No, they may not be? But international comparisons suggest they've been quite grossly understated? A train is a better safer option than any other form of public transport!

And there's climate change considerations, which will demand of us, far more electric options and far less diesel and jet fuel variants! Particularly very rapid interstate rail! And where freight rail, which can be serviced at the terminals by electric trucks?

Simply put, the days of politicians acquiescing to cronies in private transport and ripping up rail lines prematurely, are over.

As for the cost of matainence?

If the thing is built right from the get-go! Going under rivers prevents the usual flood damage and delays at bridge crossings are repaired and rebuilt, e.g.

There are rail tunnels that were built in the 18th century and are still standing and providing safe transfer regardless of storm and tempest over the centuries! Hard to say the same of even the most robust bridges!?

Then the annual cost structures are very moderate and affordable! And less per passenger or kilogram of freight transported over averaged kilometres than any other form of unsubsidised public transport!
Alan B.

Yes Ross government should be required to supply a business case for any development they plan to spend exorbitant amounts of public money on.

Rail in particular, but public transport in general has little chance of coming up with any credible business plan. Why the hell would anyone spend billions on a project, when it is assured of losing more billions as soon as it becomes operational.

You did not mention the make up of the "workers" rail services. Inner city rail traffic is sure to be dominated by Public servants, traveling to their over paid jobs in luxury high rise offices. Why the hell tax payers should subsidise the travel of these "workers" is totally beyond me.

Could it be our Labor governments interest in supplying "jobs' to totally unionised big business construction industry that sees such wasteful projects pushed in the name of jobs? We thus cater to the highly paid, at the cost of the little bloke.

Trains have been poorly done in Aus as has all PT.

Speaking of SEQ, look at Coomera or Helensvale Stations, vast free parking areas that shoudl be full of 20 story high rises, with an underground station, along with the associated shopping that exists now at Westfield. Then all on a rental agreement with QLD Transport, in perpetuity to provide income to allow near free PT, currently the cars are being subsidized.

Instead they know down vast areas of bush and endless monotonous appalling suburban sprawl miles away from trains,trams etc The M1 is a joke and the Coomera bypass the worst of stupid ideas for more cars, it all ends up dumping back on the M1 anyway.

Then we have the stupid that is the QLD/NSW border, the GOdl COast line should be ungraded to handle 160 km.hr trains *some straightening and better alignment) and should run all the way to Coffs Harbour.

Then we have the 19th century idea of Trams, why not on demand (via a phone app) overhead shuttle pods much like the have at ski resorts for moving 1000's of skiers

I just caught the train into Central Station from Helensvale and back today. My GPS was recording the train doing 140 Km/hr near Coomera.

Rather than free, all public transport should be full cost recovery, plus a little profit to fund the next purchase of equipment.

This should most definitely be the case until every one has close access to it, rather than no access as in most areas of the state. I can see no reason why the people of Rathdowney for example, should fund the travel of people in Brisbane.