TRACKS COME UP AT ROMA ST TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW RAIL-BUS HUB
Published Friday, 29 September, 2006 at 12:55 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
South East Queensland’s $333 million Inner Northern Busway expansion has taken a major step forward, with work starting on the new Roma Street rail and bus station.
Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Road Paul Lucas today inspected tracks being removed at Platforms 2 and 3 of Roma Street Railway Station – the first part of transforming it from a rail-only station to an integrated rail-bus hub.
“Pulling up railway tracks isn’t usually a cause to celebrate but in this case it is,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Roma Street Busway Station will incorporate an inbound bus platform on one side and train services on the other, making it easy for passengers to transfer using TransLink’s integrated ticketing system,” he said.
“This new world-class busway will save passengers around nine minutes on a normal trip, and up to 20 minutes during heavy congestion.
“It will be the most important kilometre anywhere on our busway system because it will link the transport network, taking up to 300 buses an hour off city streets and putting them underground.”
Mr Lucas said the Inner Northern Busway extension would not only be good for bus passengers, but would remake the city for decades to come.
“When complete, the INB will link Upper Roma Street to the Queen Street Bus Station and will connect buses and trains from around South East Queensland,” Mr Lucas said.
“Very few cities in the world have a dedicated busway linked to a high-capacity rail station under one roof.
“It’s where 700 trains will connect with 2000 buses a day.
“Work on the integrated busway station begins with the track removal that we’re seeing today.
“Work began at Countess Street, and is scheduled to progress from the East Rail Bridge (behind the Holiday Inn) to the eastern end of Platform 2. Next week, tracks in the centre of platforms 2 and 3 will be removed.
“These platforms are not used for Citytrain services and works are not expected to cause any disruptions to commuters.”
When the Roma Street Busway Station is complete, it will have:
• two platforms under the Transit Centre's interstate coach deck to protect passengers from the weather
• the inbound platform is shared with train platform 2 with bus services on one side and train services on the other
• busway platforms will be similar to the rail platforms, with stairs, elevators and a lift on each, connecting to the pedestrian subway
• a stopping lane and passing lane for each platform so buses can keep moving
• 24 hour security, with cameras linked back to the new Brisbane Metro Transport Management Centre.
"The Inner Northern Busway will cut travel times for commuters by up to nine minutes under normal traffic conditions and as much as 20 minutes during times of heavy traffic congestion,” Mr Lucas said.
"It will take buses away from city streets, reducing inner-city congestion. The INB will be the vital heart of Brisbane's busway network that will eventually span the city."
Premier Beattie said the project was another example of the State Government moving to address growth in South East Queensland.
"The Queensland Government is responding to growth in South East Queensland by delivering a unique busway network that will fill the gaps between existing rail lines to complete Brisbane's major public transport network," said the Premier.
He said the Inner Northern Busway (INB), now in its fourth month of construction, is on track for completion in mid-2008.
/ends
September 29, 2006
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 0417 767 436
Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for Transport and Main Road Paul Lucas today inspected tracks being removed at Platforms 2 and 3 of Roma Street Railway Station – the first part of transforming it from a rail-only station to an integrated rail-bus hub.
“Pulling up railway tracks isn’t usually a cause to celebrate but in this case it is,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Roma Street Busway Station will incorporate an inbound bus platform on one side and train services on the other, making it easy for passengers to transfer using TransLink’s integrated ticketing system,” he said.
“This new world-class busway will save passengers around nine minutes on a normal trip, and up to 20 minutes during heavy congestion.
“It will be the most important kilometre anywhere on our busway system because it will link the transport network, taking up to 300 buses an hour off city streets and putting them underground.”
Mr Lucas said the Inner Northern Busway extension would not only be good for bus passengers, but would remake the city for decades to come.
“When complete, the INB will link Upper Roma Street to the Queen Street Bus Station and will connect buses and trains from around South East Queensland,” Mr Lucas said.
“Very few cities in the world have a dedicated busway linked to a high-capacity rail station under one roof.
“It’s where 700 trains will connect with 2000 buses a day.
“Work on the integrated busway station begins with the track removal that we’re seeing today.
“Work began at Countess Street, and is scheduled to progress from the East Rail Bridge (behind the Holiday Inn) to the eastern end of Platform 2. Next week, tracks in the centre of platforms 2 and 3 will be removed.
“These platforms are not used for Citytrain services and works are not expected to cause any disruptions to commuters.”
When the Roma Street Busway Station is complete, it will have:
• two platforms under the Transit Centre's interstate coach deck to protect passengers from the weather
• the inbound platform is shared with train platform 2 with bus services on one side and train services on the other
• busway platforms will be similar to the rail platforms, with stairs, elevators and a lift on each, connecting to the pedestrian subway
• a stopping lane and passing lane for each platform so buses can keep moving
• 24 hour security, with cameras linked back to the new Brisbane Metro Transport Management Centre.
"The Inner Northern Busway will cut travel times for commuters by up to nine minutes under normal traffic conditions and as much as 20 minutes during times of heavy traffic congestion,” Mr Lucas said.
"It will take buses away from city streets, reducing inner-city congestion. The INB will be the vital heart of Brisbane's busway network that will eventually span the city."
Premier Beattie said the project was another example of the State Government moving to address growth in South East Queensland.
"The Queensland Government is responding to growth in South East Queensland by delivering a unique busway network that will fill the gaps between existing rail lines to complete Brisbane's major public transport network," said the Premier.
He said the Inner Northern Busway (INB), now in its fourth month of construction, is on track for completion in mid-2008.
/ends
September 29, 2006
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 0417 767 436