in commercial terms NCL is a 'good little earner' due to the freight component, and its improvement should not be an 'either-or' proposition with CAMCOS (passenger rail).  In fact, NCL upgrade south of Maryborough (not duplication, but modest improvements involving extended crossing loops and ironing out some kinks) likely to occur before CAMCOS.  CAMCOS important to SC public transport task and its planning has it terminating at Maroochydore, going no further.  Stops are planned for Caloundra and Kawana.  Extending heavy rail to Noosa from Maroochydore would require a line passing through swampy ground and a national park, immediately behind the coastal strip, whereas light rail would be along the coastal strip and probably would be feasible to Coolum, linking back into an expanded SC Airport.  Light rail might work around coastal Noosa, not connected to the SC further south.  Huge engineering required to open a rail corridor back to Cooroy, currently the 'Noosa station' on the NCL.

I'm not interested in the establishment view. So saying X 'would be' means very little. You can't go defining 'market' on your own terms. Market means those prepared to pay for a good or service. If freight forwarders prepared to pay, why not passengers?

[ozbob]

I support more local rail services between Nambour and Gympie North. Conversations with locals have indicated that is needed.

Infrastructure exists.   Time a real ' CanDo ' attitude replaced the do nothing attitudes of the past.

We need to use existing infrastructure properly.  A fundamental ongoing issue in SEQ.

Are these locals gonna pay? What transport problem are you trying to solve by running trains (as opposed to buses or taxis) between these stations?

The locals want some extra shuttles to get them off the roads.  Rail is much safer and the provision of a couple of extra services is not a big deal.  Population growth is significant along the line, aging demographic.  Why should folks in Sunshine Coast miss out?  Stations and infrastructure is available and should be used better.

[ozbob]

17th October 2014

SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed

Greetings,

It makes a lot of sense to use existing infrastructure and improve public transport options for the Sunshine Coast.

Support for our call for more rail services has been echoed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) in their submission to the Queensland Government's Strong Choices Program process:

"As the Sunshine Coast is eager to promote itself as a lifestyle destination within commuting distance of the Brisbane CBD, it is necessary to increase the frequency of commuter services and extend services on existing lines (e.g. extend more than two peak services daily beyond Nambour) ..."

(page 6)

https://www.cciq.com.au/assets/Documents/Advocacy/submissions/StrongChoices-investment-040914.pdf

Best wishes
Robert

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

================================

Media release 1st September 2012 re-released 14th September 2014 re-released 17th October 2014



SEQ: Nambour - Gympie North, more rail services needed

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 called for some more weekday rail services between Nambour and Gympie North (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following discussions with citizens at Pomona recently, it is clear that there is a need for some rail shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie. This has been raised before by RAIL Back On Track and others (1). There are plenty of train-paths available for more services north of Nambour."

"The population on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland is expanding and the population is aging.  Many citizens are no longer able to drive or choose not to drive cars.

"A lot of people in towns like Gympie, Pomona, Cooroy, Cooran and so forth travel locally, particularly to and from Nambour for medical appointments, business and social reasons."

"A service that departs Nambour say around 7am, for a return from Gympie North at around 8.30am would be very useful for the community."

"Similarly a service that departs Nambour say around 4.30pm for return from Gympie North at 6pm."

"The present limited rail weekday services are departures from Nambour at 11.30am and 7.36pm and departures from Gympie North 5.56am and 1.20pm (2). Keep these as is, but add in the two proposed shuttle services."

"This would have a tremendous positive impact in this part of Queensland in terms of improved mobility and would provide a safe option for travel other than the very dangerous roads. The infrastructure is there; stations and track, time it was properly used!"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4615.msg36068#msg36068

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/timetables/120723-sunshine-coast-line.pdf

Contact:

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

[SurfRail]

What I'd like to see is half-hourly to Cooroy to support better connectivity to Noosa.  Definitely no need for anything more than 2-hourly north of here (in particular it would be cheaper and more effective to run the 632 bus a bit more often).

[Arnz]

My personal preference is that the 630 becomes the main 'feeder' route for the Noosa commuters/passengers meeting all trains at Nambour from first service till evening. 

Whilst the 631 is split into two, with Route 632 taking over the Noosa-Cooroy bit on a hourly frequency (with occasional extensions to Cooran), and the revised 631 converted to a hourly service between Cooroy and Nambour more focused on the local communities among the railway towns, feeding into Nambour for connections to the coast and/or rail, or at Cooroy for connections to Noosa/Cooran.

[SurfRail]

What I'd like to see is half-hourly to Cooroy to support better connectivity to Noosa.  Definitely no need for anything more than 2-hourly north of here (in particular it would be cheaper and more effective to run the 632 bus a bit more often).

Would you get 30min Nambour to Corooy based on current track capability and existing traffic volumes.

Doubtful.  Finish Beerburrum to Nambour and you'd be talking.

[Fares_Fair]

What I'd like to see is half-hourly to Cooroy to support better connectivity to Noosa.  Definitely no need for anything more than 2-hourly north of here (in particular it would be cheaper and more effective to run the 632 bus a bit more often).

Would you get 30min Nambour to Corooy based on current track capability and existing traffic volumes.

Doubtful.  Finish Beerburrum to Nambour and you'd be talking.

Indeed, Beerburrum to Nambour would allow a travel time saving of 17 minutes and 40 seconds and allow for train services every 15 minutes to Brisbane (in peak hours).

[Stillwater]

The early morning GympieLander carries a fair share of older passengers clutching their medical referrals and x-rays to attend hospitals at Nambour and Brisbane, or specialists at Nambour, currently the location of the Sunshine Coast's tertiary hospital.  This role will be taken over by the Sunshine Coast University Hospital from 2017.  People are finding that the two return services to and from Gympie daily do not suit their medical appointment times, hence the need to take the morning train, even if the appointment is not until 11am or 2pm.

Gympie is also served by an airport shuttle service, which heads down the highway to SC and Brisbane airports several times a day, calling at towns along the way.  It has announced that, in addition to the airports, it will now convey passengers to major hospitals and medical precincts.

Hopefully one or two train shuttles to and from Nambour would better serve these people.  The road shuttle is $50 to Brisbane.

The Sunshine Coast University now has a campus at Gympie.  At its own expense, the university runs a shuttle bus service several times a day between its Sippy Downs and Gympie campuses via Cooroy, again due to inconvenient and infrequent public transport services.

Links:

http://www.usc.edu.au/explore/campus/maps-transport-and-parking/transport/usc-express-shuttle
http://activetransfers.com.au/