Sunshine Coast bus services removed after trial failure

[Fares_Fair]

TransLinkSEQ

NEGATIVE Changes to late night timetable for 607 and 636 Sunshine Coast services from 23 June;
more info bit.ly/LvzUwY


http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1339741564

Changes for 607 and 636 timetables.
Last updated: 8.41am Tuesday 19 June 2012

From 23 June 2012, the 607 (Caloundra to University via Parrearra) and 636 (Nambour to University via Buderim) will not operate services after 9pm from University of Sunshine Coast (USC).

The University and TransLink offered an after 9pm service on the 607 and the 636 as a trial in semester 1, 2012.

However, due to low patronage these services will no longer be operating.

Effective 23 June 2012:
•the last 607 service to depart from USC will be at 7.53pm, Monday to Friday
•the last 636 service to depart from USC will be at 6.20pm, Monday to Friday.
Passengers are encouraged to check the journey planner for more travel information.

Affected services:

•607
•636

[Golliwog]

While it is a reduction in service, I still see this as a 'good' thing. The uni and Translink trialled the service and it didn't get enough patronage to justify it. The fact that they are scrapping it and presumably going to use those funds elsewhere is a definite positive. I prefer this to them continuing to run the service even though no one uses it.

[Fares_Fair]

These are NOT changes, but they are CUTS !

Sunshine Coast, business as usual.
Hopefully the money will be put into areas where services are needed, if these ones to the University are not.

Who or how many are impacted by this decision, no-one here knows.

[Fares_Fair]

While it is a reduction in service, I still see this as a 'good' thing. The uni and Translink trialled the service and it didn't get enough patronage to justify it. The fact that they are scrapping it and presumably going to use those funds elsewhere is a definite positive. I prefer this to them continuing to run the service even though no one uses it.

Problem is, we don't know that that is the case at all Golli.

[Golliwog]

True, though I suppose another fair question would be to ask what portion of the cost was paid by Translink. They specifically mention it was a trial by Translink and USC, so I would assume USC would be paying some portion of the cost.

[STB]

Sheesh, if it ain't carrying passengers, it shouldn't be running.  Simple fact, and no, 1 or 2 passengers don't cut it, not even 5 passengers.  And with this service being removed, I personally far more believe that there isn't enough patronage since the university had a stake in it as well.

[Fares_Fair]

True, though I suppose another fair question would be to ask what portion of the cost was paid by Translink. They specifically mention it was a trial by Translink and USC, so I would assume USC would be paying some portion of the cost.

Agree.

What I find most galling is that these CUTS to services are slipped in amongst all the additional NEW services announced over the past few days.
Don't try to deceive by calling them euphemistic, ambiguous 'changes.'

Check out all the other tweets on the NEW services,
e.g. Catch our new 308,
or Try our new 369,
or Connect to high frequency via 329,
or Enjoy the increased capacity... etc.

THESE ARE ALL REAL AND RECENT TWEETS.

Compared to
Changes to late night timetable for 607 and 636 Sunshine Coast services from 23 June;

Spin and obfuscation is wrong.

[Fares_Fair]

My suggestion;

Say goodnight to the 607 and 636...

[#Metro]

While it is a reduction in service, I still see this as a 'good' thing. The uni and Translink trialled the service and it didn't get enough patronage to justify it. The fact that they are scrapping it and presumably going to use those funds elsewhere is a definite positive. I prefer this to them continuing to run the service even though no one uses it.

The last service of the day is a WELFARE service, NOT A PATRONAGE SERVICE. It is not meant to carry a high volume of people, but to guarantee that you'll get a decent ride home if you choose to stay out late. Cutting the last service will usually also cause a fall in patronage on the second last service as well as that safety net is no longer available.

It is the same with BUZ routes - 6 am - 11.30 pm. Who travels at 11.30 pm on Sunday night? Almost no-one, BUT that service GUARANTEES that you can stay back and not worry about missing the last service for the day. There have been a few times that I've had a late one, and it has come in handy.

[somebody]

If we are going to argue PRO development of the system, it's a bit hard to be CON cutting a non performing route.

Sydney has culled a few routes.  X43, 371, 622 just OTOH.

[BrizCommuter]

If you don't use it, you'll loose it!

[Golliwog]

While it is a reduction in service, I still see this as a 'good' thing. The uni and Translink trialled the service and it didn't get enough patronage to justify it. The fact that they are scrapping it and presumably going to use those funds elsewhere is a definite positive. I prefer this to them continuing to run the service even though no one uses it.

The last service of the day is a WELFARE service, NOT A PATRONAGE SERVICE. It is not meant to carry a high volume of people, but to guarantee that you'll get a decent ride home if you choose to stay out late. Cutting the last service will usually also cause a fall in patronage on the second last service as well as that safety net is no longer available.

It is the same with BUZ routes - 6 am - 11.30 pm. Who travels at 11.30 pm on Sunday night? Almost no-one, BUT that service GUARANTEES that you can stay back and not worry about missing the last service for the day. There have been a few times that I've had a late one, and it has come in handy.

I'd agree with that sentiment, except that the 607 and 636 don't run like BUZ services. The 636 is hourly with the last service before it's current 9.10pm run being at 6.20pm (and every other run leaves at 20 past the hour too). The 607 also run hourly with every service leaving 7 minutes before the hour with the last service before its 9.10pm service leaving at 7.53pm. What I'm trying to get across to you TT is that these are not routes that you just turn up to and get the next one that comes along and that if you're going to use it, you plan ahead.

As an aside related to patronage on the last services of the night, last Wednesday night I caught the last Ferny Grove service home (~11.30pm ex-Central) and the seats were about 2/3 full when we were leaving Bowen Hills. I'd say that's pretty decent usage, though granted some may have been related to SOO gatherings, as I know my travel was.

[Arnz]

It was a 3 way arrangement between SCRC, USC and TL.  From what I'be seen at night both runs usually carried 1-3 people a weeknight. So it was a valid call to scrap it.

Fortunately for those down at Caloundra there is a 615+600 connection leaving the Uni after 9pm (connect to a 600 at Mooloolaba Packbackers)

[Stillwater]

It would be good if it was made clear, ahead of the cuts, that patronage was low, and warning that unless people used it and passenger numbers increased, it would be scrapped.  In other words, give people warning of the cuts and see if people's travel behaviour changes.

[Golliwog]

It would be good if it was made clear, ahead of the cuts, that patronage was low, and warning that unless people used it and passenger numbers increased, it would be scrapped.  In other words, give people warning of the cuts and see if people's travel behaviour changes.

I don't know what sort of announcement was made when the late service started, but the notice here clearly states that it was introduced as a trial. Typically trials are dependant on usage so not sure if that should have to be stated halfway through. Though it should have been made clear when it was introduced.

[#Metro]

If you don't use it, you'll loose it!

If that is the case, why do routes like 476, 416, 203 and 198 still exist?

[Golliwog]

If you don't use it, you'll loose it!

If that is the case, why do routes like 476, 416, 203 and 198 still exist?

Who operates those routes again?