15 Oct 2013: SEQ: BCC Bus Review Fail a Raw Deal for Brisbane and SEQ

[ozbob]

Media release 15th October 2012



SEQ: BCC Bus Review Fail a Raw Deal for Brisbane and SEQ

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport believes that the Brisbane City Council bus review is not making an appropriate amount of service changes and is continuing to support low frequency routes with significant amounts of duplication, leading to ongoing high fares and high subsidy, and consequently stagnating patronage.  Wastage in the Brisbane bus region means less service funds for the other bus regions of SEQ.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane City Council's bus review stage two was implemented yesterday but does not go far enough with proposed network changes."

"A RAIL Back On Track member has suggested by reducing the number of bus routes along Coronation Drive from 24 to 8 and feeding customers to Indooroopilly and Toowong railway stations, the number of frequent bus routes in the western suburbs can be increased from the current three to up to six, including a west Toowong/Taringa feeder bus which increases the number of bus services in these areas from four services on a Sunday to 60, and improves frequency in many areas from hourly to every 15 minutes. [1]"

Such a review would provide six frequent routes, including: - Frequent route running from UQ to Indooroopilly via Toowong, increasing frequency for users of the 411, 414, 415, 470 and parts of the 417 - Frequent route from UQ to Moggill, allowing for passengers from Moggill to be fed to rail and provide a frequent route to UQ from Indooroopilly along Swann Road - Frequent route to the Centenary suburbs, a current PT black hole

"While this concept only covers Brisbane's western suburbs, this concept can be expanded to cover the bus networks in all parts of Brisbane - whether it be north or south of the river!"

"If Brisbane City Council was legitimate about its claims to look after the ratepayers of Brisbane, it would move away from the mantra of a direct service network model and instead move towards a legible, frequent, connective network like that which is outlined in this suggested network."

References:

1. James' New Brisbane West Bus Network http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10275.0

2. Map of Frequent Network Brisbane West http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10275.msg133256#msg133256

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10275.msg133265#msg133265

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th November 2013

Greetings,

A RAIL Back On Track member has reported that the Cultural Centre Bus Congestion is as bad as ever ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg134759#msg134759 ).  The BCC bus review has failed to deliver any real network improvements. The TransLink bus review would have significantly reduced the number of near empty buses running through this congestion mess, freeing up funds and buses to deliver high frequency bus services to hundreds of thousands more citizens of Brisbane.  What is happening now is that we now have a dichotomous public transport network in SEQ.  The rail and bus network throughout SEQ which is sadly separate from Brisbane City Council's BT bus network.  BCC see other operators as competitors and fail to grasp the fact that their bus network is in a terminal spiral. Sadly though, in order to prop up the BCC bus network, the other bus regions are now being starved of funds and all regions are facing cuts to  services,  reduced frequency and spans.

We strongly supported the TransLink bus review because it would have delivered the necessary network reforms for all. Delivering a much better connected network, which would have driven very significant patronage growth. BCC directed BT to not cooperate with TransLink. To then subsequently give BCC the authority to continue their mediocre bus network was a disgrace and a failure to look after the community overall.  The lack of political support for TransLink, the appropriate authority to deliver the necessary network is now proving to be very costly.  South East Queensland is waking up to the fact they have been sacrificed on the alter of political expediency and compounded by a  gross failure of leadership.

Enjoy the failure!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

=================

Media release 15th October 2012 re-released 15th November 2013



SEQ: BCC Bus Review Fail a Raw Deal for Brisbane and SEQ

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport believes that the Brisbane City Council bus review is not making an appropriate amount of service changes and is continuing to support low frequency routes with significant amounts of duplication, leading to ongoing high fares and high subsidy, and consequently stagnating patronage.  Wastage in the Brisbane bus region means less service funds for the other bus regions of SEQ.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Brisbane City Council's bus review stage two was implemented on the 14th October but does not go far enough with proposed network changes."

"A RAIL Back On Track member has suggested by reducing the number of bus routes along Coronation Drive from 24 to 8 and feeding customers to Indooroopilly and Toowong railway stations, the number of frequent bus routes in the western suburbs can be increased from the current three to up to six, including a west Toowong/Taringa feeder bus which increases the number of bus services in these areas from four services on a Sunday to 60, and improves frequency in many areas from hourly to every 15 minutes. [1]"

Such a review would provide six frequent routes, including: - Frequent route running from UQ to Indooroopilly via Toowong, increasing frequency for users of the 411, 414, 415, 470 and parts of the 417 - Frequent route from UQ to Moggill, allowing for passengers from Moggill to be fed to rail and provide a frequent route to UQ from Indooroopilly along Swann Road - Frequent route to the Centenary suburbs, a current PT black hole

"While this concept only covers Brisbane's western suburbs, this concept can be expanded to cover the bus networks in all parts of Brisbane - whether it be north or south of the river!"

"If Brisbane City Council was legitimate about its claims to look after the ratepayers of Brisbane, it would move away from the mantra of a direct service network model and instead move towards a legible, frequent, connective network like that which is outlined in this suggested network."

References:

1. James' New Brisbane West Bus Network http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10275.0

2. Map of Frequent Network Brisbane West http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10275.msg133256#msg133256

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org\