21 May 2008: SEQ: More trains needed!

[ozbob]

Media Release 21 May 2008

SEQ:  More trains 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 users has called for a commitment to the acquisition of a further 50 three car urban/interurban trains. The money should be redirected from the flawed road and road tunnel projects that will only compound the public transport crisis in south-east Queensland as oil shortages and fuel prices impact severely.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?RAIL Back On Track has consistently highlighted the need to put in place sustainable mass transit and freight transport solutions.?

?Yesterday in Brisbane, one minor traffic incident caused major gridlock of Brisbane roads, with major traffic problems and the buses being caught up in the gridlock.?

?This again exposed the failure to pro actively put in place sustainable mass transit options in south-east Queensland.?

?The huge bias to road funding is completely misplaced.  We need more rail infrastructure, urban, interurban and national.?

?QR needs another 50 three car trains additional to the 44 presently being rolled out.  This will give some of the capacity that is so desperately needed now let alone for future demands.?

?The present 44 three car trains being progressively introduced are the first new trains on the system in seven years. During that time passenger numbers have increased by at least 40%.  The new 44 three car trains only give an increase in capacity of 30%.  The 44 new trains don?t even cover the increases in recent passenger loadings let alone future demands.?

?Some of the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains are approaching 30 years of continuous operation. Apart from the time in servicing and refurbishment works, these trains run daily our rail network.  A sterling effort, but these units will eventually need replacement too.  This makes the timely forecast and placement of new rolling stock even more critical.  How many thirty year old buses are still running?  Rail is an investment for the future.?

?The Queensland Sustainability Minister McNamara recently warned of looming oil shortages and the need to prepare now. The nation and the state are wasting billions of dollars on roads, bridges and tunnels which will become useless as peak oil shortages hit.?

?We need to act pro actively. Build the railway line from Petrie to Kippa Ring whilst we still can. The line from Darra to Richlands has started, stop messing around and push it through to Springfield now rather than wait till 2015.?

?Build the present triplication/quadruplication between Darra and Corinda as a quadruplication right from the outset. The main western line needs capacity, a quadruplication project from Darra to Ipswich will give that capacity.?

?Translink (and government) are transfixed on buses.  It isn?t working now and won't work when the fuel escalates greatly in costs either.  A 30% increase in passenger numbers across the system in the last three years is a harbinger of future shock. QR had a 9% increase in passengers in just a single year, 2006-2007.?

?Time that we act and look to a sustainable transport future!?

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Feedback received on this release:

Your message about rail extensions is timely.

Trains and trams have a life expectancy of 30 - 40 years, buses 10 years or less.

The survey along the Kippa Ring extension appears to have been done some years ago, based on survey pegs.

Proposals for extensive subdivisions in the Samford Valley have been made from time to time. The present road system (the word network implies more than 2 roads) to the south and east can barely manage at present. Re-opening the rail line to Samford, better to Closeburn or Dayboro is timely before any subdivision makes land resumption a major issue. Lanita Road should be resumed, there are only 2 or 3 houses facing this road, access for other properties serviced by Lanita Road can be replaced by a road alongside the power transmission line. The few houses cut off just to the west of Ferny Grove station would need a one-lane bridge over Kedron Creek. The only new road access of main road standards proposed is the extension of Linkwood Drive to Samford Road which will do little to cater for any new traffic generated as it is more a local access road. All other roads in the area are hilly and windey.

John Rigby

Thanks for the comments John.
Admin

[ozbob]

There some buses in the BT fleet built in 1985 (5 in number).  See -->  http://www.btbuses.info/fleet.php
Total number of buses is 927.

Most are a lot later than that of course.  Simply throwing more and more buses at a problem that is not solvable by buses is fool hardy.

We need a high capacity frequent rail service, fed by feeder and lateral bus routes where appropriate.  This will then take pressure of the necessary bus radial routes and improve the overall success of an integrated system.

Some consideration must be given to light rail for high density inner suburban regions too.

Cheers
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Present fleet  see --> http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/fleet/fleet.asp

EMU Unit Numbers    
01 -88
Delivery of Fleet   
1979 - 1987

ICE Unit Numbers    
151 - 158
Delivery of Fleet   
1988 - 1989

Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU Mk I)
Unit Numbers    
201 - 212
Delivery of Fleet   
1994 - 1995

Interurban Multiple Unit (IMU)
Unit Numbers    
101 - 110
Delivery of Fleet   
1996 - 1997

Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU Mk II) (220 Series)
Unit Numbers    
221 - 250
Delivery of Fleet   
1999 - 2001

16 of the new IMU 160 series in service, from late 2007.

4 of the new SMU 260 series waiting introduction.

Our trusty EMUs are still the main stay of the fleet!