21 Mar 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Centenary Residents' push ...

[ozbob]

Media release 21 March 2012

SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Centenary Residents' push for Centenary BUZ



RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web-based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers supports Centenary Suburbs residents' calls for a Centenary BUZ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Centenary Suburbs, along with Bulimba and Albany Creek/Eatonvale have long been a public transport 'no-go' zones. Bus service is very poor on the buses in these areas - low frequency means frustratingly long waits, too many bus routes means too much complexity and poor legibility, poor span means that most services disappear quickly after peak hour (quite extreme in the case of Bulimba)*, and the routes taken are circuitous which wastes valuable time and also degrades legibility and patronage. All these things reduce the appeal of the service and ultimately this translates into poor farebox takings.

"RAIL Back On Track has long argued that the fastest, cheapest way to improve the public transport system in Brisbane is a targeted, selective boost of services to create a Core Frequent Network covering Brisbane with a network of selective trunk, high-capacity, high-frequency, traffic-prioritised workhorse rail, ferry and bus routes. (2,3)

"RAIL Back On Track has canvassed a number of potential improvements for the Centenary Suburbs, which could made more cheaply to fund by cutting waste within the existing network.(4) This includes two 'core frequent' BUZ routes through the area (BUZ 400 and one other BUZ) to perform the line haul task, two peak hour rockets following the same routes as the BUZ services but skipping stops for speed and one very high frequency shuttle from Mt Ommaney to Darra Train station running every 7.5 minutes, all day to connect with both Brisbane-bound and Ipswich-bound trains. Similar short rail feeder shuttle services operate in Toronto, Canada and Melbourne, Australia.

"Because the Core Frequent Network represents the absolute minimum, bare basics network needed to get around Brisbane, completion of the Core Frequent Network should take priority, before any other service improvements in the Brisbane region."

References:

1. Push for more bus services - The Satellite Newspaper http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

2. Building a Core Frequent Network  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

3. Core Frequent Network Discussion Paper -  less is more http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/cfn_v1.pdf

4. SEQ: Core Frequent Network - Cut waste to fund BUZ 400 for Centenary Suburbs! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7720.0


* After about 6.30 pm, the 230 service of Bulimba becomes a one way 'exit only' service.

Contacts:

Gavin Seipelt
Brisbane West Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Attachments

A1 - The proposed 2 BUZ lines (solid lines, left) and supporting peak hour rockets (dashed lines, left) compared
to the current, illegible spaghetti of routes (right) (Darra one way loop rail feeder not shown)



A2 - High frequency Darra Rail shuttle service running every 7.5 minutes, all day
(as an alternative option, this service could also run direct via the motorway)

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7931.0

[ozbob]

From the South West News 28th March 2012 page 5

Centenary of public transport neglect



Article now online --> here!