UQ Lakes bus congestion

[Golliwog]

My favoured option would have been for the platform now under reconstruction to have also been redone as a sawtooth platform. I think the main reason for not doing so may have been UQ not wanting to give up their gardens that it backs onto. Currently they're installing a small concrete retaining wall (at least thats what it looks like) so that the stop can back right onto the fenceline of the gardens, minimsing any take from the gardens.

That isn't happening?

Urgh!

Most are using 29, only one person (idiot) got off at park road

Where might you be going that the 109 is a reasonable option?

If this concept design image from the Translink website is anything to go by it isn't:


Did many get off at PA Hospital (from the 109)? Don't underestimate interchange at the Cultural Centre/CBD.

[O_128]

PA gets a lot of boardinghouse I/B I use the 109 to get to CC , then transfer to 199, no one in there righting uses the 412, took me 30 min to get from uq to toowong one afternoon

[beauyboy]

Is construction over now?

Donald

[Golliwog]

http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/503

Capacity boosted at UQ Lakes
Friday 8 June 2012

TransLink's second busiest bus station is receiving a boost with the UQ Lakes station doubling in capacity.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the increase from three to six platforms would improve the reliability of buses at the busy station from Saturday 16 June.

"Each year, more than 1.5 million students rely on buses at UQ Lakes station so it is important that we have capacity to deliver reliable services for people at the university," Mr Emerson said.

"As part of the upgrade, an additional platform was added to the northern side of the station, which will allow buses to fully utilise the area and avoid delays.

"There has been a new central layover area built, which caters up to four buses, plus the existing stops on the southern side have been refurbished, allowing for buses to move through the area smoothly."

The new station has been designed to improve passenger comfort during peak times by providing larger waiting areas, additional shelter and improved lighting.

Mr Emerson said the upgrade would cater for additional passenger growth at UQ Lakes with new connecting services expected to boost patronage at the busy station.

"The station will cater for additional students travelling to UQ from the northern suburbs who will have a 'turn up and go ride'," Mr Emerson said.

"Route 340 buses from Carseldine, Aspley and Chermside will run express through the city and on to Woolloongabba busway station, where students will be able to connect with a route 29 bus to UQ.

"Since it was turned into a five-minute peak high frequency service in February, patronage on route 29 has increased by more than 1400 extra passengers per day or around 400 per cent."

"UQ Lakes bus station is covered by 24 hour video surveillance, which is monitored by both university security and TransLink's busway staff.

For more information on public transport, visit translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime

Not sure how they're getting 6 platforms, unless the new straight edge one is being split into 3 sections?
Also, the patronage discussion on route 29 confuses me. I thought route 29 started off as a 5 minute peak frequency route.

[O_128]

this project to an unbelievable amount of time to do and is still not finished!

[Golliwog]

this project to an unbelievable amount of time to do and is still not finished!

I don't understand why they didn't start it at the start of the long christmas break, but considering they've done practically the whole upgrade whilst keeping the whole bus stop operational they've done pretty wel for themselves. It does look practically done though, so I'd believe the 16 June opening date.

[Mr X]

Random idea- merge the 340 with the 29?

I've mentioned before my disapproval of the construction timeframe for this one.

[Golliwog]

Random idea- merge the 340 with the 29?

Possible, though the 340 doesn't have as many runs as the 29 does. Also, still don't know why they're pushing the 340 so hard for the connection to UQ. The 77 also provides one and skips the CBD so gives a faster trip.

[aldonius]

Possible, though the 340 doesn't have as many runs as the 29 does. Also, still don't know why they're pushing the 340 so hard for the connection to UQ. The 77 also provides one and skips the CBD so gives a faster trip.

Trying to load-balance the 109 some more maybe? Plus the 139, 169, 209 are already pretty crowded at Buranda, so there's a reason for TL to keep quiet about that particular use of the 77.

[somebody]

http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/503

Capacity boosted at UQ Lakes
Friday 8 June 2012

TransLink's second busiest bus station is receiving a boost with the UQ Lakes station doubling in capacity.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the increase from three to six platforms would improve the reliability of buses at the busy station from Saturday 16 June.

"Each year, more than 1.5 million students rely on buses at UQ Lakes station so it is important that we have capacity to deliver reliable services for people at the university," Mr Emerson said.

"As part of the upgrade, an additional platform was added to the northern side of the station, which will allow buses to fully utilise the area and avoid delays.

"There has been a new central layover area built, which caters up to four buses, plus the existing stops on the southern side have been refurbished, allowing for buses to move through the area smoothly."

The new station has been designed to improve passenger comfort during peak times by providing larger waiting areas, additional shelter and improved lighting.

Mr Emerson said the upgrade would cater for additional passenger growth at UQ Lakes with new connecting services expected to boost patronage at the busy station.

"The station will cater for additional students travelling to UQ from the northern suburbs who will have a 'turn up and go ride'," Mr Emerson said.

"Route 340 buses from Carseldine, Aspley and Chermside will run express through the city and on to Woolloongabba busway station, where students will be able to connect with a route 29 bus to UQ.

"Since it was turned into a five-minute peak high frequency service in February, patronage on route 29 has increased by more than 1400 extra passengers per day or around 400 per cent."

"UQ Lakes bus station is covered by 24 hour video surveillance, which is monitored by both university security and TransLink's busway staff.

For more information on public transport, visit translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime

Not sure how they're getting 6 platforms, unless the new straight edge one is being split into 3 sections?
Also, the patronage discussion on route 29 confuses me. I thought route 29 started off as a 5 minute peak frequency route.

Who fact checked that?  There were previously 4 stands at UQ Lakes.

29 started at less high frequency - 15 minute daytime frequency operating university semesters only.

Random idea- merge the 340 with the 29?

Possible, though the 340 doesn't have as many runs as the 29 does. Also, still don't know why they're pushing the 340 so hard for the connection to UQ. The 77 also provides one and skips the CBD so gives a faster trip.

Probably because the 29 is underutilised outside of peak hour <ducks>.  On those figures, it is only getting an average of 7.4 boardings per trip.

[Golliwog]

Possible, though the 340 doesn't have as many runs as the 29 does. Also, still don't know why they're pushing the 340 so hard for the connection to UQ. The 77 also provides one and skips the CBD so gives a faster trip.

Trying to load-balance the 109 some more maybe? Plus the 139, 169, 209 are already pretty crowded at Buranda, so there's a reason for TL to keep quiet about that particular use of the 77.

Pretty sure it serves a stop outside PAH giving access to PAH Busway and all UQ bound routes. At least I'm pretty sure a mate of mine told me he does to get to and from his place on the inner northside.

Simon: I would admit the 29 is a bit under utilised off peak. You do get some decent loads on it though. As far as I can tell it's typically operated as a loop so it does end up with a bit of bunching. Particularly as some drivers don't pull up well at the temporary UQ stop so they have to leave quickly to avoid blocking other buses.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Indeed it does. Just prior to/from the enter/exit from the busway. Its about a 200m walk to the actual station.

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.497173,153.036309&z=21&t=k&nmd=20120508

You can even see a 77 bus using the stop.

[aldonius]

The O'Keefe St stop for the 77? Yeah, it exists, but I think it's a pain for interchange - on the few occasions I've used the 77 I've always changed at Buranda. (It slipped my mind in my previous comment.)

Now I've gone over the approx. distances in google maps, looks like Buranda is a ~200m walk, O'Keefe-PAH is ~350m (~450m PAH-O'Keefe). This includes stairs and platforms. Given the 109 & 29, changing there could work.

Over-a-year-later-edit: I've now tried interchanging from the 77 @ O'Keefe/PAH, UQ bound. If you're a 'fast walker', on a fine day it's rather nice. I typically find myself arriving at the platform as the bus does... which is usually also the case at Buranda.

[somebody]

Buranda's pretty annoying for interchange also, when you need to swap platforms.  Interesting comment.

[Gazza]

when you need to swap platforms

Not one for climbing stairs I take it?

[somebody]

when you need to swap platforms

Not one for climbing stairs I take it?

When they're twice as high as they need to be and then have the 60m walk to the other end of the platform.

[HappyTrainGuy]

when you need to swap platforms

Not one for climbing stairs I take it?

When they're twice as high as they need to be and then have the 60m walk to the other end of the platform.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Expansion for Brisbane's second busiest bus stop

Expansion for Brisbane's second busiest bus stop
June 9, 2012

University students will find it more difficult to blame bad buses for tardiness from next weekend with a $3 million expansion of the UQ Lakes bus-stop commissioned by the former ALP government due for completion.

A $300,000 turning lane upgrade for the station announced by current LNP transport minister Scott Emerson is also expected to be completed by June 16, effectively doubling the capacity of TransLink's second busiest stop.

Mr Emerson said the increase from three to six platforms would improve the reliability of buses at the busy station, with upgrades including larger waiting areas, additional shelter and improved lighting set to improve passenger comfort.

"Each year, more than 1.5 million students rely on buses at UQ Lakes station so it is important that we have capacity to deliver reliable services for people at the University," he said.

"There has been a new central layover area built, which caters up to four buses, plus the existing stops on the southern side have been refurbished, allowing for buses to move through the area smoothly."

The upgrade will allow for route 340 buses from Carseldine, Aspley and Chermside to run express through the city and on to Woolloongabba busway station, where students will be able to connect with a route 29 bus to UQ.

Mr Emerson said patronage on route 29 – a five-minute peak high frequency service – had increased by more than 400 per cent since it was introduced in February.

Translink estimates more than 3.5 million trips are made to and from the UQ Lakes and Chancellor's Place bus stops each year, making these two of the top five busiest stops in Brisbane.

A spokesman told brisbanetimes.com.au Cultural Centre was the network's busiest bus-stop, with Roma Street and Queen Street stations also featured in the top five.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/expansion-for-brisbanes-second-busiest-bus-stop-20120608-2011v.html

[Mr X]

What? The turning lane has nothing to do with UQ Lakes upgrade and doesn't impact on capacity one iota. Dodgy reporting right there.

[somebody]

What is the turning lane upgrade?

[Mr X]

On Gladstone Rd.

Completely independent from the station upgrade.

Reporters these days 

[#Metro]

They need a turn lane out at Wooloongabba. Would allow 475, 340 etc to enter the busway using a right turn at W'Gabba from Ipswich road.

[somebody]

They need a turn lane out at Wooloongabba. Would allow 475, 340 etc to enter the busway using a right turn at W'Gabba from Ipswich road.

What?  Wouldn't change anything for the 340, and with the 475 that can be done as has been discussed in the other thread with a triple left turn starting at O'Keefe St.  Doing it at W'Gabba would mean you can't serve stops on Ipswich Rd.

On Gladstone Rd.

Yes, of course!

[Gazza]

when you need to swap platforms

Not one for climbing stairs I take it?

When they're twice as high as they need to be and then have the 60m walk to the other end of the platform.

-They aren't twice as high as they need to be, since they were designed to be high enough to clear future overhead wires if the busway is converted to light rail. Note how at park road for instance the busway bridge matches the rail overbridge.
-60m is not a long walk.

[ozbob]

http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1338532710

New platform for UQ Lakes station


http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/uq-lakes.jpg

Last updated: 4.01pm Friday 15 June 2012

From Sunday 17 June, buses will start using the new northern platform at UQ Lakes station.

To take advantage of the increased capacity there will be some changes to bus stops.

These changes will impact all services at UQ Lakes (routes 29, 109, 139, 169, 192 and 209). Please see the final station layout below.

Keep an eye out for signage to direct you to your new stop.

The upgraded UQ Lakes station will operate more efficiently and provides double the capacity for buses to support future increases in services, such as the recently introduced high frequency route 29 (Woolloongabba to UQ).

Minor works will continue for the next few weeks.

TransLink would like to thank all UQ staff, students and public transport users for their patience and cooperation during construction.

We hope you enjoy your new and improved bus station.

For more information visit the UQ Lakes station upgrade project page.

Affected services:

    29
    109
    139
    169
    192
    209

[Golliwog]

The blade columns still have the current timetables in them (and I'm not sure when they'll change, could be tonight/tomorrow) but they had A frames with that picture in them down at the bus stop today. Wasn't there on Friday though when you'd have the most people there to notice it before the change.

[ozbob]

Media release 17 June 2012

SEQ: UQ Lakes Busway station upgrade - another job well done!

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 welcomes the opening of the upgraded UQ Lakes busway station (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"UQ Lakes and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge have gone from strength to strength. It goes to show what can be achieved when public and active transport is prioritised over car travel. The upgraded station is bright, airy and has a high quality finish to it. Services to UQ Lakes are regularly overcrowded."

"Cycling to the University of Queensland has also exploded since the opening of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge. We hope that The University of Queensland will, in the future, consider a high-level, high capacity end of trip bicycle facility to accommodate demand."

"Congratulations on another job well done.  Time to consider the proper placement of more 'green bridges' to further facilitate improved public and active transport for the community."

Reference:

1.  http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1338532710

Contact:

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

[SurfRail]

I ducked over on the weekend for a look, and noticed with no small amusement that there are "Keep behind the yellow line signs" placed on the middle island directed at passengers on the platform.

There is no yellow line! 

(There is a yellow "bus footprint" on the road itself, which cannot be what it is supposed to be referring to.)

[ozbob]

Finally got to go UQ Lakes earlier today.  Had a good look around, much improved.

Had a casual chat with a few drivers.   General consensus seems to be working well, providing all drivers do the right thing.  Pax flow seems good too.

Having a nice lunch now at Stones Corner, that's the breaks! 

[ozbob]

UQ Lakes Bus station

















































UQ Lakes bicycle rack



Photographs R Dow 29th August 2012