Feedback requested: Bus Springfield to Richlands or Darra?

[ozbob]

G'day,

Please comment on this scenario.

Just say there is a high frequency express service Darra to CBD (every 15 minutes).  The Richlands branch line is under way, services depart Richlands every 15 minutes say all stations to CBD (and beyond). Buses will be feeding into Richlands.  Do you think that buses should continue on to Darra to terminate?  This would give pax choices, elect to travel from Richlands by rail or continue to Darra to board expresses?  If frequency was 20 minutes (expresses and all stations), and if frequency was 30 minutes (expresses and all stations) does this change your viewpoint?

What do YOU think?

Please post comment here or email admin@backontrack.org

Thanks.

[#Metro]

While the rail line is being built, a high frequency, all day express bus could be used to fill the place of the rail service until the line is ready to open.

[ozbob]

While the rail line is being built, a high frequency, all day express bus could be used to fill the place of the rail service until the line is ready to open.

This is under very active consideration, and will probably happen IMHO.  Will mimic the eventual rail service.

I have suggested some park and ride facilities be set up at the locations of Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes stations as well.

[Golliwog]

I don't live out that way, but when would the expresses from Darra be timetabled to leave wrt the Richlands all stations? If the expresses are a few minutes after the all stations, then I would say terminate the buses at Richlands, unless they are to operate as a feeder service for those living/working between Darra and Richlands. If its just to take passengers to catch the express then why wouldn't they use the train? I don't think 20 minute VS 30 minute frequency changes the outcome, its really how the expresses and all stations connect that matters, but I do understand that due to other limits on the network that having the services timetabled like this may not be possible.

[somebody]

Is this referring to peak time or off peak?  AM Peak definitely requires a better service at Darra than an express train every 15 minutes.  A daytime express service on the Ipswich Line is definitely needed, but there are bigger fish to fry for now.

[david]

I think it would be reasonable to terminate the feeder buses at Richlands during peak as it has been built for that purpose, but only if the frequency is 15/20 minutes. This would then encourage people to catch the all-stations Richlands-City leaving the expresses for those who truly need it - i.e. Commuters boarding stations between Ipswich/Rosewood and Darra. If not, we could end up with the situation that currently presents at Caboolture/Beenleigh, where commuters there board the North Coast/Gold Coast services into the City and out of the City, taking up seats for those who truly need them.

Off-peak though...the buses should terminate at Darra, as it gives a backup to those commuters, just in case their train doesn't turn up at Richlands...

[ozbob]

Don't worry about the ' what and ifs ' folks.  Just comment as David has.  Very interested relative to the scenario.  Thanks.

[Golliwog]

Having thought about it further I would go for having the bus route continue to Darra, but not directly. Have it run as a feeder route for both Richlands and Darra. I think this would maximise the route utilisation as realistically those between the stations could catch it in either direction to get a train, minimising deadrunning during peak. Nothing to twisted and windy trying to service every single side street, but most certainly avoiding running down the Centenary motorway, as if it did, this would encourages the problem David outlines.

[somebody]

I think it would be reasonable to terminate the feeder buses at Richlands during peak as it has been built for that purpose, but only if the frequency is 15/20 minutes.

If the frequency is not every 15 minutes to Richlands in peak then someone needs to be shot.

This would then encourage people to catch the all-stations Richlands-City leaving the expresses for those who truly need it

Deep sigh.  You can just as easily say that the Richlands people are taking up space which could be used by the Sherwood-Chelmer + Taringa & Auchenflower people.  If my prefered AM peak sequence were implemented (5tph to Ipswich/Rosewood missing Milton-Oxley and Wacol and Gailes, 5tph to Ipswich missing Auchenflower, Taringa, Chelmer-Corinda, 5tph all to Richlands) then it would be faster to use the train from Richlands and change at Darra, unless there is some sort of problem.  I see no reason why people should be discouraged from doing so either.  Many would prefer to simply stay on the train though.

Richlands people taking up Ipswich peoples' seats?  I think that is just BS which is not appropriate for a PT system to consider.

Why should anyone who has an express train be forced on to an all stopper?  I just don't get the logic.  All stoppers are actually more expensive to provide due to a greater amount of train crew's time being used up.  The exception is, of course, when track amplifications are necessary to make the express service possible.

[#Metro]

Just put the buses on. This can be done sooner rather than later, and the government and translink can get the bragging rights for that too and meet their bus target.

Darra would have the higher frequency, but richlands is closer.
A close call. I'm leaning towards the higher frequency option. How far is Darra from Richlands?