Locals pay levy but bus service suffers (related to Routes 620/622)

[Arnz]

Something has to be done re the 620.  Whilst at night and at certain times of the day is at best under half-full, peak times regularly faces crowding for a half-hour service. 

Whilst preferably most people rather see the 620 upgraded to every 15 mins 7am-6pm (Mon-Fri) and 8am-5pm (Weekends), chances are TL won't be funding the upgrades on their own.

Perhaps the SCRC and Noosa Shire Council may be able to work together to fund a partial upgrade of the 620 to every 15 minutes during the morning peak (7am-10am both directions) in the window and afternoon peak (2pm-5pm both directions) considering the school patronage around the Coolum areas as well.  Coolum has their own dedicated school buses yet students also use the 620.   

This would mean joint Council/State Government funding as a "trial" until TL deems it fit (via the go card data logs) to fund the upgrades outright.   This has worked previously for the weekend 600/620 upgrades a few years ago (which was initially started by the council as a joint funded upgrade, until TL took over funding completely for the weekend 600/620 upgrades).

The Free Bus summer season only outlined the problem with consistent crowded/late buses on Routes 620/622 as a result.

http://m.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/locals-pay-levy-but-bus-service-suffers/2132418/

LETTER OF THE DAY: WITH bus drivers keeping statistics on patronage during the free buses period, it should be blatantly clear to both Translink and Sunshine Coast Regional Council that it is a huge success and bonus for holidaymakers.

Businesses articulate that this is their best season for a long time.

While the Maroochydore to Caloundra 600 buses run every 12 minutes, the 620 and 622 Maroochydore to Noosa runs remain the same, despite the heavy demand over this free period.

The unchanged 620 half-hourly and 622 hourly regular service, created overcrowding and inordinate delays.

This is short-sighted, considering the many holiday spots along the north shore to Noosa coastline and high demand by tourists, inconveniencing locals who pay the levy.

[#Metro]

There's no revenue from free services and thus little incentive to expand service.

I also get wary of having too much reliance on local gov't funding for operations other than trial routes or special services. Once you get a lot of council money going into something, next thing you know they will be wanting control of the route planning as well. Money almost always comes with strings.

[Stillwater]

The free buses over Xmas holidays is designed primarily to reduce traffic congestion on local roads, i.e. in Hastings Street, Noosa.  Since the very popular free buses over Xmas has been operating, there has been a pick-up on patronage on SC buses during the rest of the year as people try the air-conditioned buses during the free trail and then pay for the privilege after the offer has ended.  During the hot weather, the free buses (air-conditioned) where a huge success.

[longboi]

There's no revenue from free services and thus little incentive to expand service.

I also get wary of having too much reliance on local gov't funding for operations other than trial routes or special services. Once you get a lot of council money going into something, next thing you know they will be wanting control of the route planning as well. Money almost always comes with strings.

This is true.

However, I think SCRC would be wise to invest where investment is actually needed and did away with some of their other questionable funding agreements.