Greens proposal for two new high frequency bus routes

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Greens call for two new Brisbane CityGlider services


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Two more high-frequency bus services should be added to Brisbane's public transport network to fill gaps for residents of eastern and northern suburbs, the Greens say.

Alongside the existing Blue and Maroon CityGliders, which run through the heart of the CBD and out to the western suburbs respectively, the Greens want additional east-west and north-south services.

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said the 24-hour high-frequency services were "the best way to reduce congestion and ensure people can get home at all times of the day and night".

CityGliders operate at intervals of between five and 15 minutes, 18 hours a day from Sunday to Thursday and 24-hours a day on Friday and Saturday.

One proposed east-west "Green" CityGlider would run from Montague Street in West End through Woolloongabba then along Lytton Road to Hawthorne and Bulimba.

Another service proposed by the Greens, the "Orange" CityGlider, would from Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley across the Story Bridge through Kangaroo Point and Annerley to Yeronga.

"I often hear complaints from residents that there's no direct bus route from West End to East Brisbane, even though lots of people have to get to and from the hospital precinct and Gabba central," Cr Sri said.

"If you live in Kangaroo Point or Woolloongabba, bus routes home from Fortitude Valley can be infrequent and unreliable. Rapid population growth on the inner-south side means we need better services in order to ease traffic congestion."

The Greens want the state to fund these two new CityGliders, but are calling on Brisbane City Council to fund them fully if the state did not do so.

Cr Sri said another Greens policy - that of a green bridge between Teneriffe and Bulimba - could further help ease congestion by linking the Blue CityGlider and the potential new Green CityGlider together.

He said such a proposal would ideally trigger a "comprehensive review" of the entire Brisbane public transport network to fill gaps left by Cross River Rail or Brisbane Metro.

"These two routes would link residential areas to major hospitals, schools, employment hubs, nightlife destinations and the new Cross River Rail Station at Woolloongabba," he said.

Coorparoo ward Greens candidate Sally Dillon said East Brisbane was "very poorly served" by the council's bus network, forcing more people onto the road.

"At absolute best, it currently takes at least 40 minutes by bus to get from Latrobe Street, East Brisbane, to Boundary Street, West End, while the same four-kilometre journey is barely 10 minutes by car," she said.

[Gazza]

Good on them, routes that are connective and fill obvious gaps in the network, particularly Main St KP.
And good on them for having balls to start using Gabba as a bus hub.

[STB]

Looking at that map, you could potentially extend the Green Glider to Jane St and do a one way loop via Jane/Musgrave Sts with a new Citycat stop at the end of Jane St, allowing passengers from the western side of the river access to the eastern side and the Gabba, without having to travel via the city.

[timh]

Yeah these look like great routes. If Jonno can stay elected in March I'd love to see these implemented.

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[verbatim9]

Yeah these look like great routes. If Jonno can stay elected in March I'd love to see these implemented.

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Councillor Sri has been advocating for a high frequency route as proposed for a year now.

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[aldonius]

Good proposal - and you can tell that they've taken care to say "this is an initial draft and absolutely does need refinement". Various comments on FB suggesting extension to Yeronga/Yeerongpilly rail for the Orange Glider. The Bulimba side of the Green Glider is clearly set up as a transfer at CRR 'Gabba for city passengers - I echo Gazza's comments there.

Overall I think there's a lot to like here - and note that both services are crosstown!

[timh]

Is it worth us putting out a release supporting the proposal? Or is that too partisan? (I understand we are meant to be non-partisan)

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[STB]

Is it worth us putting out a release supporting the proposal? Or is that too partisan? (I understand we are meant to be non-partisan)

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Personally I'd be supportive of supporting the proposal.  IMHO if a proposal is a good proposal and it stacks up, it should be supported, regardless of the political party pushing it.  More broadly in my advocacy work (beyond transport), I will work with and support any politician or political party if the advocacy work matches up with what I and others are after.  To me, that's non partisan, working with anyone who's putting up good ideas.

[timh]

Is it worth us putting out a release supporting the proposal? Or is that too partisan? (I understand we are meant to be non-partisan)

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Personally I'd be supportive of supporting the proposal.  IMHO if a proposal is a good proposal and it stacks up, it should be supported, regardless of the political party pushing it.  More broadly in my advocacy work (beyond transport), I will work with and support any politician or political party if the advocacy work matches up with what I and others are after.  To me, that's non partisan, working with anyone who's putting up good ideas.

That was my thinking. It's a good idea, regardless of who's come up with it

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[ozbob]

Good move by the Greens.  Hopefully puts a little pressure on the blue and red to come up with sound policy.

[ozbob]

Sent to outlets:

22nd January 2020

BCC Buses: Get on Board for BCC Election 2020

RAIL Back on Track welcomes a Greens' Proposal for two new CityGlider bus routes (1). The proposed routes are connective and fill obvious gaps in the network, and utilise Woolloongabba as a bus hub.

We think that improvements to bus services are excellent policies to take to a council election.

Bus improvements are relatively inexpensive compared to concrete, and could be delivered within the first 100 days of a new term.

Examples of other possible bus improvements could include:

- Route 480 Mt Coot-tha properly integrated into the TransLink network by extending it to Toowong Station. This is a no-brainer!

- Route 196 BUZ extended into Yeronga

- Route 230 BulimbaGlider

- Route 400 CentenaryGlider or BUZ

- UQGlider or BUZ from Mitchelton to UQ Chancellors Place via Metroad 5

- A 192 Powerhouse BUZ from West End (Boundary St) to New Farm Powerhouse (James St)

RAIL Back on Track supports bus improvements and is happy to talk to all candidates about how to improve buses in Brisbane.

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

References:

1. Greens call for two new Brisbane CityGlider services https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/greens-call-for-two-new-brisbane-cityglider-services-20200120-p53t12.html

2. RAIL Back On Track: New Bus Network Proposal http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1219704579459145728

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Greens call for two new CityGlider routes for inner Brisbane

The Greens have called for two new high-frequency bus routes to fill gaps in public transport services through the inner-eastern suburbs.

THE Greens are calling for a dramatic expansion of high-frequency bus services to fill gaps in the existing inner-city transport network.

A proposed east-west "Green CityGlider" would run from Montague Rd, West End, along Vulture and Stanley Streets through Woolloongabba, then follow Lytton Rd through East Brisbane towards Hawthorne and Bulimba.

A proposed "Orange CityGlider" would run north-south from Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley, across the Story Bridge and along Main St and Ipswich Rd through Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba and Annerley, terminating near Yeronga.

Councillor Jonathan Sri (Woolloongabba) said the party was calling for further consultation and feedback from residents and businesses regarding the best possible route alignments and stop locations.

"Additional 24-hr high-frequency services are the best way to reduce congestion, and ensure people can get home at all times of the day and night," Cr Sri said.

"Alongside our commitment to free off-peak buses for everyone, and a comprehensive review of the entire public transport network, we'd like to see two new CityGlider bus routes to fill gaps that won't be covered by Cross River Rail or Brisbane Metro.

"These two routes would link residential areas to major hospitals, schools, employment hubs, nightlife destinations and the new Cross River Rail Station at Woolloongabba.

"I often hear complaints from residents that there's no direct bus route from West End to East Brisbane, even though lots of people have to get to and from the hospital precinct and Gabba central.

"If you live in Kangaroo Point or Woolloongabba, bus routes home from Fortitude Valley can be infrequent and unreliable. Rapid population growth on the inner-south side means we need better services in order to ease traffic congestion."

Greens candidate for Coorparoo Sally Dillon said Council should be spending less money widening roads and put more support into public transport.

"East Brisbane is very poorly served by buses, as are suburbs further east, which forces people to drive," she said.

"At absolute best, it currently takes at least 40 minutes by bus to get from Latrobe St, East Brisbane, to Boundary St, West End, while the same 4km journey is barely 10 minutes by car.

"We'd like to see a complete review of the entire bus network, but filling these gaps in the inner-eastern suburbs is a high priority.

"These routes have the added benefit of increasing inter-suburban connectivity, so that people can get directly from one part of the inner-city to another without having to go through the city centre.

"These new bus routes will also help reinvigorate small businesses, by encouraging people to shop at local commercial hubs rather than driving to a mall three or four suburbs away, and by stopping inner-suburban streets becoming parking lots."

The existing Glider routes each cost about $5 million per year to operate, and these two new routes are expected to cost a similar amount.

The Greens believe these costs should be covered by the State Government, but are calling on council to fully fund the service if the State refuses to come to the negotiating table.

[Gazza]

Sent to outlets:

22nd January 2020

BCC Buses: Get on Board for BCC Election 2020

RAIL Back on Track welcomes a Greens' Proposal for two new CityGlider bus routes (1). The proposed routes are connective and fill obvious gaps in the network, and utilise Woolloongabba as a bus hub.

We think that improvements to bus services are excellent policies to take to a council election.

Bus improvements are relatively inexpensive compared to concrete, and could be delivered within the first 100 days of a new term.

Examples of other possible bus improvements could include:

- Route 480 Mt Coot-tha properly integrated into the TransLink network by extending it to Toowong Station. This is a no-brainer!

- Route 196 BUZ extended into Yeronga

- Route 230 BulimbaGlider

- Route 400 CentenaryGlider or BUZ

- UQGlider or BUZ from Mitchelton to UQ Chancellors Place via Metroad 5

- A 192 Powerhouse BUZ from West End (Boundary St) to New Farm Powerhouse (James St)

RAIL Back on Track supports bus improvements and is happy to talk to all candidates about how to improve buses in Brisbane.

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

References:

1. Greens call for two new Brisbane CityGlider services https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/greens-call-for-two-new-brisbane-cityglider-services-20200120-p53t12.html

2. RAIL Back On Track: New Bus Network Proposal http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

If they did this route you probably wouldn't do the Bulimba glider though.

[ozbob]

Yo, either or ...

[#Metro]

Don't CityGlider almost break even?