25 Feb 2011: SEQ: 15 minute frequency for the Great Circle Bus Line ...

[ozbob]

Media release 25 February 2011

SEQ: 15 minute frequency for the Great Circle Bus Line would serve The Prince Charles Hospital

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 applauds that the former Transport Minister saw the need for an improved service to Prince Charles Hospital (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"While sending the the Northern Busway through the hospital is an option, it is a long way off and not certain.  It also can be argued that such an alignment would be likely to be slower than an alignment along Gympie Rd.  The other issue is an alleged higher number of resumptions to go via The Prince Charles Hospital (2,3)."

"A poll of RAIL Back on Track members had an inconclusive result (4), but re-routing options on the city side of the routes weren't widely favoured.  The small number of seats promised also allows little room to add services.  Therefore RAIL Back on Track suggests that the Great Circle Bus Line should be given a 15 minute frequency through shopping hours (including Sundays) and shortly afterwards, with trips until the late evening.  This would provide a service to 4000 staff and 30 000 monthly visitors, to use the Minister's own figures.  It should not be necessary to wait a large number of years before a reasonable public transport service is provided."

"Improved service on the Great Circle Bus Line also allows for a number of other destinations not well served by other services, including Stuartholme Rd, Sherwood Rd, Wardell St and it is also the only public transport service over the Gateway Bridge.  It has also been suggested that it could also serve the Airport DFO now that access is improved.  Improving the Great Circle Line is also a requirement to implement the TransLink Network Plan (5)."

"There is also the alternative of a 325 BUZ, probably with updated stop locations around The Prince Charles Hospital, but maximum utility for the public would be gained by improving the Great Circle Bus Line."

References:

1.   http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/responses/1529-10.pdf

2.   http://www.couriermail.com.au/property/northern-busway-extension-leaves-homes-in-limbo/story-e6frequ6-1225927547240

3.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4474.0

4.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5150.0

5.   http://www.translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/network-plan-2010.pdf page 8

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3970.0