Riverfire 2014

[ozbob]

Riverfire

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/event-transport/details/2761

[dancingmongoose]

After the fireworks, additional regular services will run on all lines

How descriptive of them

[ozbob]

Normally there is free travel for a couple of hours after the fireworks.  It is unmanageable otherwise.

I guess the big presser/photo op is to still to come on this.   Stand by ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

After the fireworks, additional regular services will run on all lines

How descriptive of them

Way too much information for the average punter.

[James]

In defence of TransLink, a lot of people really won't be planning things that far in advance. Would be nice if they listed trains in advance, but sometimes they don't until a few days out - not the end of the world.

Would be nice if they put all the services into the journey planner. Props to BCC for doing this - even if they've done ridiculous things like have the additional 460 services run 3 minutes behind the existing services (rather than half an hour later, providing higher frequency and ability to connect to all City-bound trains).

[Derwan]

After the fireworks, additional regular services will run on all lines

How descriptive of them

That's about the best they can do.  A train will arrive at South Bank, wait there for a couple of minutes while people pile on and then leave.  Then the next train will arrive, etc.  The destinations will alternate.  There won't be a set timetable.  They will run like that for a while after the fireworks.  It's a nightmare (but unavoidable).

South Bank Station will be particularly hectic this time with the temporary access via Tribune St.  They've also barricaded sections underneath the busway which has effectively closed in that area.  Unless they remove the barricades by then it'll be extremely noisy in there while everyone is waiting for direction on when their bus has arrived.  (They hold people downstairs until services arrive and then call for people catching that service to head upstairs.)

If you're heading to Riverfire, be patient.  Stay there for a while afterwards and gradually make your way home.  It's not worth the stress.

[dancingmongoose]

Well would you believe it, Translink have be nice and put the extra services into the journey planner for us. Makes my job easier

[petey3801]

After the fireworks, additional regular services will run on all lines

How descriptive of them

That's about the best they can do.  A train will arrive at South Bank, wait there for a couple of minutes while people pile on and then leave.  Then the next train will arrive, etc.  The destinations will alternate.  There won't be a set timetable.  They will run like that for a while after the fireworks.  It's a nightmare (but unavoidable).

South Bank Station will be particularly hectic this time with the temporary access via Tribune St.  They've also barricaded sections underneath the busway which has effectively closed in that area.  Unless they remove the barricades by then it'll be extremely noisy in there while everyone is waiting for direction on when their bus has arrived.  (They hold people downstairs until services arrive and then call for people catching that service to head upstairs.)

If you're heading to Riverfire, be patient.  Stay there for a while afterwards and gradually make your way home.  It's not worth the stress.

Ohh trust me, all the extras have set destinations as well as set timetables! They've all already been timetabled and allocated.

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLink SEQ ‏@TransLinkSEQ

Catching the train from Riverfire? Restricted access @ South Bank train station. Use Sth Bris or Roma St stns #riverfire #QR @BrisFestival

[ozbob]

TransLink spokesman on 4BC Drive said there would be free travel for a couple of hours after the fireworks.

Nothing official on website that I can see.

[techblitz]

TransLink spokesman on 4BC Drive said there would be free travel for a couple of hours after the fireworks.

Nothing official on website that I can see.

Makes absolute sense...the paper ticket sales delays from non-pt users would not be worth it....everyone leaving at once is the big issue...

[dancingmongoose]

Anyone know why Gold Coast trains stop at Banoon after 1 tomorrow?

[James]

Anyone know why Gold Coast trains stop at Banoon after 1 tomorrow?

It is due to Monster Jam which is being held at QSAC tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Banoon is chosen over Altandi (which would be more logical) due to poor bus access at Altandi and even worse access at Sunnybank. Speaking of Altandi, a nice bus turnaround there I think would do wonders.

[ozbob]

TransLink spokesman on 4BC Drive said there would be free travel for a couple of hours after the fireworks.

Nothing official on website that I can see.

Makes absolute sense...the paper ticket sales delays from non-pt users would not be worth it....everyone leaving at once is the big issue...

Yo.  The fare system simply cannot cope with the mass crush crowds.  It is the safety reason for the free travel.

In previous years the free travel has been well highlighted but not this time, so far, other than the mention on radio yesterday as far as I am aware.  Might be some publicity today.

[newbris]

TransLink spokesman on 4BC Drive said there would be free travel for a couple of hours after the fireworks.

Nothing official on website that I can see.

Did this eventuate does anyone know ? We didn't get free travel after the fireworks...

[BrizCommuter]

Some people on the train back thought there was free travel, but the majority used their go cards. If there really was free travel, then shame on TransLink for not publicising it!

The train service from South Bank was rather unimpressive. The 07:38pm Ferny Grove train arrived at South Bank (s-l-o-w-l-y) around 5 minutes late, creating a huge gap between the previous service. All Northbound passengers were advised to take this train. The train then crawled at walking pace (no kidding) to South Brisbane where it became full to capacity due to gap between it's proceeding service. Not sure what happened to the following Caboolture service from South Bank, as the 07:48pm from South Bank to Ferny Grove train was right behind the first Ferny Grove Line train.

[petey3801]

Yes, unfortunately a part of the special event procedures for drivers is for trains to stop prior to the station and proceed in to the station at 10km/h, as well as departing at 10km/h. Makes things very slow. Probably continued at walking pace or so due to another train already on the platform at South Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Some people on the train back thought there was free travel, but the majority used their go cards. If there really was free travel, then shame on TransLink for not publicising it!

The TransLink media guy definitely said on radio (4BC) there was free travel ..

Seems to be the modus operandus of late ... tell no one not much of anything ...

Hopeless!

[BrizCommuter]

Yes, unfortunately a part of the special event procedures for drivers is for trains to stop prior to the station and proceed in to the station at 10km/h, as well as departing at 10km/h. Makes things very slow. Probably continued at walking pace or so due to another train already on the platform at South Brisbane.

Thanks for supplying us with that info. This policy seems to be rather reverse logic to clearing lots of people of platforms quickly. Whilst I can see QR's safety side of the argument, platforms can be busier in the peak anyway (with no speed restrictions), and slowing down the clearing of passengers from major events can cause knock on safety risks.

[ozbob]

Hey ho ....

... Andrew Christie is a spokesperson for Translink he told 4BC Drive extra trains and buses are being put on for the event and buses are leaving from 14 different places around the city.

The travel from the Southbank area and Roma ST after the event will be free to help clear the crowds ...

> http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/driveblog2014#.VChtqhaZjXM

^ emphasis mine ...

[ozbob]

[STB]

Some people on the train back thought there was free travel, but the majority used their go cards. If there really was free travel, then shame on TransLink for not publicising it!

The TransLink media guy definitely said on radio (4BC) there was free travel ..

Seems to be the modus operandus of late ... tell no one not much of anything ...

Hopeless!

Either that or the people didn't take note of the free travel message (stuck in their own little bubble), or touched their cards in habit.  I guess a simple sign stuck onto the readers of 'Do not touch card - free travel' would help, even then there will be those who'll touch their cards regardless.

[STB]

Yes, unfortunately a part of the special event procedures for drivers is for trains to stop prior to the station and proceed in to the station at 10km/h, as well as departing at 10km/h. Makes things very slow. Probably continued at walking pace or so due to another train already on the platform at South Brisbane.

Thanks for supplying us with that info. This policy seems to be rather reverse logic to clearing lots of people of platforms quickly. Whilst I can see QR's safety side of the argument, platforms can be busier in the peak anyway (with no speed restrictions), and slowing down the clearing of passengers from major events can cause knock on safety risks.

I think the idea too is that the passengers will also be a bit more jovial after a special event and hence may do some silly things like wander accidentally over the yellow line while laughing with their mates, etc, unlike in peak hour where things are a bit more orderly due to the mental state that passengers are in at the time.  I don't mind these rules, they are there for a reason and may have been put in due to events in the past.

[ozbob]

Some people on the train back thought there was free travel, but the majority used their go cards. If there really was free travel, then shame on TransLink for not publicising it!

The TransLink media guy definitely said on radio (4BC) there was free travel ..

Seems to be the modus operandus of late ... tell no one not much of anything ...

Hopeless!

Either that or the people didn't take note of the free travel message (stuck in their own little bubble), or touched their cards in habit.  I guess a simple sign stuck onto the readers of 'Do not touch card - free travel' would help, even then there will be those who'll touch their cards regardless.

There was no indication of 'free travel' anywhere on the web or signage.  The only mention was on 4BC radio as far as I am aware.

Previous years it was properly highlighted on the web and publicity via statements.

[petey3801]

Yes, unfortunately a part of the special event procedures for drivers is for trains to stop prior to the station and proceed in to the station at 10km/h, as well as departing at 10km/h. Makes things very slow. Probably continued at walking pace or so due to another train already on the platform at South Brisbane.

Thanks for supplying us with that info. This policy seems to be rather reverse logic to clearing lots of people of platforms quickly. Whilst I can see QR's safety side of the argument, platforms can be busier in the peak anyway (with no speed restrictions), and slowing down the clearing of passengers from major events can cause knock on safety risks.

I think the idea too is that the passengers will also be a bit more jovial after a special event and hence may do some silly things like wander accidentally over the yellow line while laughing with their mates, etc, unlike in peak hour where things are a bit more orderly due to the mental state that passengers are in at the time.  I don't mind these rules, they are there for a reason and may have been put in due to events in the past.

Although with the vast amounts of staff on the platforms after these events keeping crowds behind the yellow line, my personal view is that 10km/h really is too slow. I could live with 25km/h, but 10 is just painful. It is actually quite embarrassing entering a platform so slow with all the crowds on the platform looking at you like 'WTF?!?'!

[SurfRail]

Even the flashing yellow aspect is 40kph isn't it?

[petey3801]

Even the flashing yellow aspect is 40kph isn't it?

Maximum 40km/h, yep.

[nathandavid88]

Hey ho ....

... Andrew Christie is a spokesperson for Translink he told 4BC Drive extra trains and buses are being put on for the event and buses are leaving from 14 different places around the city.

The travel from the Southbank area and Roma ST after the event will be free to help clear the crowds ...

> http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/driveblog2014#.VChtqhaZjXM

^ emphasis mine ...

So the free travel was only available at South Bank/South Brisbane and Roma Street then? I watched the fireworks from down near Customs House, along with a fairly decent crowd also wanting to see the Story Bridge fireworks, and afterwards headed to Central for my train home expecting it to be free. I get there only to find all fare gates at Central switched on and requiring the regular Go Card touch on to get through. I'd chalked up my 9 trip rort, so it didn't bother me, but so much for the little advertised free travel...

[newbris]

Hey ho ....

... Andrew Christie is a spokesperson for Translink he told 4BC Drive extra trains and buses are being put on for the event and buses are leaving from 14 different places around the city.

The travel from the Southbank area and Roma ST after the event will be free to help clear the crowds ...

> http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/driveblog2014#.VChtqhaZjXM

^ emphasis mine ...

So the free travel was only available at South Bank/South Brisbane and Roma Street then? I watched the fireworks from down near Customs House, along with a fairly decent crowd also wanting to see the Story Bridge fireworks, and afterwards headed to Central for my train home expecting it to be free. I get there only to find all fare gates at Central switched on and requiring the regular Go Card touch on to get through. I'd chalked up my 9 trip rort, so it didn't bother me, but so much for the little advertised free travel...

We asked the maroon glider driver at KGS and he declined. It obviously travels through southbank and through roma st so felt slightly unlucky

[Cam]

Caught the 110 soon after 2pm & driver waived us on without touching Go Card. At Moorooka, the driver asked those that had touched on to touch off before he turned the machine off.