9 Apr 2010: Brisbane: City Glider to glide?

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 April 2010

Brisbane:  City Glider to glide?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has welcomed the commencement of the CityGlider services connecting Newstead and Westend with a high frequency pre-paid bus service. Despite the lack of direct information it does appear that the CityGlider services will be commencing on Sunday 11th April 2010 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"You wouldn't know it, but apparently there is a new major bus service starting this Sunday, the CityGlider service (2).  The lack of publicity at this time is a bit perplexing, particularly as the CityGlider Bus service has been hyped by some as an inner city mass transit revolution."

"RAIL Back On Track welcomes improvements to public transport and notes that normal TransLink ticketing arrangements will apply after the 30th April.  Travel will be free on the CityGlider from 11th to 30th April as we understand it.  A great opportunity to travel on this new service."

References:

1. http://jp.translink.com.au/TransLinkBusesListTimetables.asp?TimetableDate=11%2F4%2F2010&BTTimetableRouteCode=Glider

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3441.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Jon Bryant]

They are afraid it will carry more people than the Clem7 in it first hour than the are using the tunnel all day.  Now that would be embarrising.  Bring it on.

[ozbob]

The situation is a bit odd.  Maybe the start for this weekend has been scrapped despite the TransLink journey planner indicating the start as the 11th April Sunday?  Maybe there are problems between both ends of George St and BCC again?  Maybe the TransLink logo is not on the bus in the required format or some other idiotic point of disagreement?  All wild speculation of course on my behalf.  I note that people are asking similar questions elsewhere as well.

Someone may have taken their bat and ball home ...

[ozbob]

Discussion thread here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3441.0

[#Metro]

Free Transport, BBQ and lots of fanfare I was hoping for.
After all, Clem 7 had bicycles, runners, midnight car vigils and midnight traffic jams, a charity run and a citizenship ceremony down it. I'm surprised that Campbell didn't break a champagne bottle on it to christen it like they do with ships at sea.

I call on the Brisbane City Council to break a champagne bottle over the front of the first City Glider.
Failing that a big ribbon and streamers.

[ozbob]

Still nothing up front on our integrated transport provider's web site ...   

CityGlider?  Where are you?  Might be the refrain at TL ....

Thanks for the BCC update, yes it is happening:

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_5855

CityGlider - bus rapid transit system

New CityGlider busAs part of Brisbane City Council's commitment to reduce traffic congestion, Council is improving public transport across the inner city by introducing the CityGlider bus rapid transit system.

From Sunday, 11 April you will see the new CityGlider buses providing high-frequency bus transport between the West End ferry terminal and the Teneriffe ferry terminal at Newstead, via the city and Fortitude Valley.

The first service will depart from Teneriffe Ferry at 10am on Sunday, 11 April with all services to be operating by 11.30am. All travel on CityGlider services will be free until 30 April.

[ozbob]

CityGlider timetables click --> here!

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=539

[ButFli]

I suspect they want to keep the launch fairly low key so they can iron out any teething problems before they are swamped with passengers.

There was a BT employee handing out CityGlider leaflets at the 19X stop at City Hall on Friday.

[ozbob]

There was an official launch this morning, Premier and Lord Mayor, Minister for Transport.  Plenty of media including television.  Will be an item on tonight's news.

Low key no more ..

[#Metro]

The new CityGlider stop has been installed and leaflets and promotional staff are out.
Quite a few people at West End Ferry said they would be using it.

*** CityGlider will be FREE until April 30 ***

First bus will leave Tenneriffe at about 10 am tomorrow!

On another note, heard from the grapevine that BCC was no longer making CNG Buses? Why???
The new citygliders are going to be diesel. What is so good about the diesel buses?

[ozbob]

The latest diesel buses are lower emission than gas and are more energy efficient.  For every 10 diesel buses you need 11 CNG buses.  But I am sure some bus folks can comment in more detail.  Against that though is the availability of gas as a potential cheaper fuel source?

http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediafiles/alt_confjamieally.pdf  few years old but interesting reading ...

[#Metro]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Diesel-smoke.jpg

I hope the BCC takes into account the level of particulates/nanoparticles/soot etc as well.
It seems that CNG buses fall down not because they have higher emissions (the CO2 emissions are lower), but because they can inadvertently emit some methane with is a more powerful global warming gas. 

I like the CNG Buses, of course the best thing is to put a tram in.
That way all the emissions happen at the power station.

[ozbob]

Maybe hybrid buses or plug in electric buses might have a future too?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_bus

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 12th April 2010 page 4

New city bus glide