Another way to stretch the peak period

[Derwan]

I caught an early train this morning - arriving at Central around 6:50am.  The train was already a 1 at Boondall - and 2 at Central.  Not as crowded as the main peak period, but still a significant number of people aboard.  As the crowds left Central, it looked just like a normal peak exodus.

I figured this is flexible working arrangements in action.  People can head in early - and leave early.  It also gives them a chance to do a bit of shopping after work if they want.

This got me thinking - I've always wondered why shops and food courts close so early in the city.  They are usually shut by around 5:30.  Although a lot of people probably just can't wait to get home after the day's work, I'm sure there would be a number of people who love to stay behind a bit, do some shopping, grab a bite to eat with a friend, etc.  This could be achieved if shops and food courts stayed open for just another hour or so.  It would also mean that the shop workers would be contributing to the extension of the peak period.

Perhaps there needs to be some sort of incentive for shop-owners to remain open until 6:30 each evening?

Of course for this to be effective, we need additional services during the extended peak period.  People may be put off staying behind if they could potentially have to wait up to 30 minutes if they just miss a service.  The peak period needs to be extended to 7pm.

[ButFli]

I see Myer is now opening until 7pm on weeknights. No doubt DJ's will follow if they haven't already.

Whilst I am in favour of peak-stretching I am strongly against encouraging consumption to fill in time.

[O_128]

I really see peak as 5-10am and 3:30pm to 8pm. Really stretch it out plus if we had daylight saving security wouldnt be needed until 8pm anyway

[Derwan]

I see Myer is now opening until 7pm on weeknights. No doubt DJ's will follow if they haven't already.

Whilst I am in favour of peak-stretching I am strongly against encouraging consumption to fill in time.

Great news re Myer.  Hopefully others will follow.

I'm not suggesting anyone spend money for the sake of it.  There are tens of thousands of employees in the city.  If some of them decided they needed something, they could pop into a store after work rather than having to wait until the weekend.  (It may also reduce the crowds in shopping centres on weekends which would be a good thing!)

There are the social and cultural aspects as well.  Catching up with a friend in the city would no longer be limited to lunches.  Sure there are a few places still open - but nowhere near the variety available in the middle of the day.

I've heard that other cities are abuzz until well into the evening.  Why is Brisbane so backwards?

[#Metro]

Derwan, this is a fantastic idea!
I think trading hours should be liberalised too. It is hard to eat dinner out because everything shuts down on you!  
So much for the "Brisbane: new world city" (cringe!) puffery.

Extended trading hours would also spread the demand for rail and bus services- meaning that we can get off that horrible 30 minutes off-peak frequency and have a city that is not dead for most of the week. It would also improve road traffic congestion and mean that congestion on the Citytrain network drops- all with the touch of a pen, and no other expensive measures.

The case against, however, would be some unions who may object to employees having to work extended hours, and also small convenience stores which (by legislation IIRC) can stay open 24/7 and trade without the competition of the big stores. But then again, why should small stores like 7/11 be favoured?; and I am sure that with strong negotiation for penalty rates, students and the like would jump at the opportunity.

[Derwan]

Trading hours were extended to 9pm weekdays ages ago.  It is the retailers who are choosing not to remain open.

I remember that it wasn't just the supermarkets who initially extended their trading hours.  I think people were too used to the Thursday/Friday night thing and it meant that staying open every night wasn't viable for most retailers.

But if they stayed open just that extra hour or so (even a half hour to start with), I'm sure they'd find that as people got used to the idea, more and more would be popping in after work.  As the culture shifts, they might find they can extend their hours even further.

[ButFli]

We also might like to recall that up until a few years ago all JB Hi-Fi shops were open until 9pm on week nights. Now even the CBD one closes at 7pm (or is it 6:30?). It seems like it just isn't worth staying open.

[verbatim9]

I really see peak as 5-10am and 3:30pm to 8pm. Really stretch it out plus if we had daylight saving security wouldnt be needed until 8pm anyway

I am a huge supporter of Daylight saving http://www.ds4seq.org.au and if or when introduced back into QLD permanently, it will help streamline Air and ground transport operations. As well as making it safer for public transport users later in the evening as it will be light. Even if DST its reintroduced only into the South East it will be a start of something positive for the state.

[brismike]

I really see peak as 5-10am and 3:30pm to 8pm. Really stretch it out plus if we had daylight saving security wouldnt be needed until 8pm anyway

I am a huge supporter of Daylight saving http://www.ds4seq.org.au and if or when introduced back into QLD permanently, it will help streamline Air and ground transport operations. As well as making it safer for public transport users later in the evening as it will be light. Even if DST its reintroduced only into the South East it will be a start of something positive for the state.

While I respect your opinion and your right to espouse it . . I don't agree with it. I hope we never ever have DSQ in South East Queensland.

[Jon Bryant]

I am not for DLS either as our mornings are the cool part of the day. I don't think it solves our safety problems.  In winter the days are shorter so it is darker longer.  Our transports systems need to be safe in the dark of night and the middle of the day.  This can only be achieved by having high usage at all times of the day and night and delivering people into save, vibrant, active environments not a dark car park or a bus stop adjacent to a sound barrier.

[verbatim9]

I am not for DLS either as our mornings are the cool part of the day. I don't think it solves our safety problems.  In winter the days are shorter so it is darker longer.  Our transports systems need to be safe in the dark of night and the middle of the day.  This can only be achieved by having high usage at all times of the day and night and delivering people into save, vibrant, active environments not a dark car park or a bus stop adjacent to a sound barrier.

Thats the whole point of DST cooler morning as the sun will rise later in the morning hence giving relief to the heat to about 10.00am instead of around 8.30-9am as it stands. Commuters would surely enjoy the cooler commute to work.

[Jon Bryant]

It is the two last sentences that are important.

[verbatim9]

I see Myer is now opening until 7pm on weeknights. No doubt DJ's will follow if they haven't already.

Whilst I am in favour of peak-stretching I am strongly against encouraging consumption to fill in time.

Great news re Myer.  Hopefully others will follow.

I'm not suggesting anyone spend money for the sake of it.  There are tens of thousands of employees in the city.  If some of them decided they needed something, they could pop into a store after work rather than having to wait until the weekend.  (It may also reduce the crowds in shopping centres on weekends which would be a good thing!)

There are the social and cultural aspects as well.  Catching up with a friend in the city would no longer be limited to lunches.  Sure there are a few places still open - but nowhere near the variety available in the middle of the day.

I've heard that other cities are abuzz until well into the evening.  Why is Brisbane so backwards?

The other cities have a vibrant evening because they are culturally embedded with DST. The lighter evenings forces people to be out and about creating a vibrant community spirit. Thanks to moving the clocks forward for 6 months of the year. Brisbane would have the same over time if DST was introduced.

[#Metro]

I don't mind DST either way. Don't really see it as a big issue for me.

Actually, I rather like the reverse idea. Night-time savings.
In winter, we should wind the clock back one hour, and go to sleep. Its silly getting up in the dark when it is cold and yuck.
Everyone gets an hour extra in bed. Mmmm.