BCC Bus Network + Frequent Rail Network Map

[#Metro]

Neither TransLink nor BCC has publicly released a system map. These are very common overseas, for example:

Toronto TTC https://www.ttc.ca/Routes/General_Information/Maps/System.jsp,
Vancouver http://infomaps.translink.ca/System_Maps/96/Frequent_Transit_Network_Map.pdf

I have made a map of the BCC bus network, coded by frequency (thicker = more frequent; BUZ = red, 30 min = black, 60 min = hourly, peak only = blue) and with frequent rail (indicated).

BRISBANE (2014)



BCC Bus Network Map + Frequent Rail
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.k1adG6JPlvmg

Some variation is present due to inbound/outbound variations in routings.

Feedback
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tG-bkFM-f8Wwz-4xDGvWAkEL4_Zi_AW8ixyMVB72bHM/viewform?usp=send_form

[ozbob]

   Thanks!

[ozbob]

Media release 9th July 2014



Brisbane City Council Bus Network Map Released

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has released a system map of the BCC bus network and frequent rail for Brisbane.

BCC Bus Network Map + Frequent Rail https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.k1adG6JPlvmg

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Neither BCC nor TransLink have released a system map despite this being standard practice overseas (e.g. Toronto, Vancouver). We therefore plotted our own.

"From the map of BCC's bus network it is clear that Yeronga is Brisbane's worst public transport black hole. The entire suburb is stuck with hourly access despite being just 5km from the Brisbane CBD.

"We previously believed poor service on the northside was limited to Albany Creek. It is now clear that the entire northside of Brisbane has a major access problem. There are a high number of ultra low frequency bus services that are highly indirect. One bus even drives in a circle (Aspley 337). This is surprising, since the road network on the northside is a grid. If these buses were driven east across the city, they would feed into the rail network easily.

"On the Westside, the Centenary suburbs have different buses for different days of the week (450 on weekends, 454 on weekdays) and no BUZ access. The situation is even worse for residents of Sinammon Park and Seventeen Mile Rocks where access is only hourly.

"Excessive duplication by BCC buses is evident on the Old Cleveland Road corridor. This suggests $400/annum ratepayer money is being used to run high frequency air to the exclusion of service in other Brisbane suburbs and frequent service on both Chatsworth and Stanley Roads.

"By driving existing buses across the city rather than sending them all to the Brisbane CBD, an enormous expansion of service and mobility can be realised at low or no additional cost.

"RAIL Back on Track seeks bipartisan commitment to full scale bus network and rail reform from all parties contesting the 2015 Queensland Election. Queensland Rail must be put on a path to driver only operations and the BCC bus network must be rationalised. This way, low cost and abundant public transport for SEQ can be guaranteed."

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

References:

High frequency bus services are represented by thick red lines, whereas 30 minute and 60 minute or worse services are represented by thinner black and green lines respectively. Peak-only services are represented by thin blue lines. Frequent sections of the rail network have also been included.

Note: Variation may be present due to differences in inbound/outbound service patterns and one way streets. We welcome suggestions on improvements to the map at the link.

Examples of cites where bus network reform is occurring:

Auckland, NZ http://www.humantransit.org/2012/10/auckland-how-network-redesign-can-transform-a-citys-possibilities.html

Columbus, USA http://www.humantransit.org/2014/05/columbus-a-new-transit-network-plan.html

Houston, USA http://www.humantransit.org/2014/05/houston-a-transit-network-reimagined.html

System Maps - Examples Toronto TTC https://www.ttc.ca/Routes/General_Information/Maps/System.jsp, Vancouver http://infomaps.translink.ca/System_Maps/96/Frequent_Transit_Network_Map.pdf

Feedback https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tG-bkFM-f8Wwz-4xDGvWAkEL4_Zi_AW8ixyMVB72bHM/viewform?usp=send_form

Excerpt from the map:

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af104/tramtrain/busmap_zps24910b90.png

[Derwan]

Hmm.... 340 is incorrect.  It doesn't go up through Zillmere but does go down Webster Rd.

[James]

For the 4xx series/Inala buses, just a few things:
1. 412 needs to extend to St Lucia South (shown as a UQ terminator)
2. P443 runs via Coro Drive (the breeze was downriver instead of upriver on the day they made this route, hence why it runs via Coro instead of via the Western Fwy)
3. 433/445 are shown running via Stamford Rd, which is now partially closed - it now runs along Station Rd, Westminster Rd and Coonan St
4. 450 needs to follow 453 routing exactly Jindalee - Mt Ommaney and 457 is pre-paid i.e. P457.
5. 467 just goes into the Mt Ommaney terminus like the other routes.
6. 102 and 103 routings are both incorrect (don't forget the Centenary Village extension for 103!).

[#Metro]

Feedback https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tG-bkFM-f8Wwz-4xDGvWAkEL4_Zi_AW8ixyMVB72bHM/viewform?usp=send_form

[dwb]

Maybe the map could look at stop frequency, using the GTFS file? Then have routes underneath? Also perhaps the basemap could be more google-like for simplicity and clarity - perhaps with some land uses/population density shown as not all land (transport demand) is equal.

[aldonius]

Over the past while I've been thinking about ways to better create frequent maps in very much that way - by looking at combined corridor frequency from GTFS. Gets interesting with 3 different stopping patterns (Gympie Rd/Busway/AirportLink).

First, one needs a 'stop to stop' timetable representation. For example at Northgate heading north: there would be [(time, route code)] services to Bindha +or beyond; [...] services to Virginia +or beyond; and [...] services running express to [...] station +or beyond.

Second, one needs the path that each stopping pattern follows.

Third, one needs to represent this graphically. Particular problems: frequency, span, overlaid stopping patterns.

[#Metro]

If someone can make a better one - post. Thanks

[ozbob]

 

Interview 4BC Drive with host Ben Davis and Robert Dow on the map and problem areas --> here! MP3  9MB

[ozbob]

[newbris]

Great map. In the area I know well it shows Red Hill is one of the highest density housing areas in Brisbane and only a few km from the city but has poor off peak frequency.

Apart from the minority portion close enough to walk to the maroon glider the whole waterworks corridor off-peak out to Ashgrove West seems to be "Bulimba style", despite being even closer to the cbd. The black line 350 shown on the map has only one stop along waterworks so doesn't do much to help this. The translink review fixed all of this up as well.

Maybe it doesn't need high frequency off peak as it rarely gets a mention...does anyone know ?

[techblitz]

rarely gets a mention because we never actually hear anything from local residents of these suburbs arguing for better services. The stinkup from locals over those waterworks rd off-peak cutbacks was almost non-existent..Perhaps due to the relatively free flowing waterworks rd...a lot of people choose to drive in the off-peak....hence less demand.
Red hill has so much student potential due to its proximity to QUT kelvin grove via roma st/normanby.

[aldonius]

I'll have a vector schematic of the OP done by the end of October (uni mid-sem break and all that).

Well, the daytime frequents, anyway.

[newbris]

rarely gets a mention because we never actually hear anything from local residents of these suburbs arguing for better services. The stinkup from locals over those waterworks rd off-peak cutbacks was almost non-existent..Perhaps due to the relatively free flowing waterworks rd...a lot of people choose to drive in the off-peak....hence less demand.
Red hill has so much student potential due to its proximity to QUT kelvin grove via roma st/normanby.

I wonder why given waterworks in peak doesn't seem to be rated better for driving in peak than other inner urban roads so is probably similar in off-peak as well. Though most of them seem fine in off-peak to me.

I would think the destination and day might make more difference. Going to the city/southbank/valley off-peak would still be somewhat difficult in a car during the week for parking, less so on the weekend. Conditions don't seem that much different to Yeronga really...do the people there complain a lot about their crappy off-peak service ?

Isn't QUT via Roma St a big detour from Red Hill ?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st August 2014

New Dawn For Brisbane Bus Network: Brisbane should take Auckland's Lead

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted opportunity for more efficient services through network redesign.

We welcome competitive contracting for buses. It is our view that the largest inefficiencies within Brisbane Transport are to do with the network design (which route the bus takes).
This is a result of the current 'taxi' model of bus operation where use bus-train connections are generally avoided, resulting in longer vehicle journeys, higher service production costs and ultimately, taxi-style fare levels.

When cities reach a certain size, the 'taxi' model breaks down. The city becomes too large to give everyone high frequency, direct trips and low fares all at the same time. This is why fares exploded slamming the disadvantaged and needy with unaffordable fares. It is why large gaping holes appear in BCC's bus network in Yeronga, Centenary, Bulimba, and Albany Creek.

Toronto, Vancouver and Stockholm do not use this 'taxi' model, and Auckland's bus review is abandoning it as well.

We have shown where the problems are in the current network by creating the first map with all BCC bus routes on it.

See here --> BCC Bus Network Map + Frequent Rail https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.k1adG6JPlvmg

This is what Auckland is doing- and their bus review was almost identical to Brisbane's failed first attempt -->

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. Auckland's New Public Transport Network


2. 9 Jul 2014: Brisbane City Council Bus Network Map Released
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10812.0

3.  30 July 2014: Interview 4BC Drive with host Ben Davis and Robert Dow on the map and problem areas
-->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10810.msg144803#msg144803

[James]

rarely gets a mention because we never actually hear anything from local residents of these suburbs arguing for better services. The stinkup from locals over those waterworks rd off-peak cutbacks was almost non-existent..Perhaps due to the relatively free flowing waterworks rd...a lot of people choose to drive in the off-peak....hence less demand.
Red hill has so much student potential due to its proximity to QUT kelvin grove via roma st/normanby.

We rarely hear arguments for better service (that are rational) because by and large, people find the status quo (in many cases) adequate - that is, for about >90% of people in Brisbane, the fact they have a bus running to places of interest is not important to them. Some people live on BUZ routes to their local major shopping centre/City and still choose to drive, even though there is no reason.

Off-peak also has a lot less patronage generally, so less people to whinge. Same can be said for 470 or 475 - although I'd say those changes were not well publicised. They split the 475 into two routes which was great - and then cut it to hourly! There were complaints on the 234, but that was a 'direct services' thing more than anything.

[ozbob]

--> http://t.co/9oo4euXLsq

12th August 2014: 7 News Brisbane feature Public transport issues Brisbane and suburbs

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th August 2014

Re: New Dawn For Bus Network: Brisbane should take Auckland's Lead

Greetings,

Channel 7 News Brisbane ran an item on Public Transport ' Black Spots ' on the 6pm news bulletin last evening.

--> http://t.co/9oo4euXLsq

Thanks to Channel 7 News for a succinct commentary on some of the basic issues facing the public transport network design failures in SEQ.

TransLink did attempt to sort the failing network in 2013.  Non cooperation by BCC did not help that attempt. Hopefully some lessons have been learned and our network can now be reformed for benefit of all our community.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

1st August 2014

New Dawn For Brisbane Bus Network: Brisbane should take Auckland's Lead

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted opportunity for more efficient services through network redesign.

We welcome competitive contracting for buses. It is our view that the largest inefficiencies within Brisbane Transport are to do with the network design (which route the bus takes).
This is a result of the current 'taxi' model of bus operation where use bus-train connections are generally avoided, resulting in longer vehicle journeys, higher service production costs and ultimately, taxi-style fare levels.

When cities reach a certain size, the 'taxi' model breaks down. The city becomes too large to give everyone high frequency, direct trips and low fares all at the same time. This is why fares exploded slamming the disadvantaged and needy with unaffordable fares. It is why large gaping holes appear in BCC's bus network in Yeronga, Centenary, Bulimba, and Albany Creek.

Toronto, Vancouver and Stockholm do not use this 'taxi' model, and Auckland's bus review is abandoning it as well.

We have shown where the problems are in the current network by creating the first map with all BCC bus routes on it.

See here --> BCC Bus Network Map + Frequent Rail https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=zo2O13ByWclc.k1adG6JPlvmg

This is what Auckland is doing- and their bus review was almost identical to Brisbane's failed first attempt -->

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. Auckland's New Public Transport Network


2. 9 Jul 2014: Brisbane City Council Bus Network Map Released
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10812.0

3.  30 July 2014: Interview 4BC Drive with host Ben Davis and Robert Dow on the map and problem areas
-->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10810.msg144803#msg144803

[ozbob]

Media release 13th August 2014

CheckYourBus: Brisbane City Council Bus Network Map at new URL!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has encouraged residents across Brisbane City to CheckYourBus!

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back on Track welcomes the prime time news coverage by 7 news last evening on buses in the BCC area and recent radio coverage of the same. Brisbane residents are paying around $400 per annum to Brisbane City Council for buses so we think it is only fair that a service quality map showing what services are like in their local area is available."

"Neither BCC nor TransLink has publicly released a system map of the bus network, despite this being standard practice overseas, for example, in Vancouver (Canada) and Toronto (Canada). We therefore plotted our own."

"Now Brisbane residents can see for themselves the BCC bus services in their own area with our CheckYourBus map, now at an easier to access web address, which is here:

--> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

"RAIL Back on Track seeks bipartisan commitment to full scale bus network and rail reform from all parties contesting the 2015 Queensland Election. Queensland Rail must be put on a path to driver only operations and the BCC bus network must be rationalised. This way, low cost and abundant public transport for SEQ can be guaranteed."

CheckYourBus
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af104/tramtrain/CheckYourBusPNG_zpsc1cc4a96.png



Contact:

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

References:

Channel 7 News Public Transport Black Spots http://t.co/9oo4euXLsq (2 minutes:31 seconds)

Interview 4BC Drive with host Ben Davis and Robert Dow on the map and problem areas
http://backontrack.org/docs/4bc/140730_002ed.mp3

9 Jul 2014: Brisbane City Council Bus Network Map Released
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10812.msg144053#msg144053

Basics: the case for frequency mapping
'A transit map that makes all lines look equally important is like a
road map that doesn't show the difference between a freeway and a
gravel road.'
http://www.humantransit.org/2010/08/basics-the-case-for-frequency-mapping.html

Feedback Link for Check Your Bus map
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tG-bkFM-f8Wwz-4xDGvWAkEL4_Zi_AW8ixyMVB72bHM/viewform?usp=send_form

[HappyTrainGuy]

--> http://t.co/9oo4euXLsq

12th August 2014: 7 News Brisbane feature Public transport issues Brisbane and suburbs

Gee where was that reporter during the original translink review instead of the reporters interviewing the dumbos knitting jumpers for bus stops.

[Gazza]

Hey lapdog (and everyone else for that matter) sink your teeth into this http://www.transitmix.net/

[ozbob]

Hey lapdog (and everyone else for that matter) sink your teeth into this http://www.transitmix.net/

  thanks!

[bcasey]

Hey lapdog (and everyone else for that matter) sink your teeth into this http://www.transitmix.net/

Do they have the Brisbane network? Just saw this today on humantransit.org, I can see how it could help a lot in comparing our network to the current network, and presenting that to the public and to Translink/BT, etc.

http://www.humantransit.org/2015/01/transitmix-continues-its-development.html

[aldonius]

They didn't the last time I tried it; things may have changed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bcasey]

It doesn't look like they have Brisbane data atm.

I've had a play with the beta version for a few minutes, it uses openstreetmaps as the underlying mapping source. I tried mapping the 66 around the bus way, and while it does work for a bit of it, it goes crazy around normandy station, and then plays up around the tunnels through the city, and again along the busway past the gabba. It looks like it is calculating the shortest path along the map between the points I lay down, and my guess is the openstreetmap data isn't the best for the busway. It worked just fine with travelling along the road for another route I was trying.

Still, I think it has a lot of potential, and could be very helpful.

[#Metro]

Yes, they do have a Brisbane map (empty).

I've sent them some correspondence regarding the main problem is that they do not yet permit one to draw ferry, rail and cannot draw services on busways or which have different inbound or outbound route patterns for AM or PM due to one way streets. They also need to add additional time windows (or permit custom ones) as often peak hour can be divided further depending on requirements and loads.

If people can be generous to e-mail the developers/tweet/facebook these issues to them, the more likely they will develop patches for it.