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Since this seems to be getting to be a bit of an issue, it probably deserves its own thread.
New Article, with more detailed route info -
Labor talks up light rail for CBD
A LIGHT-RAIL line through Queen Street Mall is among proposals in a report detailing mass transit options for inner Brisbane.
Deputy Mayor David Hinchliffe yesterday released details of the route for a light-rail system as detailed in the Mass Transit Options study commissioned by Labor councillors.
Like previous light-rail proposals, it includes a link to Bowen Hills, Newstead and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, areas undergoing rapid population growth from urban renewal. The core of the route would be along Queen St.
"In previous studies, Adelaide St has been highlighted as the preferred route, however with the Adelaide St bus mall in full force and operating well, it may prove successful to separate the two networks yet keep them in close proximity to each other," the study says.
Light rail on Queen St also would allow easy interchange with its underground bus station.
The core component would be a link to Fortitude Valley. The network also would travel along Eagle, Margaret and George streets, with connections to the Queensland University of Technology, Parliament House, the Roma Street Transit Centre, and the Cultural Centre at South Bank.
The Labor councillors' Mass Transit Study report also suggests options for a city metro system and augmented inner-city loop system. However, Labor's transport spokeswoman Maureen Hayes said the light-rail option was capturing people's imagination.
Cr Hayes has just returned from overseas where she studied mass transit systems in London, Portugal, and Malaysia. She said many overseas CBDs were implementing a congestion tax – a levy for taking a car into the CBD.
"The answer is not just to say this is the demand, let's cater for it. The answer is let's control the demand. Demand control is what they're looking at overseas everywhere," Cr Hayes said.
She believes Brisbane might have to consider a congestion tax once a mass transit system is operating, but upgrading public transport is the first priority.
The Labor councillors' decision to fund and release their own report on CBD public transport is a clever tactic by Cr Hinchliffe.
For the past year, he has had to take on a negative role, criticising Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's plan for tunnels and a bridge.
By proposing a mass transit system, Cr Hinchliffe has painted himself as the "can-do" man to the annoyance of the Liberals who hold the transport portfolio in council.
The project also has reinvigorated Cr Hayes, who hated being moved from transport to the finance chair and subsequently resigned.
Labor's plans for mass transit have given her a new hobby horse.
"When I got into transport, it genuinely became a passion, Cr Hayes said. "I've just been overseas and I've again looked at major transport, particularly London."
Transport and Major Projects committee chairman Graham Quirk told the council the report made it clear that only a "minor analysis" of routes had taken place.
All the hard work of establishing passenger and economic viability of any route lay ahead.
He said he was concerned at a plan for an apparent extension of the light-rail system across the pedestrian-cycle Goodwill Bridge.
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Sounds pretty good to me - the system will have to be extended but you have to start somewhere. Have to wonder about the ideas to have light rail go across the Goodwill Bridge though.
New Article, with more detailed route info -
Labor talks up light rail for CBD
A LIGHT-RAIL line through Queen Street Mall is among proposals in a report detailing mass transit options for inner Brisbane.
Deputy Mayor David Hinchliffe yesterday released details of the route for a light-rail system as detailed in the Mass Transit Options study commissioned by Labor councillors.
Like previous light-rail proposals, it includes a link to Bowen Hills, Newstead and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, areas undergoing rapid population growth from urban renewal. The core of the route would be along Queen St.
"In previous studies, Adelaide St has been highlighted as the preferred route, however with the Adelaide St bus mall in full force and operating well, it may prove successful to separate the two networks yet keep them in close proximity to each other," the study says.
Light rail on Queen St also would allow easy interchange with its underground bus station.
The core component would be a link to Fortitude Valley. The network also would travel along Eagle, Margaret and George streets, with connections to the Queensland University of Technology, Parliament House, the Roma Street Transit Centre, and the Cultural Centre at South Bank.
The Labor councillors' Mass Transit Study report also suggests options for a city metro system and augmented inner-city loop system. However, Labor's transport spokeswoman Maureen Hayes said the light-rail option was capturing people's imagination.
Cr Hayes has just returned from overseas where she studied mass transit systems in London, Portugal, and Malaysia. She said many overseas CBDs were implementing a congestion tax – a levy for taking a car into the CBD.
"The answer is not just to say this is the demand, let's cater for it. The answer is let's control the demand. Demand control is what they're looking at overseas everywhere," Cr Hayes said.
She believes Brisbane might have to consider a congestion tax once a mass transit system is operating, but upgrading public transport is the first priority.
The Labor councillors' decision to fund and release their own report on CBD public transport is a clever tactic by Cr Hinchliffe.
For the past year, he has had to take on a negative role, criticising Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's plan for tunnels and a bridge.
By proposing a mass transit system, Cr Hinchliffe has painted himself as the "can-do" man to the annoyance of the Liberals who hold the transport portfolio in council.
The project also has reinvigorated Cr Hayes, who hated being moved from transport to the finance chair and subsequently resigned.
Labor's plans for mass transit have given her a new hobby horse.
"When I got into transport, it genuinely became a passion, Cr Hayes said. "I've just been overseas and I've again looked at major transport, particularly London."
Transport and Major Projects committee chairman Graham Quirk told the council the report made it clear that only a "minor analysis" of routes had taken place.
All the hard work of establishing passenger and economic viability of any route lay ahead.
He said he was concerned at a plan for an apparent extension of the light-rail system across the pedestrian-cycle Goodwill Bridge.
----------------------------------------------------
Sounds pretty good to me - the system will have to be extended but you have to start somewhere. Have to wonder about the ideas to have light rail go across the Goodwill Bridge though.
