Articles: Bus changes announced 10 feb 2010

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Bus route shake up

Bus route shake up
TONY MOORE
February 10, 2010 - 11:35AM

Brisbane's bus system is set to undergo a major overhaul, with route changes and an additional 20,000 seats for commuters.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan announced the changes today as part of a $3 million revamp, which will include changes to services to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the University of Queensland.

Ms Nolan said the changes were based on advice from commuters.

"We've also listened to commuters and we're acting on what they've asked for by extending route 66 and moving route 109 on to the Eastern busway," she said.

From February 22, extra buses will go via the Inner Northern Busway to the Royal Brisbane and Royal Children's Hospital correcting delays of up to 50 minutes for commuters waiting during peak hours.

The package will add an extra 20,000 bus seats through an extra 385 extra bus services throughout Brisbane each week.

Route 66, which now stops at Queensland University of Technology's Kelvin Grove campus, will be extended along the Inner Northern Busway to these two hospitals.

On the other side of Brisbane, route 109 buses will run along the entire Eastern Busway, stopping at the Boggo Road and PA Hospital busway stations instead of going through several sets of lights on Annerley Road.

The frequency of Eastern busway services will double with a bus to UQ each weekday morning every two minutes, and every 10 minutes to the city.

There are a series of other changes to bus services to the University of Queensland, tying in with the start of the study year.

UQ is the second biggest destination for public transport users in Queensland, outside the city centre.

There will be changes to the 139 bus route from Sunnybank Hills to the University of Queensland, across the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, to the 412 service which runs from St Lucia to the City via Toowong and to the 169 service which runs from Eight Mile Plains to the University of Queensland via the Eleanor Schonell Bridge.

Other changes effect the 160 service from Garden City to Brisbane City, the 206 service from Carindale to Brisbane City, the 333 Chermside BUZ route service, the 343 Aspley to City rocket and the 345 Aspley to City Buz route.

Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the changes would improve links between the central city and the two hospitals.

"We really welcome the changes to the bus services on the 66 route out to the Royal Children's Hospital," Mr Dow said.

"There really have not been enough buses and people have been waiting for up to 50 minutes at Herston trying to get back into town.

"Some of them have gone back to driving it has been that bad."

Translink is planning an extra 310,000 new seats on buses this year.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Bus network capacity boosted by 20,000 seats a week

Bus network capacity boosted by 20,000 seats a week
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Alex Dickinson of mX

February 10, 2010 11:00am

AN extra 20,000 bus seats a week will be added to the Translink network by February 22 in a $3 million investment by the State Government.

University of Queensland students will benefit most from the 13 new air-conditioned buses and 385 new services, mX can reveal.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said: "The package includes substantial improvements to bus transport to and from the Princess Alexandra, Royal Children and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and The University of Queensland, the second busiest passenger hub on the network after the Brisbane CBD.''

Ms Nolan said services would be added to UQ routes 109 and 412 from the City, and 169 from Eight Mile Plains.

The frequency of Eastern busway services will double with a bus to UQ every two minutes each weekday morning and every 10 minutes to the city.

The busway-only route 66 between Wooloongabba busway station and the Queensland University of Technology busway station will be extended out to the new Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital busway station.

Other areas to benefit include route 333 from the city to Chermside, the 343 and 345 to Aspley, route 160 to Garden City and route 206 to Carindale.

"This package will allow us to continue to meet demand on some of Brisbane's fastest growing routes,'' Ms Nolan said.

"We've also listened to commuters and were acting on what they've asked for by extending route 66 and moving route 109 on to the Eastern busway.''

Ms Nolan said the Queensland Government will provide $212 million for bus services in the Brisbane area in 2009/10, up from $177 in 2008/09.

A spokesman for Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said Brisbane City Council was supportive of the new funding for buses.


mX is free at outlets in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane.

[ozbob]

This is a significant move forward, now where are the rail services?  

[paulg]

Yes, that's certainly good news. I hope some of the new articulated super buses are put onto the new 109, it will be a popular route.

The addition of some off-peak services to UQ is welcome too, I will certainly be making use of them.

Thanks for putting the pressure on them Bob, I think it has helped to focus their attention on this issue.

Cheers, Paul

[mufreight]

The changes to the Brisbane bus routes are more than welcome and more than overdue but move west to Ipswich where the most disconnected and disfunctional bus system in the state exists and where commuters here have had promises that it would be restructured and reorganised since july 2007 and still nothing has been done, there is a total lack of co-ordination between bus and rail, effectively no services after 6.30pm on many routes and all this in the Ministers own electorate.
Obviously Translink (and Minister Nolan?) could not care less either about their promises or the abmismal standards of service here.

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=421

Brisbane bus services changing - effective 22 February 2010

From Monday 22 February 2010, TransLink will modify some of its busiest routes to improve public transport in Brisbane.

route 66 (Woolloongabba to QUT Kelvin Grove)

    * extended to service RCH Herston and RBWH busway stations
    * five additional weekday trips

route 109 (City to University of Queensland via Eleanor Schonell Bridge)

    * move from Annerley Road to service PA Hospital and Boggo Road busway stations
    * no longer service the Dutton Park bus stop near Gladstone Road. Passengers are advised to use the Boggo Road busway station or Dutton Park Place stop adjacent to TJ Doyle Memorial Park Drive
    * depart 5 minutes earlier on all weekday services after 3.15pm to Brisbane City and all weekend services to Brisbane City
    * operate extended hours and higher frequency services:
          o every 15 minutes between 5.30pm and 7.15pm, then every 20 minutes until 8.55pm weekdays to University of Queensland
          o every 20 minutes between 7.20am and 9.20am and between 7.35pm and 9.15pm weekdays to Brisbane City
          o every 20 minutes between 5.25pm and 7.05pm weekends to University of Queensland
          o every 20 minutes between 8.05am and 9.45am and between 5.25pm and 7.05pm weekends to Brisbane City.

These changes will provide 36 new services per week and improved connection to trains at Park Road station.

route 139 (Sunnybank Hills to University of Queensland via Eleanor Schonell Bridge)

    * timetable changes

route 160 (Garden City to City)

    * four additional services will provide a 10 minute frequency for outbound services between 2.40pm and 4.10pm weekdays.

route 169 (Eight Mile Plains to University of Queensland via Eleanor Schonell Bridge)

    * a new morning service from Eight Mile Plains busway station to PA Hospital
    * higher frequency services:
          o every 20 minutes between 6.56am and 9.56am on weekdays from University of Queensland
          o every 15 minutes between 6.15pm and 8.45pm on weekdays from Eight Mile Plains

These changes will provide 22 new services per week.

route P206 (Carindale to City)

    * three new inbound services depart Carina at 7.34am, 7.46am and 7.56am

route 333 (Chermside to City)

    * seven new services
          o departs Kedron 7.56am
          o departs Kedron 8.05am
          o departs Chermside 9.25am
          o departs Chermside 9.55am
          o departs Cultural Centre 3.37
          o departs Cultural Centre 5.02pm
          o departs Cultural Centre 7.07pm

route P343 (Aspley to City)

    * new service departs City at 4.44pm

route 345 (Aspley (Maundrell Terrace) to City)

    * new service departs Cultural Centre at 3.30pm

route 412 (St Lucia and University of Queensland to City via Toowong)

    * new services (operating university semesters only)
          o departs City 8.02am
          o departs UQ Chancellor Place 3.55pm
          o departs UQ Chancellor Place 6.00pm
          o departs St Lucia South 7.06am
          o departs St Lucia South 7.20am
          o departs St Lucia South 8.10am (currently 8.07am)
          o departs St Lucia South 8.16am (currently 8.21am)

[ozbob]

From Queensland Parliament Hansard  Questions without notice

10th February 2010

Public Transport

Ms GRACE: My question is to the Minister for Transport. Can the minister outline to the House how the government is delivering on its commitment to provide 301,000 new seats on public transport every week?

Ms NOLAN: I thank the honourable member for her question and I acknowledge her commitment to build a strong, sustainable and green city in this part of South-East Queensland. While the opposition is so entirely focused on the past, the government has a very clear vision to build a world-class and sustainable public transport system for South-East Queensland. Late last year we announced fare changes which mean that today, in 2010, South-East Queensland TransLink commuters are paying the same price for a trip on a go card as they were paying for a paper ticket in 2007. At the time that we announced those fare changes, we made a commitment to roll out 301,000 extra seats on the public transport network each week.

Today I want to detail the first stage in meeting that commitment. From 22 February there will be thousands more bus seats for Brisbane commuters. We have a $3 million bus enhancement package, which will add 13 new low-floor, air-conditioned and environmentally friendly buses to the Brisbane transport fleet. This boost in new buses has the potential to take one million car trips off Brisbane city's roads each year.

The package includes an extra 245 weekly bus services to and from the PA Hospital and 208 extra bus services to and from the University of Queensland. The UQ is the second biggest passenger hub, after the CBD, in the TransLink network. The frequency of bus services on the Eastern Busway—a fantastic piece of public transport infrastructure built by this government—will double, with a bus to UQ each weekday morning every two minutes.

We are extending the popular 66 bus route to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, in the electorate of Brisbane Central, to provide much needed capacity between the hospital and the city. Again, members will be aware of the new green Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital bus station, which was opened by this government last year as part of the Northern Busway. We are adding 36 new services on weekdays and weekends on route 109, which will now run along the entire Eastern Busway. This is a major improvement in bus services for Brisbane. (Time expired)

[stephenk]

Quote Ms Nolan "We've also listened to commuters and were acting on what they've asked for by extending route 66" .
They have been complaining for 21 months since Translink stunted the 393, and complaining even more when the 66 wasn't extented to RBWH upon opening. 

Quote Ms Nolan "in 2010, South-East Queensland TransLink commuters are paying the same price for a trip on a go card as they were paying for a paper ticket in 2007"
Come on, there is a bit of selective truth in that statement isn't there. Does Ms Nolan think that regular commuters will not have noticed the 20-40% increased cost to their commute this year?

[Sir Loin]

route 333 (Chermside to City)

    * seven new services
          o departs Kedron 7.56am
          o departs Kedron 8.05am
          o departs Chermside 9.25am
          o departs Chermside 9.55am
          o departs Cultural Centre 3.37
          o departs Cultural Centre 5.02pm
          o departs Cultural Centre 7.07pm

This is not really helping RBWH staff who travel via the city at peak times is it? I'm sure these are the people who have been complaining the most about this service?

Edit: I've just read the bit about the 66, so apologies

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 10th February 2010 page one

New bus routes

[ozbob]

Yes Sir Loin, the 66 is finally going through to RBWH, plus 5 more daily services as well.  This will have a big impact on folks inbound out of Herson, both busway stations.

It will free up the other buses a bit too.    Some concern at QUT KG but I think once the pressure is removed from Herston there will be more room on all services so better for all.

[ozbob]

Ministerial Statement

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
10/02/2010

20,000 extra bus seats a week for Brisbane commuters

An additional 385 new bus services providing an extra 20,000 seats per week will be added to the Translink network in coming weeks, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said today.

The Bligh Government is providing $3 million for the additional services that will start on 22 February to coincide with the return of university.

"Buses carry about two-thirds of all passengers on the TransLink network and adding new buses and enhancing existing services are part of our commitment to meet the growing demand," Ms Nolan said.

"Under the recent fare changes, we have committed to adding another 301,000 new seats a week across the Translink network this year.

"This package adds 13 new low floor, air-conditioned, environmentally-friendly buses to the fleet and it enhances bus routes that record more than nine million trips a year.

"This bus boost has the potential to take up to one million cars off Brisbane roads a year and continues to utilise key pieces of infrastructure such as the Eastern and Northern Busways and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge."

The package includes substantial improvements to bus transport to and from the Princess Alexandra, Royal Children's and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and The University of Queensland - the second busiest passenger hub on the network after the Brisbane CBD.

Ms Nolan said more bus services would be added to UQ routes 109 (City to UQ via Eleanor Schonell Bridge), 169 (Eight Mile Plains to UQ via Eleanor Schonell Bridge) and 412 (St Lucia/UQ to CBD via Toowong).

This package will also continue to upgrade connections with train lines servicing Cleveland, Beenleigh and the Gold Coast via Park Rd station and the state-of-the-art Boggo Road busway station.

Route 109 buses will now run along the entire Eastern busway stopping at Boggo Road and PA Hospital busway stations instead of going through several sets of lights along Annerley Road.

The frequency of Eastern busway services will double with a bus to UQ each weekday morning every two minutes and every 10 minutes to the city.

The busway-only route 66 between Wooloongabba busway station and QUT busway station will be extended out to RCH Herston and the new RBWH busway station.

"This package will allow us to continue to meet demand on some of Brisbane's fastest growing routes," Ms Nolan said.

Other areas to benefit include Brisbane's northern suburbs 333 (Chermside to City), 343 (pre-paid Aspley to City) and 345 (Maundrell Terrace, Aspley to City), southern suburbs route 160 (Garden City to City) and eastern suburbs with route 206 (pre-paid Carindale to City).

"Both the busway and the continuing efficiency benefits of go card - which reduces passenger boarding time by up to seven minutes a service - allow us to provide faster and more reliable bus services," Ms Nolan said.

"This package reflects the continuing popularity and expansion of Brisbane's busways which are used by services that make more than 60 million trips each year.

"We've also listened to commuters and we're acting on what they've asked for by extending route 66 and moving route 109 on to the Eastern busway."

The Queensland Government will provide $212 million for bus services in the Brisbane area in 2009/10, up from $177 million in 2008/09 and $146 million in 2007/08.

For more information on public transport, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au or phone the TransLink Call Centre on 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Key components of the enhancement package include:

·Extending route 66 to the RCH & RBWH busway station (Woolloongabba to RBWH)

·36 new weekday/weekend services and several other enhancements on route 109

·22 new services including several new outbound services from UQ and evening services from Eight Mile Plains on route 169 (Eight Mile Plains to UQ)

·Extra inbound services each morning and outbound services each afternoon on route 333 (Chermside to City)

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

[#Metro]

All of this just for just $3 million!

[SteelPan]

good to see some action...a pat on the back to those concerned....but as someone made the comment, our PT system is still way over bus focused...if only we'd see some similar big RAIL based announcements.....

[stephenk]

...if only we'd see some similar big RAIL based announcements.....

I think they are coming. New timetables are due mid year on Ipswich-Caboolture, and later in the year on other lines. Sadly, I wouldn't hold your breath for 15min off-peak.

[somebody]

For the Ipswich line:
Given the low number of new services, I'd be pretty happy with a 10:35pm Mon-Thu service and a 12:05am Sun evening service to Ipswich.  At least that would make the timetable consistent Sun-Thu.  And a few more peak services, expecially in the PM.  Actually, I think counter peak services as far as Toowong are definitely a priority too.

15 minute off peak on weekends and weeknights would be really nice, but hardly fair.

I'd actually really like to see a decoupling of the Shorncliffe line from Corinda, and a 15 minute weekday daytime Petrie service, but that would mean using up 2 directions x2 extra services/hour/direction x5 days/week x7 hours/day x500 seats/service = 70000 of the new seats roughly.  Commit that many here?  Probably not.  Perhaps if we cheat and use 3 car units.

[verbatim9]

...if only we'd see some similar big RAIL based announcements.....

I think they are coming. New timetables are due mid year on Ipswich-Caboolture, and later in the year on other lines. Sadly, I wouldn't hold your breath for 15min off-peak.

Even if its 20 mins offpeak 7 days including holidays would be so much better.

[ozbob]

I plan to catch the first outbound 66 at 6.32am from Roma St, arrival at RBWH 6.41am on Monday (22nd Feb)

Then return on the first inbound 66 leaving RBWH at 6.53am and Roma St 7.00am.  Good way to note the day.

[stephenk]

I've just has a look at the new 66 timetable
http://download.translink.com.au/timetables/100222_66.pdf

The journey times from RBWH to Roma Street seem quite optimistic at 7 minutes. I doubt there will be fast dwell times at QUT once the semester starts.

The 66 will only run every 10mins to RBWH outside of university semesters. I hope this is sufficient!

[O_128]

I caught the 109 today and was confused why we went along annerly road then i realized changes arent until next week.

[ozbob]

Caught the first 66 to RBWH as planned, some photographs.  Also radio 612 ABC Brisbane conducted a live interview from the bus as well, excellent timing interview commenced as the bus was leaving QUT KG Busway station.  Thanks for the interest 612!

PIDs not updated yet.






Shortly after arrival at RBWH Busway Station












Back at Roma St



Photographs R Dow 22nd February 2010

[ozbob]

Report at 612 ABC Brisbane including audio

Click --> here!

[Sir Loin]

Caught the 66 to work at the RBH this morning 

[ozbob]

Any reports of how it went out of RCH and RBWH bus stations this afternoon?

[stephenk]

I took the 66 from RBWH to Roma Street (just for the sake of it) just after 4pm. I just missed a 66 departure, and only had to wait 4 mins for the next 66 to depart. About 20 passengers after RCH, and 40 after QUT KG. Decent public transport to RBWH and RCH at last!

However, the outbound buses I saw had QUT as the destination, not RBWH. Inbound PIDs at RBWH (plat 1) and Roma Street were showing QUT as the terminus instead of Woolloongabba. The outbound PID at RBWH (plat 2) was displaying Woolloongabba as the destination, even though buses terminate on this platform. I observed many passengers clearly confused by these incorrect destinations. Come on Translink, you've had many weeks to prepare for this change, and you've failed again. 

[stephenk]

I took the 66 from RBWH to Roma Street again today. 4 minute wait. 34 passengers at RBWH, another 15 at RCH. Well loaded!! Strangely none of the 25-30 passengers waiting at QUT KG attempted to board - not sure why.

Destinations on PIDs at RBWH still incorrect. Have sent feedback to Translink about it.

[somebody]

I took the 66 from RBWH to Roma Street again today. 4 minute wait. 34 passengers at RBWH, another 15 at RCH. Well loaded!! Strangely none of the 25-30 passengers waiting at QUT KG attempted to board - not sure why.

Destinations on PIDs at RBWH still incorrect. Have sent feedback to Translink about it.

Was the desto on the bus correct?  If so, that's really wierd.

Report at 612 ABC Brisbane including audio

Click --> here!

Just listened to this.  You thought it wouldn't be wise to mention the lack of a 66+109 service?

[ozbob]

Didn't get around to it.  TransLink are well aware of suggestions for a 109+66 route, we have raised it a few times now.  We might just see it one day.  Constant harping gets one nowhere, it was a good day to finally have the 66 running into RBWH and well worth highlighting in a positive light.

[somebody]

Floating such a thing with 612 ought to embarass TL, so I guess not to be taken lightly.  But TL should be embarassed by their refusal to do almost anything.  Perhaps something like "the only negative is the failure to connect the 66 & 109 routes and thus allow a single seat connection between Roma St and both UQ & the PA Hospital".

[stephenk]

PIDs at RBWH and Roma Street still incorrect at 12pm today 24/02/10.  

[ozbob]

Yes, Roma St Bus PIDs still showing QUT KG as the destination for the 66 early this morning ...  (25th Feb)

[O_128]

Took the 109 to and from UQ yesterday from boggo road. Both ways the bus was completely packed and the driver had to refuse some people on. On another note the PIDs at both stations were working

[somebody]

Took the 109 to and from UQ yesterday from boggo road. Both ways the bus was completely packed and the driver had to refuse some people on. On another note the PIDs at both stations were working

Interesting.  But from there you can also use a 139/169/209 so maybe not the biggest deal.

[stephenk]

Week of 66 in review:

3min average wait for 66/330/333/340 in pm peak at RCH/RBWH. Previously approx 15mins at RBWH and 23mins at RCH.

Translink's complete inability to get their PIDs showing the correct destinations for the 66 - still wrong on Friday.

Edit: All 66/330/333/340 services I've been on this week have had at least 35 passengers, and no buses have filled to capacity (although one was close). So at the moment capacity seems to be well matched to demand.

[#Metro]

  Excellent outcome.

Now merge the buses...

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 February 2010

SEQ:  Northern Busway changes a huge success

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the changes introduced last Monday on buses running on the Northern Busway have been a huge success.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The extension of the route 66 bus to RBWH Busway Station has resulted in no more long waits for a bus at Herston (1). Members have reported the average wait is now down to around 3 minutes at RBWH and RCH busway stations inbound. This is a huge improvement from the sometimes 50 minute waits.  Other bus routes such as the 330, 333 and 340 that travel on the busway are also now carrying manageable loads, no more overloading and no more consequent long waits on the busway. The only irritant is that Passenger Information Displays on the Busway have not yet been updated to reflect the changes with the 66 bus route."

"These bus changes were the result of commuter suggestions and feedback as indicated by the Minister for Transport (2). More successful changes can be made if the authorities continue to listen to commuters.  The users of the system and the operators know what is needed for public transport improvement."

"The introduction of a novel busway route based on combined 66 and 109 routes would be a further innovative improvement.  This novel route would give a one seat connection from RBWH to UQ Lakes, and link up all the major medical precincts in Brisbane and the two major Universities. Keep the momentum moving forward and bring this new service on!"

"Well done TransLink and Brisbane Transport on the Northern Busway changes."

References:

1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3425.0

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3425.msg21310#msg21310

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[somebody]

So what are loads like after QUT KG (or before it in the AM peak)?

"The introduction of a novel busway route based on combined 66 and 109 routes would be a further innovative improvement.  This novel route would give a one seat connection from RBWH to UQ Lakes, and link up all the major medical precincts in Brisbane and the two major Universities. Keep the momentum moving forward and bring this new service on!"

I think this doesn't point out the main positives of such a move, which are connecting Roma St bus pax with UQ Lakes (routes 380-3, 35x, 379, 325, several others) and connecting most of the north and west with PA Hospital in a two seat journey, which is now a 3 seat journey.  The major negative, of course, is that the same people would be losing their two seat connection to the Gabba.  That's why you should extend some routes which are now terminating at the Cultural Centre.  I would suggest 330/333/340, which at least could take advantage of the superior turnaround facilities at the Gabba.  Reliability mightn't be brilliant, but unless you have a Roma St starter heading to the Gabba, I can't see what else you can do.

The only real cost savings of the above are: eliminating the Cultural Centre-Adelaide St part of the 109, and making the Gabba buses standard size buses rather than bendies.

[ozbob]

No problems reported from the QUT crowd so far either AM or PM.   I am sure there will be the odd choke point with the waves of students at times, but loads are now much better spread.

Extending the buses from the Cultural Centre is an excellent suggestion IMHO somebody,  and simply changing the destination of 66 from Gabba to UQ Lakes makes sense to me ..  I have never been on a 66 past Mater Hill to the Gabba that has carried many pax at all, but I don't do regular trips.  There may be times when it is heavy, but the other extended buses would handle the loads easily I think.

The section on the 109 Cultural Centre to Adelaide St is dead really.  Pax transit Roma St, KGBS and further out on the busways. 

[stephenk]

So what are loads like after QUT KG (or before it in the AM peak)?

All 66/330/333/340 buses I travelled on (pm only) had some spare capacity at QUT KG. One bus was close to capacity, but another bus was directly behind.

Currently I think the demand is now matching capacity. However as the INB becomes more popular, capacity increases will be required.

[somebody]

I have a radical suggestion:
extend the 393 to the Gabba in 66 current hours via Roma St station, Ann St (Turbot St northbound), Riverside Expressway and Captain Cook Bridge.  Doing it that way means you can leave the 330/340 alone and have a high speed service to the Gabba without congesting the city stops any further.  I'd still suggest a 333 to the Gabba would be necessary.

Is a certain forum member about to say "Another one for the trainspotter fantasies file"?

Another positive with the 66+109 is it frees up the Adelaide St stop/layover for other routes.  I would suggest routes like the 300 could be truncated there.  The only real inconvenience to that is caused by one of my other hobby horses: CITY STOP LOCATIONS