Darra railway station - New Bus Stop A closed

[ozbob]

Following a post by david, I went down and had a look.  I have made some enquiries as to why a brand new bus stop is now closed. 

The last photograph shows the old bus stop B Darra (still in use by the way) which looks a lot more unsafe from a road safety point of view to me.











Photographs R Dow 24th February 2011

[ozbob]

Huh? 

[mufreight]

Another Translink/SEQIP blunder, will be most interesting to see their justification for this one, it would again appear that it is the intention of Translink to ensure that the use of public transport is as inconvenient as possible to deter patronage then they can justify the removal of the service.
Designed by Translink, approved one would expect by SEQIP and the BCC and within days of its being opened is declared to be unsafe because of "road safety" issues, who was the incompetent goose who designed it, how much did it cost to design and construct and how much more will it cost to rectify?  $200.000? to build and if the debarcle with the bus stop on Ardoyne Road at Oxley station is to be any guide at least three times the original amount it cost to build to rectify and for this we pay a 15% increase in fares.   

[#Metro]

What? 

[ozbob]

Received advice that the issue is not with the bus stop itself, but access for buses along Lee Road and subsequently into Darra Station Road.  Parked cars in Lee Road are making it difficult for the buses to access due to rows of cars both sides Lee Road (is not a wide road).

BCC is reviewing the parking in Lee Road at TLs request and it is anticipated that the issue will be sorted by modifying parking.  Now with the improved park and ride spaces at Darra (and at Richlands) the is a little less pressure at Darra, so some changes to Lee Road is a good move.  It is a nightmare anyway.

MAP --> here!

[david]

Thanks for passing that on! Lee Road can be difficult for a small car to pass through on occasions, let alone a bus, so it makes sense.

Good to see that Translink is actively trying to rectify the issue too!

[somebody]

Received advice that the issue is not with the bus stop itself, but access for buses along Lee Road and subsequently into Darra Station Road.  Parked cars in Lee Road are making it difficult for the buses to access due to rows of cars both sides Lee Road (is not a wide road).

BCC is reviewing the parking in Lee Road at TLs request and it is anticipated that the issue will be sorted by modifying parking.  Now with the improved park and ride spaces at Darra (and at Richlands) the is a little less pressure at Darra, so some changes to Lee Road is a good move.  It is a nightmare anyway.

MAP --> here!

This only effects the 103 as far as I can see.  Is there only one stop on that side of the train station?

[ozbob]

Yes it is the only stop on the southern side (up side), the 103 plus a number of school bus runs use it (or they did for a while).

[Golliwog]

Ok, thats good. The only thing I could come up with from looking at the pictures (and even this was a bit of a stretch) was that the bus stop was a bit close to the zebra crossing so cars coming along past the stopped bus wouldn't be able to see pedestrians trying to cross infront of the bus. As I said, it was a rather large stretch, and could be fixed by just getting the buses to stop a couple of meters further back in the bus bay.

[mufreight]

Buses have been negotating Lee Road for years, admitedly at times difficult with motorists illegaly parking, with the increased parking avaliable for parking at Darra tation and the reduced numbers parking there with the opening of Richlands the problem should have diminished and both Translink and BT should have addressed the problem rather than a knee jerk reaction with a band aid rather than a solution.
Is the problem simply another lack of communication and co-operation, the consequences of a turf war between BT, BCC and Translink or an overdose of incompetence, the end result outcome is again commuters inconvenienced and disuaded from use of public transport.
all round another 

[ozbob]

Bus stop A is now in use.  One side of Lee Road was 'yellow lined' to allow a safer passage for buses.











Photographs R Dow 1st April 2011

[mufreight]

Surprising isnt it, this is what happens whe grumpy old men get upset with Translink intransigence and kick up a fur and bring the problem and the solution to the notice of the people who can, will and do, do something about it.
Obviously more should take the same approach, gloves off and a good sharp kick, it works, thanks Councillor DeWit.

[ozbob]