7 Dec 2012: SEQ: Bus review rolling along nicely

[ozbob]

Media release 7 December 2012

SEQ: Bus review rolling along nicely

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 has welcomed the next stage of the Bus Review (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"TransLink has embarked on a major review of the bus network. It is a complex task, and perhaps major reviews should be conducted more regularly, at least every 6 to 8 years. Some of our members however have suggested the review and changes suggested for stage 2 are too timid.  The keys to an improved network are frequency and simplicity and changes need to be aggressive to properly recast the network."

"A few patterns are evident from the review website: Services that have high value for money and high patronage are either (a) peak hour express services or (b) all day BUZ routes. Of the two, the BUZ routes provide the greatest freedom and mobility as they exist all day, whereas the peak hour expresses are not useful for most of the day. This is where the focus needs to be - on an inter-meshing network of BUZ routes, what we have come to call 'The Bus Grid'."

"Other very interesting patterns are revealed also - the following bus routes have high patronage and value for money despite poor frequency and span. Bulimba (230, 235) and The Northwest (350, 357, 359). Moderate routes include Wynnum Road (220 and 227) and The Centenary Suburbs (450 etc). We have been calling for BUZ routes to Bulimba, Centenary and The Northwest for some time now. Residents in these areas have lodged petitions also. RAIL Back On Track has long argued that the fastest, cheapest way to boost public transport is to introduce frequent and rapid services along main arterial road corridors, and increase rail and ferry services in existing corridors, and TransLink's own data appears to bear this out."

"RAIL Back on Track calls for the Maroon CityGlider to be scrapped and replaced with a BulimbaGlider, where it is actually needed (3). There isn't anybody on the Maroon CityGlider route who does not already have access to a decent frequent bus services already."

"We look forward to the next stages of the review, thank you and keep up the good work."

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review

2. "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

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7575.msg99120#msg99120

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg114416#msg114416

[somebody]

Thanks for putting this out.  At least it raises the issue about the timidity.