27 Jan 2011: SEQ: Ferries down, further public transport support needed.

[ozbob]

Media release 27 January 2011

SEQ: Ferries down, further public transport support needed.

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 said the with the ferries out of action some additional bus services are needed to provide better public transport options.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"As CityCat and CityFerry river public transport is out of action there is a need for TransLink to examine what options are available to further improve public transport for patrons who previously used river transport. We note that additional services are running on routes 232 (Apollo Road - City only, including weekends) and 305 (Monday to Friday) to provide a 30 minute frequency between 7am and 7pm (1)."

"One further suggestion is to ramp up the frequency and hours of operation of the 195 bus which services New Farm to the City."

"A temporary bus route running from the City-Valley-Storey Bridge-Deakin St-Main St down to the Gabba and return would be of value as well."

"Fortunately there are now more trains on the Ipswich line due to the commencement of rail services to Richlands which now provides better rail options for Toowong and other stations between the CBD and Darra. This needs to be publicised (2)."

"TransLink and the operators have done an outstanding job during the flood crisis in maintaining and re-establishing public transport services. We suggest though that TransLink needs to quickly review what further additional support can be arranged during the prolonged shut-down of the river ferries."

References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1294689251

2. Media Release 26 January 2011 SEQ: The good news, Richlands railway means more trains between Darra and the CBD from morning to night
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5329.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Buses take CityCat burden

Buses take CityCat burden
Marissa Calligeros
January 28, 2011 - 12:29PM

Two new bus routes have been created to replace cancelled CityCat services, while Brisbane City Council scrambles to rebuild terminals destroyed by the flood.

The repair to terminals, washed away by Brisbane's devastating flood, is expected to take more than three months and cost the council $100 million.

While the CityCat fleet is in good health, many terminals were crushed by the torrent.

In the meantime, temporary bus routes 233 from Apollo Road and 234 from Kangaroo Point will operate from Monday.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today announced the extra buses would help cater for the 18,000 commuters who would usually catch CityCats each day.

The services will operate from near ferry terminals to the CBD during peak hours.

Route 233 will run every 10 minutes during morning and afternoon peak hours from Monday to Friday only, stopping at Apollo Road, Bulimba, Hawthorne and Mowbray Park ferry terminals.

Route 234 will run every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes in off-peak times seven days a week, stopping at Eagle Street, Story Bridge, Dockside, Holman and Thornton Street ferry terminals.

The extra buses will run until CityCat services resume.

The new routes will operate in addition to extra services on the 232 Cannon Hill and 305 Hamilton routes.

"We added extra buses immediately when the CityCats were suspended, to routes 232 (Cannon Hill to Brisbane CBD) and 305 (Hamilton to Brisbane CBD) to provide 30 minute frequencies between 7am and 7pm," Ms Nolan said in a statement.

"This means there are buses for workers in peak times that stop at or very near to all the CityCat terminals, at least every half-hour."

Meanwhile, contractor TransdevTSL, which operates the ferry network on behalf of Brisbane City Council, has been forced to redeploy 180 staff whose normal jobs had been affected.

Robert Dow of commuter lobby group Rail Back on Track suggested Translink also consider increasing bus services on other routes, including the 195 route from New Farm to the CBD, for the convenience of commuters.

"A temporary bus route running from the CBD to Deakin Street and Main Street, down to the Gabba, would be of value as well," he said.

Details and timetables of the new bus routes 233 and 234 will be posted at www.translink.com.au.

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5342.0

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
28/01/2011

More buses replace CityCats

Extra buses, drivers and two new bus routes have been added to the public transport network to service Brisbane River ferry terminals, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said today.

Ms Nolan said an extra 269 bus services a week would help cater for almost 18,000 commuters who have been unable to use river services since the floods.

"We added extra buses immediately when the CityCats were suspended, to routes 232 (Cannon Hill-Brisbane CBD) and 305 (Hamilton-Brisbane CBD) to provide 30 minute frequencies between 7am and 7pm," Ms Nolan said.

"Now we have created two new interim routes to cater for even more people who normally catch ferries from Kangaroo Point or from other river terminals.

"This means there are buses for workers in peak times that stop at or very near to all the CityCat terminals, at least every half-hour.

"The government will continue to work with Brisbane City Council to do everything it can to provide buses for people until the CityCats can return to the river."

Ms Nolan said the two new interim routes were the high frequency, peak only 233 (Apollo Road-Brisbane CBD) and the 234 (Kangaroo Point-Brisbane CBD), which would run from Monday 31 January until CityCat services returned.

Details of the interim routes are:

    * Route 233: Every 10 minutes in morning/afternoon peaks (Mon-Fri only), servicing Apollo Road, Bulimba, Hawthorne and Mowbray Park ferry terminals.

    * Route 234: Every 15mins peak, 30mins off peak (Mon-Sun), stopping at Eagle Street & Story Bridge Hotel (only) for the Dockside, Holman, and Thornton street ferry terminals.

Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said she was delighted that the Transport Minister had responded to her request for the interim routes.

"Local residents affected by the floods have been very understanding of the work being undertaken to get services back on track," Ms Farmer said.

"The announcement of these new routes and services at such regular intervals is great news for commuters affected by the stoppage of the CityCats."

Details and timetables of the new bus routes 233 and 234, as well as announcements when CityCat service return, will be posted on the TransLink websitewww.translink.com.au.

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