14 Jan 2013: SEQ: Gold Coast line - incremental peak improvements welcome!

[ozbob]

Media release 14th January 2013

SEQ: Gold Coast line - incremental peak improvements welcome!

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 welcomed the additional Bowen Hills service from Varsity Lakes in the morning peak at 5.31am, and the extension and upgrade of the 5.45pm Airtrain service presently terminating at Roma St to Varsity Lakes in the evening peak (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Gold coast rail commuters will welcome the additional peak services."

"In time, more will need to be done to fix the capacity constraints on the southern line, for example the single line section between Coomera and Helensvale, and the inner city peak capacity constraints generally.  Cross River Rail will enable more trains to run on the Gold Coast line, and the rest of the network."

"The Commonwealth Games in 2018 means that the Gold Coast Interurban services will be very heavily utilised. For the period of the games 24 hour services on the Gold Coast will probably be needed."

"Train stabling capacity needs to be improved at Robina.  This will help reduce empty service kilometres and allow even more frequency improvements."

"Further incremental timetable improvements could include extending the new peak AM service to Brisbane Airport, similarly the 6.02am ex-Varsity Lakes could be changed to run to the Airport rather than Doomben, and perhaps starting the 17.39pm ex-Central to Varsity Lakes service at the Airport also."

"Each improvement in train frequency and service, helps to improve the network generally. As was highlighted last week with the release of the report 'Transport Policy at the Crossroads' (2), it is time that our rail network was properly prioritised if we are to avoid transport and congestion failure.

References:

1.  Gold Coast Bulletin 14th January 2013

2.  http://mams.rmit.edu.au/ov14prh13lps1.pdf

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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