2 Jul 2012: SEQ: Cut expensive fiesta of concrete - use bus lanes!

[ozbob]

Media release 2nd July 2012

SEQ: Cut expensive fiesta of concrete - use bus lanes!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers calls for the roll-out of an integrated network of T2 and bus lanes across the city.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Over recent years there has been a tendency to pour money into big ticket infrastructure at the expense of basic service frequency and small, affordable changes.  It is premised on the idea that heavy infrastructure is the solution for everything and the lack of it is the primary reason why we don't have good transport."

"Busways easily cost $150 million dollars per kilometre and can take many years to construct (1). There are many cheap and simple solutions that can be enacted now to speed up buses and increase the capacity of roads without spending a fortune or waiting an eternity if only we could stop treating general traffic lanes as untouchable sacred cows to be protected at any and all cost."

"Busways are expensive, adding bus and transit lanes to existing road systems can be achieved for a much lesser cost and without years of delay. One full bus gets around 60 cars off the road."

"Dedicated bus lanes could be put between Kedron Brook and Chermside Shopping Centre as inferred by the LNP government (2).  Re-instating the inbound Lutwyche Rd transit lane is a priority too, as a number of buses turn off the corridor south of Kedron Brook.  The QUT study (3) of a 2005 found that the transit lane was well justified back then, and it would be even more justified now as bus numbers have increased 50%.  Additionally, there is little point in having a transit lane if it cannot be enforced.  San Francisco have moved to camera enforcement of transit lanes (4).  Similarly, some consideration could be given to the need for traffic lights facing southbound buses at Truro St.  Anecdotal evidence is that the traffic lights at either end of the road from Federation St to Truro St slow buses significantly, reducing the value of the busway."

"The same approach can be applied to the Eastern busway. Asphalt over the old tram lanes, cut island parking and car lanes and use this road space for dedicated bus lanes all the way to Carindale. There are many other well deserving roads that could do with bus and T2 lanes - Sir Fred Schonell Drive, Coronation Drive Wynnum Road and so forth."

"Fixing public transport does not necessarily need to cost billions of dollars, require endless mountains of studies and feasibility investigations, or decades of waiting for 'big ticket' infrastructure to fix. Cheap, practical and obvious solutions can be implemented NOW."

References:

1. Future Northern busway for Gympie Rd http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4474.msg102953#msg102953

2. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=79719

3. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/2731/1/2731.pdf

4. http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/transportation/2012/02/muni-expanding-camera-program-nab-drivers-transit-only-lanes

Contact:

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

[huddo45]

Quote: "The same approach can be applied to the Eastern busway. Asphalt over the old tram lanes, cut island parking and car lanes and use this road space for dedicated bus lanes all the way to Carindale."

Frankly, I find your proposal to cover over these tram tracks which are part of Brisbane's tramway heritage just so buses can run over the top of them rather appaling, especially
coming fron a supposed rail advocate.

Are you aware that they are listed in the Queensland Heritage Register?

https://www.derm.qld.gov.au/chimsi/placeDetail.html?siteId=16576

uncheered

huddo45

[ozbob]

They are going to be removed for the busway extension in any case.  We are strong supporters of rail, however commonsense also has to prevail.

Some pics here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2726.msg15162#msg15162

Proposed route --> http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/eastern-busway/100420-drawing-4.pdf

From http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/eastern-busway/maps

View Larger Map

[#Metro]

I can't see any reason why a bus or cars can't run over the top of them. Even in places like germany the buses use the tram alignment - bare. There are lots of buries tram tracks all over the city - underneath roads in west end, stafford, dutton park, highgate hill etc.

[huddo45]

   The Translink website has only maps now, I remember reading there that at least a short section of tram track was to be incorporated in the Carina busway station for posterity.
   Leaving the tracks exposed would be a good compromise. Everyone used to drive on the tram tracks all over Brisbane with few problems, as they still do in Melbourne.

[ozbob]

Yes, I expect they would leave the tram lines intact through the bus station at Carina.  That would  highlight them well.  But the busway extension will be a long time coming, if ever ..