RAIL - Back On Track Forum

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1602456624190623745

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1602553733568925696

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1602732544612507649

How about we just go with... SEQ Trains (T lines), SEQ Buses (### and B lines for BRT), SEQ Ferries, SEQ Light Rail (L lines) - 1 livery not the mix we have today!

Then outside SEQ they can be QLD Trains, QLD Buses, QLD Light Rail and QLD Ferries!

It can all be run by a Department called Transport QLD!

^ if we had a proper authority that might be possible.

For now, getting rid of ' Metro ' is the right thing to do.

Here we have the BCC Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport acknowledging it is BRT but wants to call it ' Metro ' because it is turn up and go.

Crikey, turn up and go is a characteristic of BRT ( as well as real metros ).  It is nutz !! 

If turn up and go is the key then we can have Train Metro, Bus Metro, BRT Metro, Light Rail Metro, Ferry Metro and the really important one Bike Metro   
         

But so far they have built the Wynnum Road and Kingsford Smith Drive car metros.

Quote from: Gazza on December 14, 2022, 09:03:20 AMBut so far they have built the Wynnum Road and Kingsford Smith Drive car metros.

GOLD!!!

I heard BCC will be changing their name... to Brisbane Metro Council (BMC)

And the LM will be called the Metro Mayor, and have a Deputy Metro Mayor.

Transport for Brisbane (TfB) will also change to be called Brisbane Metro, in line with Adelaide Metro, so it reinforces the message that PT here is as good as Adelaide, not Paris etc.

 

</sarcasm>

The get stuck into it over at Reddit 

https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/yjul8h/literally_everytime_the_brisbane_metro_gets/



They have a fair point ...

====

Peak ' Metro ' in brisBANE ...

' Metros ' on a ' Metro ' surrounded by ' non-Metros ' ....

https://misterbrisbane.substack.com/p/when-is-a-metro-not-a-metro

When is a Metro not a metro?

Brett Debritz

BERT's a great name for a transit system — and a YouTube channel

QuoteI made the point somewhere quite some time ago that Brisbane's new "Metro" system will not be a metro. As in Paris and many other cities, a metro is an underground train network.

Brisbane's new system will be a dedicated lane for bendy buses. It's a Bus Rapid Transit system similar to one the BRT they have in Bangkok (it runs down Narathiwat road and is not to be confused with the BTS, or SkyTrain, or the MRT, which is a metro).

So, I'm happy to point you towards this excellent Brisbane Times story by Tony Moore and to endorse the suggestion made by Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow that the new network be called Busway Electric Rapid Transit, or BERT.

It's a memorable, whimsical name, that puts it up there with San Francisco's BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), which also is a metro. ..

Hope we are No. 1 Top 10 Metros https://youtu.be/0X69dUt16BI

Sent to all outlets:

'Metro is not a metro we know' (BCC) - more confusion

15th December 2022

Brisbane City Council's Transport Chair Cr Ryan Murphy confirmed in a Tweet on the 13th December 2022
(
https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1602456624190623745 )
what we all know, viz."We know it's BRT, we call it Metro for brevity, not because we want people to think it's something that it's not.". 

The BCC's Brisbane Metro is no Metro and just a confusing name for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  BRT that already exists on the SEQ Busways which serve communities far beyond the borders of Brisbane City. Yet the planning and delivery is being led by BCC not Translink.  BCC buses continue to look different to the rest of the Translink Fleet.  No wonder people continue to believe that public transport can't get them to where and when they need ... and just drive instead. If BCC want to distinctively mark the introduction of the electric bi-articulated buses on the busways we have suggested call it BERT - Busway Electric Rapid Transit. That is a correct description.

Whilst cities around the world have seen dramatic increases in active and public transport use and enjoyed the spoils socially, environmentally and financially, Brisbane hasn't changed in over 30 years. All the strategies, transport plans, media releases and "big ticket" projects still has SEQ's active and public transport lingering around worst practice.

It is a complete mess.  Something has to change. And it needs to change now at both a State and Council level. 

RAIL Back On Track has continually called out for:

. a dedicated Public Transport Authority (Public Transport Queensland?) with sole responsibility for leading, planning and running services but also with a role to coordinate development and active transport surrounding stations.

. consistent and clear branding across rail, light rail, BRT, buses and ferries across all QLD (or SEQ/QLD like NSW) irrespective of service provider including BCC.

. removal of any limitations, restrictions or agreements that limits PTQ's ability to design, plan or run their services
redesign of the SEQ Bus Network as a:
- BRT-based network operating in dedicate lanes with 'superstops' running 15min minimum frequencies - think Gold Coast Light Rail but using buses and not the mess of bus routes on the Busways today; and
- properly integrated system that works as one where routes don't avoid or compete with each other

. clear and consistent labelling of major routes -(e.g. T1-x for Trains, L1-x for Light Rail, B1-x for BRT Routes and S1 if we ever build a real metro subway).

. the prioritisation of active/public transport in transport budgets (i.e. more budget for active/public transport than for adding road capacity).

. 15 minute minimum frequencies on all rail lines from 6am to 9pm 7 days a week including the Airport Line.

. 30 minute minimum frequencies on all rail lines outside of 6am to 9pm 7 days a week.

. increased densities, housing choice, affordable/social housing and walkability/safe cycling infrastructure along public transport routes

. regional services that rival PTV and NSW Trains services.

If there is no movement in the above in 2023, SEQ will continue to require ever increasing taxes/rates to run, see further decline in health and well-being, cost more to live in, be less attractive to business, universities/researchers and people in general and succumb to the current housing crisis.

Worryingly, it will become a bigger and bigger burden on all Queenslanders - not those just living in SEQ.

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

Facebook ..

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1603182392272769024

Sent to all outlets:

Busway Electric Rapid Transit - BERT

17th December 2022

Good Morning,

Plenty of feedback that suggests it is time to change the name of the ' Brisbane Metro ' to something that represents what it really is and  stamps Brisbane Bus Rapid Transit as a real marketing tool.

'Brisbane Metro' is increasingly being lampooned and will only be derisive in the longer term.  Now is the time to act.

For example here is a blog post by Brett Debritz - a media free lancer.

https://misterbrisbane.substack.com/p/when-is-a-metro-not-a-metro

When is a Metro not a metro?

Brett Debritz

Quote

BERT's a great name for a transit system — and a YouTube channel

I made the point somewhere quite some time ago that Brisbane's new "Metro" system will not be a metro. As in Paris and many other cities, a metro is an underground train network.

Brisbane's new system will be a dedicated lane for bendy buses. It's a Bus Rapid Transit system similar to one the BRT they have in Bangkok (it runs down Narathiwat road and is not to be confused with the BTS, or SkyTrain, or the MRT, which is a metro).

So, I'm happy to point you towards this excellent Brisbane Times story by Tony Moore and to endorse the suggestion made by Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow that the new network be called Busway Electric Rapid Transit, or BERT.

It's a memorable, whimsical name, that puts it up there with San Francisco's BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) ...

End of Quote

It is time that the Lord Mayor and Transport staff in City Hall properly considered doing the right thing. 

For interest a real Brisbane Metro, an underground automated heavy rail subway was proposed in Connecting SEQ 2031.
This will be the next major public transport improvement for Brisbane (see  https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=14711.0 ).

See you on board a BERTie on the BERT !

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on December 15, 2022, 00:32:04 AMSent to all outlets:

'Metro is not a metro we know' (BCC) - more confusion

15th December 2022

Brisbane City Council's Transport Chair Cr Ryan Murphy confirmed in a Tweet on the 13th December 2022
(

Code Select Expand

https://twitter.com/ryansrumblings/status/1602456624190623745 )
what we all know, viz."We know it's BRT, we call it Metro for brevity, not because we want people to think it's something that it's not.". 

The BCC's Brisbane Metro is no Metro and just a confusing name for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  BRT that already exists on the SEQ Busways which serve communities far beyond the borders of Brisbane City. Yet the planning and delivery is being led by BCC not Translink.  BCC buses continue to look different to the rest of the Translink Fleet.  No wonder people continue to believe that public transport can't get them to where and when they need ... and just drive instead. If BCC want to distinctively mark the introduction of the electric bi-articulated buses on the busways we have suggested call it BERT - Busway Electric Rapid Transit. That is a correct description.

Whilst cities around the world have seen dramatic increases in active and public transport use and enjoyed the spoils socially, environmentally and financially, Brisbane hasn't changed in over 30 years. All the strategies, transport plans, media releases and "big ticket" projects still has SEQ's active and public transport lingering around worst practice.

It is a complete mess.  Something has to change. And it needs to change now at both a State and Council level. 

RAIL Back On Track has continually called out for:

. a dedicated Public Transport Authority (Public Transport Queensland?) with sole responsibility for leading, planning and running services but also with a role to coordinate development and active transport surrounding stations.

. consistent and clear branding across rail, light rail, BRT, buses and ferries across all QLD (or SEQ/QLD like NSW) irrespective of service provider including BCC.

. removal of any limitations, restrictions or agreements that limits PTQ's ability to design, plan or run their services
redesign of the SEQ Bus Network as a:
- BRT-based network operating in dedicate lanes with 'superstops' running 15min minimum frequencies - think Gold Coast Light Rail but using buses and not the mess of bus routes on the Busways today; and
- properly integrated system that works as one where routes don't avoid or compete with each other

. clear and consistent labelling of major routes -(e.g. T1-x for Trains, L1-x for Light Rail, B1-x for BRT Routes and S1 if we ever build a real metro subway).

. the prioritisation of active/public transport in transport budgets (i.e. more budget for active/public transport than for adding road capacity).

. 15 minute minimum frequencies on all rail lines from 6am to 9pm 7 days a week including the Airport Line.

. 30 minute minimum frequencies on all rail lines outside of 6am to 9pm 7 days a week.

. increased densities, housing choice, affordable/social housing and walkability/safe cycling infrastructure along public transport routes

. regional services that rival PTV and NSW Trains services.

If there is no movement in the above in 2023, SEQ will continue to require ever increasing taxes/rates to run, see further decline in health and well-being, cost more to live in, be less attractive to business, universities/researchers and people in general and succumb to the current housing crisis.

Worryingly, it will become a bigger and bigger burden on all Queenslanders - not those just living in SEQ.

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

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1603822266940129280

It's not a Metro...but it should be!

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1604842145117925376

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1604844058823704576

    

December 2022 Update from BCC

Brisbane Metro 2022 milestones

It has been a big year as Brisbane City Council continues to deliver the turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro. This year, we've achieved some major project milestones that will play a key role in shaping Brisbane's public transport future, including:

. The arrival of our pilot metro and the successful testing campaign across Greater Brisbane leading to the order of our initial fleet of 60 battery electric metros.

. Major infrastructure works commencing at key locations including Adelaide Street, King George Square station, Cultural Centre station, the metro depot at Rochedale, Buranda busway station, and end-of-trip charging locations at UQ Lakes station and Ernie's Roundabout, Herston.

. Launching Brisbane's New Bus Network and inviting you to have your say on the the proposed changes that will support the introduction of Brisbane Metro services in later 2024. Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation.

Whether you attended one of our community events, visited our Information Centre, had your say during network community consultation or called our project hotline, we would like to thank you for engaging with Brisbane Metro throughout 2022.

We're looking forward to sharing more exciting milestones with you in 2023!

Brisbane Metro webpage

Good to see progress with the BERT ! 

Paying attention      ?

Glossary:

'Brisbane Metro' = Busway Electric Rapid Transit (BERT)

'metro (vehicle)' = BERTie - it is a battery electric bi-articulated bus, very nice one at that.

It is not a Metro BCC, and never will be!

Tail wagging the dog!! This should never have been a BCC led project even if fully funded by them!! Joint at worst !

Sent to all outlets:

Some reasons why 'Brisbane Metro' name needs to be changed

23rd December 2022



1.  It is not a Metro in the correct public transport nomenclature.

2.  It is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a point recently conceded by the Civic Cabinet Chair of Transport at Brisbane City Council Cr Ryan Murphy.

3.  Using 'turn up and go public transport' (TUAG) as a justification for calling it a 'Metro' is not correct.

Buses on the busways are already TUAG, CityGlider and many BUZ routes are TUAG. Citytrain in the inner Brisbane network is effectively TUAG.
We don't refer to them as a 'Metro' do we?

4.  It is false marketing.  Brisbane has leading BRT on our busways, which will be further improved by the introduction of the innovative world class battery electric bi-articulated buses running at high frequency.  Sell and market it for what it is!

5.  There is an under-current of derisive commentary on the name 'Brisbane Metro' and the message it sends.
This will only increase as we approach 2032. Can you imagine the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Committees attempting to promote the 'Brisbane Metro' knowing full well it is BRT!
You only have think 'Sydney Metro' to understand that. We want successful public transport in Brisbane promoted and noted, not put down.

6. Feedback we have received, particularly from transport professionals, has been very supportive of changing the name.

7. We have coined the name 'BERT' Busway Electric Rapid Transit, to differentiate the bi-articulated electric buses from the other BRT services.  There may be other suitable names that could be used.  It is really up to all the authorities now - BCC, Translink and the State Government, to address this matter with some urgency.

Lets get Brisbane's excellent BRT, back on track!

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=265786

Reference:

Independent Australia
Planned 'Brisbane Metro' is misleading the public 5th December 2022
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/planned-brisbane-metro-is-misleading-the-public,17039

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1606059679754264576

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1606076649128108032

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1606077571082223616

It appears the BCC Labor Opposition are a waste for space. 

One would think they could make some good political capital on these issues, but appear to be completely disinterested, ignorant, and more concerned with the mythical "bus cuts"!

The were done over by former LM Quirk in 2016, absolute mob of incompetents. They are being done over again.

Useless ... so the running is left to us.

QuoteIt appears the BCC Labor Opposition are a waste for space.

One would think they could make some good political capital on these issues, but appear to be completely disinterested, ignorant, and more concerned with the mythical "bus cuts"!

The were done over by former LM Quirk in 2016, absolute mob of incompetents. They are being done over again.

Useless ... so the running is left to us.

Traditionally BCC has been Red-Team controlled since the 1960's. That started after Clem Jones ran the city, sealing roads and introducing sewerage. Sally-Anne Atkinson was a brief departure from that, after she lost, it again returned to red team until the Campbell Newman era.

After that replacement was conducted by having the leader resign mid-term. Doing this allows a new leader to step forward and be appointed rather than elected. Only after having some actual experience in the LM job, did they face an election. That's how Graham Quirk and Adrian Schrinner were introduced into their jobs.  They gain the benefit of already holding office.

It is an effective defence because a challenger either has to come from inside BCC and give up their ward seat to run (potentially losing everything), or has to come from outside with no experience of being a BCC councillor or experience in the LM role.

The Tweet

That particular tweet by Cr. Cassidy got 2000 views, the other tweets on his feed much less than that ~ 200 or so. He doesn't seem to have many followers - yet. Might indicate political potential to set off another 2013 panic alarm.

Would there be value in RBOT reaching out to meet with either Red Team and/or Blue Team to engage them?

That they can exchange views and we can address them.

Next BCC elections will be early 2024.

Not shortly after the first stages of bus routes are changed and metro is up.

Already have reached out. Up to them, I don't chase politicians.

It seems they are going play the ' bus cuts ' card again. 

So be it, fools. They will be done over yet again.

Former Minister for CRR and other things Ms. Kate Jones, who told us a lot of nonsense about the operational rail plans for CRR (I have the signed letters) has been MID for the labor LM next election.

Be interesting days ... 

Couriermail --> Push for Kate Jones To Run As Labor's Candidate For Brisbane Lord Mayor 27/11/2022

Letter to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Requesting Name Change of the Brisbane Metro


LM23Dec2022RBoTn.pdf

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1606408558207438848

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1606833321144909824

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1609201552497025026

' Brisbane Metro ' = Busway Electric Rapid Transit BERT

' Metro vehicle ' = BERT bus or a BERTie ... 

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/1526-2022.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1526
Asked on 2 December 2022

DR M ROBINSON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the study for the possible extension of the Brisbane Metro to the Redlands
Coast recently announced by Redland City Council, Brisbane City Council and the State
Government to deliver desperately need public transport, to take traffic off the roads, and to
ensure the Redlands has the transport services needed to participate in the 2032 Brisbane
Olympic and Paralympic Games—
Will the Minister provide an update on the details of the study, including (but not limited to) (a)
terms of reference, (b) whether the 50:50 funding commitment between the State and Federal
Governments is guaranteed and (c) the construction timeline?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Oodgeroo for the question.

As the study is being jointly led by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local
Government and Planning with Brisbane City Council and Redland City Council, this question
should be directed to the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local
Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games
Infrastructure.