Ipswich and western region

ozbob · September 28, 2013, 15:34:25 PM

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review-2013/ipswich

Information sessions over

Individual route changes

Of the 21 bus routes in Ipswich and Springfield, there will be changes to 13 routes.

Detailed timetables are being developed and will be available closer to the implementation date.

Check your route number below for more information about the planned changes:

Route    Description    Changes

463    Goodna station to Forest Lake Village    No route alignment changes.

500    Riverlink Shopping Centre to Goodna station    Additional trips will be added to weekday and weekend services, improving frequency and access for local residents to key employment and shopping destinations at Booval, Bundamba, Redbank, Goodna and the residential area of Riverview between Riverlink and Goodna.

502    Bundamba to Riverlink Shopping Centre via Blackstone    No route alignment changes.

503    Bundamba to Riverlink Shopping Centre via Eastern Heights    No route alignment changes.

506    Riverlink Shopping Centre to Leichhardt    Route 506 and route 516 will be merged with additional trips improving weekday off-peak frequency of services for local residents.

508    Yamanto to Willowbank    This route number will change as the route will become part of an extended route 515.

509    Yamanto to Riverlink Shopping Centre    No route alignment changes.

512    Brassall to Riverlink Shopping Centre    This route will be expanded to include key destinations from route 513 which is being removed due to low passenger numbers.

513    Woodend Loop    This route is being removed due to low passenger numbers, however key destinations (such as schools) from this route will be serviced by route 512.

514    Tivoli to Booval    This route will be extended to Booval Fair improving access to this centre for local residents of Moores Pocket, Tivoli, North Ipswich, Basin Pocket and Booval.

515    Brassall to Yamanto    This route will be extended into Willowbank replacing the current 508 (Yamanto to Willowbank) creating a single, improved service.

516    Riverlink Shopping Centre to One Mile    This route will be merged with, and renumbered to route 506, allowing improved weekday off-peak frequency of services for local residents.

522    Orion Springfield Town Centre to Goodna shops via Goodna station    This route will be combined with route 530 and extended to the new Springfield Central train station, with a realignment through Springfield Lakes. It will run every 30 minutes on weekdays providing a frequent connection to the train stations at Springfield Central and Goodna.

524    Goodna station to Redbank Plains    No route alignment changes.

525    Collingwood Park loop    No route alignment changes.

526    Orion Springfield Town Centre to Redbank    This route will be extended to the new Springfield Central train station.

529    Toogoolawah to Ipswich    No route alignment changes.

530    Orion Springfield Town Centre to Goodna    This route will be combined and renumbered to route 522 and extended to the new Springfield Central train station, with a realignment through Springfield Lakes. It will run every 30 minutes on weekdays, providing a frequent connection to the train stations at Springfield Central and Goodna.

534    Browns Plains to Orion Springfield Town Centre    This route will be extended to the new Springfield Central train station.

535    Orion Springfield Town Centre to Richlands station    This route, which currently connects Springfield to the train line at Richlands train station, will be removed with the opening of Springfield Central train station in late 2013. Passengers may be able to access route 522 to travel to Springfield Central train station.

539    Helidon to Rosewood Railbus    No route alignment changes.

Changes will be implemented in December 2013 (weather permitting), to align with the completion of the Richlands to Springfield train line.

STB · September 28, 2013, 15:36:32 PM

Anyone have any plans on taking the first Springfield passenger train?

ozbob · September 28, 2013, 15:39:37 PM

Quote from: STB on September 28, 2013, 15:36:32 PM
Anyone have any plans on taking the first Springfield passenger train?

Yo! Depending on the timetables would like to be on the first UP ex Darra and first DOWN ex Springfield Central.

The first down train might be before the arrival of first UP. But I prefer to arrive before leaving ...

So will probably opt for the first UP ex Darra and then back ex Springfield Central. Might also on return detrain at Springfield. And get the following service.

ozbob · September 28, 2013, 15:40:32 PM

During December I might also endeavour to go for a ride on every western bus over a week or so.

STB · September 28, 2013, 15:47:01 PM

Quote from: ozbob on September 28, 2013, 15:40:32 PM
During December I might also endeavour to go for a ride on every western bus over a week or so.

Oh I wish I had the time for that nowadays. Am working now to get a business up and running, and the projects associated with that now that university is almost over for me. Can't complain, but such is life

.

ozbob · September 28, 2013, 15:51:13 PM

Might go for a goodbye ride on the 535 before the rail services commence as well.

STB · September 28, 2013, 15:52:54 PM

Quote from: ozbob on September 28, 2013, 15:51:13 PM
Might go for a goodbye ride on the 535 before the rail services commence as well.

Huzzah! Now that is something I could do! And yes, I will try on taking the first trains on the Springfield line myself, failing that I'll do it soon after the opening.

petey3801 · September 30, 2013, 10:26:57 AM

Depending on what day it opens, i'll try and get on the first passenger run along the line. Will have to depend on work as well. Never know, might be able to drive the first train! Doubtful, but ya never know!

ozbob · September 30, 2013, 10:30:27 AM

Very very appropriate for a Springfield resident ... would make a great story line ...

ozbob · September 30, 2013, 10:55:16 AM

Some planning for my western tour ..

539 Rail bus Rosewood - Helidon

M-F

Depart Ipswich 8-05am arrive Rosewood 8.26am. [ 6.58am Ippy ex Central, Goodna 7.35am ]

539 depart Rosewood 8.31am arrive Helidon 9.34am

====

Depart Helidon 10.40am arrive Rosewood 11.55am

Depart Rosewood 12.05pm

Arrive Ipswich 12.26pm --> Lunch

ozbob · September 30, 2013, 12:58:46 PM

529 Toogoolawah - Ipswich railbus

Present timetable precludes a day return journey Ipswich <-> Toogoolawah

Only option for a day return is Ipswich <-> Lowood

6.28am Ipswich service ex Central [Goodna 7.05am]

529 bus departs Ipswich Bell St at 7.32am arrives Lowood 8.14am.

===

529 bus departs Lowood 8.17am. Ipswich 9.07am.

ozbob · September 30, 2013, 13:00:55 PM

I don't think these routes viz. 529 and 539 will change with the new timetables.

STB · September 30, 2013, 20:14:46 PM

Quote from: ozbob on September 30, 2013, 13:00:55 PM
I don't think these routes viz. 529 and 539 will change with the new timetables.

Highly unlikely. I highly doubt the train timetables will change (they will just extend the existing Richlands trains to Springfield with the existing times). The 529 and 539 are fixed to the trains, 529 uses its own driver and bus specifically and is not linked in with the rest of the network (split shift).

ozbob · November 05, 2013, 10:38:13 AM

Ipswich, Springfield and surrounds public transport network booklet now available

--> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review-2013/ipswich

Booklet --> here! ext PDF 4.3MB

ozbob · November 05, 2013, 11:03:17 AM

^ looks good! Even the humble 524 bus has its own page ..

ozbob · November 07, 2013, 10:41:36 AM

New timetables for the bus routes now available ..

--> http://translink.com.au/content/ipswich-and-western-region

Scroll down the above page, click on the bus route required ...

ozbob · November 07, 2013, 11:22:40 AM

STB · November 07, 2013, 11:23:32 AM

The new timetable design is yet to grow on me, starting to look like the southern states versions of their timetables in some ways. Bit hard to read them in PDF form unless you zoom in I find, and not sure on the Melbourne style maps, which is one thing I don't like about Melbourne's public transport, their timetables and maps - basically tells you nothing.

By the way, my mind continues to be blown that between Milton and Darra, you've got a 15min frequency until nearly midnight, and happening 7 days of the week. Could be a good idea to build up and ramp up the population density of that corridor I think rather than continuing to spread out. Same with other 15min rail corridors, and just ramp up the apartments, shops and offices as the 15min frequency continues to be spread out and expand over the coming years.

SurfRail · November 07, 2013, 12:11:07 PM

Diagrams seem to be a growing trend. Now coming back in Sydney and Adelaide. Qconnect is moving ahead with proper topographical maps.

And Sunshine Coast format is still in the old format.

#Metro · November 07, 2013, 13:33:59 PM

Few use printed maps these days and I think this is going to decline even more with iPads, Smartphones, websites and the like.

One idea would be just to do what Google Does - you have the data there and you choose the right map format for you- I think there are six different kinds to choose from. Something like that could be done for the TL website.

I also find the TL maps a tad small on the website. It would be nice to have a larger map and other options such as 'show all high frequency services' as well.

ozbob · November 10, 2013, 13:30:38 PM

Few not happy with frequency/span of the new 522 ...

Is the way of the west generally ...

techblitz · November 10, 2013, 13:40:35 PM

Quote from: ozbob on November 10, 2013, 13:30:38 PM
Few not happy with frequency/span of the new 522 ...

Is the way of the west generally ...

I was hoping they would terminate a few more at st ives instead of Goodna station. Since a lot of people would do their shopping at the woollies...why not assist them with a quick ride over to st ives or even the jets gym and/or centrelink? Till 6 or 7 would have been decent instead of 5pm

STB · November 10, 2013, 22:23:08 PM

Quote from: ozbob on November 10, 2013, 13:30:38 PM
Few not happy with frequency/span of the new 522 ...

Is the way of the west generally ...

In a way it's a drop in frequency and coverage for that area. Currently routes 522 and 530 roughly give a 15min frequency in the Goodna area, particularly in peak hour, now that will be dropped to a 30min frequency, and parts of the Springfield, Camira and Goodna areas will now have a longer walk to the nearest bus stop.

ozbob · November 14, 2013, 06:57:08 AM

Received the guide ' A better public transport network for Ipswich, Springfield and surrounds ' in the mail box today.

A5 size, makes the network maps a little hard to read for some, but still very good overall.

ozbob · November 14, 2013, 07:38:16 AM

^ I think I will copy the 524 bus pages and frame them on the wall ...

....... only joking ..

techblitz · July 14, 2014, 10:42:50 AM

2 complaints on facebook for 2 seperate goodna station westide services this morning
463 and 524....both around 15 minutes late......463 a lot more than 15 mins..she arrived at bus stop 7.15 (7 minutes early) and never actually caught a bus till after 8am

And translink as usual with thier generic "the provider has been notified" responses.
These delays should have been reported to translink by westside...not translink having to notify them...

techblitz · July 19, 2014, 11:14:03 AM

QuoteI remember you from Thursday, and I've looked at your feedback from that day. It seems the delays on your route are due to consistently heavy traffic at the roundabout of Smiths Road and Queen Street near the St Ives Shopping Centre.
Even if this isn't an issue on your specific run, it can delay an earlier service, which can have a knock-on effect on a later scheduled bus

translinks response to a regular complainer of the 524 who seems to get the bad end of the stick when trying to connect to rail. The poor guy probably needs to start leaving for work 30 minutes earlier. Seriously...is this how commuters are supposed to gain faith in rail-bus connections?
how trip times should be timetabled >>> route 110 inala to qsbs 7amish inbound trip time 61 minutes......same service 2pm inala to qsbs 55 minutes = 6 minute leeway to counter the effects of ipswich rd traffic.

524

With a primary school & motorway entrance/exit a virtual stones throw from st ives shopping centre....translink and westside KNOW full well that there will be consistent peak congestion around this area but still choose to do nothing about it.

redbank plaza to goodna station

7amish 38 minutes
2pmish 38 minutes

*golf clap for translink/westside*

ozbob · July 19, 2014, 12:20:25 PM

I have spoken with Cr Tully re the roundabout and have suggested some solutions.

Ultimately the best thing is to scrap the roundabout and replace with integrated traffic signals. Why this wasn't done as part of the Ipswich ' car park ' upgrade is very shortsighted. It might be done in a few years.

Meanwhile, the best short term hope is to activate the ped crossing Queen St so as to sync with lights onto the highway so that traffic flows less disrupted. Will be looked at.

techblitz · July 20, 2014, 18:14:07 PM

Hopefully something is done soon....goodna has been on a steady revival post floods....still very good real estate demand there at good prices...
Buuuutt..were still left with the issue of translink and their ability to handle timetabling/rail connection complaints.

They also copped complaints this week re: 526,463(again) and a very indepth 522 one about arriving late into s/field rail.
6 months to the day that the bus changes took place. With a mountain of complaints and no changes....time to fine tune it a bit..6 mins here,6 mins there...and get the overall volume of missed connections down..

ozbob · July 21, 2014, 03:16:31 AM

I hear you TB. One factor in the lack of responsiveness is the staff cuts to TransLink. I wonder if the timetable stalemate is simply a reflection of not enough 'bums on seats' ... seems so to me.

I will raise this issue privately.

James · July 21, 2014, 07:53:03 AM

Quote from: ozbob on July 21, 2014, 03:16:31 AM
I hear you TB. One factor in the lack of responsiveness is the staff cuts to TransLink. I wonder if the timetable stalemate is simply a reflection of not enough 'bums on seats' ... seems so to me.

I will raise this issue privately.

I think a big issue is (within TransLink) the more recent requirement to strictly adhere to a clockface timetable when creating timetables, irrelevant of whether it is 11pm on a Sunday night or 5pm on a Wednesday afternoon. The only place where this hasn't occurred is Logan - and I think what's happened in Logan should be an example of what needs to happen to all services across the region.

Case in point, 412 timetable. Timetabled to take 11 minutes Roma Street Stop 138 - Toowong for every single service of the week. Consequently, the service runs late in peak traffic and pax are forced to dwell at Toowong for as much as 5-6 minutes on late night services. As nice as clockface timetables are, unfortunately unless a service is a busway service (or has bus lanes for the entire route) the timetabling is not realistic.

You just don't hear whining up here because people in Brisbane don't transfer!

techblitz · August 06, 2014, 09:38:49 AM

another day another 522 complaint....

QuoteVery disappointed. Your 522 bus that gets to lakeside ave / Burlington tce at 7.52am did not arrive at all this morning. I have now been forced to catch the 8.22am which didn't arrive until 8.30am. Now I will not make it home in time for my first client and this has now lost me $50 and potentially lost me a client. There has been no update in the website as to why this has happened. I'm not happy at all for the stress that this has caused me .

8 minute delay..lets look into that connection to goodna station shall we?
her service at 7.52 a no-show...thats bad enough....but then irritatingly 8 minute late next service rubs salt into the wound.....im sure there would have been others on that service who intended to connect to goodna...it has a measly 6 minute connection gap into the station....scheduled to arrive into goodna 8.51 train departs 8.57....lets readjust it......bus arrives into goodna 8.59...train gone

next train 9.27...bravo!

obviously the return runs combined with delays just isnt helping things...or perhaps thier workers are just showing up for work late or thier buses are breaking down......(The 8.42am route 524 bus outbound from Goodna Station has been cancelled due to an operational issue.) <<TL website

We do know that on a ratio of actual services to facebook complaints.....and specifically goodna services....463/524/522...westside are fast becoming embarrasments...they need to take a leaf out of hornibrooks book and get on top of it!

SurfRail · August 06, 2014, 10:16:08 AM

A lot of Bus Qld's problems have stemmed from their poorly located depot at Redbank, which is prone to being blocked in with congestion (particularly when the motorway was being upgraded).

In the dim distant past I seem to recall TransLink was looking at funding a new depot for the Springfield area. Probably long gone by the wayside. (I also recall them looking at a modestly sized yard for Noosa.)

ozbob · August 06, 2014, 10:32:02 AM

Check out this ...

========================

Twitter

Greg Barber ‏@GregMLC

When you jump off a train to see the bus left two minutes ago, and the next one is in half an hour, this is why http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports_and_publications/latest_reports/2014-15/20140806-Public-Transport.aspx ...

techblitz · August 21, 2014, 11:34:17 AM

Quote524 Bus (Redbank Plains-Goodna train station) Is this service ever on time??? If where late to the train station which is 80% of the time we miss the city train and have to wait half an hour for the next one. Do I have to pay to put my daughter in b4 school care and catch an earlier train that still misses the joining train but so I can atleast sit and wait for the nxt which will get me to work on time. This service connecting with the train timetable isnt working. Yes i have filled out online forms numerous times not that anything has changed !!! All I'm asking is review the service, ask the public if it's working

facebook post today....just like 5.47 ex central complaints...they keep racking up (about 6 or 7 now).....your local route is becoming notorious for all the wrong reasons ozbob...

ozbob · August 21, 2014, 11:38:19 AM

Traffic is just getting worse and worse in the area generally. Buses are slowed, with flow on effects to other services. We are seeing it big time with BT and now others e.g Westside. I made the connection yesterday going home pure fluke really. I was all set for a beer at the razzle dazzle if I missed .. lol

Problems please add to this thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10837.0

Will be raising them with TL directly ..

Arnz · August 21, 2014, 11:51:11 AM

Quote from: SurfRail on August 06, 2014, 10:16:08 AM
In the dim distant past I seem to recall TransLink was looking at funding a new depot for the Springfield area. Probably long gone by the wayside. (I also recall them looking at a modestly sized yard for Noosa.)

NIMBYs/Enviromentalists also played a small role in killing off the Noosa depot (via local media), hence why the Caloundra West location was selected and built instead.

Which is a bit of a shame considering Noosa has a extensive local network along with the 63x rail routes to Nambour and the less frequent coverage routes to hinterland locations such as Cooran.

techblitz · August 21, 2014, 13:48:48 PM

Quote from: ozbob on August 21, 2014, 11:38:19 AM
Traffic is just getting worse and worse in the area generally. Buses are slowed, with flow on effects to other services. We are seeing it big time with BT and now others e.g Westside. I made the connection yesterday going home pure fluke really. I was all set for a beer at the razzle dazzle if I missed .. lol

Problems please add to this thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10837.0

Will be raising them with TL directly ..

always seems to be those half hour waits which irritate the connecting passengers the most..rightly so....

techblitz · August 22, 2014, 00:03:31 AM

just on that 524 complaint...one of the the rare times that translink hasnt bothered to respond...perhaps they are too irritated to respond and just want it fixed?

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