Ministerial Statement: 140,000 more public transport seats

[ozbob]

30 December 2011

140,000 more public transport seats

The Queensland Government's record investment in public transport will
continue with 140,000 additional weekly bus seats to be rolled out
across Brisbane's south, south-west, north, north-east.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said new services would be
delivered in two packages - a back-to-university package from February
20 and when the Northern Busway extension opens in May.

"This comes on top of the most significant upgrade to train services in
more than 15 years for those living in Brisbane's western suburbs and
north to Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"March is traditionally the busiest month for public transport use and
I'm pleased we can deliver significant upgrades ahead of that period."

The February package will include:
*   Buses operating every five minute in peak and 10 minutes
off-peak between UQ Lakes and Woolloongabba busway station
*   Dedicated high capacity buses - the 14.5 metres and articulated
buses - on TransLink busiest corridors
*   A new route between Springfield and Richlands station
*   A new Northern region bus network across Strathpine, Petrie and
Warner.
*   Eastern region bus restructure across Capalaba, Victoria Point
and Redland Bay.

Ms Palaszczuk said high frequency bus and train services were
transforming public transport use across TransLink's network.

"Since June we've delivered an additional five high-frequency routes -
operating every five-to-10 minutes in peak and 15 minutes off-peak,
weekends and public holidays - bringing the total to 17 across Brisbane.

"While we are delivering more services, from Monday we are providing
more ticketing incentives with free travel and increased off-peak
discounts.

"Those taking 10 journeys will be able to make any additional journeys
for free in a Monday-to-Sunday week from tomorrow.

"We'll also be increasing the off-peak discount from 15 to 20 per cent
for all travel between 9am and 3.30pm, after 7pm, and on weekends and
public holidays."

Acting TransLink CEO Matt Longland said an extensive communication
campaign was underway to ensure customers become familiar with the
changes and how best to use their go card.

"The go card is not only the best public transport smart card in
Australia, it is now the most flexible offering free travel for frequent
users on three modes across a 10,000 sq km network," Mr Longland said.

"Using customer feedback in 2011 and travel information from go card, we
believe now is the right time to provide more incentives for people to
travel in the off-peak and on weekends when we have capacity,
particularly on our growing number of high frequency bus, train and
ferry routes.

"Our customer service staff have been out on the network for several
weeks and many people are asking how they can take advantage of the
weekly cap.

"It's very simple - the more you travel, the more you save.

"For a Monday-to-Friday commuter or a student the weekly cap could mean
free CityCat travel, a free NightLink bus home or a free journey to the
Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast on the weekend.

"For a long-distance commuter, a short mid-week trip at lunch time may
mean free travel on Friday.

"We'll continue to have staff out on the network in the next two months
explaining the changes and ensuring customers can make the most of their
go card."

The 2012 change to fares and ticketing will also include the 15 per cent
increase to all paper ticket and go card fares, outlined as part of the
five-year fare strategy to deliver more services and move toward the 30
per cent balance between fares and Queensland Government subsidy.

[ozbob]

Route 29 is a big winner .. as is north and east ...

[ozbob]

Fine details are yet to emerge,  but there is some excellent news here ..  stand by ...

[ozbob]

At long last, the big buses are going to used on the trunk routes, all the time  ...  

Now this will make some of us very, very, happy ...  

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

'Give us a go,' says minister before 15 per cent fare hike

'Give us a go,' says minister before 15 per cent fare hike
Daniel Hurst
December 31, 2011

Queensland's transport minister hopes another 15 per cent fare hike won't deter people from catching public transport, urging commuters to look at the new services the increase will fund and "give us a go".

The state government is trying to soften up commuters for this Monday's fare hike on the southeast Queensland bus, train and ferry network, a move it insists is crucial to allow the continued rollout of new and more frequent services.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said extra bus services to be introduced over the next six months would see a further 140,000 seats become available for passengers each week.
Advertisement: Story continues below

These would include 45,000 extra weekly seats from a "back to university" package to be rolled out in February, and 95,000 on other new services in mid-2012.

"People are gradually realising that TransLink is delivering a world-class network, but without this further increase we can't continue to put on new services," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We have a growing city, we have a world-class city, and if we are to keep up with the growth and demand, we need to put on these services."

Asked whether the third 15 per cent fare hike in three years would deter people from using public transport, Ms Palaszczuk said: "I would hope not, because I think when people see these new services we're putting on it's going to give them an incentive to use public transport."

Ms Palaszczuk said residents in some suburbs that would gain better services should consider using public transport.

"There's a lot of new services out there – give us a go," she said.

The back-to-uni package, to be rolled out in mid to late February, will see buses running every five minutes in peak times and 10 minutes off-peak between Woolloongabba busway station and University of Queensland Lakes.

TransLink also plans to take some of its biggest buses away from quiet routes and replace smaller buses on busiest routes where they are needed to cope with demand.

A new regular bus service will also be created between Springfield shops and Richlands train station, a route for which rail line extension work is currently underway.

TransLink says it is also planning to roll out more direct routes north of Brisbane, where four new bus routes will also be introduced, including 670 (Warner to Westfield Strathpine).

Improvements will also be made in February to services between the Redlands and Brisbane.

When the Northern Busway opens in mid-2012, a "major package" with new services will be rolled out.

The government is also working on the second stage of its rail timetable overhaul to Cleveland, Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Doomben and Shorncliffe lines.

Ms Palaszczuk said despite the 15 per cent general fare hike, the off-peak discount would increase to 20 per cent to encourage travel at less-busy times, while commuters would also now enjoy free travel after completing 10 journeys in any one week.

"The fare increases – all of the money, every single dollar – goes back to growing our network and investing in our services," she said.

"What we want to do is make sure people get to their destinations faster and easier."

More details about the new services and changes will be released closer to the relevant date.

The government has repeatedly faced opposition and commuter criticism over its fare strategy, released in 2009, which foreshadowed 15 per cent annual fare hikes for five years.

The Liberal National Party has pledged to offer free travel after nine journeys in any one week, but has not made any commitments to stop the general fare increases, citing the state's debt problems.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/give-us-a-go-says-minister-before-15-per-cent-fare-hike-20111230-1pflv.html

[Mr X]

I hope they change the timing of the route 29 buses otherwise they'd continue to be air parcels...

[Arnz]

"People are gradually realising that TransLink is delivering a world-class network, but without this further increase we can't continue to put on new services," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"We have a growing city, we have a world-class city, and if we are to keep up with the growth and demand, we need to put on these services."

Asked whether the third 15 per cent fare hike in three years would deter people from using public transport, Ms Palaszczuk said: "I would hope not, because I think when people see these new services we're putting on it's going to give them an incentive to use public transport."

There goes those "words" again..

[Stillwater]

The more direct services Warner-Strathpine and extra routes in the north will be popular and likely to attract additional patronage from a community not particularly well-served in the past by fast public transport.  A March implementation would coincide nicely with a state election due about then, or a little later.  

And the LNP transport policy is where, exactly? 

Someone in government has a sense of humour - if you go to the LNP website, one of the ads that pop up promotes the convenience of the go-card.  Perhaps the government should saturate the LNP web pages with go-card ads to draw attention to a lack of an LNP public transport plan.

[ozbob]

Some of the changes ...

Feb 2012

High Frequency Services

Route 29 will be upgraded to 5 min peak, 10 min off peak.

High capacity buses will be reallocated to the busiest routes

New peak service 138 Calamvale to CBD

Northern Busway May/June 2012

More high frequency services, including a connection between Aspley, Chermside and CBD

Cross town route from Mitchelton, Kedron to No 1 Airport Drive.

Northern region Feb 2012

More direct routes, extended operating hours to meet trains.

4 new bus routes, 670 (Warner to Westfield Strathpine), 677 (Griffin Heights to Petrie Station), 678, (Warner to Petrie), 679 (Griffin Heights to North Lakes.

671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, redesigned and improved.

Eastern Feb 2012

250 and 270 will now run every 15 minutes peak between Redland and Carindale.

250 will be express between Carindale, Stones Corner and 'gabba

I think the 270 is being truncated.

There is probably a bit more but this is the guts.

[mufreight]

And not a single seat on rail services.      

[STB]

Some of the changes ...

Eastern Feb 2012

250 and 270 will now run every 15 minutes peak between Redland and Carindale.

250 will be express between Carindale, Stones Corner and 'gabba

I think the 270 is being truncated.

There is probably a bit more but this is the guts.

And from the vibe I got from the Planners at the consultation sessions is that the 255 will definately be truncated which will cause problems for locals who use the 255 along Birkdale Rd.  It would mean a 20-30 min walk (even longer in some circumstances) for people on Birkdale Rd to get to Cleveland, the 254 plus train won't cut it as the 254 would need to continue to service the outbound trains at Birkdale which means that people coming from Wellington Point end of Birkdale Rd would just miss out on the Cleveland train.  Also there are passengers on the 255 end (southern Wellington Point) who currently make a connection to the 254 to access Alexandra Hills, the TAFE and Capalaba, if it goes ahead as I think it will, that will mean the end of that, increasing journey times and having to go backward in order to go forwards.

I also suspect that the 257 will be gone as well, the planners at the consultation also seemed to have their minds made up despite the feedback on that route.  Personally if it means an increase in frequency on local feeders to the train stations, it won't bother me so much, but I know those who are dedicated to the bus (even though it does make for a longer journey) will be miffed.  They stated at the consultations that they don't wish to use the feeder train/bus setup as they don't feel 'safe' on the train, plus they think that it will take longer.

I think there might be a fight brewing out here in the 'sticks'.  Another Western Region (slightly smaller scale) perhaps?

[#Metro]

There goes those "words" again..

Ah, but they said 'network' not 'infrastructure'. Maybe they finally have woken up to the importance of frequency rather than concrete worship?

New peak service 138 Calamvale to CBD

Oh dear. Another 13X service- there is like a bazillion of them now. Does this go down Mains Road too?

250 will be express between Carindale, Stones Corner and 'gabba

Isn't it express already? I didn't notice it stopping anywhere when I was on it.

More high frequency services, including a connection between Aspley, Chermside and CBD

Hmm. I wonder what this is. Something on a parallel street to BUZ 345 perhaps?

Cross town route from Mitchelton, Kedron to No 1 Airport Drive.

Yay! This is good news, though probably better to start at Western Plains Shopping Centre. This would allow it to act as a feeder to Mitchelton Rail too.

No sign of a BUZ 400 or BUZ 230 yet?

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter also reads into this that the phase 2 timetables are not occurring this financial year.

As previously mentioned, the "World Class" statement is being used again. Oh FFS!

[STB]

Tramtrain - no the 250 is currently not an express route.  It stops all stops to Carindale then stops at the formally known Cityxpress stops (white J poles) between Carindale and Buranda.  I've caught it quite a bit in the past (being my local trunk route for me to get between to/from home as an alternative to the train) and it has been used well by those between Carindale and Buranda in the past but there is enough services now to cope with the demand along that corridor and hence best to make the long distance route 250 express.

[HappyTrainGuy]

ARGHHHHHHHHHHH more damn bus routes to the city! FIX THE DAMN CURRENT ROUTES ALREADY AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!

How about running the Sandgate/Brighton/Shorncliffe rail feeder busses (311, 312, 313, 314) at a time where people can actually use them to get to and from the stations instead hourly 9-3 times. What about those 2 hour frequency busses on the northside (336/337/358 - Sandgate still has the 24 hour frequency route for the 314). I'm open to but still heavily against any new Aspley int-Chermside int-City buz routes if it goes via Gympie Road. (The reason for this route is because there are already ample services running via Gympie road) Modify the current 333 buz if anything via Ellison Road/Chermside Markets/Milburn street/Marban street/Terrence street/Maundrell Terrece/Aspley interchange as there is a huge market there with sweet FA currently available (THe same applies to the portion of East Aspley between Beams Road along Gympie Road to Chermside Interchange, along Murphy Road to the railway line with only the hourly 335 and the 2 hourly 336/337 servicing the whole area) and since the 338 already provides a direct link between the Chermside and Aspley interchanges via Gympie Road that could be upgraded to a half hourly route from its current hourly freguency. How about throwing a few more busses surrounding Chermside to the north, the east and the west so people that live near by can get to PT be it rail or a bus interchange instead of these hourly-two hourly routes. There is great potential to link in that whole area to so many railway stations and bus interchanges due to its close proximity to each other yet everything is still focused on going to the city or on hourly routes.

[Mr X]

Oh FFS!! A 138 is NOT needed!

[STB]

At a guess the 138 will go via the Gateway Motorway and SE Busway, bit like the 142 and 153.

[#Metro]

How about running the Sandgate/Brighton/Shorncliffe rail feeder busses (311, 312, 313, 314) at a time where people can actually use them to get to and from the stations instead hourly 9-3 times. What about those 2 hour frequency busses on the northside (336/337/358 - Sandgate still has the 24 hour frequency route for the 314). I'm open to but still heavily against any new Aspley int-Chermside int-City buz routes if it goes via Gympie Road. (The reason for this route is because there are already ample services running via Gympie road) Modify the current 333 buz if anything via Ellison Road/Chermside Markets/Milburn street/Marban street/Terrence street/Maundrell Terrece/Aspley interchange as there is a huge market there with sweet FA currently available (THe same applies to the portion of East Aspley between Beams Road along Gympie Road to Chermside Interchange, along Murphy Road to the railway line with only the hourly 335 and the 2 hourly 336/337 servicing the whole area) and since the 338 already provides a direct link between the Chermside and Aspley interchanges via Gympie Road that could be upgraded to a half hourly route from its current hourly freguency. How about throwing a few more busses surrounding Chermside to the north, the east and the west so people that live near by can get to PT be it rail or a bus interchange instead of these hourly-two hourly routes. There is great potential to link in that whole area to so many railway stations and bus interchanges due to its close proximity to each other yet everything is still focused on going to the city or on hourly routes.

I daresay I think part of this is due to planners perceiving (or even subconsciously) treating a Class A RAIL ROW different to a Class A Busway ROW (and the manual not being updated to embody this frequent local feeder value!).

Imagine a local feeder service. Hourly to rail. Is that acceptable? Imagine if buses feeding the SE Busway were only hourly- the whole busway would be an utter flop.

I think the core routes (Bulimba BUZ, Centenary BUZ) followed by the main cross-suburban linkages (so the GCL routes, dissolved, things like 590 and this 59X via Stafford Road) are in place, feeder services can be improved.

I think Cannon Hill and Toombul should also be added to Gazza's list of strategic interchanges.

[somebody]

At a guess the 138 will go via the Gateway Motorway and SE Busway, bit like the 142 and 153.

That's a fair bet, but it still doesn't excuse the number of similar routes in the corridor.

I'll leave it at that if you like.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I daresay I think part of this is due to planners perceiving (or even subconsciously) treating a Class A RAIL ROW different to a Class A Busway ROW (and the manual not being updated to embody this frequent local feeder value!).

Imagine a local feeder service. Hourly to rail. Is that acceptable? Imagine if buses feeding the SE Busway were only hourly- the whole busway would be an utter flop.

Its just crazy. Surrounding Chermside/northside there are already plenty of good feeder routes sitting there that are just run at the bare minimum or they end up going to the city. The 338 is a direct link between the two interchanges on an hourly frequency. The 328 is a wtf why is that a route? Was it made for the sake of having a route there?. The 335 has the potential to be a great Boondall railway station-Chermside interchange feeder via Taigum bus interchange and Carseldine railway station if it is culled at Chermside and ran via Webster/Hamilton roads with both the 325/335 going to a 30 minute frequency (Think of the advantages if people used it to access the entertainment centre or cutting across between Shorncliffe/Caboolture railway lines). I've been harping on about the 336/337 for ages as its a route that has so much potential if it had more than 5 daily services run about 2 hours apart. During the year the (From the couple times I was on it) the 336/337 gets pretty good patronage because it links in to so many places very quickly. It links about 8 schools to bus and railway interchanges, People living along Ellison road don't have to walk ~300m at the minimum across sporting fields just to catch a bus on Gympie Road let alone cross the busy road along with having a bus thats only a couple minutes away from the chermside interchange, It serves the houses just east of Westfield, its a rail feeder bus and aspley interchange bus for people living in east aspley, it links people living along Robinson Road/east Aspley and Geebung directly into Geebung Railway station, Its a quick trip to the Aspley Interchange/linking people to a nearby buz route. I'll have to get some free time soon and check out routes on the northside and share a little review about them and how easily accessable the area actually is by PT.

[#Metro]

HTG, I feel your pain. The whole thing needs to be steamed, logic added and frequency boosted. Yeah, college green huh? Bizzaro eh?!

[david]

New peak service 138 Calamvale to CBD

Oh dear. Another 13X service- there is like a bazillion of them now. Does this go down Mains Road too?

No sign of a BUZ 400 yet?

I think I am going to cry...  

[#Metro]

I rub my hands in anticipation (not) of a P33 Chermside to Indooroopilly 

[somebody]

HTG, I disagree with your idea of extending the 335 to Boondall.  It would be too indirect.  Just increase frequency on the 325.  Also, chop the 335 south of Chermside - the 325 is more direct and should be a KGSBS service; this is what should connect the CBD and Webster Rd.

[HappyTrainGuy]

HTG, I disagree with your idea of extending the 335 to Boondall.  It would be too indirect.  Just increase frequency on the 325.  Also, chop the 335 south of Chermside - the 325 is more direct and should be a KGSBS service; this is what should connect the CBD and Webster Rd.

To late Simon The 335 is unofficially already currently serving Boondall railway station but its conducted as a 328 route due to it sharing the route with the 325 and 339. The 325 might provide a more direct route to Chermside and to the city but extending the 335 formally to Boondall railway station also opens up another route for people in East Aspley/Carseldine/Fitzgibbon (Massive redevolpment going on there)/Taigum to connect directly to the Shorncliffe railway line. It wouldn't be indirect if it maintained its path along Beams/Stanworth/Normanhurst roads.

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110606-328.pdf

[somebody]

Ok, but that's only selected trips.

[achiruel]

I rub my hands in anticipation (not) of a P33 Chermside to Indooroopilly 

Don't forget also the P44 (Carindale to Indooroopilly via KGSBS) & the P78 (Carindale to Chermside via CLEM7).  Although the second one may not be entirely useless, quick trip from Coorparoo/Stones Cnr to destinations along Lutwyche/Gympie Rds.

[#Metro]

Don't forget also the P44 (Carindale to Indooroopilly via KGSBS) & the P78 (Carindale to Chermside via CLEM7).  Although the second one may not be entirely useless, quick trip from Coorparoo/Stones Cnr to destinations along Lutwyche/Gympie Rds.

I caught P88 recently, people are catching it, overheard someone say  "I like this bus because I don't have to transfer".

Then I saw how much it cost to run this convenience - millions and millions of dollars per year to just save what is just what 2 minute wait at Cultural Centre?

And then I thought of alternative ways to spend that money - doubled patronage on new BUZ services to Bulimba and Centenary, for example.

I really hope we do not see routes like P88, even if people do catch it, they would be catching 160/555/111/150/whatever and changing save millions.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The P88 is one weird route as I've found out early on the weekends. Sometimes its 10 minutes faster than the 111 to Griffith while the next one might show up at the same time as the 111 its racing against. Viva la P88! 

[Mr X]

P22 Eight Mile Plains to Carindale via Eastern Busway? 

[achiruel]

P22 Eight Mile Plains to Carindale via Eastern Busway?  

Would it be any quicker than 590?

Edit: although of course the 590 doesn't go to EMP, so the question should be would it be quicker than P88/111/555+590?

[ozbob]

High capacity buses will be used on these routes:

66  Gabba - RBWH

109  City - UQ Lakes

111 Eight Mile Plains - Roma St

130 Algester - City

P137 Sunnybank Hills - City

139 Sunnybank Hills - City

140 Browns Plains - City

P142 Browns Plains - City

150 Browns Plains - City

160 Garden City - City

169 Eight Mile Plains - City

[ozbob]

Summary

Bus Eastern Feb 2012 changes



Bus Northern Feb 2012 changes

[ozbob]

Overview

[somebody]

No mention of removing Woolloongabba from the 250?  Seems the 270 is to be cut back to Carindale even in peak time.  I guess the idea is if you are heading to the CBD, you can use a peak hour rocket and if to South Bank you can interchange.

138 is via Garden City.  Assuming it is in the 13x corridor that only makes sense if it is via the Gateway.

Great news about those bigger buses routes.  Only the 29 and 192 will run to UQ Lakes with 12.5m buses soon.

[ozbob]

Note planned change to 462 Feb 2012

Darra Rail - Heathwood Extension.  I understand this bus will be going via Darra Centenary Village using the new service road networks (not sure if all or some, to be confirmed).

[pangwen]

No mention of removing Woolloongabba from the 250?  Seems the 270 is to be cut back to Carindale even in peak time.  I guess the idea is if you are heading to the CBD, you can use a peak hour rocket and if to South Bank you can interchange.

138 is via Garden City.  Assuming it is in the 13x corridor that only makes sense if it is via the Gateway.

Great news about those bigger buses routes.  Only the 29 and 192 will run to UQ Lakes with 12.5m buses soon.

Interesting news regarding the 138, wonder what the route will be (I guess we'll find out in Feb). Although the 13x/14x corridor is relatively well serviced, my experience has been that there is a reason for this (backed up by the 130 overcrowding figures). There are also some areas in Calamvale which do not have sufficient PT coverage (near Nottingham Road/Benhiam Road, on Kameruka Street for example).

In regards to the Garden City routing, 138 could still run via the Mains Rd corridor, and turn right onto Kessels (like the 136 and the GCL). It'd provide a link for residents on the Gowan Road corridor (assuming that's how it runs) to Sunnybank, which is where ~30-50% of the offpeak passengers on the 130/140 get off.

EDIT: As an aside, I don't think any of you have to worry about more 13x routes, all the numbers have been taken now (130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139)

[Mr X]

There is still the 140s to make our way through  

This Aspley - Chermside - City bus, I am *assuming* it will be a BUZ, will it be in place of a BUZ330?

Btw minor error in that translink document- 196 omitted and 200 is not a new BUZ.

[HappyTrainGuy]

There's no need for a Aspley-Chermside-City buz especially if it starts at the Aspley Interchange and runs via Gympie Road. The 338 already covers that. There's already ample coverage for most of the area but its just ran poorly eg. 335/336/337/338 etc. Having put more thought into it if there was a new bus/buz introduced it should be ran via East Aspley along Robinson/Kirby/Ellison/murphy roads as opposed to via West Chermside/Gympie Road as there is a larger market available and current routes can be modified to boost frequency in other areas that has been lacking PT eg modifying the 335 to run via Robinson/Murphy roads (I don't like it going via Gympie road next to Marchant park as there's no market for it). One could have a field day with modifing routes haha.

[STB]

Ahh, I think I know what that 'hourly seven day a week Ormiston' service is.  Existing route 258.  I vaguely remember from the consultations that they were going to get rid of the variations on that route.  Will be interesting for one resident in Ormiston (if he is still there) who would run out of his house going on like a mad hornet making threats as he didn't like the bus dwelling outside his house before it made its next run back to Cleveland  

Interesting that they mention Wooloongabba on the flyer there for route 250.  Did they decide to cave in from an obvious no brainer due to the typical my bus is a taxi mentality out here in the Redlands?