Community & Business
30 August, 2024
Petition calls for local use of train
A PETITION calling for the Kuranda train to be used as an affordable public transport connection to Cairns for locals to reduce the traffic pressures on the Barron River bridge and the range road has surpassed 5500.
Ranjini Rusch has been the voice behind the petition and says she will not give up on the idea, given the fragility and unreliability of the Kuranda Range Road since it suffered significant damage in December last year, and the current plight of the bridge.
She also believes that reducing traffic will help to protect cassowaries and other wildlife.
Ms Rusch, who runs the Affordable Public Transport Kuranda Facebook page, said she had spoken to Mayor Angela Toppin, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and Member for Cairns Michael Healy about making the train available to local commuters some time ago, and since Cyclone Jasper, had become “quite vocal again”, contacting LNP candidate Bree James, Premier Steven Miles, Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“The petition is still live and I won’t give up on advocating for the return of a commuter train for the public. I see it as being even more essential now than ever,” she said.
“As far as the petition goes, all of the people I’ve mentioned and more are fully aware of it. The ball is in their court as our elected representatives to look into it.
“As a rail system that has only supported tourists for many years, it does not reflect public needs.
“Once heavy machinery is brought in to fix the numerous massive landslides on the range and the eventual replacement of the Barron River bridge, we will have very extensive delays and full road closures ongoing for years to come - much more than what we are already dealing with now which is an absolute headache already for regular commuters, not to mention dangerous.
“Any alternative access is apparently 6-plus years to implement. We have an already existing rail line that needs to be maintained to the standard it once was when it was not only for public rail but also for rail freight on low riders.”
Ms Rusch says with the next wet season only a few months away and the road still in disrepair, people are worried about what will happen.
“Any other suggested alternative access to the Kuranda range will take many years to investigate plan, approve and construct. In my opinion and many of those who’ve signed the petition, what other alternative will we have? What will the next wet season bring us? What if the road gets completely washed out?” she said.
“I get that not everyone would want to utilise the service as many are reliant on their vehicles but there are also many who would happily utilise an alternative and affordable way to commute for work, study, health or leisure even if it is at a slower pace.
“I am not an expert and don’t have the costings of what it would take to at least get public rail happening but I do think it should be seriously considered given the situation we will be having to contend with now and into the future.”
She also believes that due to the housing crisis, many families are now being separated and having to move to neighbouring communities.
“What better way to connect than public rail, particularly for families,” she said.
The Express reached out to Mr Crawford and LNP candidate for Barron River Bree James for comment but neither responded by deadline.
