25 Nov 2012: SEQ: Milton, Toowong and UQ workers shun public transport

[ozbob]

Media release 25 November 2012

SEQ: Milton, Toowong and UQ workers shun public transport

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 says that Milton workers are using sustainable transport less than half as often as CBD workers.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Charting Transport periodically graph relevant data and this shows that of Milton workers, only 32% are using sustainable options in the 2011 census (1, 2).  This compares to 71% of CBD workers in 2011.  At Toowong, it is 25% and at UQ it is 43% thanks largely to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge.  Presumably UQ has a high sustainable share from the south and east, but there is a need to promote sustainable transport options from the north and west too."

"Parking availability isn't substantially different at Milton as compared to the CBD.  Currently, an early bird space can be had for $18 (3) as compared to $22 in the CBD.  Clearly, Milton workers do not like the public transport services offered."

"This is not at all surprising.  Currently, Milton workers have to put up with a mediocre 15 minute counter-peak* frequency to get between Roma St and Milton to be able to use their connecting train or bus.  This is below the 10 minute frequency that the BUZ standard offers for the peak direction."

"For a service which then can require a lengthy wait at Roma St, e.g. someone arriving at Milton station at 4:31pm bound for Morningside has a total of 26 minutes of waiting (4).  It is similar for Toowong and therefore UQ and also Indooroopilly.  It should also be noted that Ipswich workers currently have to endure an unsatisfactory 30 minute counter-peak frequency of the train service.  Route P88 bus only moves a small number of people relative to the number of Milton workers."

"For a comparison, Cityrail operate trains every 3 minutes from North Sydney towards the CBD between 4:48pm and 5:36pm."

"Time the counter-peak frequency was sorted!"

* counter-peak - services running in the opposite direction to the main peak flows to/from the CBD

References:

1. http://chartingtransport.com/2012/11/17/how-commuters-got-to-workplaces-in-brisbane-2006-and-2011/

2. http://chartingtransport.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/bris-dest-sust.gif - from (1)

3. http://www.wilsonparking.com.au/go/wilson-car-parks/qld/33-park-road

4. http://ubuntuone.com/5OkIoOf4tNVWgFtNU2nHRJ

Contact:

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