RAIL - Back On Track

24/03/2025

Better Transport Queensland champions sustainable public and active transport while promoting efficient regional transport and freight rail solutions for a connected and greener future.

13/02/2025

After 20 years of promoting and lobbying Australian Governments to use railway transportation and public/active transport for the benefit of all Australians, Rail Back on Track as a group and forum has come to a close!

The RBOT members thank Robert Dow for his passion, support and guidance that brought the benefits and needs of rail and public/active transport into the mainstream.

The legacy of RBOT and Robert Dow will continue in the newly formed BTQ (Better Transport Queensland).

https://www.bettertransportqueensland.org

https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org

https://www.facebook.com/share/1MDh66NMb6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

BTQ like Rail Back on Track provides the public a voice on everything transportation.

BTQ’s mission is to improve transport throughout Queensland by advocating for public and active transport as well as regional and freight rail.

Jonno

Advocating for better transport in Queensland through the prioritisation of transport investment in active/public transport and regional/freight rail.

01/01/2025

Shopping by bike is very common in the Netherlands. With a population that is used to cycling. Sit-up bikes that can carry goods and shops with good bike par...

01/01/2025

It’s open!

Trains are stopping from today, at Morningside station. Just so you know - it doesn’t look open but it definitely definitely is. Just make your way through the maze of fencing.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

21/11/2024

Brisbane versus Perth: Why we need to fix Brisbane Airtrain before 'Going Metro'

22nd November 2024

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) has called on Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg to focus on improving Brisbane Airtrain's poor service frequency and span before considering Brisbane Metro BRT extension to Brisbane Airport.

We understand that Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner wants to extend Brisbane Metro BRT services to Brisbane Airport (1). However, there is already a train to Brisbane Airport which is grossly underutilised due to poor service frequency and operating hours. Let's fix that first.

Below is a comparison of Brisbane Airtrain against Perth's Airport Train (June 2024). As the chart clearly shows, Perth's Airport train offers a superior level of service.

Perth operates 1,019 services to and from the airport each week, while Brisbane runs just 632. This means Brisbane's Airtrain provides only 62% of the service that Perth residents and visitors enjoy.

Train service levels across the Perth train network are also superior to Brisbane's. Unlike Brisbane, Perth offers 15-minute trains to almost all train stations on Saturday and Sunday. Perth's train network also carries more passengers than the Queensland Rail network does. Perth achieves this in a city with a lower density, lower population and higher car use than Brisbane.

Instead of funding a duplicative Brisbane Metro BRT to Brisbane Airport, RAIL Back on Track calls on the Queensland Government to redirect that funding toward increasing Airtrain service levels to match the superior frequency already available to Perth residents.

References:

(1) Brisbane Metro to be boosted by 41 million seats if 'compromise' can be reached https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/future-seq/brisbane-metro-to-be-boosted-by-41-million-seats-if-compromise-can-be-reached/news-story/8d96c9aa6dfc9434dbc375c87dd45c38

(2) Brisbane Airtrain: Half-price fares but no changes to timetable
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/brisbane-airtrain-halfprice-fares-but-no-changes-to-timetable/news-story/8009f1363addf9a7d4c866acf46fa229

Robert Dow
Administration
[email protected]
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

13/11/2024

Update on on-time running performance for Queensland Rail Citytrain Month of September 2024

14th November 2024

Citytrain services, including peak and off-peak, are measured as on-time when they arrive within three minutes and 59 seconds of their scheduled time, except for the interurban services viz. Gold Coast, Rosewood and Sunshine Coast lines, which are measured as on time if they arrive within 5 minutes and 59 seconds.

Target is services > 95% on time, all lines.

FMA = force majeure adjusted
CI = customer impact (what passengers actually experience)
CP = combined peaks

The on-time running (OTR) data is published on or about the 10th each month for the month preceding the last month at https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/ourperformance/service-punctuality-and-reliability

A continuing improved OTR performance for September 2024 was achieved. Both total 24/7 FMA and total CP FMA OTR measurements were above 95%.
Total 24/7 CI and CP CI were also improved.

Detailed OTR analyses of all lines is available at https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=15805.0

Combining the Queensland Rail total (aggregate) results on the same axes allows an appreciation of what is happening overall.

13/11/2024

Translink public transport performance data snapshot for September 2024

14th November 2024

Translink public transport performance data snapshot for September 2024 is now published at
https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/translink-public-transport-performance-snapshots

Below is a graph of weekly trips up to the week ending September 2024 (data is from the snapshots).

The Fifty Cent Fares commenced 5th August and patronage soon recovered to near pre-pandemic levels.
During September patronage exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The other graph series is from the Translink September 2024 Snapshot - Overall experience with the network.

September 2024 snapshot discussion thread at RAIL Back On Track forum
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=15804.0

06/11/2024

DSCRL: EPBC Act Public Portal
(Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Public Portal)
Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL)
EPBC Number: 2024/09972

https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/project-referral-summary/?id=f5d7dee5-bc5e-ef11-bfe4-00224810f0ef

" ... Stage 1 includes:

upgrade of Beerwah Station
stabling yard south of Beerwah
stations at Nirimba and Caloundra, with bus interchange at Caloundra Station
straightening and track integration works along approximately 3.3km of the existing North Coast Rail Line through Beerwah
realignment of a section of Steve Irwin Way
a grade separated rail over road crossing from the North Coast Rail Line over Steve Irwin Way
rail line through Beerwah State Forest and rail bridge crossing of the Bruce Highway
approximately 5.8km of rail line on elevated, ballast-less structure west of Pelican Waters and Golden Beach.

Stage 2 includes:

stations at Aroona and Birtinya
stabling yard north of Birtinya
approximately 2.2km long twin railway tunnel at Little Mountain, including 980m of mined tunnel with fire, life safety system and mechanical and electrical systems
approximately 450m of railway on elevated structure between Caloundra Station and the southern tunnel portal, and approximately 3.8km of railway on elevated structure from the northern tunnel portal through Aroona and Birtinya

Both stages include:

elevated structures, embankments and bridges
rail systems including overhead lines, traction power substations, signalling infrastructure and security infrastructure
active transport corridors and local walking and cycling paths at stations
park 'n' ride and kiss 'n' ride at stations
station access roads
road realignments and intersection improvements
noise barriers fauna movement infrastructure and fencing
landscaping, drainage and water quality treatment areas
rail maintenance access roads and/ or maintenance access infrastructure
temporary construction laydown areas, compounds and access roads
relocation of public utility plant. ... "

Reference:

Sunshine Coast News --> Planned multibillion-dollar rail line's potential environmental impacts outlined

https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2024/11/06/planned-rail-lines-potential-environmental-impacts-outlined/

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has detailed how a multibillion-dollar rail line could impact the environment, and how it has provided mitigation strategies. TMR has referred plans for Stages 1 and 2 of Direct Rail Sunshine Coast, which totals about 27km of line, to the federal Department...

01/11/2024

New Minister for Transport and Main Roads Queensland

2nd November 2024

RAIL Back On Track Members thank the former Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish MP for his service as Minister.
Mr Mellish was prepared to meet with us and listen to our view point on matters.
We wish you well for future success.

We congratulate Minister Brent Mickelberg MP - Member for Buderim on his appointment as Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

We look forward to further improvements in this challenging portfolio.

Robert Dow
Administration
[email protected]
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Government Statements:

1. A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Ministry unveiled as Cabinet gets to work https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101586

2. Senior Government Appointments announced following swearing-in of Crisafulli Government Cabinet
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101587

28/10/2024

Brisbane's New Bus Network (BNBN)

29th October 2024

BNBN has been finalised. Details are available on the following links.

Website: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbanes-new-bus-network

BNBN Guide:https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2024-10/20241028-Brisbanes-New-Bus-Network-guide.pdf

Interactive map tool: https://caportal.com.au/bcc/brisbane-metro

"Brisbane’s New Bus Network includes the introduction of Brisbane Metro M1 services (Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street) and M2 services (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to University of Queensland), and primarily includes changes to routes in the inner city and south-eastern corridor."

This is only the first step change, expect more bus network changes in time.

See what's changing near you and have your say on Brisbane's New Bus Network the Brisbane City Council's official interactive map portal. Learn how Stage 1 of Brisbane Metro proposes to evolve our bus network in the inner-city and south-eastern suburbs.

20/10/2024

BERT (Busway Electric Rapid Transit) begins today!

21st October 2024

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the introduction of new bus rapid transit services on the busway between Eight Mile Plains and UQ Lakes from today, 21st October 2024.

The new electric bi-articulated buses are running the 169 timetable ( https://translink.com.au/updates/587291 ) and passengers will be able to hail, board and pay for their fare as for all other Brisbane bus routes.

It is unfortunate that the improvements in bus rapid transit (BRT) are being described as part of the ' Brisbane Metro '. Bus rapid transit is not a metro. Sydney has a metro.

It is pleasing to note that Cr Murphy has been quoted in the *Brisbanetimes today as:

Quote:
" ... Murphy admitted the Brisbane Metro name caused "some confusion", and hinted there might be changes in the future.

"We're having a good look at the name at the moment ... but ultimately, we're not obsessed with the name."

* https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-brisbane-metro-20241007-p5kgfe.html

RAIL Back On Track has long suggested a suitable name for the improvements in bus rapid transit on the busways would be BERT (Busway Electric Rapid Transit) - this correctly describes what it is, and would be an excellent marketing tool. The new electric bi-articulated buses could be referred to as ' Berties '.

Congratulations BCC and all involved with the commencement of the improved bus rapid transit!

I plan to have a ride today on BERT!

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
[email protected]
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

Some photographs from a visit to UQ Lakes from PA Hospital Bus Station this morning (21st October 2024) Photographs R Dow