6 Apr 2015: Brisbane Bus Reform: 230 BulimbaGlider - A Purple CityGlider ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 6th April 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: 230 BulimbaGlider - A Purple CityGlider for Bulimba?



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 called for Transport Minister Jackie Trad to announce a BulimbaGlider upgrade, now that the Bulimba Barracks are for sale.

New Bus Network Proposal (Updated) ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Bus Reform Blueprint ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

The Australian Defence Force has confirmed that the 23-ha Bulimba Barracks are to be sold. This is prime waterfront land that would support medium density South Bank style apartments set in public parkland. Importantly, a South Bank style development without bus access would increase car traffic in the area substantially and local car traffic at all hours of the day and night. This is because not all important destinations are on the CityCat network. Hence the need for bus upgrades in the Bulimba area.

The Bulimba area is grossly under-serviced compared to similar inner city suburbs such as West End or New Farm, which also have CityCat service. The Bulimba area receives about 60 services per day per direction, mostly from routes 230 and 235. In comparison West End and New Farm receive about 120 services per day per direction just from BUZ 199, let alone BUZ 196 or the Blue CityGlider.

Under bus reform, the 230 BulimbaGlider would combine 230, 235, 231 Rocket and 236 Rocket services into a single high-frequency bus service, complete with 'light rail style' high-speed bus stop spacing. BulimbaGlider buses would feature all door boarding and run 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights, supporting local businesses within the Bulimba dining and entertainment precinct. TransLink's own data supports bus upgrades as both 230 and 235 bus services register 'Very high capacity utilisation' which means that the buses are very well patronised. This high bus patronage occurs despite CityCat services in the area.

The Bulimba Barracks site has a number of mature Jacaranda trees on site and lining the western boundary along Thynne Road. Given the first CityGlider was Blue, the second one Maroon, Jacaranda purple appropriately reflects the local environment and identity of Brisbane. Purple is also a colour associated with royalty.

We have responded to previous objections by Cr Julian Simmonds that our earlier BulimbaGlider proposals did not serve Thynne Road. In our New Bus Network Proposal, we now propose extending the BulimbaGlider service along the entire length of Thynne Road to an interchange at Morningside Station. As CityGliders are Brisbane City Council initiatives, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk should be approached for at least 50% of the funding for the new purple 230 BulimbaGlider service.

RAIL Back on Track does not support the suggestion of a park and ride car park. Car park construction is very expensive (~ $70 000/space) and will convert the quiet Apollo Road Ferry terminal into a centre of congestion chaos. If any parking is to be provided, it should be strictly limited to kiss-and-ride, bicycle parking and scooter parking only.

Bus services in the Bulimba area are terrible and need a total shake-up. The changing density and development of Brisbane mean that Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's 1988-style bus network now needs a major dose of bus reform.

References:

Calls for Bulimba glider rejected http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

Brisbane buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141104-11gxl3.html

Bulimba Barracks to be sold for residential development, parkland
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bulimba-barracks-to-be-sold-for-residential-development-
parkland-20150405-1meahl.html#comments

History of Purple http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple#In_art.2C_history_and_fashion

Price Reference - The Gap Park and Ride
$6 million dollars (A) for 85 car parking spaces (B) (2013$)
Divide (A) into (B): That is $70 000+ per car parking space. : The cost is likely to be even higher for multi-story
car park because The Gap facility is all on the ground level.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/west/park-n-ride-on-waterworks-rd-to-help-commuters-use-public-transport/story-fn8m0u4y-1226581344469

Attachments
RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal BulimbaGlider 230
http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/bus230update.jpg

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

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