20 Jun 2010: SEQ: Best practise bus route will set the standard

[ozbob]

20 June 2010: SEQ: Best practise bus route will set the standard

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 again called for the introduction of a novel bus route based on the present 66 and 109 routes.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back on Track has previously suggested a combined 66 and 109 route, running from UQ Lakes to RB&WH, serving busway stations: UQ Lakes, Park Rd, PA Hospital, Mater Hill, South Bank, Cultural Centre, King George Square, Roma St, Normanby, QUT Kelvin Grove, RCH Herston, RB&WH (1,2)."

"This suggestion so far has not been taken up.  A combined 66 and 109 would directly connect the Roma St bus/rail interchange with UQ and the PA Hospital which would add a single change journey to PA Hospital from the Ipswich/Caboolture train lines, as well as Roma St terminating trains from the north in peak.  This is in addition to the several bus routes which come in to Roma St bus station or stop near it on Roma St but do not continue to the Cultural Centre.  It would also allow a single seat journey between UQ and RB&WH."

"There have been many bus delays of late in peaks due to road congestion. Using our busways to the maximum makes sense and will relieve some of the pressure on roads (3).

"Further, giving the 109 a better city stop location in King George Square by combining the routes is also considered to be an advantage.  It also has advantages in cost savings and marginally reducing congestion in the Cultural Centre.  Given that the 66 is usually operated by a bendy bus, adding capacity to the 109 is also seen as an advantage unless UQ Lakes Station is unable to deal with more bendy buses."

"Given these advantages, it is assumed there is some reason why the TransLink Transit Authority and Brisbane Transport are reluctant to combine these routes.  The most plausible reason which can be identified by RAIL Back on Track is that it means that the 66 will no longer serve Woolloongabba.  RAIL Back on Track suggests that other bus routes which currently terminate at the Cultural Centre be extended to replace this service.  Best candidates are the 330 from Bracken Ridge, 333 from Chermside and 340 from Carseldine.  These would take advantage of the superior turn around facility available at the 'Gabba."

"It is also noted that the 66 currently doesn't operate on weekends or late at night, but 109 service is required at those times.  It is assumed that the combined route could be truncated at Roma St at those times as well as reverting the 330 and 340 to the Cultural Centre terminus at weekends and late nights or at other times when the service is surplus to requirements."

References:

1.  29 July 2009 SEQ: Where's our Buz? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2538.0

2.  27 Feb 2010: SEQ: Northern Busway changes a huge success http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3498.0

3.  Bus delays http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg28149#msg28149

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3756.0