Northern Busway to RBWH - 6 months old

[stephenk]

The Northern Busway to RBWH was 6 months old on Wednesday.

A big sarcastic congratulations needs to go to Translink for doing absolutely nothing to solve the chronic overcrowding!

-In the last 6 months, Translink have added no new services that run to/from RBWH via the Inner Northern Busway.
-No new counter-peak (City to Herston am, Herston to City pm) services were added prior to the opening of the busway despite the  overcrowding that has been occurring since the 393 was cut short to Normanby in May 2008.
-Many counter-peak buses (330/333/340) fill to capacity at either RBWH and RCH, with RCH often being non-stopped by full buses.
-Actual average waiting time for a pm peak RCH Herston to Roma St journey is approximately 300% longer than the theoretical average waiting time.
-Passengers have had to wait up to 50mins to board a bus on multiple occasions at RCH Herston.
-Empty out of service buses pass through RCH Herston every few minutes.
-Translink have been inundated with complaints - and done nothing about it.
-Users were told the 66 would be extended to RBWH upon opening - it didn't happen.
-Bus drivers usually report the full buses to control (although less often recently) - it's not like Translink don't know what's going on!
-Whilst busway usage overall is probably growing, many RCH Herston users have given up and gone back to driving.
-Many people who would like to use the bus instead of coping with RCH/RBWHs parking issues, are discouraged from doing so.
-Oh, and now Translink expect users of the Inner Northern Busway to pay 20-40% for the terrible bus service.
-Not forgetting that Translink neglected to install AVVMs at RCH Herston.

Translink - FAIL (of epic proportions)

[Sir Loin]

Congratulations Tranklink on the above achievements, Brisbanes' healthcare workers and researchers are in debt to you 

[somebody]

-Translink have been inundated with complaints - and done nothing about it.

You have to wonder if they've ever actually followed their own which is that the complainant is given the option to escalate.

[#Metro]

Its just too bad.
Yesterday there were trains running on the Exhibition loop due to a points fault.
RBWH workers could have just got off at Exhibition.

Funny how they can run trains through there when they want to.
Even an extra stop for dead-running services which travel empty and have to go through there anyway would have an extra cost of Zero.Even if it were only during peak hour.

Even Tennyson gets more services than Exhibition (zero). And that is way out of the City.

[#Metro]

Hmm. 66 + 109 why don't they just do it?

[david]

Found this over at ATDB http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=49039

From Feb 22 the following services will have changes:

Route 109 (UQ Lakes to City) will now travel via the Boggo Road Busway servicing Boggo Road Station and PA Hospital Station.
Route 66 (Gabba to QUT Kelvin Grove) will be extended to the Royal Brisbane Hospital Station (now servcing the Royal Childrens Hospital Station and providing a route that connects all inner city busway stations).

Other routes to have alterations and extra services added are: 139, 160, 169, 206, 333, 343, 345 and 412.

I don't know if this is a reliable source but it certainly looks promising for the start of the Uni year!

[ozbob]

Yes, looks like the 'secret' is out    Bus sources are generally reliable at ATDB
These were changes that were meant to happen 6 months ago, better late than never.

I hope there is some ramp up of frequency of the 66 too as it is already full out of KG QUT around 4pm as well, and the major semesters haven't already commenced.

[#Metro]

so no merger...

[Jon Bryant]

Time to keep track of all good ideas on RBOT that get implemented.  Royalties for all.

[stephenk]

Yes, looks like the 'secret' is out    Bus sources are generally reliable at ATDB
These were changes that were meant to happen 6 months ago, better late than never.

I hope there is some ramp up of frequency of the 66 too as it is already full out of KG QUT around 4pm as well, and the major semesters haven't already commenced.

Well, if this is true it's about time!

Whilst the extension of the 66 and improvements to the 333 are very much welcome, the improvements are 7 months too late. Translink have missed the boat by such a big margin, the boat has done a round the world cruise!

During this time, many RCH and RBWH users have become disillusioned with Translink, the Northern Busway, and Brisbane's public transport in general. The Northern Busway now has a poor reputation amongst many public transport users and ex-users. A great opportunity to attract RBWH and RCH workers from cars to public transport was missed. It may take more than these improvements to bring the Northern Busway's patronage back to where it should have been if Translink & Brisbane Transport had increased service provision when RBWH station opened.  

[ozbob]

I still think there is scope for a new additional route that is a combined 109 + 66.  With the changes there will now be a busway link from RBWH to UQ Lakes which in itself is a major improvement.

Hopefully more rail services on the way later this year as well.  Remember the committment '301,000 weekly public transport seats' before the end of this financial year ...

[somebody]

Is having the 109 travel via the busway a positive move?  I'd think that slowing down the services to UQ would outweigh increasing service to PA Hospital & Park Rd.

I still think there is scope for a new additional route that is a combined 109 + 66.  With the changes there will now be a busway link from RBWH to UQ Lakes which in itself is a major improvement.

Oh boy;  So now that 66+109 route is in addition to the current 66 & 109?  Are you prepared to sacrifice frequency on any other routes to achieve this?

[ozbob]

No need to cut anything, all part of the extra 200,000 weekly seats ...

If the frequency of the 66 is not bumped a bit there will be problems getting out of KG QUT in the PM I expect.

[somebody]

No need to cut anything, all part of the extra 200,000 weekly seats ...

If the frequency of the 66 is not bumped a bit there will be problems getting out of KG QUT in the PM I expect.

Will certainly be interesting at QUT KG.  Maybe some will start walking over to Kelvin Grove Rd.

Commit so many of those promised services here?

[stephenk]

No need to cut anything, all part of the extra 200,000 weekly seats ...

If the frequency of the 66 is not bumped a bit there will be problems getting out of KG QUT in the PM I expect.

I'm eagerly awaiting the new 66 and 333 timetables.

The peak time for passengers arriving on the platforms at RBWH and RCH are approx 5-10mins after common work finishing times of 4, 4:30, and 5pm. These are the times when new service provision would be most useful at RBWH and RCH.

I would certainly suggest that the 66's 5min peak frequency needs to run from RBWH departures after 4pm (or even slightly earlier) - it is currently every 5mins after 4:15pm at QUT. Will the 5mins frequency now run outside of university semesters, when it is currently every 10mins? I would also suggest that the 333 is increased to every 10mins from Chermside departures after 3:30pm instead of the current 4pm.

[somebody]

Will the 5mins frequency now run outside of university semesters, when it is currently every 10mins?

If that's required, isn't service at QUT KG likely to be inadequate now?  (unless the frequency is increased also)

[stephenk]

Will the 5mins frequency now run outside of university semesters, when it is currently every 10mins?

If that's required, isn't service at QUT KG likely to be inadequate now?  (unless the frequency is increased also)

We will have to wait and see. There may be enough capacity in the short term, but maybe not for growth. I'll be providing reports!

[Sir Loin]

Actually had a good experience going inbound yesterday.

Arrived at the RBWH stop at 4pm and both a 333 and 340 arrived at the same time (not sure if one or both were on time or running late/early), so had the choice of which to get on. There was no mad rush like there normally is. I got on the 340 which had arrived second.

We took off first as the 333 at the front kept on being delayed as people kept coming up the stairs, "please wait", "just a minute" etc.

We got to the RCH stop first and picked up everyone, only a few had to stand. The 333 caught up and didn't stop and whizzed by.
We passed it again at KG as it picked up a few students, only a few people were standing as we went by without stopping. Caught up with a 66 which was just ahead of us, which was mostly full, again only a few standing.

Probably the first time I've gone inbound where we haven't all been jammed in like sardines in a can. Hopefully it will happen more often .

Kind of shows what the problem normally is. Most of the time around 4pm (when alot of people finish work) we wait 10+ minutes at RBWH. Meanwhile more and more people turn up. Eventually one bus arrives and it's every man for himself. Understandably nobody wants to wait for another one, becuase you never know when/if one is going to show.

[stephenk]

Actually had a good experience going inbound yesterday.

Arrived at the RBWH stop at 4pm and both a 333 and 340 arrived at the same time (not sure if one or both were on time or running late/early), so had the choice of which to get on. There was no mad rush like there normally is. I got on the 340 which had arrived second.

We took off first as the 333 at the front kept on being delayed as people kept coming up the stairs, "please wait", "just a minute" etc.

We got to the RCH stop first and picked up everyone, only a few had to stand. The 333 caught up and didn't stop and whizzed by.
We passed it again at KG as it picked up a few students, only a few people were standing as we went by without stopping. Caught up with a 66 which was just ahead of us, which was mostly full, again only a few standing.

Probably the first time I've gone inbound where we haven't all been jammed in like sardines in a can. Hopefully it will happen more often .

Kind of shows what the problem normally is. Most of the time around 4pm (when alot of people finish work) we wait 10+ minutes at RBWH. Meanwhile more and more people turn up. Eventually one bus arrives and it's every man for himself. Understandably nobody wants to wait for another one, becuase you never know when/if one is going to show.

It's not uncommon to arrive on the platform at RBWH and hear people muttering about the last 3 buses not turning up - thus big queues once the 4pm finishers arrive on the platform. Maybe the 333 didn't get stuck in traffic for a change? At least the 66 being busway only should be reasonably reliable.

[ozbob]

See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3425.0

[dwb]

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3756.0