Article: We love the buses

[ozbob]

This article is from bmag,  a free fortnightly newspaper.

This is from the column 'Hot topics from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman' 5th May 2009 page 9



It is great that there has been expansion of the bus network and the BCC should be congratulated.  However, the figures do send a warning in the terms of capacity constraints of the bus system are starting to be approached.

At last we are now seeing the ramp up the suburban Citytrain stock, and some track expansions. During the bus expansion phase rail was neglected, full stop.   This Citytrain expansion will give an increase in capacity to the Citytrain of 70% .  I predict that passenger journeys on Citytrain will be 100 million in five years.

Passenger kilometres is a lot more on rail than bus, this just reflects the essential characteristics of both modes.

What is important, is not which mode is doing more in terms of passenger trips or passenger kilometres, but how effective is the integration of the modes and can we do better?

All good!

[ozbob]

Media Release 10 May 2009

SEQ:  Brisbane City Council congratulated on their bus improvements

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has congratulated Brisbane Transport and Brisbane City Council on a job well done with the progressive improvements in the bus transport over the last five years.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Buses in Brisbane have seen nothing short of a spectacular growth in patronage as more buses and improved service frequencies have been introduced.   There will be around a 50% increase in passenger trips in 2009 when compared to 2004 (1)."

"This is a great effort.  Projections are now starting to flatten out however, as radial bus routes and busways are nearing capacity (1)."

"We are now finally starting to see the same ramp up that occurred with the buses from 2004 with our QR Citytrain network.  The next major quantum in bulk mass transit capacity will be gained on rail.  The present  projected rolling stock additions and track capacity increases will see QR Citytrain surpassing 100 million passenger trips within 5 years."

"RAIL Back On Track believes the introduction of more feeder and lateral bus routes will be necessary to minimise the need for bus passengers to transit on the radial bus routes to allow a high efficiency busway bus rapid transit system to be maintained.  More bus routes feeding key rail and bus stations will also be needed."

"Brisbane City Council has done a great job with their buses.  It is time that other councils looked towards improving the local transport options for their citizens and contribute as appropriate to help fund further expansions.  Public transport doesn't stop at Council boundaries."

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2238.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org