5 Sept - Local train service reductions update
TRAINS and STATIONS…...DO WE CARE?
Over the last 6 months, although rail night services have been improved to and from our local stations, we now experience some of the worst services of any community along the Seaford line. Now … we believe that station closures are possibly being considered!!
This Association and others in the community (particularly Andy Welsh who gathered over 1100 signatures on a petition he presented to Minister Stephan Knoll) have lobbied local, State and Federal politicians; written to the department of Transport; inundated social and mainstream media …. all without significant success …. other than the solitary 8.08 am service ex Seaford being reinstated to stop at our stations. We have not been able to meet with the Minister to discuss our concerns and reach an understanding of the process involved to reach this decision without consultation!
Let’s revisit some of the facts:
IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT STATION CLOSURES ARE BEING CONSIDERED??
We understand the new State Government is to undertake a Statewide review of Transport infrastructure. So this could be a good point to become active. DETAILS to follow
JOIN US TO INFLUENCE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
We intend to facilitate the formation of an action groups to undertake further research; gain more media exposure; influence Governments at all three levels; and further raise community awareness. WE NEED WIDE-SPREAD COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT!! Register your willingness to become involved in an action group by emailing 5049communicator@gmail.com with Trains in the subject line. We will then contact you to discuss the groups plans and update you on activities.
Background
Local resident Andy Welsh lead a campaign to change this backward step and ill conceived change to the time table. Nearly a 1000 people signed the petition. Andy has lobbied ministers, state members of parliament and engaged with the local community including key schools in the area. The local media and our local elected members have taken up the cause based on Andy's efforts.
Letter from Federal Minister Nicolle Flint in support of the campaign
Letter from State Minister David Speirs in support of the campaign
Link to advertiser article 18 April
Link to advertiser article 7 May
Link to Messenger article
TRAINS and STATIONS…...DO WE CARE?
Over the last 6 months, although rail night services have been improved to and from our local stations, we now experience some of the worst services of any community along the Seaford line. Now … we believe that station closures are possibly being considered!!
This Association and others in the community (particularly Andy Welsh who gathered over 1100 signatures on a petition he presented to Minister Stephan Knoll) have lobbied local, State and Federal politicians; written to the department of Transport; inundated social and mainstream media …. all without significant success …. other than the solitary 8.08 am service ex Seaford being reinstated to stop at our stations. We have not been able to meet with the Minister to discuss our concerns and reach an understanding of the process involved to reach this decision without consultation!
Let’s revisit some of the facts:
- To the City in morning peak: 10 out of 16 trains bypass Marino Rocks, Marino and Seacliff. It was 11, but due to concerted community action, one was reinstated
- From the City in evening peak: 9 out of 14 bypass us
- There remains the bizarre situation where there is a 31 minute interval between the 8.39am and 9.10 train ex Marino Rocks (similar for our other two stations), but during the remainder of the day the interval is 15minutes. After 5.26pm ex Adelaide (evening peak), 3 trains leave the city on the Seaford line before the next stopping at our stations (the 5.56) ie an interval of 30 minutes.
- Interconnections between buses and other trains are out of sync eg for students traveling to Brighton High the 8.04 ex Marino Rocks arrives Brighton 8.09. Students must then wait until 8.28 for the next train to Hove …arriving there too late to start school on time
- Our own research discovered that express rains passing through the Rocks (and also by-passing Marino and Seacliff) at 6.59, 7.13, 7.19, 7.32, 7.39, 7.53 all appeared to be carrying less than 40% seating capacity; with trains passing at 8.13, 8.24, 8.54, appeared to be carrying less than 50% seating capacity.
- These cuts are known to have caused real dislocation in households – school students and adult commuters now have to leave earlier; be driven to other stations, or use alternative transport. The cuts are a disincentive for rail travelers – at a time when we want to encourage a greater use of public transport. They encourage more cars onto the roads. We now see an increase in parking at Hallett Cove, Brighton, and other stations, with spill-over parking onto local streets. In short, we have a widely impacted decision which is environmentally and socially unsound.
IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT STATION CLOSURES ARE BEING CONSIDERED??
We understand the new State Government is to undertake a Statewide review of Transport infrastructure. So this could be a good point to become active. DETAILS to follow
JOIN US TO INFLUENCE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
We intend to facilitate the formation of an action groups to undertake further research; gain more media exposure; influence Governments at all three levels; and further raise community awareness. WE NEED WIDE-SPREAD COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT!! Register your willingness to become involved in an action group by emailing 5049communicator@gmail.com with Trains in the subject line. We will then contact you to discuss the groups plans and update you on activities.
Background
Local resident Andy Welsh lead a campaign to change this backward step and ill conceived change to the time table. Nearly a 1000 people signed the petition. Andy has lobbied ministers, state members of parliament and engaged with the local community including key schools in the area. The local media and our local elected members have taken up the cause based on Andy's efforts.
Letter from Federal Minister Nicolle Flint in support of the campaign
Letter from State Minister David Speirs in support of the campaign
Link to advertiser article 18 April
Link to advertiser article 7 May
Link to Messenger article
