6 Jan 2015: Brisbane City Council’s Bus Network - What Went Wrong?

[ozbob]

Media release 6th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?

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 today releases a summary report into issues with BCC's bus network and calls all parties contesting the 2015 Queensland Election to support bus reform.

As part of our New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane, we release an additional summary report detailing what went wrong with the BCC bus network. The Lord Mayor is on record stating that the BCC bus network is 'not broken'. We disagree. Now, anybody can download our report and see why fares escalated.

Download Report Here > Frequency is Freedom  PDF 4.8MB

We show:

    * Who gets frequent bus service in Brisbane, and the suburbs that are public transport black holes under BCC's 'no transfer' philosophy (pages 5 - 8 ).

    * How bus reforms rejected by BCC are being implemented in Brisbane's sister city of Auckland, New Zealand (page 10).  A package of improvements in Auckland has seen train patronage grow 17% (2014) and bus patronage grow 7% (2014). In contrast, Brisbane bus patronage fell by 1 million and traffic congestion increased by 3%.

    * The cost escalation mechanism. Upgrading the bus network while insisting all buses drive direct to the CBD and not adjusting the surrounding legacy network leads to escalating costs which implies increased fares. (pages 11 - 12)

    * How BCCs bus network and anti-interchange philosophy places buses exactly where they are least required, wasting resources and congesting the Brisbane CBD. As an example we analyse the Moggill Rd/Coronation Drive corridor showing that this also leads to too few buses in the suburbs, causing long waits for BCC's own residents. (Pages 14 -16)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to a bus network that leaves entire suburbs without decent bus service (e.g. Yeronga, Bulimba, Centenary, Albany Creek) (Page 17 - 18)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to an enormously complicated, fragmented, expensive-to-run, low frequency network in the suburbs. (i.e. 15 different bus routes to the Centenary suburbs, where none frequent). Despite BCC's in-house 2013 review, examples still exist of where service does not properly match the distribution of residents and straightening is required (Page 20).

Our analysis suggests Brisbane City Council was a key driving force behind the escalating 15% fare increases. While BCC does not set fares, it does set bus supplier costs, and obviously, higher costs equals higher fares. Private bus operators bidding for contracts within the Brisbane area should offer to do what BCC refuses to do - offer to run a simple, frequent and connected-style bus network.

The sooner Brisbane gets new bus operators that are willing and able to undertake the difficult task of bus network reform, the sooner fares can come down and patronage falls reversed.

Contact:

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

References:

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

Coronation Drive Analysis (Diagram)



http://s998.photobucket.com/user/tramtrain/media/BR_wasteogram_zps01c22678.png.html

Brizcommuter
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/brisbane-city-council-bus-network.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/brisbane-city-council.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/more-of-brisbane-city-councils-not.html

New Year, New Bus Operators?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11164.0

2014 – A Year in Review Part 1 – PT, Auckland Transport Blog
http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/12/29/2014-a-year-in-review-part-1-pt/

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

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg151034#msg151034

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th January 2015

Re: Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?

Greetings,

It matters little who is Government after next week, they are going to have to address the failed bus network for Brisbane.  TransLink attempted to do the right thing in 2013, non-cooperation by BCC basically torpedoed their efforts.  We don't think BCC will be able to get away with intransigence again - putting political self interest ahead of the broader community interest.  Weak leadership at the state level was also a factor.

Our members have worked for the past year in putting together detailed maps of the current and a proposed bus network for Brisbane.  It has cost Queensland nothing but many hours of dedicated committment by our members.

A series of media releases has been made available  and these are grouped together here
--> Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

We do not claim that our proposed network is THE solution, it is a solution.  No doubt private bus operators everywhere have taken close note though as they prepare for competitive tendering.

Public transport in Queensland needs reform generally. Queensland: Call for an Inquiry into Public Transport -->   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11184.0

The political party that addresses the critical issues of fare and network reform in detail as part of their policy platform, will probably be the party that determines the make-up of the  new state Government.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 6th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?

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 today releases a summary report into issues with BCC's bus network and calls all parties contesting the 2015 Queensland Election to support bus reform.

As part of our New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane, we release an additional summary report detailing what went wrong with the BCC bus network. The Lord Mayor is on record stating that the BCC bus network is 'not broken'. We disagree. Now, anybody can download our report and see why fares escalated.

Download Report Here > Frequency is Freedom  PDF 4.8MB

We show:

    * Who gets frequent bus service in Brisbane, and the suburbs that are public transport black holes under BCC's 'no transfer' philosophy (pages 5 - 8 ).

    * How bus reforms rejected by BCC are being implemented in Brisbane's sister city of Auckland, New Zealand (page 10).  A package of improvements in Auckland has seen train patronage grow 17% (2014) and bus patronage grow 7% (2014). In contrast, Brisbane bus patronage fell by 1 million and traffic congestion increased by 3%.

    * The cost escalation mechanism. Upgrading the bus network while insisting all buses drive direct to the CBD and not adjusting the surrounding legacy network leads to escalating costs which implies increased fares. (pages 11 - 12)

    * How BCCs bus network and anti-interchange philosophy places buses exactly where they are least required, wasting resources and congesting the Brisbane CBD. As an example we analyse the Moggill Rd/Coronation Drive corridor showing that this also leads to too few buses in the suburbs, causing long waits for BCC's own residents. (Pages 14 -16)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to a bus network that leaves entire suburbs without decent bus service (e.g. Yeronga, Bulimba, Centenary, Albany Creek) (Page 17 - 18)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to an enormously complicated, fragmented, expensive-to-run, low frequency network in the suburbs. (i.e. 15 different bus routes to the Centenary suburbs, where none frequent). Despite BCC's in-house 2013 review, examples still exist of where service does not properly match the distribution of residents and straightening is required (Page 20).

Our analysis suggests Brisbane City Council was a key driving force behind the escalating 15% fare increases. While BCC does not set fares, it does set bus supplier costs, and obviously, higher costs equals higher fares. Private bus operators bidding for contracts within the Brisbane area should offer to do what BCC refuses to do - offer to run a simple, frequent and connected-style bus network.

The sooner Brisbane gets new bus operators that are willing and able to undertake the difficult task of bus network reform, the sooner fares can come down and patronage falls reversed.

Contact:

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

References:

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

Coronation Drive Analysis (Diagram)



http://s998.photobucket.com/user/tramtrain/media/BR_wasteogram_zps01c22678.png.html

Brizcommuter
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/brisbane-city-council-bus-network.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/brisbane-city-council.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/more-of-brisbane-city-councils-not.html

New Year, New Bus Operators?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11164.0

2014 – A Year in Review Part 1 – PT, Auckland Transport Blog
http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/12/29/2014-a-year-in-review-part-1-pt/

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

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[verbatim9]

I think along side the fare enquiry The current Governemt should also go ahead with rebranding to make it consistent through out the Network. The Buz is unique to Brisbane and has past its used by date. I think the last Governemt had it right with rebranding to the Go network from Noosa to Coolangatta. Replace the limited stop Buz and Express services, plus rockets if they exisit  with a new name "Go Rapid" or "Rapid ride"  as similar to Los Angeles. Under the umbrella of the Go network. "Airport flyer" for the 777 and colour coded buses for the "Go Rapid network" throughout Seq with Priority signalling at red light intersections and all door boarding.

[verbatim9]

With Colour Coded busses you don't have to paint the whole bus. Just the front and quarter down the sides and maybe from the back as well.