Cairns Bus Review + TransLink brand rollout

[techblitz]

http://www.translink.com.au/cairns

Exciting news for TransLink! From Monday 8 September TransLink will be introduced to the Cairns region along with some exciting changes to public transport. There will be 24/7 customer access through TransLink's call centre and online journey planner.

[ozbob]

This is the ' pilot ' for the roll out of the TransLink brand to Q-connect  ...

[aldonius]

With any luck in 15 years we'll have go card statewide too (not one integrated fare-zone system, one payment platform).

[SurfRail]

The timetables have been converted over to resemble the SEQ ones, except the cartography is about 5 times better:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/140908-C-110,110N,111.pdf

[dancingmongoose]

Wish we had their fares...

[Gazza]

Frequency is about 4 times better on that corridor than some parts of the GC.
4bph, nice!

[ozbob]

Wish we had their fares...

Fares on qconnect generally are around half to a third the cost of SEQ fares ...  note not all jurisdictions have periodicals though (daily, weekly).  Main ones do.

SEQ fares were more comparable prior to 2010, the massive fare increases for SEQ  since 2010 have lead to that differential.  Whilst SEQ was being belted with 20% 15% 7.5% for go more for paper, qconnect fares only went up by CPI essentially.

[SurfRail]

Frequency is about 4 times better on that corridor than some parts of the GC.
4bph, nice!

It's more than that if you count the other routes heading north.

Cairns seems to be a fair bit easier to service than Townsville owing to its shape.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th August 2014

Discover Cairns ... Brand TransLink on the roll ...

Greetings,

Apart from the public transport mess - network and fares, in south-east Queensland, there is the wider qconnect urban bus services throughout regional Queensland.  See > http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx .  Fares for these important public transport services are around half or less compared to the current high cost fares in south-east Queensland.  Frequency of the buses in the main regional centres is generally very good, and in some cases better than a lot of bus services in SEQ!

The TransLink brand is finally being rolled out to qconnect.  The first pilot for this is the Cairns urban bus system. See Discover Cairns > http://translink.com.au/cairns  Many of the urban bus fare systems include daily and weekly tickets.

We believe TransLink branding is a good move overall.   Our chief concern though is the potential impact on fare costs for regional Queensland.  No one would want to see the anti-public transport obscene fare increases delivered to south-east Queensland since 2010, rolled out to the urban bus system.

It is not clear if go card smart ticketing will be rolled out to all the urban bus networks. Certainly will not happen generally with the present go card, but might happen with the next generation ticket system due in 2016, although we understand no final decision has been made with respect to this.

Rather then punish regional Queensland with massive fare increases, the failed high cost fare system in south-east Queensland needs fixing. Rorting and frank fare evasion is rife!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

A better bus network for Cairns (guide) -->here! PDF 8MB

[ozbob]

^ Cairns improvements include:

•        hourly weekend and public holiday services

•        additional Friday night services

•        the new Cairns City bus station on Lake Street

•        improvements to bus stop infrastructure throughout the region

•        minor timetable changes with routes no longer servicing The Pier

•        access to new customer service channels 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the introduction of the TransLink brand, including a Contact Centre, a dedicated website www.translink.com.au/cairns and journey planner

•        services operating regularly (every 3-10 minutes) between Cairns Central Shopping Centre and Cairns City bus station

•        service improvements for Caravonica residents

•        four new bus stops on each side of Lake Street have been installed providing better access for customers heading to Cairns Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital.

[ozbob]

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Cairns bus service boost

Cairns families will be able to get around the city quicker and easier with more than 100 new bus services a week operating out of the new Cairns City bus station in Lake Street.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson joined Member for Cairns Gavin King at the Party on Lake event to officially open the new Cairns City bus station.

"It was important to increase frequency on the weekends and we are delivering on our strong plan to revitalise frontline services by contributing $5 million toward the new bus station," Mr Emerson said.

"From Monday 8 September passengers will have improved access to the newly redeveloped Cairns CBD and surrounding retail hub, providing a welcome boost for the local economy.

"Labor failed to deliver for the people of Cairns, but this move has created a brighter future for families.

"There will be nine additional late night services in and out of the city on Friday night and a number of additional buses on Saturdays and Sundays, meaning that several routes will now run to an hourly timetable on weekends."

Mr King said the 113 extra bus services provide a boost to public transport in Cairns making it easier for families and tourists to enjoy the city during the weekend.

"On top of the new services, TransLink will now be responsible for managing public transport in Cairns," Mr King.

"This will mean passengers will now have access to a one-stop shop for public transport information including the Journey Planner and 24/7 Customer Service line.

"TransLink will continue to work with Cairns Regional Council after the brand rollout on a bus stop upgrade program to ensure the city's public transport network meets customers' expectations.

"We will also continue to work with the local bus operator, Sunbus, to provide frequent, reliable and affordable public transport in the region."

For more information on public transport in Cairns, visit www.translink.com.au/cairns or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

[ENDS]

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp 21m

Great to be in Cairns to join @gavking for official opening of new Lake St bus station with extra services #qldpol



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^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 18m

@scottemersonmp @gavking Fares are very reasonable for Cairns and the other regional urban bus networks too! #qldpol not so SEQ ... ;-)