$210M PLAN FOR SAFER BUS STOPS & NEW BUSES

[ozbob]

http://raysmith.com.au/210m-plan-for-safer-bus-stops-new-buses/

MEDIA RELEASE

24 April 2012

$210M PLAN FOR SAFER BUS STOPS & NEW BUSES

Brisbane Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith will deliver a $210 million boost to Brisbane's bus network, if elected as Lord Mayor.

Mr Smith said his plan included an $18 million investment in making Brisbane's bus stops safer and more accessible, 360 new buses and free public transport for Brisbane seniors.

"Investing in public transport is one of the best ways to help relieve traffic congestion in our city and I'll do exactly that if elected as Lord Mayor on Saturday," he said.

"Every bus on t he road means 54 less cars, but public transport must be safe, reliable and accessible for people to be willing to use it.

"I'll introduce an $18 million 'Safe Stops' initiative to help improve safety at our bus stops with improved lighting, shade and pedestrian refuge bays at key bus stop locations.

"While some stops may require big fixes and others small, this funding will deliver upgrades for around 250 bus stops at an approximate cost of $70,000 per bus stop.

"In line with the agreement between the State Government and Brisbane City Council, I'll invest $169 million over four years to deliver 360 new buses for our city.

"These additional buses will provide more resources for bus services in our outer suburbs and ensure Brisbane residents have continuing access to improved public transport services.

"I'll work with Translink to use these buses to provide additional services in the outer suburbs that are poorly serviced under the current offering of bus routes. I'd like to see more cross-suburb connector routes to provide residents with better access to local services and facilities."

Mr Smith said the announcement came on top of his previous commitment to provide free public transport for Brisbane seniors.

"Under my $5.7 million costed policy, all seniors will travel for free on Council buses, CityCats and ferries, seven days a week, during off-peak travel times.

"This plan will help keep costs down for our seniors and work to reduce overcrowding on buses for those during peak travel times by spreading demand for services more evenly.

"In their last two budgets, the current Council Administration has cut funding for public transport by $38 million and I want to see some of that funding restored.

"I'm committed to delivering a balanced approach to traffic congestion in Brisbane and this plan will deliver real improvements to public transport accessibility in our city – particularly when combined with my plans to invest $30 million in CityCat; $100 million in bikeways; $150 million in footpaths; and $800 million in local roads," Mr Smith said.

[somebody]

I don't know how $70k can be spent on a bus stop, although I have heard that figure before.

[#Metro]

I don't know how $70k can be spent on a bus stop, although I have heard that figure before.

Maybe if it is diamond encrusted and has gold bullion seats.

"In line with the agreement between the State Government and Brisbane City Council, I'll invest $169 million over four years to deliver 360 new buses for our city.

"These additional buses will provide more resources for bus services in our outer suburbs and ensure Brisbane residents have continuing access to improved public transport services.

"I'll work with Translink to use these buses to provide additional services in the outer suburbs that are poorly serviced under the current offering of bus routes. I'd like to see more cross-suburb connector routes to provide residents with better access to local services and facilities."

The first thing to do is a commitment to network efficiency an CUT legacy routing. CUT!! It will be painful and traumatic for a while but we must move forward and we will have a better network at the end of the day.

Maroon CityGlider should be cut as well. Replace it with a service to Bulimba.
Are any of these new buses going to Bulimba?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Shouldn't this be a Translink issue?

[Jonno]

transport accessibility in our city – particularly when combined with my plans to invest $30 million in CityCat; $100 million in bikeways; $150 million in footpaths; and $800 million in local roads

How is this in any sense of the term balance? A concept involving equal amounts.  $ are well in favour of motor vehicles as is % mode split.

Balance my #%£€

[O_128]

250 stops is nothing , it won't even cover the 199 route  CUT THE WASTE

[#Metro]

Why not cut some bus stops too. Some of them are FAR too close - Fairfield 196 is one of these.

CUT!!

[Jonno]

Why not cut some bus stops too. Some of them are FAR too close - Fairfield 196 is one of these.

+1000

[O_128]

Why not cut some bus stops too. Some of them are FAR too close - Fairfield 196 is one of these.

+1000

The worst is the stop just before cultural centre across from SW1, its literally 50m from either stops.

[Mr X]

Why not cut some bus stops too. Some of them are FAR too close - Fairfield 196 is one of these.

+1000

The worst is the stop just before cultural centre across from SW1, its literally 50m from either stops.

Nah
The worst stop of all was removed in 2011, it was located on a traffic island on a one lane section of Gladstone Rd outbound and served only a single row of houses, as there was a stop 50m before and after it. The platform was so short buses kept missing it and pax had to crawl out and hop over a guard rail to avoid being hit by passing traffic.
90% of people who used it would run across the road on a blind corner. Perfect death trap.

[colinw]

Millions of dollars on bus stops? 

Will this proposal make the buses run more frequently, no longer mysteriously die just after peak hour, and no longer follow ancient legacy routes around obscure back streets?

If not then I'm not interested.

Hey Ray, can I have a $77,000 bus stop so my 1 hour wait for a bus is more comfy?

Its also time to extend sales of these from rail stations to bus stops: 

[Jonno]

I am willing to bet dinner for all members with a daily post average over 1 that the 77,000 includes bus stop bays to get those pesky buses out of traffic and improve traffic flow!!

[Golliwog]

I am willing to bet dinner for all members with a daily post average over 1 that the 77,000 includes bus stop bays to get those pesky buses out of traffic and improve traffic flow!!

Possible. I just had a look through the recent Kelvin Grove Rd bus priority stuff where Translink ended up constructing 2 indented bus bays on Kelvin Grove Rd (they wanted a 3rd, but I expect the locals complained about TL wanting to remove their trees from the median to do so). However, the project never gave an estimate of the cost so I can't confirm if doing so cost ~$70,000-$80,000 each.