19 Apr 2012: SEQ: Improved bus routes means more frequency ...

[ozbob]

Media release 19 April 2012

SEQ: Improved bus routes means more frequency - Cut 'legacy' routing to boost frequency!

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 re-iterated the need to cut 'legacy' routing. (1).

"Brisbane has too many 'legacy' or 'old' bus routes (2).  A common theme we are finding is that new routes are created but old ones are not removed, or there are multiple different bus routes that only have slight variations. Dispersed city stops compounds the problem even further as it is physically impossible for passengers to wait in multiple different parts of the city for a bus that goes to one final destination (3)."

"A high number of bus routes does not indicate good service, it generally indicates high complexity, low frequency and poor legibility. Ideally, a decent bus system uses the fewest number of routes, and sticks to arterial and sub-arterial roads to maintain legibility and intuitiveness. One example of TransLink doing a good job is in New Farm where the 197 service was folded into the 196 resulting in a simple, legible service with double the frequency."

"Members recently noted that there are seven different buses all departing from dispersed locations around Brisbane that go to the Gap (Buses 379,380,381,382,383,384,385). We think the task can be done and dusted with just two, possibly three, routes. (4) The same situation occurs with the Great Circle Line (GCL) between Garden City and DFO Brisbane Airport. With one route, we can have double the frequency for little or no extra cost (5)."

"The same situation is apparent in the Centenary Suburbs 'no go' public transport blackout zone, where there are 9 different bus routes, and paradoxically, this is one of the worst serviced areas in Brisbane because the frequency is far too diluted to be useful. We think the job there can be done with just three bus routes running at high frequency, not nine low frequency ones (6).

"Fewer routes means more concentrated frequency, means better legibility, means more passengers!"

"Legacy routes need to be cut, consolidated and reviewed. Brisbane passengers pay some of the highest fares in the world and compared to international cities with comparable urban form for example Canadian Cities, we also pay some of the highest subsidies in the world."

"Efficiency is intrinsically linked to abundance. The more efficient the network is, the more abundant service we can get for the same dollar. This is not our current bus network and it needs a decent spring clean."

"Less routes means more frequency and improved efficiency!

References:

1. Core Frequent Network Discussion Paper -  less is more  http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/cfn_v1.pdf

2. 10 Mar 2012: SEQ: 15% Fare rises can't go on forever - find efficiencies please!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7838.0

3. 6 Apr 2012: SEQ: End the 'radical experiment' of divided city bus stop locations  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8073.0

4. BUZ 385 - A bus stop at Caxton Please!  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6560.msg95292#msg95292

5. 15 Apr 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: 590 & The Great Circle Line Overhaul  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8126.0

6. SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Centenary Residents' push for Centenary BUZ  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7935

Contact:

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

[ozbob]