iGO - Ipswich Transport Plan

[James]

Long-term, Indooroopilly is superior as an express stop.

Indooroopilly:
- Has four schools within walking distance
- Is the only 'Big 4' shopping centre on/near a railway line
- Has numerous smaller office towers and medical facilities
- Will eventually serve as a major interchange point for the majority of western suburbs bus routes

Toowong:
- Has one (two, kind of) within walking distance
- Has a fledgling shopping centre
- Will serve as an interchange for the 411 only
- Has numerous smaller office towers

Indooroopilly wins hands down. In terms of UQ access, from the south (which is what we should be concerned about), the time taken to access UQ from Indro is about as long as travelling to Toowong and then catching a 412. Remember, this would be existing in a reformed bus network where BUZ frequency and operating hours exists between Indro and UQ - not the late running and sometimes no-showing 428. Toowong only really suits as a stop to access UQ for people coming from Caboolture/Kippa-Ring - all other passengers will use Indro or Park Road. And this is what we should be moving towards.

Milton should also be an express stop due to the high number of office towers in the area - Milton is the western equivalent to South Brisbane or South Bank.

If you want to save time with the expresses, cut the fat. There is so much fat in the Ippy expresses they're probably eligible for the next season of The Biggest Loser.

[ozbob]

... If you want to save time with the expresses, cut the fat. There is so much fat in the Ippy expresses they're probably eligible for the next season of The Biggest Loser ...

^ love that line!   

[OzGamer]

My subjective feeling as a regular Ipswich Line commuter is that there are more people getting off than on at Milton in the morning. ie it is more like a city station than a suburban station these days, which makes it more logical to be on the express stopping pattern. I think consistent express patterns all day is essential - that is, whatever expresses do in peak they should do the same in off peak.

[ozbob]

iGO - Ipswich Transport Plan - updated draft released

iGo School TransportTransport plays a fundamental part of our daily lives.

In a rapidly growing city, getting transport right is the foundation for jobs growth and to protect our lifestyle.

Ipswich City Council has developed the draft City of Ipswich Transport Plan (iGO) that outlines Council's aspirations to advance Ipswich's transport system and to guide future investment decision making.

>> http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/corporate_publications/igo

iGo Technical Report (PDF, 11.0 MB)

iGo Newsletter (PDF, 4.8 MB)

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 7th November 2015 page 5

iGo pushes for less cars



Online

Queensland Times --> iGo pushes for less cars

[ozbob]

^ good stuff!

"  To help change the "car culture", the report details how public transport would become more competitive with the car by:

 Extending the railway from Springfield Central to Redbank Plains;

 Establishing high frequency, limited stop bus services to Ipswich Central and Springfield Central; and

 Establishing commuter buses between Dinmore Station and Karalee/Chuwar/Karana Downs and Raceview/Flinders View;

 Investigating opportunities for light rail; and

 Restructuring public transport fare structures. "

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 20th November 2015 page 23

Well done to Ipswich council for iGo plan



Queensland Times --> Well done to Ipswich council for iGo plan

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> How can we make cycling better? (Ipswich CC)

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Plan for Ipswich that will save you hours every day

THOSE lost hours sitting and waiting for a bus or train are set to be a thing of the past if Cr Cheryl Bromage has her way.

The city's infrastructure boss is working closely with Ipswich public transport guru Robert Dow to lobby Translink for changes to bus timetables.

Last year Cr Bromage unveiled iGo, the Council's plan to ensure the city's transport system keeps pace with increases in travel demand as the population grows.

A key goal of iGo is to integrate transport throughout the city.

Cr Bromage said Mr Dow "gets public transport" and understands that the more carriages full of commuters in trains, the less congestion there will be on our roads.

"But he is also helping us with the bus situation," Cr Bromage said.

"Buses don't meet the train timetable.

"People are sitting there (at stations) waiting for half an hour for the next train to come along, but in the suburbs it takes some people an hour to get to a train station because currently the buses are a 'one size fits all' which actually fits nobody.

"So if you live out the back of Redbank Plains you've got to do a tour of the whole suburb to get to the (Springfield or Goodna) train station, so there is no incentive for people to catch public transport.

"We'd like to see a change to timetables and even a rapid bus in peak hours where every 15 minutes if you go to an identified stop it will take you to the train station, and in the afternoon that would be reversed.

"If we can get some of those actions happening we can change the way the city goes forward.

"That doesn't require us to build new roads. It is more a timing issue and having a service for the people."

Cr Bromage said having a train station at Redbank Plains would alleviate the time residents in that suburb have to spend on buses and in vehicles commuting to train stations, and alleviate parking congestion at Springfield.

In today's council meeting Cr David Morrison said the "railway extension from Springfield Central to Redbank Plains was essential".

"The population mass at Redbank Plains justifies rail and there is no more affordable and reliable form of public transport," he said.

[ozbob]

http://www.paulpisasale.com/new-blog/2016/12/8/report-card-reveals-igo-progress

8 December 2016

Report card reveals iGO progress

SOLID headway has been made in the implementation of the iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan since its adoption earlier this year, the first annual iGO delivery report card reveals.

City Infrastructure and Emergency Management Committee Chairperson Councillor Cheryl Bromage said significant progress had been made in the six months since the plan's adoption.

"The final iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan was adopted in May this year and already we have made solid progress in several key areas," Cr Bromage said.

"Two significant milestones achieved since the plan's adoption include the opening of Stage 4 of the Brassall Bikeway in August and the adoption of the iGO Active Transport Action Plan in October.

"The iGO Active Transport Action Plan's adoption coincided with successful Ride/Walk to Work events which promoted the benefits of choosing healthy and active transport options.

"We also wrapped up a survey to identify walking and cycling preferences in Ipswich and several other important planning studies were commenced."

Cr Bromage said the progress showed council was serious about delivering the iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan.

"This plan is a key part of Ipswich City Council's Advance Ipswich program, which is about making Ipswich the most liveable and prosperous city in Australia," she said.

"In coming years, iGO will be used by council to guide transport policy and investment, advocate for funding from the state and federal governments as well as promote sustainable and healthy transport choices."

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> New plan gives voice to Ipswich public transport needs


MORE NEEDED: Karen Sjollema, with mum Fay Cole, says more regular and better targeted public transport services are needed in Ipswich. Rob Williams

THE STATE Government will soon get the message that Ipswich people want better targeted public transport options and more frequent services.

Ipswich City Council will formulate the iGO Public Transport Advocacy and Action Plan in the next year which will detail short, medium and long term policies and actions needed to support and enhance public transport in Ipswich.

The State Government is responsible for public transport, but Ipswich Infrastructure boss Cr Cheryl Bromage said the plan would be used to advocate for more investment by the State in public transport locally.

Public transport advocate Robert Dow told the QT that more frequent rail and bus services were needed in Ipswich.

He said the bus services needed to be better targeted to link up with rail hubs and key shopping centres such as Riverlink.

Karen Sjollema, who lives at Wivenhoe Pocket the other side of Fernvale, agreed with Mr Dow and said more bus services to suburbs in the Somerset and Ipswich were a must.

"For us to come in we have got to drive because the only bus service that goes out there is the workers' bus in the morning and afternoon (route 529), plus school buses, but there's nothing to fill in the gaps" she said.

"We need more frequency because when my children were teenagers there used to be a bus they could catch from Fernvale to Ipswich four or five times a day.

"If we had better services people would probably use it more.

"A lot of kids out our way have to rely on their parents to drive them to activities."

Ms Sjollema was with her mum Fay Cole, who was in a wheelchair, when she spoke to the QT.

"The other day we got the train into the city and we drove to Redbank and caught the train because it has the lift," Ms Sjollema said.

"More disability access for people in wheelchairs is another thing they need to look at."

While Fernvale is in Somerset, the 529 route also services Ipswich suburbs such as Muirlea and Borallon.

Six per cent of trips in Ipswich are made by public transport each day and most of those are by train. But Cr Bromage said the aim of iGO was to increase to increase that to 11% when Ipswich's population hits 435,000.

She said that would equate to 165,000 trips per day being made on the public transport network in Ipswich.

"To achieve that target strong relationships between government authorities and transport operators as well as robust advocacy will be essential, which is what the iGO Public Transport Advocacy and Action Plan will help council achieve," Cr Bromage said.

"In preparing the plan we want to identify who is using public transport and who is not, what is working and what is not, and importantly how we can encourage more people to use public transport."

Cr Bromage said council would engage with public transport operators and advocates and utilise wider community consultation to draft the plan.

"We want to hear as many views as possible on public transport in Ipswich," she said.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 1st April 2017 page 18

Do you think Ipswich needs better public transport?

[ozbob]

Can we improve how you move? iGO public transport community survey open now

Share your views to help us improve public transport in Ipswich and go into the draw to win 1 of 4 $50 Visa gift cards.

The City of Ipswich Transport Plan ('iGO') is Council's master plan for a sustainable transport future. This plan includes developing the iGO Public Transport Advocacy and Action Plan which will detail Council's goals for the future of public transport in Ipswich. This action plan will then be used to encourage the Queensland Government to make improvements to the public transport system in Ipswich.

A community survey will be used to inform the development of the action plan. We want to understand why you do or don't use public transport to travel to or around Ipswich. This is to ensure that the actions we recommend to the Queensland Government will make public transport an easier and more attractive option for residents and visitors alike.

Responses close 26 November.

To access the survey, please click here.



If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey, please contact Jessica Cartlidge at Jessica.Cartlidge@ipswich.qld.gov.au

[ozbob]

iGO - Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy

The iGO Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy outlines Council's tactical approach to the deployment of intelligent transport capabilities to Ipswich's transport system over the next decade or so to assist in meeting the sustainability outcomes of iGO from an environmental, social, economic and financial perspective. The strategy is visionary and recommends a way forward to resource, advocate, trial, support and execute the plan in partnership with other levels of government, industry, businesses and the community.

iGO Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy (PDF, 14.4 mb)

More Information

iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan

iGO Active Transport Action Plan

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1370510059151659008

[ozbob]

^

Ipswich First --> Council plans freight future to help boost local economy

Ipswich City Council has developed a new iGO Freight Action Plan which will help boost an annual $1.5 billion windfall to the local economy.

Council has been working with key state agencies, the freight industry and local businesses to identify the opportunities and challenges facing the city and to develop key strategies and actions that need to be implemented over coming years.

Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich is South East Queensland's pre-eminent freight hub, given its strategic position on major road and rail networks, the city's abundance of greenfield industrial land and its proximity to South East Queensland markets and the Port of Brisbane.

"This plan will empower industries and businesses across the city to grow with efficient, safe and sustainable freight networks," said Mayor Harding.

"Our 21st century networks will link the city's freight generating centres, as well as domestic and overseas markets."

A report to the Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee said while the transportation of freight across the city is predominantly road-based, Ipswich could become a major rail freight hub in coming years as the Inland Rail project and a potential intermodal freight terminal at Ebenezer comes to fruition.  ....

[ozbob]

iGO Transport Strategy Review

https://www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/igotransportstrategyreview

iGO is being reviewed to ensure council's transport planning activities respond to current, emerging and future opportunities and challenges.

The review will include a series of technical investigations and consultations with key stakeholders and the community.

Share your feedback on your transport experiences so we can understand and plan for future transport needs. Complete the survey or talk with us in person at the below locations.

[ozbob]

I am having a chat with ICC re iGO early January 2023.

[ozbob]

Source document: https://ipswich.infocouncil.biz/Open/2023/05/GIW_20230511_AGN_3314_AT.PDF

IGO ANNUAL REPORT CARD 2021-2022 PDF 5.5MB

ICC Discussion on iGO report - from about 9:30 min

[SteelPan]

Ipswich should consider a light-rail line or two, to help rejuvenate key regions....incl their CBD.

[minbrisbane]

A nice idea - but really I don't see where it would go that couldn't already be serviced by a better designed bus network

The CBD has had a extensive redevelopment and seems to be having the desired effect, albeit slowly.

[#Metro]

Thanks for posting the plan and source documents, I've had a read and have some thoughts to share.

The Field Situation

Choosing the right tool for the right job starts with looking at the context.

Firstly, as I have posted elsewhere on this forum, Ipswich presents a very different geography to neighbouring Brisbane. The city is far more restricted in its spread, and the majority of the suburbs are within biking distance of the CBD and railway station.

The map below shows a 5 km path distance along local arterial roads radiating from the Ipswich CBD. This is the distance someone can get to by riding a bike at 10 km/hr for 30 minutes (the Marchetti constant, or reasonable daily commute time budget). In theory, most of the Ipswich City's suburbs are within bike distance of the CBD and train station.



The other observation, is that by the time someone has waited 30 minutes or 60 minutes for their bus to turn up, had that person chosen bike as their mode, they would already be at their destination by the time the bus turned up. Using time-equivalence as my starting point, for a bus to achieve time-equivalence with a bike, the bus itself would have to run very frequently all day... like every 10 minutes or so. This seems very unlikely to eventuate given the city size and current population level.

PT Mode Share Contraction

Data from 2021 census was taken during the pandemic, so we cannot really say much about the 2021 data points. In relative terms, PT usage in Ipswich declined by -43.4%, which is unsurprising as people avoided PT to avoid infection risk. However, the report also mentions that PT patronage has steadily declined over the previous 9 years.



What precisely underpins Ipswich's PT=20% mode share target?

PT mode share target of PT=20% was not met in any of Ipswich suburbs, which is unsurprising given the pandemic circumstances.

It isn't clear why PT=20% was chosen as the target level, or whether this target is reasonably achievable. There hasn't been any articulation of the supporting theory underpinning it.

Has Ipswich City Council asked or modelled quantitatively 'What would have to be true for this target to be achieved?'

The Gold Coast and MBRC all have observed PT mode shares below PT=10% for 2016.

Ipswich's target PT=% level is double that, and is higher than Brisbane's (2016)



IMHO given the above, cycling infrastructure represents a potential pathway forward. It also has major health benefits. About 34.4% of the Ipswich population reports living with at least one long-term health condition (See: https://profile.id.com.au/ipswich/long-term-health)

Provided that you can get enough people using it, a cycling project is going to hit BCR = 1 much sooner for the simple reason that cycling infrastructure is typically low cost to provide.

Financial Sustainability of Maintaining Expensive Road Infrastructure

It seems unlikely that Ipswich City Council in the current constrained funding environment will get more money for new roads (and by extension new bus services from TransLink). New road infrastructure is being priced out of reach, and given the fierce funding competition of other LGAs in SEQ, particularly Gold Coast and MBRC:

As Council is within a fiscally constrained environment, where the cost of new infrastructure is increasing, there is an increasing need to ensure good value for money within the transport infrastructure space. With iGO stating "we can not afford to build our way out of congestion", and without a significant increase in transport related funding, the only way forward will be to move away from the current approach, and consider focusing funding toward transport projects which promote the sustainable transport of people, rather than just private vehicles.

Well, how is ICC going to achieve this statement? They could (a) re-direct funding to fund a boost of select core bus routes to boost frequency (for patronage, not coverage routes), or (b) redirect funding to cycling, walking, and eScooters (for example, an eScooter subsidy or rebate).

Conclusion

Reviewing the Ipswich scorecard, it is clear that the long term trend for PT in Ipswich is negative. IMHO more of the same is not really an answer.

The PT mode share target. The PT mode share target should be tested for reasonableness by asking what has to be true to achieve it. If the target is found to be unreasonable, it should be lowered. As a guide, PT=10% seems like a more achievable goal, and is just above what Redlands and MBRC achieved in 2016.

Bicycles and eScooters have potential.

The simple fact that a bike or eScooter can get into the Ipswich CBD in less time than it takes for a bus to appear at the bus stop suggests that further investigation into the viability of this mode as the primary non-car mode is warranted.

ICC could look at how it can go about testing and validating this idea further. The existing scooter trial is one initiative along these lines, though I think a second trial actually in Ipswich City is necessary.

Concerns about eScooters finishing up in the Bremer river can be mitigated by risk assessment and risk management. For example, geo-blocking bikes from being ridden close to the river, disallowing eScooter parking near the river, placing eScooter stations in well lit areas with surveillance etc.

Shared bikeways and trials of separated on-road bikeways along main arterials should also be considered, similar to what was done on Elizabeth St in Brisbane City.

Moreover, a small trial of vouchers or a subsidy program for eScooters or bicycles for residents could be considered. Maybe one of the reasons why people don't bike is because they can't afford one under current cost of living pressures. This could be funded by redirection of road funding. The cost of a bike subsidy program that covers AT (bike) = 5% of Ipswich population would be in the order of:

Population 242,884 x 5% x $500/bike = $6 million.

As you can see, the costs for taking this approach compared to road projects of any size is comparably low.

A potential bike subsidy program would have to be carefully designed to ensure that residents got the bike (either ratepayer or those with proof of rental/address), and that it wasn't just used to get a bike and then liquidated online for cash. The same could be done for eScooters as well.

A USQ-Ipswich CBD Bike Corridor.
Universities tend to attract higher than usual bicycle use. The road corridor from USQ Ipswich to the Ipswich CBD could be looked at for exclusive bike lanes as part of a trial. Car parking would need to be removed along this route, and green paint plus road separators put in place. One to consider.

Source: iGo Report https://backontrack.org/docs/icc/igo/igo21_22report.pdf

[ozbob]

Agree, mode share target is more aspirational rather than achievable.

Ipswich bus network was showing some patronage increase before the pandemic, and one of the few regions to show a recovery in 2021-22.

There are many issues with the bus network, particularly lack of service in growth areas, poor frequency generally and sometimes reliability issues. 

Still I think we might see some patronage growth again 2022-23.

====

iGO Transport Strategy Review is underway.

Feedback can be given.

> https://www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/igotransportstrategyreview

[#Metro]

The consultation and submission period has closed.

Jonno posted in another thread re: Austin, Texas and cycling. I think it is a good example, because it it is adaptive to a city more like ours.

ICC should probably get in touch with https://dutchcycling.nl/about-us/ to put together something similar.