RAIL - Back On Track Forum

The photos shown all are Translink branding not BCC or splashed with large operator logos.

Branding doesn't mean they are all exactly the same but they are all easily identifiable as Translink.  Think Coke Branding.  No doubting its brand despite the flavor variances.

The operator if shown at all can be small above the door as per the photos

I don't mind the M in the numbering as it should be a metro eventually! 

Also to add Translink gave up on centralising the revenue protection officers, thus we got their Senior Network Officers (SNOs) accompanied by the QPS, QR Authorised Offixers (AOs), Glimk Customer Service Officers (CSOs) and more recently the Bus Network Officers (NOs) from the various Translink contracted companies but with their bus operator logos on the front of the Network Officer shirts.

Quote from: nathandavid88 on July 08, 2024, 11:14:08 AMfairly infrequently seen light blue and white version

Is this not the new 'main' livery for Translink as shown on material after the new rebrand? What I find confusing is that there are still busses coming off of the manufacturing line with the older light green livery. I hope they drop the old one sooner rather than later as I find it quite revolting personally. The light blue one is much nicer IMO.

The dark green 'electric' livery is just a fad that will pass in time when electric busses become the norm.

As with some of the BCC busses, the Indigenous livery is just a special livery which is fine in small quantities, so long as it is still easily identifiable as Translink.

Quote from: Jonno on July 08, 2024, 12:03:55 PMThe photos shown all are Translink branding not BCC or splashed with large operator logos.

Branding doesn't mean they are all exactly the same but they are all easily identifiable as Translink.  Think Coke Branding.  No doubting its brand despite the flavor variances.

The operator if shown at all can be small above the door as per the photos

I don't mind the M in the numbering as it should be a metro eventually! 

Those photos were just to illustrate the inconsistencies between Translink's own branding. Here are photos of the other operators mentioned:

Clarks LCBS



Kinetic GC (former Surfside colours)



Kinetic's Pride Double Decker Bus - rebranded from Translink branding



Here's a video of the rebranding:



It was hard to find a decent photo of Kinetic SC buses - most are either plastered with advertising:


Or still show the old Sunbus branding, like their 'co-branded' double decker bus.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100778

Delivering for Brisbane: State and Council tap on to new bus deal

8th July 2024

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Steven Miles

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

. The Miles Labor Government has cemented a new deal with Brisbane City Council, to ensure Brisbane locals have access to reliable public transport services.

. Additional $75 million will be provided by the State towards the Transport for Brisbane bus network.

. An ongoing 75:25 funding split has been locked in.

The Miles Labor Government has cemented a new deal with Brisbane City Council, to ensure Brisbane locals have access to reliable public transport services.
Additional $75 million will be provided by the State towards the Transport for Brisbane bus network.
An ongoing 75:25 funding split has been locked in.
Premier Steven Miles and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner have today announced a new deal between the State Government and Council to deliver better, more reliable bus services for Brisbane.

The landmark deal will deliver significant upfront investment in public transport by the State Government to keep Brisbane moving, and lays the foundation for long term collaboration with Brisbane City Council.

Brisbane has the highest demand for integrated and connecting public transport services in the state – a demand that will be catered for through new, expanded and integrated public transport offerings under today's agreement.   

Under the deal, an additional 160,000 bus services will be delivered across Brisbane every year.

The Brisbane Metro will also boost capacity by up to 30 million seats annually.

It comes ahead of the nation leading cost of living and congestion busting '50 cent fares' initiative, delivering by the Miles Labor Government.

'50 cent fares' will see all Translink public transport services, including those delivered by Brisbane City Council, offer a flat 50 cent fare no matter how you travel or how far.

A special Council meeting will be held soon to formalise the agreement with the State Government.

The landmark bus funding agreement includes:

. An additional $75 million investment in Brisbane's bus network during 2024-25

. A commitment to a 75 per cent (State) to 25 per cent (Council) funding split

. Demand-responsive bus services, funded by the State and operated by Council during the 50 Cent Fares trial from 5 August

. Rapid deployment of Brisbane Metro vehicles on the busy 169 bus route between Eight Mile Plains and UQ St Lucia from October 2024

. Arrangements made to allow the Brisbane Metro M1 & M2 services to commence when complete

. Collaboration to deliver bus priority projects on key routes, including the Northern Transitway and Mains Road corridors

. A commitment to creating a stronger advisory board to allow a more balanced perspective for investment into the transport services of the Brisbane LGA.

. A northside bus network review following the introduction of Brisbane Metro and Brisbane's New Bus Network (BNBN)

. A commitment to a joint, annual network review process which adds capacity into the network where it's needed

Reform of Brisbane's Bus Network to reduce waste & duplication and improve bus to rail connections
The investment is part of the Miles Labor Government's record $37.4 billion road and transport budget.

That includes a $14 billion investment in railways and $437 million investment in bus infrastructure, to build a better public transport network for Queenslanders.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

"Queenslanders are counting down the days to 5 August when our nation leading 50 cent fares initiatives begins.

"But, they are also expressing concern that our bus network here in Brisbane will be at capacity.

"Today's agreement with Brisbane City Council will make sure we have on-demand bus services ready to roll out from day one to make sure no commuter gets left behind.

"And, that moving forward we are delivering the high frequency, reliable and accessible public transport services that the people of Brisbane deserve.

"That's what matters to Queenslanders, and what matters to me.

"Brisbane City Council is a key partner in delivering multi-modal public transport throughout the region and I'm pleased we could lock in a strong plan for the future of the network."

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:

"We made a commitment to residents to keep Brisbane moving and that's precisely what this deal delivers.

"I want to thank Premier Steven Miles for working closely with us to deliver a better deal for all Brisbane residents.

"Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and one of the most effective ways to reduce congestion is to get more people on our buses.

"We need to make public transport services more frequent and the introduction of Brisbane Metro along with the additional services this agreement funds ensures that happens.

Quotes attribute to Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:

"We want Brisbane's public transport network to be the best in the world, especially as our population grows and as we head to 2032. An integrated network, where buses connect people to rail is essential and we're pleased BCC has committed to work on this with us.

"Brisbane Metro will be a valuable part of the network and I am keen to see it get underway as soon as possible.

"It's great that we now have a deal, in place for 50 cent Fare on the 5th of August."

Quotes attributable to Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Councillor Ryan Murphy:

"Brisbane buses carry two thirds of all public transport passengers and this new deal has secured funding for our buses now and into the future.

"This is a transformative public transport funding deal that will deliver more services, more often, and gives us a remarkable opportunity to reform our network.

"Brisbane residents deserve better bus services and the agreement reached between Council and the State is a win for them and a win for our bus network."

ENDS

Facebook ...

The old best in the world but fundamentally still the 1970's design claim

Huge win for BCC, and demonstrates the effectiveness of financial leverage they have over competing SEQ LGAs.

Northside bus review should keep member HTG happy  and transit way improvements for the northside clear the last hurdles and blockers for Brisbane Metro BRT to extend far into the northside to at least Chermside.

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1810163282910801943

Quote from: #Metro on July 08, 2024, 14:11:31 PMHuge win for BCC, and demonstrates the effectiveness of financial leverage they have over competing SEQ LGAs.

Northside bus review should keep member HTG happy  and transit way improvements for the northside clear the last hurdles and blockers for Brisbane Metro BRT to extend far into the northside to at least Chermside.

overhaul not a review is required! Worst public transport in Australia doesn't need a review it needs CPR!!

Quote from: Jonnooverhaul not a review is required! Worst public transport in Australia doesn't need a review it needs CPR!!

Agree with you there on that, Jonno.

I guess the logic behind the revenue sharing is that unlike other LGAs, BCC retains all bus network route planning powers, and so the State would rather share the gain or pain with BCC (as an incentive to draw better routes) rather than withdraw the network planning powers from BCC entirely (which would be closer to a Perth model).

Again, this sort of policy choice seems to be in line with the culture of the Queensland Government to only act in the presence of a second co-acting stakeholder, and not unilaterally, wherever possible.

Quote from: #Metro on July 08, 2024, 14:37:30 PM

Quote from: Jonnooverhaul not a review is required! Worst public transport in Australia doesn't need a review it needs CPR!!

Agree with you there on that, Jonno.

I guess the logic behind the revenue sharing is that unlike other LGAs, BCC retains all bus network route planning powers, and so the State would rather share the gain or pain with BCC (as an incentive to draw better routes) rather than withdraw the network planning powers from BCC entirely (which would be closer to a Perth model).

Again, this sort of policy choice seems to be in line with the culture of the Queensland Government to only act in the presence of a second co-acting stakeholder, and not unilaterally, wherever possible.

The two aren't necessarily linked. Revenue sharing is a contractual arrangement that replaces a per service arrangement. Happens in lots of industries but it doesn't automatically mean that BCC controls the bus network.

Quote from: ozbob on July 08, 2024, 13:41:21 PMReform of Brisbane's Bus Network to reduce waste & duplication and improve bus to rail connections
The investment is part of the Miles Labor Government's record $37.4 billion road and transport budget.

Great to see a commitment to this in writing

Brisbanetimes --> 'A revolution is coming to transport in the south-east': First Metro routes revealed $

QuoteThe first routes of the Brisbane Metro rollout have been revealed, with the megabuses set to start services two months earlier than predicted.

Ten electric two-carriage megabuses – each able to carry 170 passengers – will begin on the bus route to the University of Queensland from Eight Mile Plains along the South East Busway in October.

The early rollout is a direct outcome of the new funding and revenue agreement between Queensland government and Brisbane City Council, which has financed the $1.4 billion Brisbane Metro project with the federal government.

Under the agreement the state government will now fund 75 per cent of the Brisbane bus network, which had in 2024-25 slid to a 66 per cent share.

"At the moment, we have 18 [Metro] vehicles and more are rolling off the production line every month, at a rate of around four per month," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1810364250214568239

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/a-revolution-is-coming-to-transport-in-the-south-east-first-metro-routes-revealed-20240708-p5jrzv.html

How the bus funding deal works

. There is no share of ticket revenue, as predicted. It is an increased proportion of overall revenue up to 75 per cent from today's 66 per cent - from the state government.

. Historically the state government provided 80 per cent of funds for the Brisbane bus network.

. "It's a overall revenue figure is is that the way it will operate," Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

. "The fare revenue goes to the state. They use that obviously for, you know, their contribution back into the network and they also supplement the fares with an extra contribution as well."

. "That means when the council puts up extra money, the state will put up extra money."

. Brisbane City Council receives a one-off $75 million to cover demand from new 50 cent fares.

Quote from: ozbob on July 09, 2024, 03:21:23 AMBrisbanetimes --> 'A revolution is coming to transport in the south-east': First Metro routes revealed $

QuoteThe first routes of the Brisbane Metro rollout have been revealed, with the megabuses set to start services two months earlier than predicted.

Ten electric two-carriage megabuses – each able to carry 170 passengers – will begin on the bus route to the University of Queensland from Eight Mile Plains along the South East Busway in October.

The early rollout is a direct outcome of the new funding and revenue agreement between Queensland government and Brisbane City Council, which has financed the $1.4 billion Brisbane Metro project with the federal government.

Under the agreement the state government will now fund 75 per cent of the Brisbane bus network, which had in 2024-25 slid to a 66 per cent share.

"At the moment, we have 18 [Metro] vehicles and more are rolling off the production line every month, at a rate of around four per month," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said. ...

Think the definition of revolution needs to be reviewed!! 18 buses with 4 per month! This is augmentation at best. Not even evolution.

8 miles plains to UQ? This is a different route to M1 and M2.??

Quote from: Jonno on July 08, 2024, 15:08:38 PM

Quote from: #Metro on July 08, 2024, 14:37:30 PM

Quote from: Jonnooverhaul not a review is required! Worst public transport in Australia doesn't need a review it needs CPR!!

Agree with you there on that, Jonno.

I guess the logic behind the revenue sharing is that unlike other LGAs, BCC retains all bus network route planning powers, and so the State would rather share the gain or pain with BCC (as an incentive to draw better routes) rather than withdraw the network planning powers from BCC entirely (which would be closer to a Perth model).

Again, this sort of policy choice seems to be in line with the culture of the Queensland Government to only act in the presence of a second co-acting stakeholder, and not unilaterally, wherever possible.

The two aren't necessarily linked. Revenue sharing is a contractual arrangement that replaces a per service arrangement. Happens in lots of industries but it doesn't automatically mean that BCC controls the bus network.

We have seen this time and time again (I think the 222 to chandler was one that got very vocal) where bcc councillors call for the state to extend their bus services as it meant the state would cover the cost. Whereas bcc choosing to randomly extend the P332 to terminate at a school in Taigum because it meant one less bus route using the Chermside interchange in peak hour and increased overall OTP requirements with the state on other routes that used the interchange was covered by bcc (IIRC other routes now bypass the interchange loop such as the 335 to also cut down on blocking of the interchange and increasing otp for routes that use it).

Quote from: Jonno on July 09, 2024, 07:22:17 AMThink the definition of revolution needs to be reviewed!! 18 buses with 4 per month! This is augmentation at best. Not even evolution.

8 miles plains to UQ? This is a different route to M1 and M2.??

Yep, that was the big surprise with this announcement - they are introducing the Metro vehicles into service two months earlier than expected, and using them on a completely different route than the two that were originally proposed (but a route I would consider very complimentary to M1 and M2 - it's basically an M2 for the southern end of the busway, and one that runs at very high headways already).

I'm guessing that as the vehicles are arriving well ahead of progress on the infrastructure, and the funding issues have been 'sorted' as far as BCC are concerned, it makes sense for them to start using the vehicles early, and the 169 was a great candidate route for that.

I guess that also means UQ Lakes and Buranda will be done by then. Makes sense, they're not that complicated compared to Adelaide St.

^^ I thought the work at UQ Lakes was already complete?

Quote from: nathandavid88 on July 09, 2024, 10:12:07 AM^^ I thought the work at UQ Lakes was already complete?

It was basically done by the end of semester for non Metro platform works, but I wasn't sure about the Metro part of the platform, or all the electrical work across the bridge.

Quote from: Jonno on July 09, 2024, 07:22:17 AM

Quote from: ozbob on July 09, 2024, 03:21:23 AMBrisbanetimes --> 'A revolution is coming to transport in the south-east': First Metro routes revealed $

QuoteThe first routes of the Brisbane Metro rollout have been revealed, with the megabuses set to start services two months earlier than predicted.

Ten electric two-carriage megabuses – each able to carry 170 passengers – will begin on the bus route to the University of Queensland from Eight Mile Plains along the South East Busway in October.

The early rollout is a direct outcome of the new funding and revenue agreement between Queensland government and Brisbane City Council, which has financed the $1.4 billion Brisbane Metro project with the federal government.

Under the agreement the state government will now fund 75 per cent of the Brisbane bus network, which had in 2024-25 slid to a 66 per cent share.

"At the moment, we have 18 [Metro] vehicles and more are rolling off the production line every month, at a rate of around four per month," Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said. ...

Think the definition of revolution needs to be reviewed!! 18 buses with 4 per month! This is augmentation at best. Not even evolution.

8 miles plains to UQ? This is a different route to M1 and M2.??

No, this is devolution.

Your allocating 10 "electric two-carriage megabuses" on a route that does not require them or lack the demand for them. This is either appeasement or its a condition from the State as part of the funding agreement. This sounds like a trial still not a rollout. There were no changes to the 169 in the review, nor was it ever planning to use this new vehicles on this route.

They don't have enough vehicles to replace either 66 or 111 services, and they won't until 2-3 years.

Can we get a credible source on the claim that "they are rolling four out per month" Are they really shipping four buses every month or is hyperbole? Can we get seek comments whether or not they will have enough drivers too.

With the funding agreement sorted, there are now zero excuses to delay releasing the bus network review findings and implementing them by September.

For reference, on its busiest point the 169 is a little under half as busy as the 66. But it also runs less frequently than the 66 - on the current timetable in PM peak it's at 15 minute frequency when the 66 is at five minute frequency.

Quote from: GonzoFonzie on July 09, 2024, 10:39:13 AMThis sounds like a trial still not a rollout.

Absolutely, and I think it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do, regardless of larger funding changes. There's no substitute for letting real users do stuff unsupervised.  And of course it might free up a few other high-capacity buses for duties elsewhere.

Yep, sounds fine to me. The 169 is a relatively busy route, so it's good to test on, but it's also able to be serviced with the vehicles and infrastructure already delivered (or nearly delivered).
I'm sure once there's enough 'Metro' buses available to do ribbon cutting, the 169 will return to normal.

A lot of the commentary has been around how the extra funding will 'support' 50-cent fares but zero on where the extra funding will be used. I wonder if they'll just keep the ex-169 fleet on standby and see what comes up in August.

Quote from: GonzoFonzie on July 09, 2024, 10:39:13 AMWith the funding agreement sorted, there are now zero excuses to delay releasing the bus network review findings and implementing them by September.

Presumably, the new schedules (if they exist yet) rely on the 111 and 66 buses being freed up. The review didn't propose many explicit service improvements, so I'm sure they could technically deliver it now, but I wouldn't want to wish for that because then it will stay that way.

Quote from: AnonymouslyBad on July 09, 2024, 18:13:00 PMYep, sounds fine to me. The 169 is a relatively busy route, so it's good to test on, but it's also able to be serviced with the vehicles and infrastructure already delivered (or nearly delivered).
I'm sure once there's enough 'Metro' buses available to do ribbon cutting, the 169 will return to normal.

I asked the question of whether the Metro vehicles would continue to service the 169 route after Metro 1 & 2 start operating, on Adrian Schrinner's Facebook Page, as I was wondering whether it would be a temporary move, and you are correct - the 169 is only going to be temporarily serviced by the Metro vehicles.

QuoteLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will the Metro vehicles continue to service the 169 route after Metro 1 & 2 start operating?

Hi Nathan, 169 is not a permanent Metro route, however, you will still be able to travel to all busway stations between Eight Mile Plains and UQ via M1 and M2 Metro services once they begin.

The revolution is here!!   🐂💩

I wonder if biartics would be worthwhile on the 169, during uni semesters at least? The issue is, though, what you do with them the rest of the year.

^^ Possibly not, keeping in mind that the route would be supplemented by using a combination of M1 + M2 when they start.

All 60 are going to be needed when M1 and M2 are running at their intended 3 minute headways.  If BCC want to run them elsewhere in the long term they need to buy more.

I do think TransLink should be funding articulated buses - not just for Brisbane but also for the rest of SEQ.  There is a near complete absence of higher capacity buses at any TransLink operator outside of Council.  Even Council have a pretty low ratio compared to places like Adelaide.  Most of Council's higher capacity vehicles are tag axle buses with only 2 doors - 157 of those, or 156 depending on whether the one that had the accident the other day is written off - with the other 70 being split into 30 CNG powered artics with only 2 doors and which probably won't be around much longer after Brisbane Metro, and 40 much more recent and better laid out 3-door buses.

Outside Council's fleet, the only other higher capacity vehicles I can think of are the 4 articulated buses in Logan (2 of which only have 2 doors, with the rear door only being a narrow single leaf) and the 8 double deckers on the Gold Coast.  I am not counting anything with only a single front door (even if it is DDA compliant), for obvious reasons.

^ I'm sure there's routes on the Gold Coast that could use artics (e.g. 700-although maybe not when the light rail is completed to Burleigh, 765, probably others), but other than 555, are there any routes in the outer suburban LGAs that would justify them?

^ None at all. But, poor service could well be a factor in that

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-news-live-brisbane-s-shrinking-schools-bodies-of-australians-found-in-philippines-hotel-20240711-p5jsun.html?post=p5797i#p5797i

Metro buses get thumbs down from Labor councillors, thumbs up from Labor premier

Brisbane City Council's Labor opposition remains opposed to the $1.4 billion Metro electric mega-bus project, despite it being backed on Monday by their state Labor colleagues.

 

^ the BCC Labor Opposition is against folk losing their ' one seat journeys '.  Diddums ... 



Again this highlights why we need a proper public transport authority IMHO.

The ALP don't take Brisbane seriously at council level.

In 2028 I expect there to be more Green wards than there are currently, and in 2032 I suspect there will be more Green wards than ALP wards.  They only have themselves to blame.

They seem to be just pushing back for the sake of pushing back, and to generate negative sentiment.

Green team actually named specific routes in their bus plan. It was an actual plan not a high level conceptual strategy, so credits for that.

Should we email Jarred Cassidy with our concerns re his comments about single seat journeys?

They really don't get it!!

https://x.com/jonathanpbryant/status/1811299227869557145?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

https://x.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1815999466513785203?t=hKdTVzi3k2MXJrGHXRWKFg&s=19

I am confused! Is this BCC bus separate from Translink? Does it stop at Translink stops? Do go cards work on it? It just doesn't look like it is part of the translink system!