Article: Push for more bus services

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 21st March 2012 page 5

Push for more bus services

[ozbob]

Media release 21 March 2012

SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Centenary Residents' push for Centenary BUZ



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 supports Centenary Suburbs residents' calls for a Centenary BUZ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Centenary Suburbs, along with Bulimba and Albany Creek/Eatonvale have long been a public transport 'no-go' zones. Bus service is very poor on the buses in these areas - low frequency means frustratingly long waits, too many bus routes means too much complexity and poor legibility, poor span means that most services disappear quickly after peak hour (quite extreme in the case of Bulimba)*, and the routes taken are circuitous which wastes valuable time and also degrades legibility and patronage. All these things reduce the appeal of the service and ultimately this translates into poor farebox takings.

"RAIL Back On Track has long argued that the fastest, cheapest way to improve the public transport system in Brisbane is a targeted, selective boost of services to create a Core Frequent Network covering Brisbane with a network of selective trunk, high-capacity, high-frequency, traffic-prioritised workhorse rail, ferry and bus routes. (2,3)

"RAIL Back On Track has canvassed a number of potential improvements for the Centenary Suburbs, which could made more cheaply to fund by cutting waste within the existing network.(4) This includes two 'core frequent' BUZ routes through the area (BUZ 400 and one other BUZ) to perform the line haul task, two peak hour rockets following the same routes as the BUZ services but skipping stops for speed and one very high frequency shuttle from Mt Ommaney to Darra Train station running every 7.5 minutes, all day to connect with both Brisbane-bound and Ipswich-bound trains. Similar short rail feeder shuttle services operate in Toronto, Canada and Melbourne, Australia.

"Because the Core Frequent Network represents the absolute minimum, bare basics network needed to get around Brisbane, completion of the Core Frequent Network should take priority, before any other service improvements in the Brisbane region."

References:

1. Push for more bus services - The Satellite Newspaper http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

2. Building a Core Frequent Network  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5173.0

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

4. SEQ: Core Frequent Network - Cut waste to fund BUZ 400 for Centenary Suburbs! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7720.0


* After about 6.30 pm, the 230 service of Bulimba becomes a one way 'exit only' service.

Contacts:

Gavin Seipelt
Brisbane West Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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

Attachments

A1 - The proposed 2 BUZ lines (solid lines, left) and supporting peak hour rockets (dashed lines, left) compared
to the current, illegible spaghetti of routes (right) (Darra one way loop rail feeder not shown)



A2 - High frequency Darra Rail shuttle service running every 7.5 minutes, all day
(as an alternative option, this service could also run direct via the motorway)

[#Metro]

Following Gazza's proposal:

BUZ 400 via Yallambe Road
Rocket 401 via Yallambe Road then Western Freeway

BUZ 450 (altered) via Jindalee
Rocket 451 via Jindalee then Western Freeway

High frequency short shuttle
BUZ 455 Darra Station shuttle BUZ

So much simpler and easier to remember than the current mess. And the rail shuttle service doesn't engage in one-way loops or direction changes in mornings and afternoons either... much easier and legible.

The shuttle BUZ is justified on the grounds that it is short, direct and therefore can be run at high frequency.

There are 4 trains to Ipswich and 4 trains to Brisbane which makes 8 services per hour, and assuming demand in both directions, a bus every 7.5 minutes (8 services per hour) would allow matching frequency. At this level of service, rail-bus timetable co-ordination is not required and all that needs to be done is a clock face timetable.

Passengers for Darra rail, simply catch any bus to Mt Ommaney then change to the shuttle.

[somebody]

From The Satellite 21st March 2012 page 5

Push for more bus services

Minister's response: We're not going to do it.

[O_128]

From The Satellite 21st March 2012 page 5

Push for more bus services

Minister's response: We're not going to do it.

You have to wonder if Bligh picks up her transport ministers from a homeless shelter, this woman is am idiot, a park and ride won't drop waiting times!!!!!! IDIOT

[#Metro]

Now now, park and ride does have it's place in the urban context we have.
There are places where access by walk up isn't that great.

Of course, first priority should be to have decent service that people would want to drive to in the first place.
They should also levy charges to that car parks only go to those who don't have an alternative.

[somebody]

You have to wonder if Bligh picks up her transport ministers from a homeless shelter, this woman is am idiot, a park and ride won't drop waiting times!!!!!! IDIOT

That's somewhat harsh.  She was a lot better than the one she replaced.  What do you want her to say if she can't get funding for the additional services?

[O_128]

You have to wonder if Bligh picks up her transport ministers from a homeless shelter, this woman is am idiot, a park and ride won't drop waiting times!!!!!! IDIOT

That's somewhat harsh.  She was a lot better than the one she replaced.  What do you want her to say if she can't get funding for the additional services?

Theres funding for the park and ride.

[Gazza]

So whats the point of trumpeting about frequency at Darra, if the 109 finishe up before 6pm!

[somebody]

You have to wonder if Bligh picks up her transport ministers from a homeless shelter, this woman is am idiot, a park and ride won't drop waiting times!!!!!! IDIOT

That's somewhat harsh.  She was a lot better than the one she replaced.  What do you want her to say if she can't get funding for the additional services?

Theres funding for the park and ride.

I expect that was arranged before she took the job.

So whats the point of trumpeting about frequency at Darra, if the 109 finishe up before 6pm!

I think you meant another route.

[ozbob]

From the South West News 28th March 2012 page 5

Centenary of public transport neglect



Article now online --> here!

[#Metro]

WOOO!! HOWZAT!

Thank you Gazza and everyone who had discussion contributions in the Centenary BUZ thread.
BUZ 400! The momentum is building!

[#Metro]

I can't remember where the discussion was, perhaps about the bus interconnection into legacy way but it was discussed thus

- One route could be a BUZ
- Another could be a BUZ but a rocket via the Western Freeway all day. Interchange point would be Mt Ommaney.
- An all day frequent feeder to Darra Rail.