Moving on to Public Transport - the real story

[CNsylvester]

For six years I traversed the Gateway from Murrumba Downs to the city via approved gov commuter use vehicle.  Each quarter it seemed that I had to leave 10 mins earlier just to beat the congestion both at the beginning of the day and at the end - incrementally THAT was causing grief at home & work.

Twelve months ago, I started using public transport.  Apart from not knowing where to stand on the first day to catch the bus, or that you had hail the bus to have it stop, my rocky start isn't representative of what my new routine has become.  (fancy having to wave at the bus, do you have to do trains as well?  I only ever had to shake my fist in the car commute)

Summary of my experience - Private commute to Public Commute:

* The bus and train ticket are integrated (I didn't know this - maybe the general car driver doesn't know this either?)
* For me its the same ticket price whether I catch the bus from the top of my street or whether I drive my car to my local Station (maybe this isn't known either - I thought it was a train ticket and bus ticket).
* I can use my weekly ticket for quick trips around the city as needed any time - no extra cost - and I do do this, saves my employer $$ too.
* Because I choose to only use my weekly for Mon - Fri work commute (a "weekly") I pay for 4 and get 5 (not the case with petrol or vehicle commute)
* The buses were newer than my gov car!
* Bus and train usually coordinate well at my station (varying factors, but usually the bus arrives in time for the QR service BEFORE the actual scheduled coordinated service train service arrives,  meaning we can catch the "early" train before our listed coordinated train - its an express too).
* In anycase there are several express train options I can chose from!
* 8 times out of ten I would get a seat on the express service (sometimes there is a spare seat but a fatty takes up 25% of the one or two spare, I choose to stand on these days)
* 10 times out of 10 I will get a seat on the actual coordinated service (because the train starts at my station), all this changes as the train progresses of course.
* PS 10 times out of 10 there are seats on my morning and afternoon bus
* Guess what, I now read stuff in the morning - like the free local paper, MX, anything!
* I look out the window and see other parts of my community (can't do that driving in peak hour)
* I've made 3 good friends out of catching the bus and train who all live within 150m of my house that I guarantee I wouldn't have met if I didn't catch the bus/train
* On my afternoon train, there are a group that play cards in a 4 seater using a brief case as their card table - gotta love that!
* The bus drivers here generally pick up and set down anywhere thats safe to do so.
* Before I caught the bus, I didn't even walk in my street on a regular basis, but to and from the bus stop is most enjoyable for me.
* I now own a sporty umbrella.
* I've reported to Council about some uneven foot paths.
* I see & hear the rainbow lorikeets out and about - its another world really, my own neighbourhood.
* Hear about the local goss from the chats on the bus.
* There are several other services either side of my preferred to and from journeys if I'm running late form work.

Things that changed:

* I used to hang on to my commute car option so hard, but now you couldn't get me into a gov car commute arrangement whatsoever.
* We're even back to a 1 car family, with 2 working adults.  By George I think we did it! (takes some effort & coordination, but it does work)
* My new motto is "The Commute by road on a good day is still nowhere near the stress free option of public transport option on a bad day".  (If the gateway was clogged due to an incident, thats it for ages.  At least if the trains are delayed, it isn't a fraction of the I spent in the car with the engine running on the Gateway) 
* I also guarantee I'm much more relaxed when I walk into work in the morning and home of an arvo.

Where is this heading?  While Gov entice the road users to public transport, it could be that the transition requires some ''change management" to get us across.  I was so embarrassed when I had to actually hail a bus for the first time!   That was embarrassing for the first few times (and I was even a seasoned a bus user during school days, but I guess I lost the confidence).  Its taking me a time to understand my bus options too, express, route numbering etc)

Finally - maybe something is needed to show the those road commuters who are on the verge of converting to public how easy, reliable and relaxing it can be.  (and to judge it over a period of time, not one instance).

I'm now chauffer driven to work, and lov'n it!

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Summary of my PT detail to work 5 days a week:

$35.30 fixed cost
+ Enjoy a seat most days on train (and improving)
+ Leave my house 6.45am arrive work 7.40am includes bus and train
+ Distance between my house and work, about 25km
= Status relaxed!

Car drivers, add yours up!

Ken

[ozbob]

Thanks for posting your experience CNsylvester!

Great suggestion about supporting new public transport users.

There are many benefits in using public transport as you have highlighted. The individual and community benefits are compelling.  As was mentioned in the Sunday Mail today (story --> here), Brisbane is fast becoming the "Congestion Capital".  It is unlikely to get any better - only worse for road users. 

Our rail network is going to be one of the main solutions to our transport woes.

I sometimes have a little nap travelling home on the train  .  Can't do that driving!!

Regards
Ozbob

[CNsylvester]

Today I had to go to the dentist, unfortunately not near a railway line.  I was faced with a taxi fare of the approximately $25 (each way).

Given I now catch a bus from home to the station, I considered I'd try venture onto a BCC bus experience as long as it didn't cost me more than $50, I would be infront.

I duly consulted the Transinfo website, found the best time, the bus stop and then printed my itinery.

I reached my destination and return without incident and saved myself upto $50 as well as an extra vehicle movement on the roads as I was able to use my Weekly ticket.  The journey didn't cost me any extra than my regular Weekly purchase.  The money I saved on the taxi is much appreciated and sitting with me!!

Keep the Weekly!!!!!!!!!!!

K