Sentiment survey: Damning poll exposes grim reality of Qld transport infrastructure

Congested roads are ruining Queenslanders’ weekend plans, our exclusive sentiment survey shows, while 60 per cent say public transport is either unreliable or simply unavailable where they are. SEE THE FULL RESULTS

Congested roads are ruining Queenslanders’ weekend plans with traffic jams also making the commute to work longer for nearly two out of five people compared to just a year ago.

Frustrations over traffic gridlock has pushed the critical need for a fast rail network in the southeast to the top of commuters’ priority list.

The Courier-Mail’s sentiment survey — completed by nearly 7000 people — revealed congestion was stopping 64 per cent of respondents from going places on weekends, in a blow to lifestyles and the economy.

And 37.5 per cent – or nearly two of every five people — were spending more time commuting to work now than they did a year ago.

The solutions lie in long-term and “bold” strategic planning across all levels of government according to RACQ Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane, with the peak body representing motorists repeatedly warning of severe congestion if this isn’t done.

Dr Kane said public transport infrastructure will be fundamental to addressing congestion and liveability.

“There’s no city in the world has ever built enough roads into the city centre to make a difference. Because ultimately … it’s like a funnel, you can make the funnel bigger on one end, but you can’t make it bigger on the bottom end,” he said.

Congested roads are ruining Queenslanders’ weekend plans and lengthening the daily commute time. Picture: Nigel Hallett

According to the Courier-Mail’s survey 40 per cent of respondents don’t take public transport, with the biggest grip the lack of availability in their area, services being late, unreliable, or costing too much.

Among those surveyed 37 per cent also named a fast rail network in SEQ as the most critical project.

Dr Kane said the RACQ’s own data found top of the list of improvements that would entice people to use public network is an expanded network followed by frequent, regular and reliable service.

“What people are saying is they want a modernised 21st century public transport system … so these sorts of projects are essential for people to shift to public transport,” he said.

“We’re effectively a new world city in Brisbane … we’re in the big leagues and we’ve got to start thinking like we’re in the big leagues”.

Of those surveyed, 60 per cent said public transport was either unreliable or simply unavailable where they are. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Queensland has the third-fastest growing population in Australia, with the population swelling to nearly 5.5m as of the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

And the growth isn’t expected to slow down with state government population estimates anticipating 6.1m people will live in Queensland when it hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish acknowledged there was “always more to do” in the network but said he was confident the government was delivering the infrastructure needed now while planning for the future.

“No one wants to waste time stuck in traffic, which is why our government is delivering the Big Transport Build. We have more than $32 billion invested to build the road and rail infrastructure our growing state needs,” he said.

“And as communities grow, so should the connectivity of our public transport network.”

Originally published as Sentiment survey: Damning poll exposes grim reality of Qld transport infrastructure