3:11p.m. 30th September 2008

| By Kerryn Manifold

An extra early bird train service running between Caboolture and Brisbane Central stations will still leave Sunshine Coast commuters packed like sardines, according to a lobbyist.

Sunshine Coast Commuters association chair Terry Cullen has said the premier’s announcement of an extra three-carriage train which would depart Caboolture at 5.30am and have a capacity to carry more than 500 passengers would do nothing to benefit local commuters.

Mr Cullen said the bulk of problems arose because people living near Northgate and Petrie were tempted to use Sunshine Coast services.

Those services only stop at Northgate and Petrie during the journey from Caboolture to Brisbane which cuts travel time.

Mr Cullen said the only thing that could make life easier for Coast passengers would be to stop people boarding the train at Petrie and Northgate by altering the timetable so trains did not stop there.

“The reason people get on Sunshine Coast trains is because it’s an express service,” Mr Cullen said.

“This is just another train that goes to Brisbane.

“We need a train to go express form Caboolture to Brisbane and we need an identical level of service to that of the Gold Coast.”

Mr Cullen said half-hourly express services during peak times that did not stop at Petrie or Northgate would reduce the load on Coast services.

Premier Anna Bligh said the new service would add capacity to the Caboolture line.

“We all need to change our behaviour to bust congestion,” Ms Bligh said.

“That’s why I want services like this to give people the opportunity to change their own routines.

“Using these services, people have the opportunity to come to work early and leave early, missing peak times.”

Ms Bligh said if the services were successful, the government would consider similar services on other lines.

In 2009, the government also plans to introduce more improvements for South East Queensland which could include the Sunshine Coast.