RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Quote from: #Metro on February 20, 2024, 17:25:35 PMInterview below.

Tracey's making general statements about bus improvement but these are not landing. Really would help if the BUZ program expansion was called out explicitly.

The half price bus fares policy is a lead balloon but it's too late to back out of it now. Apparently the state has agreed with her to break the fare integration *just* for BCC, providing further evidence of the dual transit agency arrangement.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/tracey-price-on-public-transport-food-waste-brisbane-rates/103489266

I think the State Government is just Mr Bailey.  I doubt very much if the State and Translink support it.  She did say previously that she had spoken to  the Minister.  I suspect it was Mr Bailey before he was replaced.

Green Team announced yesterday an additional City Cat terminal for West End.

https://www.amymacmahon.com/new_ferry_westend

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/lnp-greens-clash-over-competing-plans-for-new-citycat-terminals-20240219-p5f64x.html

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/council-elections-2020/waiting-too-long-greens-pledge-for-new-brisbane-citycat-terminal/news-story/ec51312d474e39c00d78a3fd21e30294?amp

Team Schrinner --> Brisbane Metro goes north under Team Schrinner

QuoteTeam Schrinner will take the vital next step to deliver turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro services to northside residents – which Tracey Price and Labor have committed to cut.

A new Brisbane Metro North charging station and depot will be delivered by a re-elected Team Schrinneron a Council-owned site in Fitzgibbon.

The depot is essential for expanding fully electric, high-frequency Metro services into the northern suburbs from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

The state-of-the-art depot will allow high-capacity Brisbane Metro services to utilise the State Government's dedicated 24/7 Northern Transitway and proposed northern busway from Kedron to Bracken Ridge, as well as Gympie Road.

In future, Brisbane Metro North, or the Metro 3 Line, will also be able to utilise the proposed Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel. 

The northern depot will mirror the role of the southern Brisbane Metro depot nearing completion in Rochedale, which cost $125 million to construct and install specialised charging equipment. 

The depot could also house electric buses alongside Brisbane Metro vehicles, helping deliver new and improved suburban services and accelerate Council's transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.

Today, more than 700 bus services currently carry approximately 9000 passengers each weekday along the existing Gympie Road corridor.

High-capacity Brisbane Metro vehicles travelling through Herston, Lutwyche, Kedron, Chermside, Aspley and Carseldine can significantly improve public transport frequency and reduce road congestion for northside residents.

Other Key Points

. The state-of-the-art northern depot will be across a five-hectare site and have capacity to stable, charge and maintain more than 60 new Brisbane Metro vehicles.

. The depot will utilise the same high-tech flash chargers being installed at Rochedale which can charge a Metro vehicle in less than six minutes.

. The Metro 3 route, stops and service frequency will be subject to a suitable operating agreement with the State Government.

. Services could initially run at 5-minute frequencies, with the ability for these to be improved in the future.

. The North-West Transport Network Study undertaken by Brisbane City Council identified bus rapid transit as a key project for tackling congestion.

. The North-West Transport Network Study found bus rapid transit and a proposed underground motorway tunnel linking Kedron to Carseldine were complimentary projects.

. Council's study prompted a detailed investment proposal into a new northside tunnel by North Brisbane Infrastructure, which Team Schrinner strongly supports.

A re-elected Team Schrinner will also advance negotiations with the State Government on a Brisbane Metro Eastern Line between Coorparoo and Capalaba – which Labor and Tracey Price have also committed to cut.

Brisbane Metro East is currently the subject of a study jointly funded between the Brisbane and Redland councils and the State Government.

The significant investment in Brisbane Metro North depot is in addition to Team Schrinner's commitment to increase Council's public transport subsidy by an additional $70 million over the next three years - which Labor and Tracey Price have also committed to cut.

The Brisbane Metro North depot is part of Team Schrinner's four-point transport plan to:

Build Better Roads

Improve Public Transport

Make it easier for people to leave their car at home

Keep Brisbane Moving by making better use of existing infrastructure

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:

"Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing capital city and that's why we're investing record amounts in roads and public transport to keep Brisbane moving.

"This year we will deliver the first services on the turn-up-and-go fully electric Brisbane Metro across two lines and 18 dedicated stations while also planning to expand the network to new areas.

"Brisbane Metro North (Metro 3) can deliver better services to hundreds of thousands of northside residents and relieve congestion.

"Northside commuters travelling on a Brisbane Metro will experience a quieter, safer and more comfortable journey, along with significantly improved accessibility.

"We're confident we will be able to strike an agreement with the State Government where we deliver the depot, and they complete their transitway and busway plans.

"With all levels of government working together, we will be able to deliver Brisbane Metro services to the northern suburbs and relieve congestion.

"We also believe an airport and eastern route through to Carindale is important to improving Brisbane's public transport system and reducing congestion in the future.

"Our plan is in stark contrast to Tracey Price and Labor who oppose Brisbane Metro services expanding to more suburbs and plan to tackle congestion by establishing a committee."

Since when is the Gympie Rd transitway 24/7? Last I heard it was to be peak hours only.

Also cements in that all they are doing is commiting to build the depot, nothing more. They only have enough buses to barely run the two SEB routes, with no commitments made to buy any more at this point, plus relying on a future agreement with the State for the state to build more infrastructure to make their wet dreams work, so this is pure vote bait.

Then they state it could use the future Gympie Rd bypass tunnel?! What is the point in that, spend so much money on these buses just to make them rockets? 

This whole election (all parties are guilty in this) just shines so much light on just why BCC need their tranaport planning powers taken away from them and everything rolled in to one QLD Public Transport agency.

Couriermail --> The major Brisbane roads where Greens want more bus, transit lanes $

QuoteThe Greens will unveil plans to turn traffic lanes on six Brisbane roads into bus lanes or transit lanes as part of their proposal to ease congestion by improving the bus network.

Lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan is confident the plan can be rolled out within the four years if he gains power in Brisbane City Council at the March 16 election.

The Greens' proposed lane changes are part of their broader Brissie Bus Boost initiative, which Mr Sriranganathan acknowledges is a complex proposal, but he is adamant that it will be cheaper and simpler in the long run instead of continued road-widening projects.

The Greens will on Friday commit to turning existing lanes on Coronation Drive, Mains Rd and Kelvin Grove Rd into bus or transit lanes to support more high-frequency buses.

The party also has plans for other bus lanes and T2/T3 lanes on the Lutwyche, Ipswich and Old Cleveland Road corridors.

On Coronation Drive, the third inbound lane would be converted to a dedicated bus lane, while the second outbound lane would be converted to a T3 transit lane.

On the Mains Rd corridor through Sunnybank between Compton Rd and Omeo St, the third lane in each direction would be converted to a dedicated bus lane.

Between Omeo St and the Pacific Motorway, the third inbound lane on Mains Rd would be converted to a bus lane, while the second outbound lane would become a T3 lane.

On Kelvin Grove Rd, the existing transit lanes would be changed to dedicated bus lanes, and extended from Windsor to Samford Road at Alderley. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1760737148133855372?s=20

QuoteThe Greens will unveil plans to turn traffic lanes on six Brisbane roads into bus lanes or transit lanes as part of their proposal to ease congestion by improving the bus network.

You must be pleased with this policy announcement, Jonno. 

Looking forward to other candidates trying to argue that more bus lanes is a bad thing.

New ferry terminal for West End

https://www.amymacmahon.com/new_ferry_westend

====

Brisbanetimes --> LNP, Greens clash over competing plans for new CityCat terminals $

QuoteA second CityCat terminal will be built in West End if the Greens win, or are in a position to influence, Brisbane City Council after the March 16 election.

But to do so, council would have to strip funding already set aside for a new ferry and CityCat terminal in the CBD slated to support the $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project. ...

Couriermail --> 'Waiting too long': Greens' pledge for new Brisbane CityCat terminal $

QuoteThe 13-year battle for an inner-city suburb to get a second CityCat terminal has been reignited by the Greens less than a month out from the Brisbane council election.

Lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan has committed to delivering a new West End ferry terminal over the next four years, if they gain power on March 16.

The second terminal was first identified for delivery in the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan in 2011 under LNP Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

Mr Sriranganathan has costed the project at $10-15m, suggesting the money required could come from council's existing rolling budget allocation for new ferry terminals.

The 2011 South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan suggested the second CityCat terminal be built at Victoria Street.

The Greens agree the best location would be along Riverside Drive near Victoria Street or Beesley Street, but there may also be a case for putting it closer to Davies Park. ...

Quote from: Gazza on February 23, 2024, 07:09:12 AMLooking forward to other candidates trying to argue that more bus lanes is a bad thing.

Mark Bailey has been pretty relentless on socials against the tram corridor on Ipswich road. It's pretty easy votebait really, to just point at all the traffic and go "now imagine all of this in LESS lanes!"

I'm sure he'll have a crack at the bus lanes as well. The general public falls for it pretty well.

Still dumb that he's chiming in at all considering a) he's no longer transport Minister and b ) it's a council election and he's in state gov

More bus priority on those corridors is absolutely a good thing.

Quote from: timh on February 23, 2024, 08:25:42 AM

Quote from: Gazza on February 23, 2024, 07:09:12 AMLooking forward to other candidates trying to argue that more bus lanes is a bad thing.

Mark Bailey has been pretty relentless on socials against the tram corridor on Ipswich road. It's pretty easy votebait really, to just point at all the traffic and go "now imagine all of this in LESS lanes!"

I'm sure he'll have a crack at the bus lanes as well. The general public falls for it pretty well.

Still dumb that he's chiming in at all considering a) he's no longer transport Minister and b ) it's a council election and he's in state gov

and his legacy is an increase in mode share of trips by motor vehicle!

His comments demonstrate exactly why it has occurred!!

Bus lanes won't work along Coronation Drive. The traffic volumes are too great. Once they build a tunnel from Toowong to Buranda they could convert the outer lanes of Coronation Drive to transit or bus lanes once again.

Quote from: Verbatim9Bus lanes won't work along Coronation Drive. The traffic volumes are too great. Once they build a tunnel from Toowong to Buranda they could convert the outer lanes of Coronation Drive to transit or bus lanes once again.

Depends on how you view 'to work'. There previously was a bus lane on Coronation Drive and it seemed to work well. The motorists got lane envy about it sitting in congestion, but buses did use it well. After the lanes were removed, the Legacy Way tunnel was marketed on the idea that this would divert enough traffic to permit the bus lane to be reinstated. Of course, 2000 daily express buses was also part of that (misleading) marketing...

Lane could be re-established as a T2 lane, just as elsewhere in the city. But, there would also be less of a need for the lane if buses fed trains at Indooroopilly.

Quote from: #Metro on February 23, 2024, 19:01:23 PM

Quote from: Verbatim9Bus lanes won't work along Coronation Drive. The traffic volumes are too great. Once they build a tunnel from Toowong to Buranda they could convert the outer lanes of Coronation Drive to transit or bus lanes once again.

Depends on how you view 'to work'. There previously was a bus lane on Coronation Drive and it seemed to work well. The motorists got lane envy about it sitting in congestion, but buses did use it well. After the lanes were removed, the Legacy Way tunnel was marketed on the idea that this would divert enough traffic to permit the bus lane to be reinstated. Of course, 2000 daily express buses was also part of that (misleading) marketing...

Lane could be re-established as a T2 lane, just as elsewhere in the city. But, there would also be less of a need for the lane if buses fed trains at Indooroopilly.

There is still far too much traffic in each direction. They won't go back to those bi directional peak lanes, as it's expensive to build, manage and maintain for minimal gain.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/labor-lord-mayoral-candidate-tracey-price-preferences-greens-opponent-jonathan-sriranganathan-over-lnp/news-story/240cc036f729d21f7f6be93f271bc42c

Quote... Labor's lord mayoral candidate has asked voters to preference her radical Greens' opponent in the race to helm Australia's largest council, sparking accusations of a power-sharing deal.

How-to-vote cards for lord mayoral hopeful Tracey Price have revealed the official suggestion to voters is to put her first and give their immediate preference to Greens' mayoral hopeful Jonathan Sriranganathan – who has faced court over protests and come under fire for out-there social media posts.

The cards then recommend numbering the rest of the boxes with the LNP at the bottom. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Greens want to ban cars in more traffic lanes to give buses a clear run $

QuoteOne car lane on Coronation Drive, Kelvin Grove Road and Main Street at Kangaroo Point would be converted to bus lanes if the Greens won the Brisbane City Council election in March.

But to pay for the bus lanes, part of a broader pitch to create 15 new bus routes to attract more passengers, the party would have to divert funding already committed to road-widening projects.

The Greens would also need agreements with Translink and the Department of Transport and Main Roads. ...

Brissie Bus Boost

I have shared this post to RBoT FB Feed.  Good policy!

Quote from: Courier-MailHow-to-vote cards for lord mayoral hopeful Tracey Price have revealed the official suggestion to voters is to put her first and give their immediate preference to Greens' mayoral hopeful Jonathan Sriranganathan – who has faced court over protests and come under fire for out-there social media posts.

Let the people decide. It is not parties who decide where to put votes - these are simply ignorable recommendations.

Whoever the people choose to sit in City Hall is who they will have to work with. They should work together because they will all be democratically elected and paid to be there.

And let's not forget the Blue team is a coalition as well. A fact often forgotten.

I ignore how to vote cards.  Absolutely.   

The voting system is not really consistent as you can still vote 1 at local government elections. Despite this, I reckon lots of people will cast a preferential vote, as they are used to doing so at state and federal elections.

Couriermail --> Lord Mayor Adrian Scrhinner pledges CityCat services to Howard Smith Wharves if re-elected $

QuoteGetting to one of Brisbane CBD's hottest riverside party precincts would get a whole lot easier under an election campaign pledge from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

It's about to get a whole lot easier to get to one of Brisbane's hottest dining hubs without a car, with a new CityCat station set to open at Howard Smith Wharves.

The HSW ferry terminal, which opened in December 2021, is currently serviced by the CityHopper and Cross River Ferry, but the addition of CityCat services would allow residents and visitors to travel to the popular party precinct from anywhere on the existing CityCat network without having to change vessels.

Under an election campaign pledge from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to boost services, CityCats would begin servicing the wharves shortly after the upcoming March council poll – pending approval from TransLink – making more than 200 stops a week.

Some 45,000 people travel to or from HSW on the CityHopper or Cross River Ferry Service annually, but the visitor numbers are expected to swell with the launch of the CityCat station and the move of the bridge climb base from the opposite side of the river.

The HSW terminal was built with capacity for additional vessels, meaning no upgrade is required to cater for CityCats. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane moves closer to electrifying its ferry fleet $

QuoteCommuters could soon be travelling the Brisbane River on electric-powered ferries with the Schrinner council announcing plans to launch a clean cross-river service by 2027 if they retain power at the next election.

The proposed electric or hybrid vessel would service the popular Bulimba to Teneriffe route, which clocked more than 170,000 trips in 2023.

The first "clean, green-powered ferry" for Brisbane would feature solar panels on the roof and have the capacity to ferry about 80 passengers on board.

"We're improving public transport to make it more reliable, more sustainable, and even easier for you to leave the car at home," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

"Whether it's the fully electric Brisbane Metro or new electric ferries, we're working to improve public transport and use the latest technology to keep Brisbane heading in the right direction."

Council said it has approval to go to tender for construction of the vessel next financial year, with hopes to launch the service in the 2026-27 financial year. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Which party has the best ideas for making Brisbane better for walking and riding?

QuoteWho has the best vision for making Brisbane a better city to walk, cycle or e-scooter: the LNP, Labor or the Greens?

Even if you love your car, encouraging more people to walk or ride will reduce congestion on Brisbane's clogged roads for everyone.

School commutes make up one in four car trips during the morning peak hour, while research shows one in three trips are shorter than six kilometres, and often more local than city-bound, so there is scope to boost cycling and walking trips. ...

The Brisbane Channel - Adrian Schrinner

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1763572062998638964?s=20

For what it is worth this is the RBoT BCC Election 2024 Public & Active Transport Policy Scorecard.

Rightly or wrongly, the Brisbane City Council is unique in the sense that it does operate as a 'de facto transit agency' at times. This duplicity is counter-productive to good public transport outcomes for SEQ, which is a lot more than just the Brisbane BCC area.  We do not support cheap or no fares for just the BCC area as an inducement for votes.  Fare policy is rightly the domain of the Translink and the State Government and fare initiatives need to be consistent across SEQ and regional Queensland in our view.

That said, overall the Greens have been stronger than the both the ALP and LNP on public and active transport.  The fact is, we cannot keep widening and building more roads in Brisbane, the congestion will only get worse.  Public and active transport must be prioritised over more congestion inducing roads.

Sent to all outlets:

Greetings,

For what it is worth this is the RAIL Back On Track BCC Election 2024 Public & Active Transport Policy Scorecard.



[Scores out of 18: Greens 15, Labor 12, LNP 10]

Rightly or wrongly, the Brisbane City Council is unique in the sense that it does operate as a 'de facto transit agency' at times.
This duplicity is counter-productive to good public transport outcomes for SEQ, which is a lot more than just the Brisbane BCC area. 

We do not support cheap or no fares for just the BCC area as an inducement for votes. 
Fare policy is rightly the domain of the Translink and the State Government and fare initiatives need to be consistent across SEQ and regional Queensland in our view.

That said, overall, the Greens have been stronger than both the ALP and LNP on public and active transport. 

The fact is, we cannot keep widening and building more roads in Brisbane, the congestion will only get worse. 

Public and active transport must be prioritised over more congestion inducing roads.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Facebook ...

 

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1763719493896020250?s=20

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane has more cash to splash than most councils. But whose is it? $

QuoteSince the calendar flicked over to 2024, both the Labor and Greens campaigns for City Hall have pitched lowering (or scrapping) various public transport fares.

But with the overlapping spheres of government influence, both also come with an asterisk: the state, which controls or also has a role in the systems, would need to allow it. ...

Sent to all outlets:

BCC Election ' vote bait ' fare fiasco

5th March 2024

Good Morning,

It  has been reported in the Brisbanetimes today ' Brisbane has more cash to splash than most councils. But whose is it? '  https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/brisbane-has-more-cash-to-splash-than-most-councils-but-whose-is-it-20240221-p5f6oh.html
when referring to the Labor and Greens vote bait  '  lowering (or scrapping) various public transport fares. ' that

"For it's part, the state government says it would welcome any initiative which encouraged public transport use. Just as long as the council footed the bill.

"However, any reduction or removal of fares would need to be absorbed by the council," Transport Minister Bart Mellish told Brisbane Times in a statement".

The fare policies of the Greens and Labor Lord Mayoral Candidates for the BCC 2024 election are anti-fare integration for SEQ and would have very perverse boundary outcomes.
The drain on the BCC Budget would be considerable and BCC rate payers would be rightly upset, particularly as non BCC rate payers would also access the 'vote bait' fares.

Public transport research consistently shows that fare cost is only a minor reason why people don't use public transport.  The main reasons for not using public transport are poor frequency and the public transport not being in place/accessible.  We suggest Minister Mellish needs to focus on improving public transport service frequency, and improving public transport coverage in the rest of SEQ, rather than pandering to party politics in the BCC Election.

This fare fiasco again highlights the failure to properly put in place a proper Public Transport Authority for Queensland. 
The days of BCC acting as a de facto transit agency should come to an end. SEQ and Queensland is a lot bigger than BCC.

Thank you.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/805891111577746?comment_id=736114708654522

Brisbanetimes --> All bets are off as Greens tout housing takeover of Eagle Farm racecourse $

QuoteA Greens-led Brisbane City Council would buy Eagle Farm racecourse – compulsorily if necessary – to provide public and affordable housing for up to 10,000 residents, lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan will announce on Tuesday.

If the vision was realised, 4000 homes would be built in a series of five-storey buildings, which would also include ground-level shops, offices and services. ...

... Sriranganathan said such an influx of residents – the Greens estimated about 10,000 would live in the precinct – should prompt the Queensland government to duplicate the Doomben train line, which would allow trains at nearby Ascot station every 15 minutes, seven days a week. ...

More evidence of a 'de facto' dual transit agency arrangement existing in Brisbane.

This unofficial/unwritten policy gives BCC the power to set Translink fare levels and do it in a mode-specific/geographic way.

Quote"However, any reduction or removal of fares would need to be absorbed by the council," Transport Minister Bart Mellish told Brisbane Times in a statement".

This isn't 'working together', it's the State Government vacating the field.

If other councils start doing this, the distance based zoning system will break down into an LGA based one.

So a 20 km trip south is going to be a very different cost to one going north or west of the city.

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1764720721652310392?s=20

Quote from: ozbob on March 05, 2024, 02:47:07 AMBrisbanetimes --> All bets are off as Greens tout housing takeover of Eagle Farm racecourse $

QuoteA Greens-led Brisbane City Council would buy Eagle Farm racecourse – compulsorily if necessary – to provide public and affordable housing for up to 10,000 residents, lord mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan will announce on Tuesday.

If the vision was realised, 4000 homes would be built in a series of five-storey buildings, which would also include ground-level shops, offices and services. ...

... Sriranganathan said such an influx of residents – the Greens estimated about 10,000 would live in the precinct – should prompt the Queensland government to duplicate the Doomben train line, which would allow trains at nearby Ascot station every 15 minutes, seven days a week. ...

IANAL, but I think the Greens might find that building housing is not a valid purpose for a Council to compulsorily acquire land. No wonder the release was embargoed!