11 Aug 2012: SEQ: Ekka Services highlight flaws in bus network direct service ..

[ozbob]

Media release 11 August 2012

SEQ: Ekka Services highlight flaws in bus network direct service dogma

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 highlights how this year's Ekka bus services illustrate the problem with direct services in the general Brisbane bus network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Unlike previous years, TransLink has decided to run extra bus services direct to the Ekka, in direct competition to train services and duplicating existing busway services.

"While we understand that there will always be a need for direct services, this year's Ekka services serve as a useful parable illustrating why our current 'everything to the city' bus network philosophy is problematic, costly and why connections are so important."

Backgrounder ---> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

"With connections, passengers can get the next busway service and connect to the Ekka train at Roma Street. Given that there are buses every 2-5 minutes on the busways, existing bus services combined with an Ekka train connection outperform all dedicated Ekka services which only appear every 20 minutes."

Lesson: Overall travel times are significantly faster with a connection, rather than direct services, because waiting time is significantly reduced.

"Many of our members have observed empty Ekka Buses. When people catch usual TransLink services, the bus can pool passengers going to many destinations - it is more versatile and useful for a range of trips through one connection. When people catch an Ekka bus, the bus is SOLELY for those going to the Ekka, and nowhere else - a limited market, hence empty buses."

Lesson: Dedicated services will have limited patronage because they have a limited market. With connections, multi-destinational trips are possible, and the one bus trip can be used to get anywhere, with a connection. Dedicated services are very costly, connected services are cheaper overall because they can be used for many different kinds of versatile trips.

"These two lessons are just some of the reasons why we are so against the Maroon CityGlider, which should be scrapped in favour of BUZ services to Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We thank TransLink and the Minister for Transport for sorting out the ticket mess with a simple $6 Ekka paper ticket. It had taken many, many years of inertia and excuses and a major public overcrowding incident to get to this point, so we are glad indeed."

"We suggest that next year that no special direct buses are put on at all, just augment existing routes and simply signs go up at busway stations advising passengers to catch the next bus to the city and get a train at either Roma Street or Central. It will be both cheaper and faster for everyone concerned."

"We also look forward to the bus network review."

References:

1. 'Transferring' can be good for you, and good for your city http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

2. Ekka services http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/ekka-services-more-translink-mediocrity.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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