21 Jan 2012: SEQ: Gas bus fleet grounded

[ozbob]

Media release 21 January 2012

SEQ: Gas bus fleet grounded

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the temporary grounding of the gas powered Brisbane Transport bus fleet is disruptive, but necessary (1, 2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"With the restriction of Brisbane Transport bus services to diesel only, there has been a significant reduction in buses that are available to service routes."

"Where possible, to ease pressure on the bus system public transport passengers should use rail or ferry, or active transport options - walk or cycle."

"The authorities do need to make a decision with respect to services on Monday. Early identification of the gas bus availability or otherwise will allow people to plan alternatives where possible."

"Queensland Rail should also plan for some additional rail services on all lines if the gas buses are not returned to service on Monday."

References:

1.  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1327089696

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg84342#msg84342

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Bus delays --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg84342#msg84342

[ozbob]

TransLink has confirmed that  contingency planning is under way.  Complication is that school returns on Monday.  Buses have been moved around from depot to depot to provide a better coverage.  Some planning for additional rail services if needed is also being done.

Not sure when the decision to return the gas bus fleet back to service or otherwise will be made, although it is hoped will be later today or tomorrow.

[HappyTrainGuy]

They need to cut the buz services to 30 minutes.

[Mr X]

You can free up some buses by reducing the frequency of the 109 and 412. Not many uni students going to uni on a saturday when most of the university is on holidays. Same can be done on monday.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1327089696

Brisbane bus delay

Brisbane Transport is operating a reduced fleet today, following an incident while refuelling a gas bus at the Virginia Bus Depot earlier this morning.

As a precaution, no gas powered buses will operate today.

Customers should expect delays and some cancellations throughout the day while Brisbane Transport and gas inspectors investigate.

Please plan additional time to take into account for delays.

The following high frequency routes are operating at a decreased frequency

    100 - Forest Lake to City
    111 - Eight Mile Plains to City
    120 - Garden City to City
    130 - Parkinson to City
    140 - Browns Plains to City
    150 - Browns Plains to City
    180 - Garden City to City
    196 - New Farm to Fairfield Gardens
    199 - West End to New Farm
    333 - Chermside to City
    345 - Aspley to City
    385 - The Gap to City
    412 - University of Queensland to City via Toowong
    444 - Moggill to City
    CityGlider - West End to Teneriffe

A normal Sunday timetable using the remaining fleet will operate tomorrow.

Advice regarding bus services on Monday will be available tomorrow.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Surely the 314 can't be booked out all day. Whoops... its a gas bus route. No service for you 

[Arnz]

Isn't the 314 one of the Hornibrook Transit Management routes?    You might be able to get a BT loaned HTM bus (a Merc Low Floor or a Volvo Metro) on the route    Diesel of course

[HappyTrainGuy]

You could get a pram on that route and it still won't be overcrowded

(There are BT buses that hang around that area so I'm not sure who operates that route).

[SurfRail]

You could get a pram on that route and it still won't be overcrowded

(There are BT buses that hang around that area so I'm not sure who operates that route).

101-103, 122, 311-315 and 326-327 are run by Hornibrook and its subsidiaries only, although BCC buses have destination displays programmed for all of these except the 315.

[Mr X]

314 could be replaced by a citycycle bike rack!