N412/N464 - Route Improvements

[James]

James went for his first ride on the N412 in the wee hours of this morning. I decided given this was a NightLink service and that dead-running 412s go very close to where I reside, I decided that it may be an idea to see if I could remain on board and be dropped off closer to my final destination. Unfortunately, the bus driver didn't seem to care and instead turfed us off at St Lucia South.

It seems a bit daft (dare I say Queenslander principle?) for a welfare night-time service to turf passengers off even though it would be at no extra cost to continue the bus to Gailey Rd/Toowong (given it runs out of service that way anyway), especially in the early hours of the morning when there is little traffic. I can accept not extending the bus to Indro, as outbound N412s only have 8 minutes (in terms of the timetable) to get back to Toowong for the inbound run. But I think it'd be basic common sense to have the N412 running along its usual route, then down along Hawken Dr/Swann Rd/Gailey Rd back to Toowong.

Also, taking a look at the N464, it seems to bypass large sections of Jindalee when there'd be a minimal time penalty in running a bus down Yallambee Rd (for example) and at least giving this area some coverage. Given the cost of a taxi to get out that far can be easily $50, I'm sure people won't mind 5 minutes of fartsing around given the money saved catching NightLink is significant (when compared to the cost of a taxi). A more general thought bubble in my mind is possibly making rail NightLink hourly bus services instead, but perhaps that is asking too much.

Thoughts?

[aldonius]

Late at night the coverage/speed trade-off does favour coverage a bit more, I agree. Sensible route suggestions too.

I'm of the opinion that the 412, Spring Hill Loop and the Gliders should run 24/7, even if only at minimal frequency. More iffy: 140, 222, 230, 333/330, 464, 555.

[Golliwog]

It depends on the driver I think. I know we've had the N390 go through the backstreet in Keperra to drop someone off closer to their house (they also are meant to drop you anywhere along the route, not just at bus stops right?)

However, there may be a bit more leniency on wandering routes for the N390 because it's also a pseudo Nightlink Ferny Grove train (the normal 390 terminates at Brookside but the N390 goes all the way to the end for those not from this side of town).

[James]

Late at night the coverage/speed trade-off does favour coverage a bit more, I agree. Sensible route suggestions too.

I'm of the opinion that the 412, Spring Hill Loop and the Gliders should run 24/7, even if only at minimal frequency. More iffy: 140, 222, 230, 333/330, 464, 555.

Spring Hill Loop could start by running on weekends. Right now its 6am - 6pm Monday - Friday (roughly). Looking at 24/7 operations, I think the 130 (stopping at all busway stations and going via Garden City), 200, 333, 412 and CGLD would all be good candidates for 24/7 running when it starts.

I think the main thing is firstly filling in any remaining NightLink gaps.