Article: Ground to a halt in CBD

[ozbob]

From the Quest City News 19th April 2012 pages 1 and 5

Ground to a halt in CBD

Ground to a halt in CBD
PETA FULLER

Buses backing up in the city are blocking pedestrians, forcing them out into traffic to cross the street. Commuter lobbyists say it's further evidence the system needs to be overhauled.

BUSES banking up through the city are grinding the CBD to a halt during peak times with the problem hitting areas other than the already congested Victoria Bridge and Adelaide St.

City worker Leona Jones said she regularly saw the Elizabeth and Creek St intersection blocked by buses, preventing pedestrians from crossing safely.

''The city is just getting too congested for buses, it backs up along Elizabeth St,'' Ms Jones said. ''The buses try to get through and then they're stuck across the crossing as the lights change.''

She said pedestrians often had to go into traffic to get around them and it was ''an accident waiting to happen''.

Public and Active Transport chairman Julian Simmonds said Brisbane City Council's congestion reduction unit was undertaking a review of the signal operations at this intersection and if improvements could be found, they would be implemented.

Robert Dow from commuter group Rail Back on Track said this problem was further evidence that congestion was spreading through the city and he called on government at all levels to co-operate and review the problem.

''We have to recast the entire network as a core frequency network fed by feeder buses,'' Mr Dow said.

Cr Simmonds said the council had reduced the number of bus stops and bus standing times and had sent buses underground.

If a study proves it feasible, the Suburbs to City Buslink running from the Cultural Centre to the Valley could take 8000 buses off CBD streets each day and meet passenger numbers growth.

[#Metro]

I've been meaning to take a photo of this. A few days ago I was stuck on 199 and thank heavens it diverted via Ivory Street. Getting off Adelaide street was a nightmare.

DO SOMETHING ABOUT LEGACY ROUTES!

There are many buses that should not even be going to the CBD. 306 and 322 are just some of these.

If a study proves it feasible, the Suburbs to City Buslink running from the Cultural Centre to the Valley could take 8000 buses off CBD streets each day and meet passenger numbers growth.

I'd rather call this The City Busway, but I don't think that it is a good idea to just be bus. Experience shows with KGS/QSBS that the stations fill up quite rapidly. Serious consideration should be given to constructing a metro - the first stages of the North-South Subway between RBWH-Valley-CBD-South Bank for this one. The SEB pushes the bottom capacity range of a metro system in peak hour, and there would be much to gain from placing a subway down the SEB, as part of a longer term CFN. Ottawa has done a study, but a proper study should NOT predetermine modes.

[kazzac]

why can't some routes terminate at W'gabba station?There's plenty of room for buses to turn around there,then there would be less congestion in CBD.

[Otto]

why can't some routes terminate at W'gabba station?There's plenty of room for buses to turn around there,then there would be less congestion in CBD.

During peak hour, buses are already being forced to queue to wait for a park in the holding area. TL have runprinted more buses to hold up there then there are parking bays.

[somebody]

why can't some routes terminate at W'gabba station?There's plenty of room for buses to turn around there,then there would be less congestion in CBD.

What?  Forcing a transfer this close to the CBD would be daft.

What you can do is remove the 66.  You'd need to provide alternate route(s) on the INB, but I don't think you need to on the W'Gabba side.  It would remove the traffic at the Cultural Centre by about 6% in peak.

During peak hour, buses are already being forced to queue to wait for a park in the holding area. TL have runprinted more buses to hold up there then there are parking bays.

Yet more incompetence.