Springfield to Ipswich public transport corridor

Public Transport Corridor has Benefits

With plans for Ipswich and Springfield to become the two major western regional centres, it is imperative to plan for and provide appropriate transport infrastructure. The community benefits associated with public transport are well established. In developed urban areas well designed public transport can provide the most efficient commuting times during peaks, along with social benefits of affordable access to employment and services. Further, in an era where the consequences of global warming and its causes can no longer responsibly be ignored it is important to note that mass public transport burns 50% less energy than cars (1).

For public transport to provide a true alternative to car travel it must offer competitive travel times. The existing public transport between Ipswich and Springfield and between Flinders View/Yamanto and Springfield are fragmented and slow, and are not a competitive with the car. Without factoring in walking time, it presently takes at best between 45mins and an hour to travel between Ipswich and Springfield and around 1.5 hours from Flinders View/Yamanto. Travelling between these locations can require switching between 2-3 buses or trains.

The proposed options (1A, 1B, 2A & 2B) for the rail extension through Springfield and back into Ipswich have the potential to provide a fast and seamless public transport link for current and future residents. We estimate the corridor would reduce travel times between Ipswich and Springfield to 30mins and from Flinders View/Yamanto to 22mins. Similar improvements are to be expected for other surrounding suburbs of both Ipswich and Springfield and the corridor also significantly benefits the developing townships of Wulkuraka, Brassall, Rosewood and Walloon west of Ipswich.

The route option proposed by some to avoid Yamanto and Flinders View by going around RAAF Base Amberley (most viably via Wooloon) is inferior. It would increase travel times between Ipswich and Springfield dramatically (an estimated 45min Vs 30mins) with no change in transit time to Rosewood. Secondly there are fewer popular destinations and residential areas serviced by the route (i.e UQ, One Mile etc). Servicing UQ Ipswich by a dedicated public transport corridor would seriously enhance accessibility for those wishing to further their qualifications as previous experience has shown at several other major Universities in capital cities in Australia.

We support the Ipswich City Council and the State Government for taking a responsible approach to planning by assessing the most viable options for public transport. Poor quality public transport will not be sufficiently patronised and this will result in increased traffic noise, congestion and air pollution in residential areas as car use increases. The options for the corridor should be assessed on the basis of their benefits and impacts on the overall region, balanced with proportionate consideration for those areas most affected. Whilst ideally the current study should have been conducted earlier; to ignore the Ipswich region’s future transport needs in light of the dramatic population increases predicted would only cause potentially far greater disruption at a later date.

(1) Rail Research Industry Report, Project 24 Rail transport energy efficiency and sustainability, available at www.railcrc.com.au

For more information on the project refer http://www.pb.com.au/ISPTCS/

To write a letter to newspapers (300 words maximum) and the transport minister regarding this project :
Ipswich News editorial@ipswichnews.com.au
Queensland Times qt@qt.com.au
Paul Lucas (Transport Minister) transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au