Route 761 upgrade + 761/765 discussion

[somebody]

As posted to the New Services Tally thread, but I thought it deserved its own thread.

761 will now go to half hourly from hourly.

http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73004

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Increase in frequency for route 761 buses

Bus services on route 761 between Tweed Heads and Robina will benefit from a $730,000 improvement package to increase frequency early next year.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the improvements will increase frequency from hourly to half-hourly between 7am and 7pm on weekdays and 7am – 6pm on the weekends.

"This is excellent news for the Gold Coast and demonstrates the Bligh Government's commitment to providing more regular transport services to the region," Ms Nolan said.

"This service has had an average of over 4000 passengers a week since it was introduced in June 2010 and I expect this number to soar with the additional services."

The new package will add an additional 164 services each week, or nearly 8000 seats.

Route 761 connects Tweed Heads through to the Gold Coast Airport, on to The Pines Shopping Centre and Varsity Lakes and Robina train stations and is funded by State Government and Gold Coast City Council.

Ms Nolan commended Gold Coast City Council for their continued commitment to public transport through their financial support.

Gold Coast Mayor, Ron Clarke, said Council contributed nearly $8 million annually to support additional public transport services for the city.

"This helps us improve the frequency of regular bus connections and also makes it possible to provide other services," Cr Clarke said.

He said expanding Route 761 services would prove a benefit for both residents along the western M1 corridor and visitors needing a rail-air connection.

"Route 761 provides a vital link between the Gold Coast Airport and Varsity Lakes railway station. It is used by visitors and residents alike.

"It also complements the popular route 702 from the airport along the Gold Coast Highway, giving visitors an alternate route north," Cr Clarke said.

Departure times on route 755 between Pacific Fair and Robina will be bought forward two minutes to ensure the best driver and vehicle utilisation, following the scheduling of the additional route 761 trips.

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

Media contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654

Some background, the 765 used to go all the way to Cooloongatta, but was truncated, presumably when the 761 was created.  The 761 uses the freeway to "The Pines" where the 765 now terminates.

Firstly, why no improvement to operating hours of this obviously successful service?

Secondly, what is with the Robina service?  What this means is that the Varsity Lakes rail extension is useless to these pax, and in fact they would be better off without it as they then wouldn't need to serve the station.  I can see a couple of reasons why this might be thought to be required:
A) to serve pax between Robina and Varsity Lakes station
B) to connect the route to Robina Town Centre shopping centre
C) to improve frequency between Robina Town Centre and Robina station

I can't go along with reason (C) for the 761, as the 765 already provides this service (if its required) on better frequency and operating hours.  There are also other routes doing this.  Reason (B) doesn't explain the bit between the town centre and the station or the need to co-ordinate with the train at Robina.  Theréfore, it seems that the reason is (A).  I'm somewhat underwhelmed by this, because the 765 and 753 already provide this service at least as well as the 761 does, except for the ~1.2km bit along Christine Ave between Scotsdale Dr and Varsity Sound Ave.  I don't think the 761 providing this service is a good solution at all.  Seems a poor compromise.  It's also questionable for the 765, but that would need to be provided by a different route if the 765 didn't serve Robina Station.  Ideally, this should be provided and the 761 + 765 truncated at Robina Town Centre.

[somebody]

Another point would be that if they don't see justification for having evening service on the 761 route, at least they could tack it on to the 765 route, as it used to be.

PDF timetable is now up: http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110131_761.pdf
Why does the increase in frequency only apply after the AM peak?