Discussions/suggestions PT fact of the day

[ozbob]

See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8816.0

Discussion/suggestions in this thread.

[Gazza]

PT fact of the day: The Perth Train network carries more passengers than the one in SE Qld.

[somebody]

PT fact of the day: The Perth Train network carries more passengers than the one in SE Qld.

And it's growing much more strongly too.

[ozbob]

PT fact of the day: The Perth Train network carries more passengers than the one in SE Qld.

Excellent fact. Need a reference, and remember limited to 140 characters ..

[somebody]

Re: Sydney Airport fare, more importantly you aren't charged the flag fall twice to reach a suburban station.

[somebody]

Re: Sydney Airport fare, more importantly you aren't charged the flag fall twice to reach a suburban station.

? Who would think that?

QLD: Pay $15 or so Airport-CBD + normal fare CBD to (say) Newmarket
NSW: Pay $12 or so Airport flag fall + normal fare for distance, including for CBD trips

Is that clear?  Makes about a $3 difference for non-CBD trips.

[somebody]

Yes, in QLD you effectively have to pay the flag fall twice, but not in NSW.

[ozbob]

Tindo Solar Bus

he World's First Solar Electric Bus

The Adelaide City Council has raised the standard in international sustainability with the introduction of the world's first solar-powered electric bus that is recharged using 100% solar energy. The bus named Tindo, the Kaurna Aboriginal word for 'sun' is the newest addition to the Adelaide City Council's Adelaide Connector Bus service, a free service for the people of Adelaide.

Manufactured by New Zealand company Designline International, the bus doesn't have a combustion engine which makes it a very quiet, zero emissions vehicle. Other features of the vehicle include a regenerative braking system, saving up to 30% energy consumption.

It features high quality, state-of-the-art components sourced from some of the world's leading transport and technology companies including MAN and Siemens. This system is the largest grid connected solar photovoltaic system in the State, and means the bus is also carbon neutral.

Tindo is air-conditioned and can carry up to 40 passengers, with 25 standard seats, 2 seats especially designed for disabled passengers and room for 13 standing passengers. The bus has covered over 55,000 kilometers since February and saved the Council over 14,000 litres of diesel and saved the environment over 70,000kg of CO2-e in its first year. Tindo is able to travel about 200 kilometres between recharges under typical urban conditions. It also has wireless internet capability making it possible for passengers to easily access the internet for free during travel time.

Tindo has had the privilege of carrying people from all walks of life, people of different ages and cultures and some special guests such as the Prime and Deputy Prime ministers' of Australia. It has also been involved in several events such as Heritage Bus Tour, Solar City Convention Spirit Festival and Global Green Challenge.

Tindo Charging Close UpThe solar-electric bus is recharged using a solar photovoltaic system supplied by BP Solar which is installed at the Adelaide Central Bus Station. The solar installation was funded by the Adelaide City Council and the Australian Government through the Adelaide Solar City Program.

This initiative is a significant investment by the Adelaide City Council into a sustainable future for the City of Adelaide, while providing leadership in sustainable public transport options for cities around Australia.

» Download Tindo Factsheet (PDF, 199Kb)

[ozbob]

Example of Live Train Times from Transperth - Mandurah

PT fact of the day: TransPerth live train times --> http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/TimetablesMaps/LiveTrainTimes.aspx ... #ptfact



Wow, that is some counter peak frequency ....  do you think we will see that at Springfield Central???

[SurfRail]

^ I'm keen to know why the train departure times available from TransLink are not yet in real time.  That should be a focus.  I understand that it would involve getting the 2 systems to talk to each other, but it can't be that hard.

[somebody]

Wow, that is some counter peak frequency ....  do you think we will see that at Springfield Central???

I'm not excited.  That's the all day frequency at Bondi Junction or Sutherland.

[ozbob]

Maybe so, but Mandurah is 70 km out from the CBD and the line terminus ..

Remarkable really ...

[SurfRail]

Wow, that is some counter peak frequency ....  do you think we will see that at Springfield Central???

I'm not excited.  That's the all day frequency at Bondi Junction or Sutherland.

Come on.  The ESR passes though areas that are how much more densely populated than anywhere in Perth?

[somebody]

I did also add Sutherland.  You could add Frankston and Dandenong too.

[ozbob]

Yes, but different populations and circumstances.

Perth is more like Brisbane,  I doubt we will see anything like the Mandurah frequency on the Springfield line for many years ...

[ozbob]

^ I'm keen to know why the train departure times available from TransLink are not yet in real time.  That should be a focus.  I understand that it would involve getting the 2 systems to talk to each other, but it can't be that hard.

Me three ... things like this should be seamless, and they improve the system's utility for all.

[SurfRail]

I did also add Sutherland.  You could add Frankston and Dandenong too.

Sutherland is probably more like Victoria Park (ie right next to the CBD in Perth) than somewhere the same distance out.

[somebody]

^ I'm keen to know why the train departure times available from TransLink are not yet in real time.  That should be a focus.  I understand that it would involve getting the 2 systems to talk to each other, but it can't be that hard.

Me three ... things like this should be seamless, and they improve the system's utility for all.

Particularly given the hard wired systems do not handle cancellations. 

[ozbob]

PT fact of the day: Aarat Victoria. A feature of the Ararat Bus System is the 2 hour flat fare --> http://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/library/document/1254963452_document_araratbustimetablepfo-lrspreads.pdf ... #ptfact

Regional public transport in Victoria, is generally leading the nation ..

Aarat Rural City Council Transport --> http://community-recreation.ararat.vic.gov.au/transport

[somebody]

Sydney ferries suck.  Well, mainly the Manly ferry, which actually has two private operators operating alongside them unsubsidised offering the product that the standard service should do - an 18 minute crossing.  The 30 minute crossing of the Freshwater class vessels is the same as what the "MV South Steyne" used to do I'm told, and these vessels go out very under utilised in the commuter peak.  Often less than 50% of capacity.

[SurfRail]

Sydney ferries suck.  Well, mainly the Manly ferry, which actually has two private operators operating alongside them unsubsidised offering the product that the standard service should do - an 18 minute crossing.  The 30 minute crossing of the Freshwater class vessels is the same as what the "MV South Steyne" used to do I'm told, and these vessels go out very under utilised in the commuter peak.  Often less than 50% of capacity.

The Freshwaters are really for a different market.  These things are packed on weekends with sightseers for whom the ferry is half the attraction.

Perhaps they should be the private unsubsidised ones and the faster ones should receive funding.

[somebody]

Sydney ferries suck.  Well, mainly the Manly ferry, which actually has two private operators operating alongside them unsubsidised offering the product that the standard service should do - an 18 minute crossing.  The 30 minute crossing of the Freshwater class vessels is the same as what the "MV South Steyne" used to do I'm told, and these vessels go out very under utilised in the commuter peak.  Often less than 50% of capacity.

The Freshwaters are really for a different market.  These things are packed on weekends with sightseers for whom the ferry is half the attraction.

Perhaps they should be the private unsubsidised ones and the faster ones should receive funding.

Correct.

Problem with making the slower ferries the unsubsidised ones is that the tourist public would probably ignore them then.  I do wonder if they could make the crossing faster, supposedly they are capable of 18kt, which isn't a terrible speed.  Not sure what the cats do.

Surely a more frequent faster service would attract more passengers.  I'd say that a faster service would be an even better tourist attraction.  Problem might be that a 320-person ferry running every 10 minutes would fill up around midday leaving Circular Quay.  7.5 minute frequency?  Bigger catamaran?  Keep the Freshwaters but only for the tourist peak times?  The latter seems the most sensible option at present.

[ozbob]

Manly fast ferry --> http://www.manlyfastferry.com.au/

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Punt ferry saved from sinking by rise in patronage

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

PT fact of the day: Melbourne, Westgate Punt - weekday $2 per crossing, weekends $5 one way, $7 return --> http://www.westgatepunt.com/  #ptfact



http://melbourneontransit.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/taking-punt-west-gate-bridge-is.html

[#Metro]

Robert Dow‏ @Robert_Dow

PT fact of the day: @TransLinkSEQ Free travel across SEQ network Sat 25 Mar 2017 - includes BNE Airtrain
--> https://translink.com.au/service-updates/110231 ... #ptfact

The BNE AirTrain is free so everyone can #FleeQLD!