A public transport advocacy group is calling on the state government to re-commit to building a train line to the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
There were plans to construct a track from Beerwah to Maroochydore by the 2032 Games, before it was announced that the line would instead stop short at Birtinya and connect with buses in a project dubbed The Wave.
Better Transport Queensland, a not-for-profit group advocating transport solutions, said it was crucial that the track ultimately reached Maroochydore.
“We acknowledge that any extension beyond Birtinya before the 2032 Olympic Games is likely to be infeasible with the time remaining,” BTQ president Rowan Gray said.
“However, we still think that it is essential that the full rail line to Maroochydore is delivered through successive staging.
“Ideally, this would occur back-to-back by reusing the existing workforce and equipment.”
Mr Gray also said the connecting buses would be practical in the short-term but said more needed to be done in the long-term.
“The current proposal to have BRT (bus rapid transit) to Maroochydore from Birtinya is the most pragmatic option in the interest of providing improved public transport access to Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympics,” he said.
“However, it must not be used as an excuse to delay the extension of heavy rail to Maroochydore.
“The Wave’s bus and rail serve very different purposes in the hierarchy of transport and are not inter-operable.”
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BTQ was also worried the focus on The Wave, a multibillion-dollar project, would cause delays on other projects, like the Beerwah to Nambour rail project, which includes some line duplication.
“We are concerned that the government will put off service improvements north of Caboolture until the rail (to Birtinya) is built,” Mr Gray said.
“Whilst there will certainly be a service increase coinciding with the opening of the rail line to Birtinya, the current service frequency north of Caboolture is not fit for purpose.”
Sunshine Coast News asked the Department of Transport and Main Roads whether the rail line could be extended from Birtinya to Maroochydore sometime in the future but did not receive a direct response.
A TMR spokesperson heralded The Wave as a “new, seamless public transport connection”.
They said the rail line “will be the fastest and most reliable way to travel between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane in peak hour, with rail passengers saving over 45 minutes compared to driving in peak times”.
Stage 1 of the line (Beerwah to Caloundra, 19km) has $5.5 billion in state and federal government but Stage 2 (Caloundra to Birtinya) and the bus network (Birtinya to the airport via Maroochydore) are yet to be funded.
There would be new rail stations at Aura, Caloundra, Aroona and Birtinya.
Meanwhile, the state government says investigations for the bus network are ongoing.
It’s not known how much it could cost, how it could be paid for, whether it could be on existing roads and bridges, and whether it could have designated lanes.
One state government artist’s impression shows two buses on a two-lane bridge.
It’s not known how many buses there could be, how often they could run or how long trips could take. It’s also not known how the buses could interact with the planned Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.
A TMR spokesperson said the state government was considering what features to include.
“Investigations … are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.
But they did provide examples of other bus networks and their capabilities.
“The metro-style service is designed to provide reliable, frequent and accessible public transport,” they said.
“This initiative allows a shift towards minimising car usage by providing new travel options for the growing Sunshine Coast.
“With zero emissions, metro-style vehicles are often powered by batteries, offering a clean, green, electric travel alternative.
“Rubber tyres allow flexibility with routes requiring no fixed infrastructure such as steel tracks.
“A similar style vehicle to the Brisbane Metro is capable of comfortably accommodating 150 passengers and up to 170 passengers in event-specific scenarios.
“Other vehicles in operation internationally can accommodate more.
“These styles of vehicles will cater to the region’s growing demand for public transport.”
It is known that the bus route will include stations at Birtinya, Mountain Creek, Maroochydore and the airport.
The bus network is also expected to be complemented by other connecting buses to and from other Sunshine Coast suburbs and towns, including new and improved routes and more frequent trips.
Better Transport Queensland was formed early this year, essentially superseding Rail Back on Track. BTQ stated, via its website, that its members are “a community of people who are passionate about improving transport throughout Queensland”.
