RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Guess the real issue as we well know for many was this was sold as a Paris-style Metro and is now just a Bus that reduces capacity!!

" ... charge the buses ... " yes, that is what they are Cr. 

For a laugh we all need 👇🏻👇🏻 https://x.com/acbowen/status/1702515382995820698?

https://twitter.com/tamhus8/status/1703046172104151152?

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1703134570563146172?

https://twitter.com/tamhus8/status/1703289823690399961

====

BERT lives! 😉

TBH, I'm not that bothered about the metrobus not being underground. My bigger concerns are the lack of level boarding, and onboard ticket validation. Both of these are big fails IMO.

https://x.com/IntercitySimon/status/1705624308561641848?s=20

A new fly through of pedestrian links

OMG what we could have had for the 1.7 BILLION!!!

https://x.com/tamhus8/status/1709327130839195842?

Couriermail --> 150,000 hours of Brisbane Metro tunnelling work clocked $

QuoteA major transport project has reached a milestone completing 80 per cent of intricate tunnelling work as close to three metres underneath one of Brisbane's oldest streets.

After 150,000 hours of work on the Brisbane Metro Tunnel beneath Adelaide Street, almost 170 metres of excavation work has been completed from North Quay to near City Hall for the 213 metre tunnel. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage $

QuoteMore than a few ears pricked up when, almost eight years ago, then-lord mayor Graham Quirk announced his re-election promise of a "Brisbane Metro".

Visions of Paris, Moscow and myriad cities around the world, with their high-frequency underground railway systems that are the envy of anything Brisbane has to offer, immediately sprang to mind.

But then, scratching just below the service, the nomenclature of Quirk's keystone election promise started to look flimsy.

The metro wouldn't run on tracks, it would run along busways. It wouldn't have train wheels, it would have rubber tyres.

It wouldn't be a train, it would be a bus. A bloody big bus, but a bus nonetheless. (Just don't call it that.)

The Brisbane Metro has never been a metro and Brisbane City Council's insistence on calling it that risks embarrassment on a global scale when we invite the world over for a party in 2032.

Because the world knows what a metro is, and it knows what a metro isn't. What Brisbane will have, come 2032, just ... isn't. ...

https://x.com/CameronAtfield/status/1714247050416599322?s=20

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1714280942368682058?s=20

https://x.com/tamhus8/status/1714200404245021170?s=20

Facebook ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1631720753682071558?s=20

Sent to all outlets:

'Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage'

18th October 2023

Brisbanetimes has highlighted the inappropriate name " Brisbane Metro " that BCC is using for the improved Bus Rapid Transit using the bi-articulated electric buses.

RAIL Back On Track has constructively suggested a number of times now that a name that reflects what the mode is, is preferable to the poor choice of " Brisbane Metro ".

Brisbanetimes is running a poll and results already confirm how out of touch BCC is.

Brisbanetimes: Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/journey-on-bert-how-a-metro-in-name-only-risks-embarrassing-brisbane-on-the-world-stage-20230904-p5e1um.html

RBOT Facebook Post: BERT - Busway Electric Rapid Transit
26th November 2022
https://railbotforum.org/yourls/31



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

This is a surprising poll result. Updated ...

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/journey-on-bert-how-a-metro-in-name-only-risks-embarrassing-brisbane-on-the-world-stage-20230904-p5e1um.html








 

https://x.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1714367773730803931?s=20

Ok so most of SEQ know it's a bus and will call it a bus! 

If I go to our press release the other day we said

QuoteThe Metro Glider services above are the first step to establish the network, services and start passenger growth now. The routes can then be converted to real-Metro (aka Sydney Metro) and Light Rail lines over the next 10 years.

We also know that these main corridor routes need to be far higher capacity in the next 10 years but have to start somewhere.

I think I have said before an approach is to create a BRT based trunk network that would eventually become a true-Metro to called M1-M8' or L1-L6 for Light Rail or remain BRT for ever and a day!

Thus whilst the new service is BRT the route from 8 mile plains (or further south) to Chermside would be the M1. Not because it is a metro but because it should/will be one day! This may in fact take all the new BCC buses to run plus some bus lanes through Windsor and some charging points on North side! I do fear that all 60 buses is not enough so maybe some current attics have to supplement!

The hard question to answer is how many people currently crossing Victoria/Captain Cook Bridge would not go into the city under a more connected less CBD centric network! For example would people change at the gab  bCcs to get to valley rather than go all the way through the CBD?

The other BRT routes could then be run using existing buses in SEQ fleet which includes current BUZ routes!

Is this a compromise that allows the M1 and M2 routes to remain somewhat which everyone gets to know is just BRT and we all move on to converting the BRT to something much much more as per our press release?

Food for thought!

Brisbane Metro BRT to Chermside Sounds Good

QuoteI think I have said before an approach is to create a BRT based trunk network that would eventually become a true-Metro to called M1-M8' Light Rail or remain BRT for ever and a day!

Thus whilst the new service is BRT the route from 8 mile plains (or further south) to Chermside would be the M1. Not because it is a metro but because it should/will be one day! This may in fact take all the new BCC buses to run plus some bus lanes through Windsor and some charging points on North side!

Good news Jonno, the Northern Transitway to Chermside will open probably in 2025 so Brisbane Metro BRT buses could run there. The interchange at Chermside would have to be reworked as it is too small, but the engineers can deal with that.

A longer route means a longer cycle time, which means more buses to maintain the same base frequency. Likely, you would need to buy more buses and have a depot built to house them. It's achievable IMHO, just might take a few years to build the depot or expand the existing one plus get the extra vehicles built and shipped in.

New Northside BUZ services?     

Now that NWTC is cancelled, all improvements seem to have been lost in favour of a toll road tunnel under Gympie Road. What takes its place?

New Northside BUZ buses can be delivered more quickly than a Gympie Road car tunnel, and more easily than constructing the NWTC or a hypothetical alternative (which would likely require 10 years and 3 levels of government to all align).

So, following the 'Public Transport Priority Pyramid', the higher priority is to extend BUZ services into the Northside. Which ones?

- BUZ 359 to Albany Creek (state will have to put in money as it crosses BCC-MBRC council boundaries, BCC ratepayers cannot be expected to shoulder the whole cost)

- BUZ 348 to Chermside via Grange (New). This plugs a gap in the network.

- BUZ 300 via Sandgate Road to Chermside (the existing 300 will be renumbered 305)

These three BUZ routes could probably be delivered as soon as funding becomes available and scoped out, so 12 months.

Quote from: ozbob on October 18, 2023, 10:38:18 AMThis is a surprising poll result. Updated ...

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/journey-on-bert-how-a-metro-in-name-only-risks-embarrassing-brisbane-on-the-world-stage-20230904-p5e1um.html

BERT education campaign has been successful ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1714746474297471066?s=20

Sent to all outlets:

Re: 'Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage'

20th October 2023

Good Morning,

Readers' poll results at Brisbanetimes are interesting.  Most citizens are aware the name " Brisbane Metro " is not a correct name.  It is good Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
That is what it should be known as and promoted as.  Brisbane is a leading proponent of BRT.  Real shame that message is being lost in the constant lampooning of the " Brisbane NOT a Metro".
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/journey-on-bert-how-a-metro-in-name-only-risks-embarrassing-brisbane-on-the-world-stage-20230904-p5e1um.html



It is not too late to give "Brisbane Metro" a proper identity.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Quote from: ozbob on October 18, 2023, 05:36:29 AMSent to all outlets:

'Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage'

18th October 2023

Brisbanetimes has highlighted the inappropriate name " Brisbane Metro " that BCC is using for the improved Bus Rapid Transit using the bi-articulated electric buses.

RAIL Back On Track has constructively suggested a number of times now that a name that reflects what the mode is, is preferable to the poor choice of " Brisbane Metro ".

Brisbanetimes is running a poll and results already confirm how out of touch BCC is.

Brisbanetimes: Journey on BERT: How a metro in name only risks embarrassing Brisbane on the world stage
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/journey-on-bert-how-a-metro-in-name-only-risks-embarrassing-brisbane-on-the-world-stage-20230904-p5e1um.html

RBOT Facebook Post: BERT - Busway Electric Rapid Transit
26th November 2022
https://railbotforum.org/yourls/31



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

There's a couple of claims in the comments that Logan buses will be forced to terminate at EMP and transfer there. Any substance to that?

^ Probably just people assuming 'Brisbane Metro' is a closed system, because well.... you would assume that if it's called 'Brisbane Metro'

Can pretty much guarantee the 555 will be untouched, unless BCC has more sway than even we think they do. I mean, the BUZes are all pretty much untouched

https://x.com/tamhus8/status/1716706434103263574?s=20

Couriermail --> First look: Brisbane Metro's new depot the largest facility in country $

QuoteThe Brisbane Metro project has taken another step forward with the unveiling of the charging depot which will keep the city's new public transport system running.

Brisbane City Council will finish construction on the largest electric bus depot in the country, in Rochedale in Brisbane's outer south, by the end of this year.

The 10-hectare depot will initially be able to charge 60 Metro vehicles, but can expand to as many as 100. It was built with 500 tonnes of structural steel and 25km of cabling. ...

"5 minute service at peak times"

Leave this right here

https://x.com/uxforcities/status/1721340008093638841?s=20

Quote from: JonnoREM is the antithesis of every poorly planned, low utility, and high cost North American transit project - it's an incredible model everyone should be learning from!

Yes, and according to Wikipedia, REM is a privately-financed toll railway, funded through shadow tolls. #OutoftheBox

Public Pension fund CDPQ is the Canadian Quebecois equivalent of our own QIC. The QLD QIC is also a public sector pension fund, among other things. What this suggests is that, in principle, it is possible for QIC to fund a busway if they wanted to and it gave an acceptable return.

QuoteFinancial model
As agreed in 2018, the financial model behind the line requires Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) to pay CDPQ Infra $0.72 for each kilometre traveled by a passenger, following the opening of the line. This amount will increase by inflation.[75][76] CDPQ expects a rate of return of around 8 or 9 percent over the 99-year period.[76]

Sources

Réseau express métropolitain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9seau_express_m%C3%A9tropolitain

NEWS RELEASE RÉSEAU EXPRESS MÉTROPOLITAIN
https://www.cdpq.com/en/news/pressreleases/canada-infrastructure-bank-invests-in-reseau-express-metropolitain-project-with

https://translink.com.au/updates/385076





Must be because of the platform and screen door works occuring at KGS?

^^ It seems so:

Next stage of major construction at King George Square Station
 
From 11 December 2023, the next stage of major construction works at King George Square station will commence, and will include replacing and realigning the platform screen doors to accommodate the new metro vehicles. These works will continue until mid-2024 and will require temporary changes to services at King George Square and Queen Street bus stations.

King George Square and Queen Street bus station changes from 11 December 2023 – June 2024
The following stops at King George Square station will temporarily close: 

Platform 1: 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D
Platform 2: 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D
Affected bus services will be maintained at alternative stops in the following locations:
on William Street, between Queen Street and Elizabeth Street 
on George Street, between Tank Street and Turbot Street
on Roma Street, between Garrick Street and Makerston Street
at Queen Street bus station. 

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro/brisbane-metro-project-news/brisbane-metro-construction-updates#kgs-changes

They have installed new (and likely temporary) bus shelters on William Street outside the Treasury Building to cater for these changes.

Quote from: nathandavid88 on November 28, 2023, 16:02:07 PM^^ It seems so:

Next stage of major construction at King George Square Station
 
From 11 December 2023, the next stage of major construction works at King George Square station will commence, and will include replacing and realigning the platform screen doors to accommodate the new metro vehicles. These works will continue until mid-2024 and will require temporary changes to services at King George Square and Queen Street bus stations.

King George Square and Queen Street bus station changes from 11 December 2023 – June 2024
The following stops at King George Square station will temporarily close: 

Platform 1: 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D
Platform 2: 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D
Affected bus services will be maintained at alternative stops in the following locations:
on William Street, between Queen Street and Elizabeth Street 
on George Street, between Tank Street and Turbot Street
on Roma Street, between Garrick Street and Makerston Street
at Queen Street bus station. 

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro/brisbane-metro-project-news/brisbane-metro-construction-updates#kgs-changes

They have installed new (and likely temporary) bus shelters on William Street outside the Treasury Building to cater for these changes.

here is hoping they don't need to be realigned when this thing is properly turned into a metro!!

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1731323190750908765?s=20

Steven Miles along with his Transport Minister Counterpart, BCC and other stakeholders should restart negotiations with UQ. This can  enable Metro buses to run from Indooroopilly to Carindale as well as Indooroopilly to the city via UQ and the new in line station at the Gabba, along with regular electric buses.

A real metro ...