Congratulations, you are the Minister for Public and Active Transport

[ozbob]

The new Premier of Queensland has confirmed your appointment as the Minister for Public and Active Transport.

You call together your team of bureaucrats and outline the next steps for bringing about a public and active transport revolution.

What are your priorities, how will you achieve this revolution?  Actions, immediate, and longer term.

[#Metro]

Is this out of desperation at the current state of affairs, lol?

Simple: Core Frequent Network

Rail

* Trains would run in the off-peak from 5 am - 12 pm where possible on current infrastructure with a minimum frequency of at least 15 minutes, in both directions
* Print out maps of the BUZ and Rail network and place them in train stations
* Identify network choke points and barriers to 15 minute frequency (in both directions- this is things like single track etc), prioritise this over ALL extensions except CRR).
* Start working on the said choke points above, starting with low hanging fruit (track duplications etc).
* Once done, roll out 15 minute basic frequency to all stations (except anything north of Caboolture, anything past Ipswich, Tennyson). Doomben would get frequent service.

Bus
* BUZ the Great Circle Line
* Core Frequent Network BUZ routes- increase the off-peak frequency on these routes, fill in gaps.
The off-peak improvements should be done first as this can be done without buying any new buses and while we wait for buses to be made so that peak hour frequency boost on these core frequent network BUZ routes can then follow when the orders for buses arrive.
* Print out maps of the BUZ and Rail network and place them in train stations
* Brand frequent corridors - all you need is stickers and decals for this, and minor adjustments to the timetable pdfs and TL website to show which roads were Core Frequent

Planning
Instruct TransLink to go through the entire list of bus routes, and flag which ones can be feederised.
Ideally all BUZ routes and most direct-line buses not near rail would be exempt from feederisation.
If they need outside advice, ring up TransPerth, as they have done this thing already.
Jarret Walker from MrCagney consultancy even seems to specialise in this thing.

Longer term
There may not be money for the full 100% CAMCOS, but I would suggest duplicate Beerburrum-Landsborough and build the first section
to Caloundra as a stop-gap measure. This brings the rail much closer and will allow feeder buses to feed into there as a stop-gap relief measure.
A 25% solution is better than a 0% solution here.

[ozbob]

Thanks, good points. Just seeing what folks think are the priorities ... always good to test the waters now and again.

[Stillwater]

Let's NOT get the State Government involved in active transport planning because it is something that's done better by Local Government.  Since we are in fairyland though, I would pick up the phone to the Local Government Minister and say:

"I want to get my hands on about $40 million of speeding fines money annually and distribute that to local government for active transport initiatives, with funding distributed on the basis of population and urban density.  Leave it to me to bushwack the Police Minister and the Justice Minister for the money.  Can you work up a formula for both of us to take to Cabinet on Friday week, then we can speed up some of the programs proposed along these lines
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/opof/transport/draft_sustain_trans.pdf. 

A small proportion will go to councils to develop plans similar to that devised by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, if they don't already have one."

[#Metro]

If there is one thing that Main Roads does really well, it is their bikeways.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I love their random placement of pointless speed bumps. Nothing like getting bruised knees and a mild concussion every time the 335 goes through Chermside.

[Stillwater]

Having cyclists sharing the road shoulder with fast moving vehicles is dangerous.

http://projects.arts.usyd.edu.au/salience/2010/05/11/more-action-needed-to-keep-sydney-cyclists-safe/

Providing separate bicycle facilities in the road reserve, over and around the freeway, is the way to go.

http://www.pbase.com/barry_2718/image/66530115

[ozbob]

Active transport is an integral part of public transport.  Planning and implementation needs to be properly integrated.  The present Minister for Transport does cover active transport just not spelt out directly.  The BCC has a Public and Active Transport chair.

[ozbob]

1.  Ramp up frequency, tomorrow ..

2.  Commence work on implementing a go card fare enhancement to include periodical ticketing options.  The break with tradition is that I would make the base fare based on 20 days of two journey peak fares for the zones travelled (paper was  effectively 16) for a 28 day period. This would only be available via online interface, 7, 28 and 168 day options.  Travel within zones unrestricted, travel outside zones normal go card fares.
Implement in one month.

3.  Journey capping extended immediately to all concession go card holders, viz.  students.

[#Metro]

Active transport is an integral part of public transport.  Planning and implementation needs to be properly integrated.  The present Minister for Transport does cover active transport just not spelt out directly.  The BCC has a Public and Active Transport chair.

Pedestrians are the ones who have been most neglected in the hierarchy of things. And yet, they are the most important for supporting PT patronage.

[somebody]

1. Half hourly 359, 325, 335
2. Centenary upgrades
3. No P88
4. Fix up the city stop locations
5. 4tph to Manly, Doomben, Shorncliffe, Ipswich, Richlands, Caboolture, Ferny Grove, including full time express service Ipswich & Caboolture.
6. Add some cross overs and 4tph to Kuraby
7. BUZ 100, revised 180, 120, 411, 375, 330, 300 in THAT order.
8. extended 390 to cover 397/398 and BUZ frequency on the combined part. Also, re-route via Wardell St and move the 350 back to Kelvin Grove Rd (ohh, controversial).
9. No slow timetable or dwells at stations other than Central.
10. What is with that 25km/h approaching Roma St.

All of this is assuming that CRR goes ahead.

[colinw]

Here are my priorities:

1. Implement quarter hourly rail service frequency 18 hours a day as soon as possible, and as far as is feasible on existing network.
2. Rail system review to identify what minor infrastructure upgrades (e.g. new crossovers) could add capacity for a small investment (e.g. additional crossovers between Salisbury & Kuraby, etc.).
3. BUZify the Great Circle Line, and eliminate indirect backstreet parts of the route to make it faster (e.g. lose the back street bit around Sunnybank and just go straight to Garden City interchange).
4. Eliminate wasteful and duplicate bus routes (e.g. the 88), implement instead FEEDER buses (BUZes) to key rail interchanges where bus services have to struggle along roads like Coro drive in parallel with a rail line. (But keep some bus service in all such areas to retain system access).
5. Bus system review (including non BCC areas) to identify and implement potential BUZ routes, and buses which can be changed from through runs to the CBD to busway or railway feeders.
6. Identify missing links in the disjointed and incomplete bikeway network and plan to join them up.
7. Buy out Airtrain and bring it under TransLink zonal fares, ramp up service frequency & hours of operation.
8. THROW OUT the entire Go Card fare structure as it is now, and redesign it based on what is done in Perth & Melbourne.  Put in place real capping.  Come up with decent periodical and casual user options, and something for the tourists.
9. Eliminate Bowen Hills terminators from Cleveland - run 'em to Doomben.
10.  Throw out the Nambour / Gympie train timetable and re-do it from scratch.  Note: will probably also trigger a Caboolture, Ipswich & Richlands rewrite.  Get those longer distance services right.  For Nambour I want a significantly better timetable than now, and something closer to clockface rather than the current erratic pattern.  If necessary extend most Nambour trains to Yandina or Cooroy and develop stabling & turnbacks at those locations.

Ministerial pet projects & thought bubbles.
- Bring Toowoomba across to TransLink / Go Card from QConnect, and bring intercity buses to Toowoomba under TransLink with a view to eventually re-developing a proper Toowoomba co-ordinated bus/rail service from Gatton or Helidon.
- Light rail for the core southbank / west end -> CBD -> Valley -> Newfarm region.
- Doomben line duplication / upgrade & Hamilton North Shore extension.
- Bethania to Logan Village rail trail.  Preserve that corridor, use it for active transport for now, but keep the corridor because it leads straight to the proposed satellite city at Yarrabilba.
- Caboolture to Wamuran rail trail.  As above - preserve that corridor.
- Investigate a Green Bridge over the Logan River here at the end of Drews Road, Tanah Merah, to bring the entire Tanah Merah & Logan Hyperdome area into feeder bus and active transport range of the Beenleigh Line.  Develop Eden's Landing station as a bus/rail interchange.  I would even consider letting private vehicles access the bridge to a big park & ride, provided the bridge was NOT linked into the road network on that side of the Logan River /

[#Metro]

Implement instead FEEDER buses (BUZes)

You are on to something here! Bus Rapid Transit to rail stations!
It is such a good idea! You can call them "Feeder BUZes" 

[#Metro]

Throw out the Nambour / Gympie train timetable and re-do it from scratch.  Note: will probably also trigger a Caboolture, Ipswich & Richlands rewrite.  Get those longer distance services right.  For Nambour I want a significantly better timetable than now, and something closer to clockface rather than the current erratic pattern.  If necessary extend most Nambour trains to Yandina or Cooroy and develop stabling & turnbacks at those locations.

What would people think of a shuttle service Ex Caboolture?
Would that have benefits or not? It would add an extra transfer for Sunshine Coasters (bus to rail, then rail to rail) but on the other hand, how bad is this over the current situation (bus to railbus to rail)? IMHO CAMCOS stub line to Caloundra should be built. It gets at least SOMETHING going and an improvement which bus can pick up the rest of the way until government of all levels get's their acts together.

[STB]

Even though this is a fantasyland thread, I am dubious that feeder services could actually work in SEQ, knowing the travel behaviours people have about feeder services.  While feeders have worked in places like Caboolture, they have failed dismally in places like the Redlands and Logan, where feeders that used to operate got cut back due to a lack of patronage, despite it meeting every train service, a classic example of this is routes 254 and 255.  

I know for a fact at least in my local area, that feeder services won't equal greater patronage to train stations, like I said, it's been tried and tested and people still preferred driving to the railway station and parking the car.  Same with Cleveland railway station and feeders (272, 274).  Routes 254, 255, 272 and 274 effectively run empty to the railway station (except to those who don't have any choice but to use them) and the rest are happy to drive their car to the station.

I think part of the reason people don't really like feeder services (at least here in Brisbane, and more importantly locally) is that they feel like it's an extra trip as part of their total journey, while if they drive their car, the car isn't part of the actual journey by PT.

I've spoken to people in the past that groan at having to take a bus to then take a train but then say they have no problems driving their car to the station to take the train, even though they are effectively doing the same trip, give or take a few extra streets and stops.

[Arnz]

Throw out the Nambour / Gympie train timetable and re-do it from scratch.  Note: will probably also trigger a Caboolture, Ipswich & Richlands rewrite.  Get those longer distance services right.  For Nambour I want a significantly better timetable than now, and something closer to clockface rather than the current erratic pattern.  If necessary extend most Nambour trains to Yandina or Cooroy and develop stabling & turnbacks at those locations.

What would people think of a shuttle service Ex Caboolture?
Would that have benefits or not? It would add an extra transfer for Sunshine Coasters (bus to rail, then rail to rail) but on the other hand, how bad is this over the current situation (bus to railbus to rail)? IMHO CAMCOS stub line to Caloundra should be built. It gets at least SOMETHING going and an improvement which bus can pick up the rest of the way until government of all levels get's their acts together.

I would oppose weekday shuttles as it would require 2 transfers, bus to rail to rail to rail.  As of current, 605/615/630/631 only connect to rail services (all express and the weekend express/Sunday train shuttles).  

Railbuses do not connect to local services except for the half-hourly local 610 that skirts the back streets. (Nambour to Kawana via Maroochydore).

[Cam]

5. 4tph to Manly, Doomben, Shorncliffe, Ipswich, Richlands, Caboolture, Ferny Grove, including full time express service Ipswich & Caboolture.
6. Add some cross overs and 4tph to Kuraby
9. No slow timetable or dwells at stations other than Central.
10. What is with that 25km/h approaching Roma St.
All of this is assuming that CRR goes ahead.

Absolutely agree.

Regarding point 9, the additional 4 minutes travel time between Darra & Ipswich that has been added to the draft 2011 timetable should be removed. Any other instances of this occuring on other sections of the network should also be addressed.

I would remove all contracted security i.e. "Private Security Officers" from the Translink network. If they can't stop someone smoking on a train or forcefully apprehend offenders then they are a waste of money.

I would significantly increase the Queensland Rail Police Service Railway Squad from the inadequate number of 54 officers. 54 officers may be able to handle the Ipswich Line. I would have these officers walking around the streets surrounding railway stations - particulary those stations where troublemakers congregate near & intimidate Translink customers getting to & from the station. I would instruct these officers to use move-on powers for such troublemakers.

I would significantly increase the number of plain clothed transit officers to "Closely monitor passenger behaviour". The mindset of offenders on the network needs to be changed from "I can't see any transit officers or police on the train so I can behave as antisocially as I like" to "I'm concerned that anyone, even a lone passenger, in the carriage or on the platform may be a plain clothed transit or police officer that has radio contact for support so I will curb my antisocial behaviour".

I would introduce an SMS number whereby passengers can send their carriage number, service they are on & description of offender & offence to report instances of antisocial behaviour. The conductor could then be contacted & make an announcement that transit officers or police will be called if the behaviour is not stopped by the described person/s. If required transit officers or police could then intercept at the next possible station.

[Stillwater]

Shuttles ex Caboolture would be feasible.  If operated by ICE units, would keep them out of the suburban network where there are short distances between stations.  SCL has stations every 10 mins or so.

[somebody]

I am dubious that feeder services could actually work in SEQ

Ditto.

They do work on the Gold Coast, and the Ipswich City Council area is based on feeders, but don't they have low patronage out that way?  I'd wonder how they work on the Redcliffe peninsula.

[#Metro]

They do work on the Gold Coast, and the Ipswich City Council area is based on feeders, but don't they have low patronage out that way?  I'd wonder how they work on the Redcliffe peninsula.

A feeder service is only as good as the core frequency on the connecting trunk.
If the frequency on the trunk is rotten apple, then the feeder can't offer a service higher than that without imposing a long wait.

The current 30 minute train frequency on the trunk leaves much to be desired.

[Arnz]

Shuttles ex Caboolture would be feasible.  If operated by ICE units, would keep them out of the suburban network where there are short distances between stations.  SCL has stations every 10 mins or so.

Once again I'll have to disagree for the most part, increasing shuttles (through replacing railbuses, once track capacity permits) may work (in addition to the expresses) if walk-up patronage is high, but for the mean time it is not, considering the spread out population between Mooloolah and Palmwoods and between Caboolture and Beerburrum.  

According to the patronage reports, the busiest areas outside of Landsborough and Nambour are the Beerwah and Glasshouse areas (partly due to growing population as a result of the nearby Australia Zoo and the Glasshouse Mountains).

Most of the Sunshine Coast traffic are either Park and Ride or connecting off the feeder buses (hence Landsborough and Nambour are the busiest stations).  Walk-up patronage would be much lower than the P&R and Feeder Bus traffic.

Forcing the feeder bus commuters to change twice would pretty much get most of them back into their cars and drive the whole way back into Brisbane.

[somebody]

Death to shuttles.

A feeder service is only as good as the core frequency on the connecting trunk.
If the frequency on the trunk is rotten apple, then the feeder can't offer a service higher than that without imposing a long wait.

The current 30 minute train frequency on the trunk leaves much to be desired.

Why's the 761 work then?

I don't think you appreciate the effect that people can tolerate a wait more easily for a long trip than a short one.

[#Metro]

The Gold Coast train has SPEED. In the mornings, services are frequent.
The bus route is nice and direct. And AIUI it is timed to meet the train.


The problem if you have a low frequency main trunk and random connections is that the inbound connection might be okay,
but when you go home, the outbound connection results in a wait. There's the problem...

[Jonno]

No 1. Sit Cabinet, back benchers, all Director-Generals of Govt Departments and shadow ministers down and explain why the road centric transport approach of the last 40 years was wrong and the benefits to be gained from a rail, public and active transport focused future.

2. Start educating the public with bi-partisan support

3. Update all transport plans with high mode split targets for rail, public and active transport.

4. Re-cut budget and transport projects in line with all the above.

[somebody]

The Gold Coast train has SPEED. In the mornings, services are frequent.

Still quite a bit slower than driving.  And drops back to hourly frequency quite early.  Leaving Central after 8:24pm, it is then hourly.

But relative to some other lines, this point does have some truth.