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Your letters to [email protected]

Ian Muil says: I support the suggestion of smaller electric buses.
Robin Cardier says: I fully agree with Robyn Harm that we need smaller buses, but not about them being electric. It hasn’t taken long for a huge environmental problem to emerge with them, namely the batteries. However, though it would be a large initial cost to buy smaller buses, there are often only a few people on board, except for busy times. A change would mean much saving on fuel, and easier travel on the narrow roads. I am in awe of the drivers on my route (503), getting those big vehicles around tiny roundabouts and sharp corners!
Helen Waker says: I would love to use public transport, and definitely if trains and buses co-ordinated (which they do not) I would more frequently.  I live at Camira – between Goodna and Springfield train stations but have resorted to using my car unfortunately to drive to the station. Have many times left the city three minutes late on the train (Ipswich line) only to see the bus 522 driving away and with the next bus not for another 40 minutes at least. I find this a total waste of time.  I doubt that there would be one customer who wants to sit at a bus station for 40 minutes after a day at work. Once attempted to catch the bus – 522 to Springfield – Orion Shopping centre but this trip takes approximately 1 hour – which is not what you would call an efficient service. The bus stop at Springfield School also needs to be beside the train station – not a long 10 minute walk – this is not practical in the heat and also when raining. A more regular connecting bus and train service would be a huge bonus for residents in our area – might get cars off the road. Maybe a small bus that is just purely a shuttle to the train stations?  Or some sort of car pooling?
Margaret Stephenson says: I love catching the train to the city from Goodna. The thing I don’t like is the lack of parking. If I get to the station any later than 0730 there is no parking available. Goodna is not the only station with this problem. Council continues to approve new estates to the outlying suburbs yet doesn’t add extra public services. Is there anything in the pipeline to rectify this? 
Raymond Sanderson says: Sorry to burst your bubble on “Less Fuel used” for electric buses. This is not correct as the materials they are built and maintained from are all still for the life of the vehicle requiring fossil fuels, every manufacturing stage included. The misunderstanding that they would reduce pollution is to say the least very false information. The manufacture of batteries not to forget the machines and processes it takes to make them. The additional manufacture of motors, wiring, charging stations, power supplies for those charging stations all the oils required for all the machinery. You must understand that a depot with a fleet of 50 vehicles charging overnight ir 24/7 would be a drain on the nation’s already overworked power plants. These days they can’t handle the numerous summer or winter requirements for keeping up with heating or cooling. Okay, so depots go solar. Even there the systems are made from or require fossil fuels. You’d soon be complaining when as you go to work on one of these buses stops, out of battery power or electric motor over heats in mid summer of 40 degrees, plus 90% of today’s electrics have major warnings of “Do Not use” if over 35C.
Annette says: On the weekend I went to the Davis cup from Sunnybank train station to Yerongpilly.  Cost my family of four almost $40 to travel a few stations.  We don’t have go cards because where we live there is no public transport.  I had to use the ticket machine at the station at Sunnybank and it didn’t work.  I had to select Yeronga train station instead of the correct one and paid a few dollars more.  I hate catching the train when travel isn’t included to events.  Paying is a big issue – no return tickets, machines don’t work, stations aren’t manned.  I only pay once in every two years.  I would drive as much as I could.   
Hayley S says: I noticed Kris from Springfield’s comments on public transport in the Ipswich First email today and I have to agree! It currently costs me $60 a week to get to and from work. It’s much cheaper (albeit frustrating) to sit in the Western Freeway traffic each morning. I often think of families who are on a tight budget; $60 would make a huge difference in their households each week. It’s a shame that we’re forced to pay so ridiculously for the simple task of getting to work each day. Not to mention made to feel guilty when we try and save some cash by driving to work.
Robyn Harm says: I think we could invest in smaller electric buses for the normal bus routes as there doesn’t seem to be a need for big buses in this area. I know that could be a financial problem but with big gains in less fuel used, pollution and speedier and more comfortable travel. Maybe then we could have more frequent times for bus routes too. Big buses could be used for school runs and bus trips etc.

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