Article: On the buses nightmare

[ozbob]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin click here!

On the buses nightmare

On the buses nightmare

Geoff Chambers and Melissa Townsend

May 31st, 2009

THE city could miss out on 177 new buses after the Gold Coast City Council was forced to block a new Surfside Buslines depot because of the 'nightmare on Days Road' at Coomera.

The delay was triggered after it was revealed the presence of four major schools within a 2.5km precinct had left the suburb in gridlock.

Local councillor Donna Gates said the five schools -- Coomera Anglican College, Assisi Catholic College, Saint Stephen's College, Coomera Springs State School and Upper Coomera State School -- had been forced to stagger their start and finish times to alleviate the stress on local roads.

The completion of Peanba Park Road next year will re-direct more traffic from nearby Willowvale.

The State Government has been blamed for the traffic congestion after prolonged delays on proposed highway overpasses.

"The schools have had to stagger their times. One school starts at 7.40am and finishes early just to free up the roads," said Cr Gates.

"Exit 54 is an absolute mess. It is a nightmare on Days Road. We would all like to see more buses on our roads but this depot will make the situation worse with up to 80 extra buses clogging the streets during peak hour.

"I'm really worried about the traffic jams. During every election, politicians and candidates stand in the middle of the roundabout saying that they will fix it and nothing has ever been done.

"There is severe localised congestion in the streets around the 2.5km precinct."

The future of the depot, which would complement the main Surfside Buslines depot at Molendinar, is now up in the air.

Surfside Buslines has been asked to produce a traffic management plan, with an alternative route for the buses.

The application on the 41,490sqm block in Kristins Lane includes space for bus refuelling and a washing area, carparking for 185 cars, an office and a workshop.

Cr Gates would like to see the buses run along Rifle Range Road using Exit 49 on to the highway.

City planning boss Cr Ted Shepherd said the bus company would be asked to sit down with Cr Gates and council transport officers to discuss alternative solutions.

"The city planning has told the applicant to sit down and meet with the divisional councillor because there is a real issue there in terms of the traffic on those roads leading up to Days Road," said Cr Shepherd.

"What we're saying is that a right turn holding lane and another route on to the highway be organised."

Parents of children from Coomera Springs State School slammed the State Government's lack of town planning in the area.

One parent, Mark Ryan, said his five-year-old son could have better thought out the area, which is plagued by traffic congestion.

Majella Monty said it took her about an hour to drop off her daughter and an hour to pick her up. She said the problem would be compounded by an additional 177 buses.

Camilla White said the roundabout at Assisi Catholic College was the worst affected area, and most parents chose to drive an extra 8km northeast to Pimpama rather than face 40 minutes of gridlock.

[O_128]

"Majella Monty said it took her about an hour to drop off her daughter and an hour to pick her up. She said the problem would be compounded by an additional 177 buses."

or this congestion could be solved if idiotic parents didn't need to pick up there kids all the time they have legs use them!

[brismike]

Bet she drives a massive 4WD as well. 

[stephenk]

How about transport the kids to/from school on the buses? (If they cannot walk)

[ButFli]

How about transport the kids to/from school on the buses? (If they cannot walk)

The driver could be a pedophile.

[WTN]

How about transport the kids to/from school on the buses? (If they cannot walk)

The driver could be a pedophile.

I thought QLD Transport does some driver screening for public passenger vehicles.

[dwb]

He was taking the p*ss about people's hysteria.... or at least I hope so.

[p858snake]

How about transport the kids to/from school on the buses? (If they cannot walk)

The driver could be a pedophile.

I thought QLD Transport does some driver screening for public passenger vehicles.

I've heard BBL requires drivers to undergo criminal checks and get a "blue" card, I would assume/hope most others operators do the same?

[#Metro]

Traffic congestion? Bus depot is the best thing they could ask for!!! Catch the bus, not a car. It isn't buses that are causing the gridlock- but cars!

I can't believe they are blaming the State Government. It's a problem of their own creation!