14 Nov 2011: SEQ: Completing the Core Frequent Network on buses

[ozbob]

Media release 14 November 2011

SEQ: Completing the Core Frequent Network on buses

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 welcomed the many 'BUZifications' this year.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We have long argued that the fastest, cheapest way to improve the bus public transport system in Brisbane is a targeted, selective boost of services on fast arterial roads to properly link the CBD with the suburbs, and the suburbs with each other (1)."  

"There has been major progress this year on the 'construction'* of this network, at least on buses, with BUZ 412, BUZ 196, BUZ 180, BUZ 100, and overhauls of Yeronga area services. This is a major achievement, and it brings Brisbane much closer to completion of this minimum basic network."

To complete the radial (i.e. city-suburbs) connections, RAIL Back On Track Members believe the following BUZ services are required:

* Centenary BUZ - Major gap in BUZ network. Needs to serve Indooroopilly and Mt Ommaney.
* BUZ 375 - Justified on the basis that it is in the '1 million' club of annual bus patronage.
* BUZ 359 Eatonvale/Albany Creek- Major gap in the network. North-Western arterial roads of Old Northern Rd/South Pine/Samford Rd.
* BUZ Manly / Wynnum Road. Straight down Wynnum road to cover areas not served by Cleveland line, Cannon Hill & Eastern/Bayside suburbs.
* Bulimba/Balmoral BUZ 230 and/or 235 - inner city, high density like West End, New Farm and Paddington.
* BUZ 330 - Already on TL's plans apparently, so included here.

"Once complete, the focus can shift to cross-town connections and the much needed rail frequency improvements. The Core Frequent Network will allow low frequency non-BUZ routes to be recast as high frequency suburban feeder buses without major expenditure (2). And by working in tandem with BUZ routes during peak hour shorter journey times are possible by extending these recast feeder bus routes to the CBD to run as bullet/rocket express services with significantly limited stops (3)."

"We congratulate TransLink, Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government for the significant work done so far on this task and trust that completion of the core frequent network remains a commitment by all political candidates in upcoming elections."


* Core Frequent Network requires no new infrastructure, is rapid to do and comparatively cheap
compared to almost all heavy 'concrete' infrastructure projects.

Contact:

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


References:

1. Building a Core Frequent Network
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

2. Terminating buses at shopping centre interchanges will allow the suburban route to be sent back
to the suburbs do another run (higher frequency, which will stimulate patronage). Pooling passengers
on to the main trunk BUZ route in the off-peak will also allow seats to be used efficiently.
Suburban non-BUZ frequency improvements can be funded simply from the savings of not having to run
lots of half-empty buses all the way to the CBD.

3. As a hypothetical example, during the off-peak buses 4XX could feed the core frequent routes
BUZ 444 and Centenary BUZ at Indooroopilly shopping centre and be turned back to do another run in
the suburbs. During peak hours when patronage increases to fill these suburban non-core buses, these
services, once done with their suburban run, could be extended directly as bullet or rocket express
buses into the CBD but with only two stops- Indooroopilly and Toowong. Passengers for intermediate
stops would interchange to a BUZ service. This is similar to 'two-tier' local/express rail operations.


General:

Brisbane Frequent Transit Network Map
http://transitmapsetc.blogspot.com/

BUZ- Frequency and reliability, the winning formula
http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/6058/1/thredbo10-themeA-Warren.pdf

Weaving a total network: cross-town and orbital routes (Route 358)
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5018.0

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0