4 Jul 2010: SEQ: Bus priority needed - more bus lanes and traffic light priority

[ozbob]

Media Release 4 July 2010

SEQ:  Bus priority needed - more bus lanes and traffic light priority

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 called for action to give buses priority on the congested road network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The massive investment in buses needs to be complemented by giving increased priority on the road network. Increasingly buses are being caught up in the traffic mire around Brisbane and suburbs (1)."

"Buses caught up in traffic leads to inefficiencies and is not an inducement for people to use public transport. Each bus takes 40 cars off the road, uses relatively less fuel, produces less pollution and is 10 times safer than a passenger car.  It is this greater efficiency that makes economic and environmental sense to give buses priority over cars."

"Bus lanes are needed on all major thoroughfares. Some possible locations are Story Bridge, Captain Cook Bridge and Riverside Expressway, Mains Road, Ipswich Road, Beaudesert Road, Logan Road, Clevland Road, Wynnum Road, Sandgate Road, Centenary Highway and Ipswich and Southern M1 Motorway, Kelvin Grove road extended north, Old Northern Road, South Pine Road, Maundrell Terrace, Moggill Road and Coronation Drive."

"Bus priority traffic lights on major roads are needed particularly at busiest intersections. For example the Ipswich Rd, Stanley St, Main St and Woolloongabba busway portal intersection should really have one, as should Jurgens St and Stanley St. Another "portal entry" bus lane can help too. Lots of buses queue up there in the mornings."

"Bus priority must be the road priority!"

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg27561#msg27561

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4037.0

[ozbob]

Follow up to all outlets:

14th August 2010

Greetings,

The constant delays to buses due to road congestion and and at times busway congestion are a further reason why we must maximise the proper use of our rail network.  It is possible to increase train frequency within the present network constraints.  Not to do so is unacceptable.  There is a need to bring back proper bus priority  for example, bus lanes on Coronation Drive, as well.  It is a 'no-brainer'.
Buses in heavy traffic can also contribute to the high cost of the road trauma toll (see below).

Bus delays --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg31831#msg31831

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

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

Media Release 4 July 2010 re-released 14th August 2010

SEQ:  Bus priority needed - more bus lanes and traffic light priority

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 called for action to give buses priority on the congested road network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The massive investment in buses needs to be complemented by giving increased priority on the road network. Increasingly buses are being caught up in the traffic mire around Brisbane and suburbs (1)."

"Buses caught up in traffic leads to inefficiencies and is not an inducement for people to use public transport. Each bus takes 40 cars off the road, uses relatively less fuel, produces less pollution and is 10 times safer than a passenger car.  It is this greater efficiency that makes economic and environmental sense to give buses priority over cars."

"Bus lanes are needed on all major thoroughfares. Some possible locations are Story Bridge, Captain Cook Bridge and Riverside Expressway, Mains Road, Ipswich Road, Beaudesert Road, Logan Road, Clevland Road, Wynnum Road, Sandgate Road, Centenary Highway and Ipswich and Southern M1 Motorway, Kelvin Grove road extended north, Old Northern Road, South Pine Road, Maundrell Terrace, Moggill Road and Coronation Drive."

"Bus priority traffic lights on major roads are needed particularly at busiest intersections. For example the Ipswich Rd, Stanley St, Main St and Woolloongabba busway portal intersection should really have one, as should Jurgens St and Stanley St. Another "portal entry" bus lane can help too. Lots of buses queue up there in the mornings."

"Bus priority must be the road priority!"

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg27561#msg27561

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
Greetings

At the recent meeting of the Brisbane Institute ( Brisbane Institute - Derailing traffic chaos – Mon 2 August http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4160.0 )   I highlighted the cost of road fatalities and road trauma.  My estimate following research was $40 BILLION, $30 billion injury costs and $10 billion fatality costs.  I think it was a surprise to some.  This is a most significant reason as to why we must move to safe sustainable mass transit options. Money invested in public transport is returned many, many times over, for ever.  The cost of road trauma is breaking the nation.

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has published a study "The Cost of Road Crashes", highlighting that the cost of road collisions in Australia tops $35 billion annually.

This study is extremely important.

Click -- http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf to download The Cost of Road Crashes report.

It is time that moved forward with proper investments in safe sustainable transport options.  The present farcical rail timetable in south-east Queensland must be fixed as an urgent priority.  The Sunshine Coast line timetable is a real mess.  Why are these citizens treated so poorly? ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4229.0 )

Enough of the cruel and burdensome pain for Australia. Lets get cracking!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

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

Rail group highlights burden of road crashes

Quote
Rail group highlights burden of road crashes

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has published a study "The Cost of Road Crashes", highlighting that the cost of road collisions in Australia tops $35 billion annually.
 
"Australians should not tolerate this needless waste of lives and money any longer. The loss of 1,500 lives and $35 billion in road crashes annually is an absolute tragedy" said Mr Nye, ARA CEO.
 
The study analyses the cost of road accidents using internationally recognised methods and statistical values, correcting inconsistent methods used by Australian policy makers.
 
"This is a very important study as it outlines the true cost of road accidents using internationally-recognised methods, something that has not been done in Australia to date," said Mr Nye.
 
Despite the high human and economic costs of road accidents, Australian policy makers have been hesitant to account for and address the problems associated with the social cost of road use.
 
"When it comes to dealing with the costs of road accidents, urban congestion and environmental degradation, our policy makers seem reluctant to tackle these issues. Again we are a long way behind the developed world in transport reform," Mr Nye continued.
 
"I am concerned that the National Transport Commission (NTC) and other government agencies are making decisions on Australia's future transport networks without taking into account the costs it will impose on people's safety, the liveability of our local communities and the state of our environment," Mr Nye said.
 
"We want all sides of politics to commit to the Productivity Commission reporting on the social costs and benefits associated with all modes of land transportation.
 
"Australians deserve a transport system that is not only efficient but safe and sustainable. Failing to consider these important issues would be irresponsible" concluded Mr Nye.

[#Metro]

For Coronation Drive a bus lane or bus priority would speed up 444, 412, 450 etc.
But I think turning most Coronation Drive and Milton Rd rockets into bus feeders and terminating them at rail stations might be easier.

The rail network is dedicated for trains. There are no car lanes on the rail network, and no motorists and their road politics to deal with.
With bus lanes you have the "don't take lanes away from me!" mentality.

If the lane comes back, I would like to see the entire thing painted red and some form of low level separation like low kerbs or cat's eyes markings.

[justanotheruser]

For Coronation Drive a bus lane or bus priority would speed up 444, 412, 450 etc.
But I think turning most Coronation Drive and Milton Rd rockets into bus feeders and terminating them at rail stations might be easier.

The rail network is dedicated for trains. There are no car lanes on the rail network, and no motorists and their road politics to deal with.
With bus lanes you have the "don't take lanes away from me!" mentality.

If the lane comes back, I would like to see the entire thing painted red and some form of low level separation like low kerbs or cat's eyes markings.

although the kerb strategy is a problem for people wanting to turn into side streets.  I once questioned a friend about why she drove in the bus lane and she reasoned for the short distance along bowen bridge road she travelled it was safer to just stay in the bus lane rather than get across and then back into the bus lane without delaying motorists behind her. That was actually good logic. Of course bus lanes outside RBWH is a non-issue now with the busway.

[Golliwog]

My understanding is that you are allowed to drive in transit/bus lanes for 50m to enter or leave the road. I know on Ann St in the city, they have an arrow marking and I think maybe a sign as well indicating to motorists the point where they can move into the lane to turn left into Edward St. Not sure how many obey it though, but a kerb seperator would stop those from turning too early. It would however cause buses to back up behind those still loading passengers as to my knowledge, all the bus stops along there are not indented.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24 March 2011

Greetings,

The bus system is breaking down.  Now besieged by constant delays.  Removal of the bus lanes from Coronation Drive is turning into a disaster.

Most bus delays are recorded here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg49299#msg49299  Major bus-lock again this week.

The car-centric transport system is approaching chronic gridlock.  It is time that the selfish few gave ground to the masses.  After all one bus = 40 cars.  (One train = 625 cars). Reinstitution of proper bus priority will actually relieve some of the traffic congestion as less will have to drive.  Try explaining that to those with the 'road-coloured' glasses on.  The shambles that represents transport planning in Brisbane and the rest of south-east Queensland is a disgrace.

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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

Media Release 4 July 2010

SEQ:  Bus priority needed - more bus lanes and traffic light priority

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 called for action to give buses priority on the congested road network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The massive investment in buses needs to be complemented by giving increased priority on the road network. Increasingly buses are being caught up in the traffic mire around Brisbane and suburbs (1)."

"Buses caught up in traffic leads to inefficiencies and is not an inducement for people to use public transport. Each bus takes 40 cars off the road, uses relatively less fuel, produces less pollution and is 10 times safer than a passenger car.  It is this greater efficiency that makes economic and environmental sense to give buses priority over cars."

"Bus lanes are needed on all major thoroughfares. Some possible locations are Story Bridge, Captain Cook Bridge and Riverside Expressway, Mains Road, Ipswich Road, Beaudesert Road, Logan Road, Clevland Road, Wynnum Road, Sandgate Road, Centenary Highway and Ipswich and Southern M1 Motorway, Kelvin Grove road extended north, Old Northern Road, South Pine Road, Maundrell Terrace, Moggill Road and Coronation Drive."

"Bus priority traffic lights on major roads are needed particularly at busiest intersections. For example the Ipswich Rd, Stanley St, Main St and Woolloongabba busway portal intersection should really have one, as should Jurgens St and Stanley St. Another "portal entry" bus lane can help too. Lots of buses queue up there in the mornings."

"Bus priority must be the road priority!"

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg27561#msg27561

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Well well ..

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

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
24/03/2011

Transport Inspectors to get permanent transit lane powers

Transport inspectors will get permanent powers to enforce proper use of Transit lanes in South East Queensland.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the first stage of a trial that started last year had yielded positive results.

During the trial bus travel times improved by almost 20 per cent.

Previously Transit lane infringement notices could only be handled by police.

"Giving transport inspectors the power to fine motorists doing the wrong thing frees up police resources and means these vital high occupancy lanes remain open for vehicles carrying more than one person," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"This is about providing reliable, green, clean travel alternatives and making more efficient use of existing infrastructure."

Legislation to give permanent powers to transport inspectors was tabled in Queensland Parliament yesterday.

Transport inspectors will be conducting bus and transit lane enforcement, in addition to their other duties of vehicle defect inspection and heavy vehicle safety inspections.

T2 lanes can be used by buses, taxis, bicycles and cars carrying two more people. Similarly T3 lanes for cars carrying three or more people.

These changes to the law form part of the Queensland Government's commitment to managing congestion.

Drivers who don't comply with the rules for using transit and bus lanes can be fined $100. A maximum penalty of $2000 can be imposed by a court.

A Transport Inspector can issue a defect notice on a vehicle for a range of safety related issues such as bald tyres and windscreen damage.

A Prohibition Notice can be issued in circumstances such as a person who is driving on an invalid licence.

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

[Jonno]

We had better put in more lanes to keep them busy