TransLink SEQ - COVID-19 changes

[verbatim9]

BCC and TMR have stated that proper bus reform will occur coinciding with Brisbane metro services.

No doubt they will make minor adjustments where needed.

So what is going to happen to routes 111, 160 and 555? The ideal case is they all turn into 555 services and continue along the busway.

BUT Brisbane Metro will start from Eight Mile Plains. Will the 555 duplicate the 111 Brisbane Metro? Or should the 555 terminate at Eight Mile Plains?

No one knows yet exactly what services will be truncated. All I know is that the Griffith University Busway stop will be upgraded for transfers to and from suburban services.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes---> Trains to run on 'weekend timetables', bus and ferry services reduced

Trains are set to shift to weekend-style timetables this month as patronage slumps to 40 per cent and more public transport workers are forced to stay home because of the Omicron wave.

Buses, ferries and CityCat services will also be cut, possibly in early February, as Queensland adjusts to this stage of the pandemic.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1480909776750104579

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Trains to run on 'weekend timetables', bus and ferry services reduced $

Trains are set to shift to weekend-style timetables this month as patronage slumps to 40 per cent and more public transport workers are forced to stay home because of the Omicron wave.

Buses, ferries and CityCat services will also be cut, possibly in early February, as Queensland adjusts to this stage of the pandemic.

There were more than 20,500 cases of COVID-19 throughout Queensland reported on Wednesday with 419 people in hospital, 27 people in intensive care and six requiring ventilation machines.

Authorities met on Monday and Tuesday afternoon to evaluate whether weekend timetables would be temporarily introduced for trains and ferries during the working week and how much bus services would be scaled back.

A stripped-back train service - similar to New South Wales "enhanced weekend timetable" - is planned possibly from January 24. A lack of staff has made the move almost inevitable.

Buses and ferry services are likely to continue unaffected until February, partly because fewer drivers and ferry crew have been impacted.

Omicron is now affecting staff levels in Queensland Rail control rooms.

A decision confirming the reduced services is expected later this week. ...

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[BrizCommuter]

Anything less than the "rail fail school holiday" weekday timetables will be unacceptable to those still using public transport which include key hospital workers.

Crowding caused by reducing services in the USA and Europe turned public transport into a petri dish on wheels.

[#Metro]

Any more Brizcommuter posts? 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1481030862544474112

Minister Bailey has acknowledged this tweet.

I am hoping that the prime cuts will be based on the peak services using actual patronage data, so that loads are acceptable.

[Gazza]

Anything less than the "rail fail school holiday" weekday timetables will be unacceptable to those still using public transport which include key hospital workers.

Crowding caused by reducing services in the USA and Europe turned public transport into a petri dish on wheels.

I think in this case the issue is more that staff are calling in sick so its probably better to offer a reduced predictable timetable than cancel services on the fly daily.
I dont think its the same as them just wanting to save money as per previous summer timetables.

[#Metro]

Actually, there are some better ways to do this.

You could start to feederise some services temporarily. For example, some buses might simply run to Indooroopilly and then load their passengers into the train. Staff could be put at the station should anyone have difficulty walking or stepping.

Minor routes running down Coronation Drive could be pared back. The same for the Old Cleveland Road corridor.
Other services could be terminated at busway stations (e.g. Wooloongabba, Buranda etc) where facilities permit.

Brisbane City Council should be given a directive (not specifying any routes in particular) to pare back services and to feed rail or busway stations.

A certain number of route kilometres or percentage reduction could be specified, which council would then be free to determine the composition to suit.

[Gazza]

Actually, there are some better ways to do this.

You could start to feederise some services temporarily. For example, some buses might simply run to Indooroopilly and then load their passengers into the train. Staff could be put at the station should anyone have difficulty walking or stepping.

Minor routes running down Coronation Drive could be pared back. The same for the Old Cleveland Road corridor.
Other services could be terminated at busway stations (e.g. Wooloongabba, Buranda etc) where facilities permit.

Brisbane City Council should be given a directive (not specifying any routes in particular) to pare back services and to feed rail or busway stations.

A certain number of route kilometres or percentage reduction could be specified, which council would then be free to determine the composition to suit.

Come on dude, I know bus reform is important, but....
Do they really have the resources to replan the services, update the journey planner and get the message out of the complexities of the changes at a time like this?

Clearly BCC is going to have the same staffing challenges in the back office as the rest of society at the moment, but you want to them to undertake a complex planning activity at short notice and "determine the composition to suit" in some open ended manner.

If they say, it's a weekend timetable, it's a simple message to the public, you can just go refer to any weekend timetable.

The  journey planner just has the weekend timetable copied across x5. And they know upfront how many staff are needed to run a typical Saturday, so from the operators end, its a reasonable solution, even if its somewhat blunt.

With a weekend timetable, I can know already when the bus leaves. But how would a user know what time all these new feeder buses leave?

[#Metro]

Come on dude, I know bus reform is important, but....
Do they really have the resources to replan the services, update the journey planner and get the message out of the complexities of the changes at a time like this?

Yes. They are losing money and can't afford to keep the status quo. It has been two years, and this is the third year of pandemic so by now the penny would have dropped?

Clearly BCC is going to have the same staffing challenges in the back office as the rest of society at the moment, but you want to them to undertake a complex planning activity at short notice and "determine the composition to suit" in some open ended manner.

It's their job.

If they say, it's a weekend timetable, it's a simple message to the public, you can just go refer to any weekend timetable.

The  journey planner just has the weekend timetable copied across x5. And they know upfront how many staff are needed to run a typical Saturday, so from the operators end, its a reasonable solution, even if its somewhat blunt.

With a weekend timetable, I can know already when the bus leaves. But how would a user know what time all these new feeder buses leave?

Um... they will engage their brain and find out?

[STB]

Come on dude, I know bus reform is important, but....
Do they really have the resources to replan the services, update the journey planner and get the message out of the complexities of the changes at a time like this?

Yes. They are losing money and can't afford to keep the status quo. It has been two years, and this is the third year of pandemic so by now the penny would have dropped?

Clearly BCC is going to have the same staffing challenges in the back office as the rest of society at the moment, but you want to them to undertake a complex planning activity at short notice and "determine the composition to suit" in some open ended manner.

It's their job.

If they say, it's a weekend timetable, it's a simple message to the public, you can just go refer to any weekend timetable.

The  journey planner just has the weekend timetable copied across x5. And they know upfront how many staff are needed to run a typical Saturday, so from the operators end, its a reasonable solution, even if its somewhat blunt.

With a weekend timetable, I can know already when the bus leaves. But how would a user know what time all these new feeder buses leave?

Um... they will engage their brain and find out?

With that attitude, no one will ever take you seriously regardless of how valid your ideas are.  Got bigger fish to fry currently, namely trying to hold essential workers together and keeping the vulnerable alive and well while this virus goes nuts.

Reducing services to weekend levels with some additional peak services is completely reasonable given the circumstances we are in, there's no need to make it more complex then it needs to be and I doubt no one in the transport industry will want to deal with complexity while trying to manage the logistics of sick frontline workers!

[#Metro]

Reducing services to weekend levels with some additional peak services is completely reasonable given the circumstances we are in, there's no need to make it more complex then it needs to be and I doubt no one in the transport industry will want to deal with complexity while trying to manage the logistics of sick frontline workers!

Disagree, they will have to look at what I have suggested at some point as a more permanent solution because the new normal is not going back to what it was three years ago. WFH is here to stay.

The purpose of management... is to manage, and especially so in crisis situations.

With that attitude, no one will ever take you seriously regardless of how valid your ideas are.  Got bigger fish to fry currently, namely trying to hold essential workers together and keeping the vulnerable alive and well while this virus goes nuts.

As BCC does not operate any hospitals, they are in a good position to do this.

[STB]

Reducing services to weekend levels with some additional peak services is completely reasonable given the circumstances we are in, there's no need to make it more complex then it needs to be and I doubt no one in the transport industry will want to deal with complexity while trying to manage the logistics of sick frontline workers!

Disagree, they will have to look at what I have suggested at some point because the new normal is not going back to what it was three years ago.

The purpose of management... is to manage, and especially so in crisis situations.

As BCC does not operate any hospitals, they are in a good position to do this.

Disagree all you like, but this isn't a normal time, people are getting sick left right and centre, dropping like flies, and in the meantime, they are still managing (just) to keep the network together as it is (Logan City is down quite a number of drivers from my contacts).  Reality check, they would never do a network review at a drop of the hat, it take time to budget it, get approvals, meet with all the potential stakeholders etc to create a more complex change with what you are suggesting, reality, this isn't going to happen while we're in the middle of a pandemic (effectively a war between people and a virus).  Easiest and fastest thing to do while this is happening is to reduce the level of service as it is, to help manage the resources that transport companies need to manage during a time like this.

If this was just an ordinary time, like pre COVID, then you might have a point.

[Gazza]

Tramtrain, this weekend timetable measure is a rapid response to the sudden omicron surge, which is going to see drivers, signallers, maintenance staff, planners, controllers off sick in large numbers in the coming weeks.

Just being dismissive and saying "it's their job" is very callous.


We will have to make changes to the network as a whole at some point, you would recall that RBoTs submission to "Creating Better Connections for Queenslander" specifically mentioned that the changing nature of work means the opportunity to redesign the network exists.

But the dust has not yet settled enough to make properly informed decisions, so wanting to rush out those types of changes in the middle of omicron is just foam.

Right now the focus should be on measures that deal with staffing shortages whilst maintaining a basic level of services for those who need public transport.

[STB]

Tramtrain, this weekend timetable measure is a rapid response to the sudden omicron surge, which is going to see drivers, signallers, maintenance staff, planners, controllers off sick in large numbers in the coming weeks.

Just being dismissive and saying "it's their job" is very callous.

It's also just plain rude and immature.

[techblitz]

Yup....give it a rest on any major bus reform at the moment......it aint gonna happen and probably shouldn't.
It just isn't the time for major public transport changes except timetable frequency reviews which take far less work..
First priority is health(mental and physical) and the economy....namely keeping business supported.
Everything else is essentially non-relevant at this point.

[#Metro]

Tramtrain, this weekend timetable measure is a rapid response to the sudden omicron surge, which is going to see drivers, signallers, maintenance staff, planners, controllers off sick in large numbers in the coming weeks.

Is there a reason why you do not refer to my handle correctly?

[ozbob]

... Reducing services to weekend levels with some additional peak services is completely reasonable given the circumstances we are in, there's no need to make it more complex then it needs to be and I doubt no one in the transport industry will want to deal with complexity while trying to manage the logistics of sick frontline workers! ...

Well put STB.  Agreed.  I expect that we will have essentially weekend timetables with additional peak services as can be managed and are needed.

We are in a very serious crisis at this time.  I am glad that some thought is being given to maintaining a basic level of service and recognising the strain on our public transport staff, crew and support.

[Gazza]

Is there a reason why you do not refer to my handle correctly?

Just being dismissive and saying "it's their job" is very callous.

[timh]

Going to mirror what Gazza, et. Al have said above... Metro, clearly it's not the right time for major bus reform. Even for simple things like you suggested, that would cause huge confusion and loss aversion reactions, whereas just referring to Saturday timetables is much easier to understand. Not to mention the staffing issues already brought up.

It's been mentioned a number of times, whenever bus reform is brought up, that major reform will likely not happen *until Brisbane Metro is finished*. It's simply not going to happen before then, and honestly it makes sense to design a new system around that new service for when it commences. Current resources are much better spent managing what they can during the pandemic

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[HappyTrainGuy]

Actually, there are some better ways to do this.

You could start to feederise some services temporarily. For example, some buses might simply run to Indooroopilly and then load their passengers into the train. Staff could be put at the station should anyone have difficulty walking or stepping.

Minor routes running down Coronation Drive could be pared back. The same for the Old Cleveland Road corridor.
Other services could be terminated at busway stations (e.g. Wooloongabba, Buranda etc) where facilities permit.

Brisbane City Council should be given a directive (not specifying any routes in particular) to pare back services and to feed rail or busway stations.

A certain number of route kilometres or percentage reduction could be specified, which council would then be free to determine the composition to suit.

So much there I won't even touch. It's also stupid giving council free reign as cutting routes will impact their funding from state gov. It would be better for them in a payment terms to keep the long distance high frequency routes running and cut the hourly routes providing large areas with next to no pt services.

[#Metro]

I think it is convenient to point out that BCC just completed a ferry network review and in addition to that is actually currently towards the end stages of completing a bus review. This is already happening.

Council, in collaboration with the State Government and TransLink is undertaking a detailed staged review of the bus network and specific bus routes are being worked through. This work will continue through 2021. In 2022, Council will commence community engagement on any proposed changes as part of this review, ahead of any changes being implemented as part of Brisbane Metro.

Source: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro#faqs

[timh]

I think it is convenient to point out that BCC just completed a ferry network review and in addition to that is actually currently towards the end stages of completing a bus review. This is already happening.

Council, in collaboration with the State Government and TransLink is undertaking a detailed staged review of the bus network and specific bus routes are being worked through. This work will continue through 2021. In 2022, Council will commence community engagement on any proposed changes as part of this review, ahead of any changes being implemented as part of Brisbane Metro.

Source: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro#faqs

I think it's convenient to point out that there are like, 4 ferry routes.

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[Cazza]

I think it is convenient to point out that BCC just completed a ferry network review and in addition to that is actually currently towards the end stages of completing a bus review. This is already happening.

Council, in collaboration with the State Government and TransLink is undertaking a detailed staged review of the bus network and specific bus routes are being worked through. This work will continue through 2021. In 2022, Council will commence community engagement on any proposed changes as part of this review, ahead of any changes being implemented as part of Brisbane Metro.

Source: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-and-transport/public-transport/brisbane-metro#faqs

I think it's convenient to point out that there are like, 4 ferry routes.

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And that it started and finished before this Omicron wave exploded...

[Gazza]

And that it started and finished before this Omicron wave exploded...

Ya but there's 'precedent'  I'm guessing he's gonna say

Metro you need to understand that the temporary service cuts to deal with acute worker shortages are not the same as longer term structural changes.

I don't think the results of a service review could be implemented with a few days notice in the way temporary weekend timetables could.

[SurfRail]

The ferries are even more problematic than the buses from a governance perspective:

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-2010-023#sec.91

[BrizCommuter]

Anything less than the "rail fail school holiday" weekday timetables will be unacceptable to those still using public transport which include key hospital workers.

Crowding caused by reducing services in the USA and Europe turned public transport into a petri dish on wheels.

I think in this case the issue is more that staff are calling in sick so its probably better to offer a reduced predictable timetable than cancel services on the fly daily.
I dont think its the same as them just wanting to save money as per previous summer timetables.

The rail fail school hol timetable typically had am peak services reduced to 15 min frequencies on most lines which was a 33-66% reduction for most lines. I'm sure QR can manage that.

[ozbob]

^ Yo Briz. 

That's the sort of timetable I expect if they go ahead.  And looks like they will based on the community infection levels.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1484596526928502786

[ozbob]

^ no response.

Journey planner is showing normal timetable for 25th January ex Goodna AM peak, so looks like might not be happening.

[ozbob]

This headline is a little misleading - only CityCat/Ferry have reduced services at present ..

Couriermail --> Public transport to operate at reduced timetable as omicron impacts staff numbers  $

Reduced public transport timetables are expected for at least a month as staff numbers plummet amid surging Covid-19 case numbers.

TransLink has announced that CityCat services will operate on a reduced timetable until the end of February as ongoing staff shortages are expected for weeks.

Services from Monday through Sunday will be altered to operate on a weekend-like schedule.

CityCat services will be reduced to a maximum of 110 daily trips, pending further review from BCC, which is 59 fewer than typical peak services.

Prior to the announcement, there were 153 services in operation each day from Monday to Thursday, 169 on Fridays, 127 on Saturdays and 98 on Sundays.

It comes as transport authorities confirm contingency plans are in plan for major public transport networks if required. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1491065480240857088

... The mayor said he would also like to see free or discounted public transport fares, and that he had asked the state government to work with council.

"The six days of free bus travel [during the Christmas period] cost city council about $1 million, so obviously, this is something that adds up, and that's why we also need state government support," he said. "They set the fare, they collect the fare revenue.

"Anything on public transport would need to be done in partnership ... and we'll continue working on lobbying the state government on that issue."

Cr Schrinner said he was disappointed by the lack of response from the state government. ...

[achiruel]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1491065480240857088

... The mayor said he would also like to see free or discounted public transport fares, and that he had asked the state government to work with council.

"The six days of free bus travel [during the Christmas period] cost city council about $1 million, so obviously, this is something that adds up, and that's why we also need state government support," he said. "They set the fare, they collect the fare revenue.

"Anything on public transport would need to be done in partnership ... and we'll continue working on lobbying the state government on that issue."

Cr Schrinner said he was disappointed by the lack of response from the state government. ...

If Cr Schrinner is really concerned about the cost, he should stop operating a ridiculously inefficient and duplicative bus network!

Nothing more than crocodile tears IMO.

[#Metro]

Independent review done by contractor into BCC bus network is needed. I reckon get JW & Associates on to it. Warts and all.