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Ipswich public transport users group newsletter
27 May 2008
An initiative of Community Action for Sustainable Transport Inc. castqld@yahoo.com.au PO Box 1260 Fortitude Valley 4006 ph 0416 478 615
Please forward to others who may be interested
Contents
A. Support our member’s ideas on public transport
Call for government support of the City Link Bus service
Call for improvements to Ipswich to Brisbane train service
Lack of Car Parking at Dinmore Railway Station
B. Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation
A. Support our member’s ideas on public transport
Contact us if you would like your issue in the next edition
Submission 1 – Call for government support of the City Link Bus service
This service is currently privately operated by Southern Cross Transit and provides the only public transport for the communities of North Tivoli, Chuwar, Karalee, Barellan Point, Karana Downs and Anstead. It runs between Ipswich Transit Centre and Indooroopilly Shopping centre, servicing Karalee Shops, Karalee School, Karana Downs Shops and the Anstead store. Unless the service can receive government support it will cease to operate at the end of 2010 or earlier.
Make submissions to:
TransLink http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/feedbackform GPO Box 50 BRISBANE 4001 or ph. 131230
Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au 3806 8513 GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001
For more information:
City Link timetable: http://www.southerncrosstransit.com.au/IMAGES/CITYLink%20Ttable.pdf
City Link map: http://www.southerncrosstransit.com.au/IMAGES/CityLinkMap.jpg
TransLink south-west bus network map: http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/ReferenceLookup/070321_map_network_SouthWest.pdf/$file/070321_map_network_SouthWest.pdf
Submission 2 – Call for improvements to Ipswich to Brisbane train service
Trains should stop all stations from Ipswich to Darra and then at Indooroopliy, Toowong and Roma Street. An across the platform connection at Darra would be made to an all stations train between Darra, Brisbane and Shorncliffe. This Shorncliffe train would follow the Ipswich-Brisbane train by a few minutes, minimising changeover time. Shorncliffe to Darra trains would operate a few minutes ahead of the Brisbane-Ipswich trains, stopping at all stations.
Make submissions to:
TransLink http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/feedbackform GPO Box 50 BRISBANE 4001 or ph. 131230
Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au 3806 8513 GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Submission 3 – Lack of Car Parking at Dinmore Railway Station
The lack of car parking at Dinmore Railway Station shows that government needs to stop delaying essential improvements to our transport system. The station’s proximity to the off-ramps of the Cunningham and Warrego Highway makes it a key location for park-and-ride commuters on the western line. A temporary solution to increase parking needs to be implemented while commuters wait for the 230 delayed car parking spaces. There is a significant amount of Queensland Rail land around the station which could be fenced off and laid with gravel to create a temporary parking lot. Also, the 500 and 501 buses that service the station run at hourly frequencies, which is inadequate for busy commuters, and should be improved. Finally, improved walking and cycling access will give people living close by a healthy option to get to the train.
Make submissions to:
TransLink http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/feedbackform GPO Box 50 BRISBANE 4001 or ph. 131230
Minister for Transport John Mickel transport@ministerial.qld.gov.au 3806 8513 GPO Box 2644 BRISBANE QLD 4001
Sate Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller Bundamba@parliament.qld.gov.au PO Box 122 GOODNA QLD 4300 phone : (07) 3288 3737 Fax : (07) 3818 1613
B. Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation
Queensland Transport is currently conducting a study into possible options for improvements to transport in the western Brisbane area during the period up to 2026.
There are 17 options described by QT in this study. Most of these options involve new roads or roadways, but option No's 8,9,10 and 12, 13, and 14 do involve public or active transport infrastructure or proposals in one form or another.
For all of the details on this study, go to http://www.wbnti.net.au and use the tabs and links to find out more, in particular "What Is Being Considered" and "Community Involvement".
Note well that "western" Brisbane for the purposes of the Study does NOT just include what most people would define as the Western suburbs of Brisbane. The Study includes options involving suburbs as far apart as Samford, Bracken Ridge, Kedron, Everton Park and Albany Creek as well as the southern and western suburbs.
The decisions arising out of this Study will almost certainly affect YOU directly unless you live in Redland Shire or the far eastern suburbs, and the future of urban transport and many suburbs and communities WILL BE determined by actions which are likely to come out of this study.
Note that all submissions whether they are in writing or online must be made by 31 MAY - that's at the end of this week.
We urge EVERYONE to make a submission before the deadline. CAST will be making a submission to this Study. If you are a financial CAST member, you can contribute to the
design and content of our submission.
Contact us using this email address or phone us using the contact numbers on our blog if you have contributions or points to make:
http://sustainable-transport.blogspot.com
and we'll contact you individually.
While the public information sessions organised as part of this Study have now concluded, you can still see the hardcopy versions at various libraries this week. Details are on the Study's website.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
CAST Statement on Airport Link - coming next week
The State Government issued several statements on Monday
19 May stating that it had approved a tender by BrisConnect to
construct the Airport Link tunnel, the Windsor to Kedron busway,
and a flyover at the Airport roundabout.
The announcements gave very limited details of the financial, design
and environmental components of the proposed contract.
The Courier Mail has not provided full and accurate details of the
contract or the approved design.
Local residents whose homes or properties are or may be affected
in any number of ways, have not yet been provided with the information
that they are seeking, and to which they are entitled.
Likewise, CAST has not been given any reliable information.
We understand that an "information centre" will be established by
BrisConnect either today [Thursday] or tomorrow. As soon as
we know when and where this will be happening, we will report to you.
When CAST has been given access to all of the financial, design,
environmental and construction information, and the impacts on
both the local and general community, we will issue a formal
statement on the benefits [or otherwise], impacts and effects of the
proposed works.
We expect to issue this statement next week.
For the CAST committee
David and Tristan
19 May stating that it had approved a tender by BrisConnect to
construct the Airport Link tunnel, the Windsor to Kedron busway,
and a flyover at the Airport roundabout.
The announcements gave very limited details of the financial, design
and environmental components of the proposed contract.
The Courier Mail has not provided full and accurate details of the
contract or the approved design.
Local residents whose homes or properties are or may be affected
in any number of ways, have not yet been provided with the information
that they are seeking, and to which they are entitled.
Likewise, CAST has not been given any reliable information.
We understand that an "information centre" will be established by
BrisConnect either today [Thursday] or tomorrow. As soon as
we know when and where this will be happening, we will report to you.
When CAST has been given access to all of the financial, design,
environmental and construction information, and the impacts on
both the local and general community, we will issue a formal
statement on the benefits [or otherwise], impacts and effects of the
proposed works.
We expect to issue this statement next week.
For the CAST committee
David and Tristan
Monday, May 19, 2008
Airport Link - Road to Nowhere
No doubt most of you have heard or read the media versions of today's disastrous public announcements.
Actually there were, in the usual style of Anna Blight's exuberance with public monies, no less than six media releases extolling the virtues of sinking billions of dollars of taxes into more roads and tunnels, and how great life will be in the Sunshine State when $4,800 million is spent to save some motorists 15 minutes of travelling time.
To assist you to locate this flood of fantastic foolishness, here is the link to what was said -
http://www.cabinet. qld.gov.au/ MMS/StatementSea rch.aspx? tog_id=5
and type "Airport Link" in the search field. All the statements were issued today.
Of course, in the course of one of the darkest days in the history of this State, there was strangely no mention of the fact that the price of a barrel of oil has increased by more than 30% in just the last 20 months, or of the fact that there is just no substitute for aviation fuel.
So, even if travellers are going to the airport via Airport Link in electric cars in 10 years, how many of them are going to be able to afford the $2000 airfare in today's prices to Sydney?
While solar-powered cars with a limited range are likely to be a reality within 10 years, there is no possibility of solar-powered aircraft unless science discovers how to manufacture aircraft constructed by using a substance so light it is yet to be created.
Even if such an alloy is created, the cost of its production will be prohibitive at a time when non-renewable energy will have to be rationed due to scarcity and tough restrictions on emissions.
Nuclear-powered commercial aircraft? How many will be willing to fly in one? Or live under a flightpath with the risk of a nuclear meltdown if a plane crashed?
Whichever way you look at it, Airport Link will inevitably become the Road to Nowhere. Mad Max's Highway to Hell.
And scholars will later record that today - 19 May 2008 - the biggest mistake in the history of this State was made by short-sighted dumb politicians who ultimately came to realise, probably after they retired or resigned, that wise intelligent leaders make decisions for the long-term benefit of the people rather than for short-term profit, perceived political advantage and patronage.
The really strange thing is that Minister McNamara is just about to make a statement that basically follows the line I've composed above.
More on this to come...
Actually there were, in the usual style of Anna Blight's exuberance with public monies, no less than six media releases extolling the virtues of sinking billions of dollars of taxes into more roads and tunnels, and how great life will be in the Sunshine State when $4,800 million is spent to save some motorists 15 minutes of travelling time.
To assist you to locate this flood of fantastic foolishness, here is the link to what was said -
http://www.cabinet. qld.gov.au/ MMS/StatementSea rch.aspx? tog_id=5
and type "Airport Link" in the search field. All the statements were issued today.
Of course, in the course of one of the darkest days in the history of this State, there was strangely no mention of the fact that the price of a barrel of oil has increased by more than 30% in just the last 20 months, or of the fact that there is just no substitute for aviation fuel.
So, even if travellers are going to the airport via Airport Link in electric cars in 10 years, how many of them are going to be able to afford the $2000 airfare in today's prices to Sydney?
While solar-powered cars with a limited range are likely to be a reality within 10 years, there is no possibility of solar-powered aircraft unless science discovers how to manufacture aircraft constructed by using a substance so light it is yet to be created.
Even if such an alloy is created, the cost of its production will be prohibitive at a time when non-renewable energy will have to be rationed due to scarcity and tough restrictions on emissions.
Nuclear-powered commercial aircraft? How many will be willing to fly in one? Or live under a flightpath with the risk of a nuclear meltdown if a plane crashed?
Whichever way you look at it, Airport Link will inevitably become the Road to Nowhere. Mad Max's Highway to Hell.
And scholars will later record that today - 19 May 2008 - the biggest mistake in the history of this State was made by short-sighted dumb politicians who ultimately came to realise, probably after they retired or resigned, that wise intelligent leaders make decisions for the long-term benefit of the people rather than for short-term profit, perceived political advantage and patronage.
The really strange thing is that Minister McNamara is just about to make a statement that basically follows the line I've composed above.
More on this to come...
Survey about public transport fares
A survey of more than 100 southeast Queensland public transport users has been undertaken by David Bremner, a regular contributor to the CAST discussion group.
You can view the results of this survey, which have also been sent to government and transit operators by visiting this webpage
http://fairfares.googlepages.com/home
Congratulations to David for doing this research to better understand what people want out of our transport system
You can view the results of this survey, which have also been sent to government and transit operators by visiting this webpage
http://fairfares.googlepages.com/home
Congratulations to David for doing this research to better understand what people want out of our transport system
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Ipswich public transport users group
Essential improvements to public transport in Ipswich
Please send us your ideas for specific improvements that need to be made to public transport in and around Ipswich.
Email castqld@yahoo.com.au
We will make a submission to the government on your behalf and also email the submission to our list of contacts so that more people can write in support.
Make sure you include your name, email address, contact number (optional) and postcode so your identity can be verified by the government.
Try to describe your concern and possible solution(s) as simply as possible to minimise our need for editing, and to maximise the chance of government responding to your concern.
For example:
Location: 'Stafford Heights' bus stop on 345 Buz route, inbound, 100m south of Rode / Appleby Road intersection. Stafford Heights, Brisbane.
Concern: People sitting at the first bus shelter (shelter closest to where the bus stops) have their views of approaching buses blocked by the advertising panel on the side wall of the second shelter.
This means people only see the bus when it is 20-30m away. If the bus is moving at 40-60km/per hour this does not leave people enough time to get up, identify whether it is the right bus and then hail it, particularly if they are physically impaired.
Solution: Remove the advertising panel from the second bus shelter and replace with a transparent panel.
Noteafter making your submission we will put you on our mailing list for the Ipswich group unless you advise us not to. If at any stage after joining the mailing list you want to be removed simply send an email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Please send us your ideas for specific improvements that need to be made to public transport in and around Ipswich.
Email castqld@yahoo.com.au
We will make a submission to the government on your behalf and also email the submission to our list of contacts so that more people can write in support.
Make sure you include your name, email address, contact number (optional) and postcode so your identity can be verified by the government.
Try to describe your concern and possible solution(s) as simply as possible to minimise our need for editing, and to maximise the chance of government responding to your concern.
For example:
Location: 'Stafford Heights' bus stop on 345 Buz route, inbound, 100m south of Rode / Appleby Road intersection. Stafford Heights, Brisbane.
Concern: People sitting at the first bus shelter (shelter closest to where the bus stops) have their views of approaching buses blocked by the advertising panel on the side wall of the second shelter.
This means people only see the bus when it is 20-30m away. If the bus is moving at 40-60km/per hour this does not leave people enough time to get up, identify whether it is the right bus and then hail it, particularly if they are physically impaired.
Solution: Remove the advertising panel from the second bus shelter and replace with a transparent panel.
Noteafter making your submission we will put you on our mailing list for the Ipswich group unless you advise us not to. If at any stage after joining the mailing list you want to be removed simply send an email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
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