Brisbane BCC Bus Network Review

[ozbob]

Interesting that, when ever I am on the 524 usually at least 20 pax plus ...   

[techblitz]

hf 25 was a brillaint idea no doubt.
For a 15 minute service it would have needed a lot of people in the peak hour to do the transfer to oxley rail.
regarding the inala/oxley side...the question is...how many would have used the secondary peak 100 buz replacement.

If i was an oxley/ inala resident and you told me you will run express rail services from oxley then i would ditch the secondary route straight away and takeup the HF25 in a whim.

[ozbob]

Passed an inbound 100 yesterday around 4.15pm between Oxley and Rocklea, about 4 pax onboard.   The 100 Buz is the most costly I recall.

Yes, HF25 was being looked forward to by many ...

[techblitz]

Interesting that, when ever I am on the 524 usually at least 20 pax plus ...   

at least the value for money ratings seem to be pretty good
westside must be doing something right 

[techblitz]

Passed an inbound 100 yesterday around 4.15pm between Oxley and Rocklea, about 4 pax onboard.   The 100 Buz is the most costly I recall.

Yes, HF25 was being looked forward to by many ...

yep..and the counter peak 100 will never do well.Some of the other buz routes counter peak are volatile as.1 bus can be near near empty then the very next one is chockas.

[somebody]

Disagree, the basic reason is the poor frequency and span of the feeders.  The proposed HF25 was a serious attempt to turn the paradigm.  Alas, more mediocrity is to continue .. and infact in a number of cases the BCC review is just making it even more difficult to get to and from the station.

It is a stupid strawman argument.  Put on a feeder bus, run it with a poor span and frequency, cut it because not many can use it.

Parking is already a nightmare at Richlands, Darra, Gailes, Goodna and Wacol for example.  Infinite expansion of park and ride is absurd ... congestion is worsening on Centenary, even getting back to Richlands, soon will expand further south,  Ipswich highway is a mess Darra in and getting worse as well.

I personally have supported some park and ride expansion where it is really needed eg. Springfield Central, but unless some serious attempt is made to properly support feeders, residents will continue to drive and contribute to the overall road congestion.

My own local bus (524) is 30 minute peak, hourly off peak.  It is very well used though both as local transport and feeder to/from Goodna rail.  Just imagine how much better it would be doubled in frequency ...

Donald Shoup.

[ozbob]

Paid park and ride is inevitable under the present paradigm ...  Oxley park and ride when redone as part of the upgrade looks set up for exactly that ...

Donald would be pleased!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th May 2013

Declare BCC Bus Review "Off The Table"

Greetings,

Yesterday, Auckland City Council, through Auckland Transport, released their bus review ( http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/new-network/Pages/default.aspx ).

What a contrast it is to the deficient and defective bus plan Brisbane City Council has come up with. BCC's bus review closes in a few days, on the 20th May.

Commencing in 2012, TransLink and Auckland Transport, NZ undertook bus reviews. Both agencies did consultation and both agencies came to identical conclusions - that their bus network needed a revolution, not an evolution.

Auckland, New Zealand shares many features with Brisbane. Both cities have very large councils, the product of large-scale amalgamation and similar population. In both cities, the local council has some form of control over the funding and organisation of public transport. The urban form is much the same - large, dispersed and sprawling, both cities have busways, both cities are home to some of the lowest frequency train services in the developed world, and both cities have a number of river crossings that restrict traffic flow.

But Brisbane Transport's and Auckland Transport's bus reviews could not be more different.

Brisbane's bus review collapsed, politicians spread fear among the community and now we have a deficient and defective bus 'plan' proposed by Brisbane City Council that includes international worst practice measures and does nothing to solve the fundamental problems with the bus network. The Transport Minister handed the power of the regulator to the operator and a costly farce has now ensued. We have some of the highest fares and highest subsidies in the world and now face a family cost affordability bombshell.

Auckland Council supported their bus review, their proposal has wide support and has international best practice that will see high frequency buses extended across the entire city running every 15 minutes or better from 7 am to 7 pm 7 days per week. In contrast, Brisbane residents of Centenary, Yeronga, The Northwest and Bulimba still await the day that high frequency bus services will connect into their suburb.  The rail system remains poorly supported by feeder buses.

Brisbane's Lord Mayor says that it can't be done. Auckland's Lord Mayor says it can be done! We know who is wrong. Brisbane Transport needs so much funding in the future that not only will fares have to rise, but potentially city rates as well.

We call for the separation of Brisbane Transport (BT) from Brisbane City Council (BCC) and bus contracts to be thrown open to competition, and for the Transport Minister Scott Emerson to declare the BCC Bus Review "off the table".  Brisbane is being left behind.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References

1. Auckland City Council/Auckland Transport Bus Review website and video http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/improving-transport/new-network/Pages/default.aspx

2. Lord Mayor can no longer be trusted to run city's buses
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9895.0

[HappyTrainGuy]

Went for another ride on the 336 today. For people that hate interchanging between services it seems that's what most people did with most of the passengers boarding at Aspley interchange or the Chermside interchange. Only 1 person got off at the train station but people also got on there. For something that's run only between peaks with a frequency worse than the Nambour line along with competing routes like the 325, 335, 345 I'd say about 16 people using it over the entire leg was pretty good. Another thing I noticed was that people were also using it as a frequency boost for the 325/335 during times where they ran between the services.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

Brisbane City Council’s bus network review with public feedback to close at midnight tonight.

Brisbane City Council’s bus network review with public feedback to close at midnight tonight.

    by: Staff writers
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 20, 2013 12:00AM

IT'S last call for submissions on Brisbane City Council's bus network review with public feedback to close at midnight tonight.

There are nine routes to be cut but Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said these areas would not be left completely without a service.

Routes facing the chopping block are P88, 328, P356, P374, P436, P461, 462, 465 and 466.

Council said the P88 would be partly replaced by new rocket service the P163 from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street during peak hours with most of the service already duplicated.

The 328 averaged less than two people a trip, the P356 has alternatives as does the P436 and the P374 is serviced by the Maroon City Glider.

Opposition leader Cr Milton Dick said he was disappointed by the cuts despite more than 2500 people signing a petition against the moves with the 101, 102, 103, 460, P461 and 465 earmarked for changes in and around his southwestern ward.

Brisbane City Council said proposed redesigns for the 462, 466 and 465 would ensure services were maintained.

Rail Back on Track spokesman for Brisbane's western suburbs Gavin Seipelt said the four bus services cut in the area would impact commuters travelling at night and on weekends.

He said the biggest disappointment was actually the loss of proposed services under the earlier state government review.

''There was going to be one from the Centenary suburbs to the city and there was also going to be another one that was going to go from Mt Ommaney to Darra to Oxley and Inala linking all the train stations and those areas together,'' he said.

Have your say on the Brisbane City Council proposal at http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/bus-network-review/index.htm

[techblitz]

Eagerly awaiting the frequency spans for the new 102.
Im glad that pine rd is still being served. 

[ozbob]

Twitter

ABC Radio Brisbane ‏@612brisbane 3m

Have you sent submission to Brisbane City Council's bus review? @timcoxtalks is keen to hear from you - send details to 612drive@abc.net.au

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/index.htm

Brisbane bus network review

As requested by the Queensland Government, Council has undertaken a review of its bus network to help deliver an improved and more efficient service for the Brisbane community.

The community feedback period is now closed. Council will carefully consider community feedback before submitting the review to the Queensland Government on 1 June 2013 for review and approval. This review will then be made available online, at Council libraries and regional business centres.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Brisbane City Council's bus review won't be seen by council committee before the state government's review process begins in June.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Brisbane City Council's bus review won't be seen by council committee before the state government's review process begins in June.

LOL ....

[#Metro]

Can't even organise a BBQ!!
Shame on Queensland!!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885183

Auckland Transport is embarking on a full review of every single bus route, a major upgrade of the trains, new ferry services, new fare structures, new ways of paying for everything - so much needs to be turned around and we are going at public transport like it has never ever been done in Auckland before.

Auckland Transport is going to create a public transport network of buses, trains and ferries that will present as a highly desirable option for those who have never really considered it before. Critical to providing public transport in a totally different paradigm is planning and delivering the services totally from the perspective of the passenger - not of the bureaucracy or the provider. Revolutionising the passenger experience is fundamental to moving forward.

[SurfRail]

This State and this city are so collectively cack-handed it's truly staggering.

[minbrisbane]

Like a procrastinating student approaching an assignment, they all know what needs to be done; but lack the commitment to complete the work. 

It truly mystifies me that this was suggested by the minister, and that he still accepts (despite the BCC discovering the network is indeed broken) BCC's review. 

I thank God I've taken the opportunity to study foreign language.  我会去中国在4个年。

[#Metro]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/abbott-rules-out-funding-cross-river-rail-20130522-2k067.html

Theresa Gambaro has pretty much lost her seat - marginal 1%

BUS REVIEW DEAD
CRR DEAD

[ozbob]

 

You forgot fares, stuffed as well ... lol

[#Metro]

QUEENSLAND!


http://thesinosaudiblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/exit-2.png

[ozbob]

Transit Australia May 2013 Volume 68 number 5 has an article on the bus reviews.  Good overview of the TransLink Bus Review, and the about face on BT services.

The article concludes with respect to the move to hand back review to BCC

" .... appears to be another decision made for political rather than transport reasons. "

I think that is the sad reality for much of public transport in Australia really.

[Golliwog]

Short piece in todays mX, page 2. Bus stats show that 2635 buses were too full to pick up passengers in April - 0.85%of sservices. April last year was 3775 buses. Patronage for April went from 7, 697, 979 last year to 7, 758, 495 - growth of 0.8%.

To quote from the article directly

Brisbane Council's public transport chairman Peter Matic said the results vindicated the decision to undertake a limited review but not a total overhaul.

"Our current bus review aims to build on this sucess and ensure we continue to deliver the most efficient service for passengers," Matic said.

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/3218.0~2011-12~Main+Features~Queensland?OpenDocument
If you have better statistic, share them but ABS has Greater Brisbane's population growth from 2011 to 2012 sitting at 2.0%. Assuming that that growth held, then we're not even capturing half of that growth, let alone capturing more of the market.

[ozbob]

And a lot more services.  crap from Matic really ...

[#Metro]

Brisbane Council's public transport chairman Peter Matic said the results vindicated the decision to undertake a limited review but not a total overhaul.

"Our current bus review aims to build on this sucess and ensure we continue to deliver the most efficient service for passengers," Matic said.

The man doesn't even know what the hell he is talking about! Most efficient?! How is running multiple routes all on top of each other "most efficient". Direct service networks for large cities are not efficient OR effective.

We all know that politicians' regard for truth and accuracy are zero. Media not far behind either really.
Don't worry. What is not sustainable shall not be sustained. BCC are going to come under huge cost pressure. Already had cost blowout.

Short piece in todays mX, page 2. Bus stats show that 2635 buses were too full to pick up passengers in April - 0.85%of sservices. April last year was 3775 buses. Patronage for April went from 7, 697, 979 last year to 7, 758, 495 - growth of 0.8%.

I wonder what the growth in subsidy was? Betcha it was more than 0.8%

[ozbob]

LOL  gawd it is a circus ....

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th May 2013

On the politicisation of public transport

Greetings,

The public yesterday had an excellent opportunity to witness a further slide in the politicisation of public transport.

On 612 ABC Brisbane radio we witnessed a ' he said, he said ' scenario on the future of the highest ranked priority project for Australia Cross River Rail.

612 ABC Brisbane Mornings with Steve Austin

Is it all over for the cross river rail?

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/05/is-it-all-over-for-the-cross-river-rail.html?site=brisbane&program=612_morning

Interview with Queensland State Transport Minister followed by Federal Transport Minister

Then we have Cr Matic in the Brisbane mX (May 24, page 2) attempting to justify Brisbane City Councils intransigence and gross politicisation of the Brisbane Transport Bus network on the basis of a 0.8 % patronage gain (see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9754.msg126676#msg126676 ).  A gain in reality that is not even keeping up with population growth or matching bus route service growth.  The BCC bus review is just more of the same mediocrity that led to the Transport Minister Mr Emerson calling for a bus review in the first place. 

Pity the present government lacks the courage to move things forward for the community, but rather will put politics before community need.

Face up to it folks. The public transport network is a mess.   Continued spin, rhetoric and misleading information is just making it worse.

For a change, some real honesty and constructive actions from the elected representatives might actually be the answer.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[techblitz]

Short piece in todays mX, page 2. Bus stats show that 2635 buses were too full to pick up passengers in April - 0.85%of sservices. April last year was 3775 buses.

Major improvement....well done to all bus operators
So whats the percentage increase on that improvement folks?
Nothing beats being able to hop on the first bus you see at peak hour.
And the issues with full 120"s will also improve with the latest adjustments to p119.

[ozbob]

People have abandoned the high cost  and poor services in reality ... nothing really to celebrate there ....

[ozbob]

BCC Bus Review now completed, see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg127097#msg127097

All now part of SEQ Bus Review.