Metro Tas 2015 Hobart bus network review

[SurfRail]

Fukn embarrasses the hell out of TransLink's botched attempt at explaining what was actually going to happen.  These guys have a population and bus fleet both not even half the size of those found on the Gold Coast and yet this is 3-4 times easier to follow.

http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 10m

Tasmania shows Qld how to do bus network reform > http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/ ... #qldpol #taspol @jackietrad @TransLinkSEQ @TMRQld @Team_Quirk

=====================

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 17 minutes ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @jackietrad @TransLinkSEQ @TMRQld @Team_Quirk Qld, you are a major embarrasment! #qldpol #taspol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th July 2015

Lord Mayor Quirk Drops Ball on Brisbane Bus Network

Good Morning,

Another fun week?

Tasmania is showing Queensland how to do bus reform.

Read here >> http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

This is embarrassing.  At at time when Brisbane and Queensland is attempting to project itself as a ' new world city ' and a ' smarter state ' we cannot even manage something as basic and fundamental as bus network reform for Brisbane.

I hope delegates to the Asia Pacific Cities Summit 2015 can find time to observe the daily ' bus jam ' of near empty buses.  Now that would be enlightening hey?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

7th June 2015

Greetings,

With any infrastructure solutions years and years away it is time to reform the Brisbane bus network.

Lord Mayor Quirk Drops Ball on Brisbane Bus Network

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport reveals that Brisbane City Council's aversion to a new bus network isn't even supported by its own research.

The Courier-Mail reported the Lord Mayor's views on a new bus network, indicating that passengers didn't like connections:

... Mr Quirk has ruled out another review and remains opposed to the interchanges approach. "Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

Actually, Brisbane City Council's own research shows the exact opposite. We refer the Lord Mayor to council's own Lord Mayor's Mass Transit Investigation Report where it states explicitly on page 12:

"A significant number of comments indicated that direct services were not always required and they accepted the need to transfer to reach their destination."

Over 3000 submissions were made to that review. Perhaps it is time Brisbane City Council took its own advice? Our own in-house research for our New Bus Network Proposal http://tiny.cc/netwnetwork also shows people will choose connections if it means affordable fares and more buses more often.

Our New Bus Network Proposal implements Brisbane City Council's own transport recommendations, which we reproduce here:

"System wide recommendations"

* Feeder services: High frequency feeder services, with adequate priority, are required to/from rail and busway line-haul corridors.

* A significant number of comments indicated that direct services were not always required and they accepted the need to transfer to reach their destination.

* Multi Door Access: Minimising embarking/disembarking times is critical in achieving faster journey times. This outcome needs to be facilitated with multiple door access to buses and mass transit vehicles.

* Cross-town services: Cross town services linking major centres outside the CBD and surrounds, new employment nodes such as Australia Trade Coast, railway, busway and BUZ corridors are required to cater for increased diversity of travel. Cross-town routes should have adequate priority and services must be frequent to make them a viable travel choice.

* The busway network needs to be operated with higher capacity buses in the short term. Articulated and/or bi-articulated Bus Rapid Transit vehicles, which could operate exclusively on the busways, need to be priorities in fleet acquisition plans. In the long term, busways will need a larger capacity vehicle that may be readily adapted to light rail or similar vehicle with comparable capacity and performance.

* There is a need for a partnership between Brisbane City Council, State Government and potentially the private sector in proposing to develop new or innovative public transport improvements.

If the Mayor of Auckland, Brisbane's sister city, and Auckland City Council can reform Auckland's bus network so that buses work with trains, ferries and other buses, why can't our Lord Mayor do it?

In our opinion, the Lord Mayor's so-called bus 'evolution' is phoney. It would take five decades to reform the bus network this way.

The time has come for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to call in Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus network and nationalise Brisbane Transport.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

#GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets
http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/getmovingseq-empty-buses-clogging-brisbane-streets/story-fnii5v6w-1227377268454

Lord Mayor's Taskforce: Brisbane Mass Transit Investigation
http://wtsag.org.au/sites/default/files/2009-06-04-Lord%20Mayors%20Tasksforce%20Brisbane%20Mass%20Transit%20Investigation.pdf

Taskforce: The taskforce consisted of Cr David McLachlan (LNP, Taskforce Chair), Mr John Gralton and Mr Stephen Lonie supported by a working group from the Brisbane City Council's Urban Transport Section of Transport and Traffic (City Policy and Strategy Division) performing project secretariat and coordination activities.

Calculation.
c.a. 200 bus routes divided by 4 bus route changes per year is 50 years.

Auckland Transport New Bus Network


Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 3h3 hours ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @Team_Quirk Drops Ball on Brisbane Bus Network
> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11539.msg158393#msg158393 ... ... #qldpol #APCS2015 #busfailBCC

[ozbob]

Public survey results available for Hobart Network Review 2015

--> http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/public-survey-results-available-for-hobart-network-review-2015/

Metro Tasmania has completed the Hobart Network Review public consultation phase and produced a report from the feedback received, which you can read by clicking on the link below.

We thank the three hundred and sixty-nine respondents who submitted written or online surveys, as well as the many stakeholders including Anglicare, COTA Tasmania and relevant councils, who were engaged throughout the consultation process.

The proposal was supported by a majority of respondents, with 74.5% of people strongly supporting, supporting, neutral to, or not affected by the proposal. Results indicated clear support for simplified bus services (57.2%) and more direct routes to improve travel time (61.8%).

Click here for a full report of the survey results.

All feedback received was very helpful in directing our resources to where they can be best utilised. With this proposal we aim to deliver a simpler, faster and more frequent bus services to our customers.

Some of the initiatives that form part of this review include:

    Introduction of Turn Up and GO between Shoreline and Hobart that provides a high frequency services between 7am and 7pm, running every 10 minutes Monday to Friday and every 20-30 minutes on weekends.
    Improved services to Brighton and Old Beach.
    Revitalisation of direct services to the University of Tasmania from the eastern shore and northern suburbs.

We are working closely with community based transport providers to assist any passengers impacted by the proposed changes.

Metro is committed to undertaking an extensive public education campaign in the lead up to the changes to ensure the community is on board with us as we take this important step towards a better connected Hobart.

New timetables associated with the changes will be made available in advance of changes taking effect to allow passengers ample time to plan their travel.

For more information contact our Customer Service Team by calling 13 22 01 or emailing correspondence@metrotas.com.au

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[ozbob]

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service
December 13, 2015 11:00pm
MATT SMITHState Political EditorMercury

BUS passengers have been promised more frequent services, better weekend and evening timetables and more express trips on key routes in the biggest revamp of Metro services in three decades.

Metro Tasmania will today unveil what it is describing as a "faster, smarter and easier" Hobart bus network to cater for a modern capital city.

The new timetable – which has been established after the most comprehensive review in 30 years – will begin on January 10 next year.

SEE THE NEW TIMETABLES HERE

The new service will mean route variations will be more than halved from about 187 routes and variations to about 77.

But the company says ­resources will be used more ­efficiently to provide more frequent buses on more direct routes instead of under-patronised less-frequent ­services.

Metro Tasmania chief executive Stuart Wiggins said the new network was more ­efficient by offering more ­direct and express services, better connections at main inter­changes and increased weekend services in some areas.

Metro has used the success of a Turn Up and Go service between Glenorchy and Hobart as a catalyst for a similar service between Howrah, Rosny Park and the Hobart CBD.

The service involves buses travelling along a route at 10-minute intervals.

Last financial year there were 7.9 million boardings across the Metro network and the Hobart/Glenorchy Turn Up and Go service registered an increase of about 9 per cent.

Other key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.
Metro Tasmania CEO Stuart Wiggins.

Mr Wiggins said the timetable struck the right balance.

"We received hundreds of submissions and were pleased to find that close to 75 per cent of respondents were either supportive or not affected by the changes," he said.

"This tells us we have got it right and the modernised network suits Hobart's needs.

"Metro needs to ensure we maximise our resources to benefit Hobart as a whole and so we are pleased that the new network allows us to service new areas.

"We encourage customers to take a look at new time­tables and plan their travel on the new network.

"Metro representatives will be out assisting customers in the lead up to the changes."

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[#Metro]

The new service will mean route variations will be more than halved from about 187 routes and variations to about 77.
 

It is truly extraordinary that they effectively cut the number of routes in half. Brisbane has about 190 routes, and under the New Bus Network it will have around 118 routes (city loop counted once).

[ozbob]

[#Metro]

^  Couldn't stop laughing. 

[ozbob]

936 ABC Hobart

Metro announces new routes and a prune on variations

>> https://soundcloud.com/936-abc-hobart/metro-announce-new-routes-and-a-prune-on-variations

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th December 2015

Hobart get bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Good Morning,

A few more points to note about Hobart's bus reform:

The Hobart bus network will mean route variations will be more than halved from about 187 routes and variations to about 77.

It is truly extraordinary that they effectively cut the number of routes in half. Brisbane has about 190 routes, and under our New Bus Network it will have around 118 routes (city loop counted once).

The New Hobart Bus Network uses the same route-km as the old one and does everything within its current contract budget allocation.
This makes it cost neutral. The third example of a city that has achieved major changes with virtually no extra funds (other two are Auckland NZ, and Houston USA).

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork .  Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2015

Hobart gets bus review, Brisbane lags behind ...

Greetings,

This is getting very embarrassing and would be a jolly good laugh if it wasn't so tragic for Brisbane.

Hobart is moving ahead it with its bus reform.

Mercury --> Metro Tasmania launches revamped timetable in fresh bid for improved service

Quote:

Key components of the new service include:

UPDATED easy to read maps and timetables created in consultation with adult numeracy literacy educators 26 TEN.

MORE frequent express ser­vices on key routes, including Bridgewater.

NEW direct routes from Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Eastern Shore to Sandy Bay UTAS.

AN expanded and more ­efficient network servicing new areas of Summerleas in Kingston and Oakdowns and Camelot Park on the Eastern Shore.

BETTER connections at main interchanges.

ADDITIONAL evening and weekend services.

MORE frequent and regular services, including servicing UTAS all year instead of during semester.

Brisbane urgently needs proper reform of its bus network. Lack of action on the failing BCC bus network also affects the rest of SEQ and Queensland (through cuts elsewhere).

The situation is a disgrace.

Don't miss the bus, providing you can manage to catch one ..

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf