Brisbane - bus network proposal

[Old Northern Road]

Seriously, you guys here at Rail Back On Track need to concentrate your efforts FIRST on the rail.  We need 15 min service on ALL lines (perhaps bar Doomben) between 7am & 7pm every day as a minimum starting point.  It is pointless to lobby for frequent bus services that connect onto a 30 min train service.  Increase the train services FIRST, then there will be more pressure to change the buses to suit.  The more you guys keep putting the cart before the horse, the more stupid you will look and the less credibility you will have.

What's the point of increasing the frequency of the trains to 15min when nearly all feeder bus routes only run hourly?

[pandmaster]

Seriously, you guys here at Rail Back On Track need to concentrate your efforts FIRST on the rail.  We need 15 min service on ALL lines (perhaps bar Doomben) between 7am & 7pm every day as a minimum starting point.  It is pointless to lobby for frequent bus services that connect onto a 30 min train service.  Increase the train services FIRST, then there will be more pressure to change the buses to suit.  The more you guys keep putting the cart before the horse, the more stupid you will look and the less credibility you will have.

What's the point of increasing the frequency of the trains to 15min when nearly all feeder bus routes only run hourly?

This seems like a chicken or the egg problem to me.

I think prioritising rail improvements is a good point but as has been pointed out the rollingstock does not exist at this stage. If the NGR is delivered and there are still not massive frequency improvements for most lines then it is the time to be vocal about it. Bus to bus transfers are also important (e.g. Chermside, Eight Mile Plains, Carindale, etc...) and are not affected by poor rail frequency.

[SurfRail]

I'm off to ride the 314 BUZ tomorrow as a friend will be driving it.  (The "Z" stands for "zero patronage".) 

Departs Deagon Market Square at 8:45am.

[ozbob]

Media release 6th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?

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 today releases a summary report into issues with BCC's bus network and calls all parties contesting the 2015 Queensland Election to support bus reform.

As part of our New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane, we release an additional summary report detailing what went wrong with the BCC bus network. The Lord Mayor is on record stating that the BCC bus network is 'not broken'. We disagree. Now, anybody can download our report and see why fares escalated.

Download Report Here > Frequency is Freedom  PDF 4.8MB

We show:

    * Who gets frequent bus service in Brisbane, and the suburbs that are public transport black holes under BCC's 'no transfer' philosophy (pages 5 - 8 ).

    * How bus reforms rejected by BCC are being implemented in Brisbane's sister city of Auckland, New Zealand (page 10).  A package of improvements in Auckland has seen train patronage grow 17% (2014) and bus patronage grow 7% (2014). In contrast, Brisbane bus patronage fell by 1 million and traffic congestion increased by 3%.

    * The cost escalation mechanism. Upgrading the bus network while insisting all buses drive direct to the CBD and not adjusting the surrounding legacy network leads to escalating costs which implies increased fares. (pages 11 - 12)

    * How BCCs bus network and anti-interchange philosophy places buses exactly where they are least required, wasting resources and congesting the Brisbane CBD. As an example we analyse the Moggill Rd/Coronation Drive corridor showing that this also leads to too few buses in the suburbs, causing long waits for BCC's own residents. (Pages 14 -16)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to a bus network that leaves entire suburbs without decent bus service (e.g. Yeronga, Bulimba, Centenary, Albany Creek) (Page 17 - 18)

    * How BCCs bus network philosophy leads to an enormously complicated, fragmented, expensive-to-run, low frequency network in the suburbs. (i.e. 15 different bus routes to the Centenary suburbs, where none frequent). Despite BCC's in-house 2013 review, examples still exist of where service does not properly match the distribution of residents and straightening is required (Page 20).

Our analysis suggests Brisbane City Council was a key driving force behind the escalating 15% fare increases. While BCC does not set fares, it does set bus supplier costs, and obviously, higher costs equals higher fares. Private bus operators bidding for contracts within the Brisbane area should offer to do what BCC refuses to do - offer to run a simple, frequent and connected-style bus network.

The sooner Brisbane gets new bus operators that are willing and able to undertake the difficult task of bus network reform, the sooner fares can come down and patronage falls reversed.

Contact:

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

References:

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

Coronation Drive Analysis (Diagram)



http://s998.photobucket.com/user/tramtrain/media/BR_wasteogram_zps01c22678.png.html

Brizcommuter
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/brisbane-city-council-bus-network.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/brisbane-city-council.html
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/more-of-brisbane-city-councils-not.html

New Year, New Bus Operators?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11164.0

2014 – A Year in Review Part 1 – PT, Auckland Transport Blog
http://transportblog.co.nz/2014/12/29/2014-a-year-in-review-part-1-pt/

Brisbane Buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary Suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141104-11gxl3.html

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[Andrew]

I don't particularly support this announcement of LD's, but given that there are no new trains due into service until probably the last quarter of 2016 what point is there lobbying for timetable upgrades of the nature you have mentioned now?  Nothing CAN happen for at least 2 years.

That's a good point you raise there.  I guess I can't see serious headway being made on bus services without infrastructure and/or better train frequency depending on the location.  The deep root problem of the system has always been train frequency (or lack of it).  Brisbane has languished behind all the other capital cities in Australia (perhaps save Adelaide) in this regard.  There was simply no impetus for the buses to connect until you got further out from the CBD. I get the impression that BCC just went and did their own thing.  In many places there still isn't as the frequency of the train drops in the early evening and on weekends.  It would be somewhat pointless to connect a 15 min bus service with a 30 min train service.  Then there are areas like Chapel Hill and Kenmore.  By the time a bus that leaves Chapel Hill stop on Moggill Rd reaches Indooroopilly Station when school and uni are both in session, that same bus could be at Toowong depot roundabout.  It means for city-bound passengers, it is a significant journey time disadvantage to route everything into transferring at Indooroopilly Station when a direct rocket service will be much quicker.  The only way to overcome this would be with a bus only corridor or bus lanes etc. to reduce the travel time.

In regards to the proposal of the 100 via Moorvale, I think given the length of the route, it would be better off leaving it as is and as SurfRail said, upgrade one of the 12x series.  An idea I had in this regard would be to BUZ the 125 but have it go to Griffith Uni busway instead of Garden City once leaving the Nathan Campus.  That way it still connects the Ipswich Rd corridor to Griffith Uni and people are able to change either at the busway or with the 120 to access the missed destinations such as Hibiscus pool.  I would also like to see long term the development of Coopers Plains as an interchange point.  If they put an overpass in to remove the level crossing, it would allow Beenleigh Rd to connect directly to the side street opposite across Boundary Rd which could be made a suitable area for bus stops.

Please don't get me wrong.  I am not against change.  I just believe it has to be done the right way.  I don't think a shock-and-awe-blitzkreig network change that is just shoved down the publics throat whether they like it or not is the way to go.  To successfully implement a redeveloped network (such as your proposal), extensive and genuine consultation with the public has to occur that takes into account the feedback they receive.  Either that or the network has to be gradually modified over time.  I think the toughest hurdle to overcome will be encouraging people to change on their journey.  The way I see to overcome this is by making both services frequent in most cases. It will significantly lessen the impact of such a change and make it much more palatable to the politicians.

[SurfRail]

^ The public engagement was absolutely appalling, and is absolutely a major reason why it failed.  QR's public engagement over the January 2014 timetable changes was so much better managed it isn't funny.

I suspect there is only one network which would really indisputably benefit significantly from blitzkrieging all at once, and that is the Northern Region.  That would only be once there is a single operator able to integrate the operations of all 7 bus depots to cut out dead running and use the resources better than they are deployed now.  A route like the 660 would benefit so much from savings on dead-running by having the ends of the service within spitting distance of the Caboolture and the Clontarf depots (compared with dead running back to the KBL depot at Burpengary from either end) that it just isn't funny.  Using the resources at the Caboolture and the Bribie yards would make it more cost-effective to run 640s later into the evening and to meet more trains. 

Probably what we will see is more incrementalism elsewhere, and that will tend to be easier if BT was split into 4 separate operating regions with contract buses specifically assigned to them.  Even if this is done structurally in some way rather than through tendering.

I would still be happy with a compromise where BT becomes an arm of DTMR (call it "TransLink Buses") along with Queensland Rail ("TransLink Trains"), so everything is controlled in house.  A decision on whether to tender the rail or bus services out can happen later. 

The main thing is that there are currently too many chefs trying to control the dish.  BT is like a saucier trying to put demi-glace on everything even if the dish needs something else (veloute, hollandaise etc).  Strongest flavours in the meal, but not meant to be the whole deal.  TransLink is the chef de cuisine or head chef because it has to manage all the ingredients and all the underling chefs responsible for little bits (pastry, sauce etc) to balance things properly.  Currently, we have a saucier with too much control and a chef with too little control and not enough skill.  Or, to use another image, BT is like a master carpenter who can only see problems in terms of nails needing to be banged in (ie it knows buses well, especially from the fleet management side, but intermodal interchange and simple route designs are completely foreign).

I will probably knock up a media release separately, but I think we need to have a really good think about how the system should be administered.  This probably won't get good airplay, but it is so crucial to have the framework right because without it everything falls to sh%t.

[#Metro]

It means for city-bound passengers, it is a significant journey time disadvantage to route everything into transferring at Indooroopilly Station when a direct rocket service will be much quicker.

Motorists error. Highlights speed but what is the frequency? IIRC some of these rockets are half hourly in peak? For example, P426, half hourly service. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/110606-425,P426.pdf

Why wait 30 minutes to save, say 5 minutes??

Neglects the growing need for multidestinational travel too. People going to CBD but also UQ, in time also Springfield and some to Ippy no doubt.

Trains run express from Indro to Roma Street. Avoids congestions and rail delays. Also able to run express all day.

The proposal is out there, good chance it will come to bear.

[Arnz]

The 649 - re Northern Network - could probably benefit from split operator operations.  Sunbus & KBL jointly operating the route to reduce the dead running and to remove the unnecessary services - eg the Air Parcel 3:15pm from Caboolture to Nambour, when there is a train leaving 9 minutes later at 3:24pm.   

The return service (leaving Nambour at 4:51pm) could be operated by Sunbus for example, and after a meal break, the same bus forms the 7:27pm 649 to Landsborough - then return to Caloundra depot.  The split operations would remove the costs of operating air parcel positioning runs, such as the 3:15pm Air Parcel  from Caboolture.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th January 2015

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

Greetings,

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

RAIL Back on Track has developed a package of upgrades for the Ashgrove Electorate's local areas.

Brisbane Bus Reform: Even More Buses For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11127.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11072.0

RAIL Back on Track is proposing:

    BUZ 380 The Gap  - upgraded to high frequency and realigned to travel along Payne Rd

    BUZ 385 The Gap - realigned to travel along Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Rds

    911 UQ CityConnector - A frequent, direct bus service from Brookside Shopping Centre to UQ St Lucia formed from the existing Great Circle Line

    Upgraded weekend train services for the Ferny Grove Line


Our proposal is low cost and requires no new infrastructure, with the bus component able to be implemented within the first 100 days of office.
Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Renewed calls for Brisbane bus overhaul

Brisbane City Council should use the State Government's plans to put bus routes out to tender as a chance to completely overhaul its bus network, a public transport advocacy group says.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said changes made in 2013 following a review of the network didn't benefit passengers and a different approach to the network was needed.

After heavy criticism of the original Translink network review the State Government handed control of the review process to the council, which eventually axed five bus routes and changed nine others.

Mr Dow said the review was a missed opportunity.

"We didn't really get the change that was necessary to drive efficiency, to drive patronage increase and give more room for fare reform," he said.

"Fares in south-east Queensland are horrendously expensive and that's partly related to the inefficient network design.

"BCC has always seen rail as a bit of a competitor rather than a team player. The rail system has not been properly supported by feeder buses and often a lot of bus routes run in direct competition with rail."

A BCC spokesman said the council continually looked for ways to improve the quality and cost of the bus service it provided.

"Council will be contesting the tender process once the State Government announces the details of contestability and will be competing to win," he said.

The spokesman didn't comment on questions about the likelihood of a future network overhaul or the validity of RBT's proposal.

BCC Opposition Leader Milton Dick said he opposed the tender process but would support any overhaul that guaranteed an improvement to the network instead of cuts to services.

On Monday the Queensland Bus Industry Council voiced concerns State Government plans to put routes out to tender would lead to companies collapsing in a similar vein to Cairns-based airliner Skytrans.

But Mr Dow said he didn't think private operators had anything to worry about, instead calling for council to redesign its network in a way that would see more transfers but shorter trip times.

A spokeswoman for Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson has previously said the government was committed to providing affordable, frequent and reliable public transport.

"As announced in the commission of audit released in 2013, we support getting the best services and value for money for passengers through a competitive contract process," she said.

[#Metro]

A BCC spokesman said the council continually looked for ways to improve the quality and cost of the bus service it provided.

Pffft!

[ozbob]

 

[Andrew]

It means for city-bound passengers, it is a significant journey time disadvantage to route everything into transferring at Indooroopilly Station when a direct rocket service will be much quicker.

Motorists error. Highlights speed but what is the frequency? IIRC some of these rockets are half hourly in peak? For example, P426, half hourly service. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/110606-425,P426.pdf

Why wait 30 minutes to save, say 5 minutes??

Neglects the growing need for multidestinational travel too. People going to CBD but also UQ, in time also Springfield and some to Ippy no doubt.

Trains run express from Indro to Roma Street. Avoids congestions and rail delays. Also able to run express all day.

The proposal is out there, good chance it will come to bear.

I'm looking at journey times side by side.  Timetable and frequency are factors as you rightly point out but I think these are secondary.  Some people will take a longer journey if the frequency is good but others will not.  When I'm analysing ideas (including my own), I put a big focus on seeing whether or not there is a significant disadvantage to the idea compared to current arrangements.  In some situations a slightly longer journey time with a high frequency will work.  I'm not yet convinced that feeding everything into Indooroopilly train station is the best option in the current environment. 

Some factors that would change this would be some bus priority infrastructure.  I have the idea of putting a bus tunnel from somewhere near the Chapel Hill stop to Indooroopilly Station.  You could have an underground interchange nestled between the current above ground one at the shopping centre and the train station, thus giving people an undercover, easy way to access the station directly from the shopping centre.  If something like this was to occur then I would be all for feeding buses via Indooroopilly.  You could then also separate the City - Indooroopilly portion of the route into it's own independent bus route which would solve some of the reliability issues the routes currently face.

Whilst on the subject of Indooroopilly, I think the 460 is ripe for truncation at Indooroopilly.  It does make me scratch my head a bit when you leave Toowong on the bus only to see the Springfield train heading down the track towards Taringa just ahead of you.  In this situation, there would be almost no disadvantage time-wise from the City and Toowong.  By keeping the bus going to Indooroopilly, you also provide same stop interchange to bus services to/from the City and keep simple connections with other places (e.g. GCL, Kenmore area).

[#Metro]

BCC had their chance to do whatever they liked with their own bus review. The result was patronage fell by 1 million and traffic congestion increased 3%. Speaks for itself really.

BCC says it is the 'best friend' of public transport users
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bcc-says-it-is-the-best-friend-of-public-transport-users-20141022-11a003.html

Brisbane City Council's finance boss has declared the current administration is the "best friend public transport users have ever had" while defending a drop in bus passengers last financial year.

Brisbane commuters abandon buses, choose cars instead
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-commuters-abandon-buses-choose-cars-instead-20140911-10fqak.html

Commuters abandoned Brisbane's bus network en masse last financial year, with the network carrying nearly one million fewer passengers than the previous year.

The figures were revealed on the same day Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced traffic on the city's road network rose by 3.3 per cent last year, or by 1000 vehicles per day.

I'm looking at journey times side by side.  Timetable and frequency are factors as you rightly point out but I think these are secondary.  Some people will take a longer journey if the frequency is good but others will not.  When I'm analysing ideas (including my own), I put a big focus on seeing whether or not there is a significant disadvantage to the idea compared to current arrangements.  In some situations a slightly longer journey time with a high frequency will work.  I'm not yet convinced that feeding everything into Indooroopilly train station is the best option in the current environment. 

Nobody is asking that everything be terminated at Indooroopilly. In many cases buses will continue to flow to UQ. This is an advantage as suburbs in that area tend to have high levels of staff and students who visit UQ. In addition Hi 400 CentenaryGlider will continue down to the CBD via Coronation Drive.

Some factors that would change this would be some bus priority infrastructure.  I have the idea of putting a bus tunnel from somewhere near the Chapel Hill stop to Indooroopilly Station.  You could have an underground interchange nestled between the current above ground one at the shopping centre and the train station, thus giving people an undercover, easy way to access the station directly from the shopping centre.  If something like this was to occur then I would be all for feeding buses via Indooroopilly.  You could then also separate the City - Indooroopilly portion of the route into it's own independent bus route which would solve some of the reliability issues the routes currently face.

It is a real shame the bus lane was removed from Coronation Drive. Please feel free to post up google maps or other diagrams detailing your tunnel idea.

Whilst on the subject of Indooroopilly, I think the 460 is ripe for truncation at Indooroopilly.  It does make me scratch my head a bit when you leave Toowong on the bus only to see the Springfield train heading down the track towards Taringa just ahead of you.  In this situation, there would be almost no disadvantage time-wise from the City and Toowong.  By keeping the bus going to Indooroopilly, you also provide same stop interchange to bus services to/from the City and keep simple connections with other places (e.g. GCL, Kenmore area).

Absolutely.

[ozbob]

Media release 9th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often for Brisbane Central Electorate

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 calls on Premier Campbell Newman and Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk to support more buses, more often for the Brisbane Central Electorate.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Our research shows Brisbane City Council's bus services could be better matched to residents in the Electorate of Brisbane Central. As part of our New Bus Network Proposal, we are pleased to release blueprints for more buses within these suburbs. Recycling existing waste and inefficiency within the current BCC bus network funds our reforms, keeping a lid on fares and growing farebox revenue. That's good news for passengers.


http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus192.png

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

"Under bus reform, bus route 192 West End-CBD would be realigned and extended through the Brisbane CBD, Fortitude Valley, and along James Street to the Brisbane Powerhouse. Weekend services would also be introduced to route 192 for the first time, running at least every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday until 10 pm. Incredibly, our map of Brisbane City Council's bus network reveals that Brisbane City Council only supplies service along James street with an hourly daytime service - the 470 Toowong. This service misses the Brisbane Powerhouse and the very high density development around it. James Street is a well known outdoor dining and entertainment area with cinemas, and was once slated for a Light Rail service."

"By recycling, redesigning and adjusting existing routes, bus reform means more buses more often while keeping a lid on fares. What is the Government's and Opposition parties' policy? Rising, unaffordable 20% fare increases or genuine bus network reform?"

Contact:

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

References:

Brisbane Buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary Suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141104-11gxl3.html

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets 11th January 2015

Winning the Marginal Electorate of Bulimba with Bus Reform!

RAIL Back on Track calls on Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk to support bus reform by announcing a BulimbaGlider bus service for the marginal electorate of Bulimba.

The ABC Election analyst Antony Green describes the Bulimba Electorate as Queensland's most marginal seat, "held with a 0.1% margin. This marginal seat includes the suburbs of Bulimba, Hawthorne, Balmoral, Morningside, Cannon Hill, Murarrie and parts of Carina and Camp Hill." Major party candidates contesting Bulimba, Aaron Dillaway (LNP) and Di Farmer (ALP), are promoting car parks at train stations. At around $40,000 each,  300 car parks x $40 000/car park = $12 million to fill 30% of just one QR train! That's not good value and its not going to be built anytime soon.

Voters in Bulimba Electorate want better and cheaper public transport. Give it to them!

Under RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane, a new Hi-Frequency 230 BulimbaGlider service would be introduced into the Bulimba Electorate.


http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/route230.png

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

The 230 BulimbaGlider would service:

    Morningside Rail Station
    Thynne Road
    Apollo Rd and Bulimba Ferry Terminals
    Oxford Street dining and cinema precinct
    Riding Road
    Wooloongabba Busway
    CBD via South East Busway and South Bank
    Roma Street


Our 230 BulimbaGlider would operate at high speed (800m stop spacing) and high frequency (every 15 minutes or better) all day and well into the night (6 am - 11.30 pm). As our proposal recycles existing bus resources, BulimbaGlider is therefore low cost and requires no new infrastructure; this means it can be implemented within the first 100 days of winning office.

The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all. We look forward to the response by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczcuk, and swift publication of transport policies on their respective websites.

Best wishes,
Robert

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


References:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/qld-election-2015/guide/key-seats/

Brisbane Bus Reform: BulimbaGlider - More Buses, More Often, for Bulimba Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11089.0

[aldonius]

Announcement today that the LNP will extend the MaroonGlider to Enoggera station.

http://t.co/Hkp8o9GdEF

Presumably that will necessitate removing the Elimatta Dr portion of the route.

[newbris]

Announcement today that the LNP will extend the MaroonGlider to Enoggera station.

http://t.co/Hkp8o9GdEF

Presumably that will necessitate removing the Elimatta Dr portion of the route.

Why would elimatta dr need to be removed from the route ?

[#Metro]

Hmm. Does throw a spanner into the works. It will be beneficial for residents living along Metroad 5. There will be duplication with 350 and it would make more sense for the route to go via Red Hill than via Paddington (as there is duplication with 385).

From the bus statistics published earlier this year (can't find it - can someone dig), the MaroonGlider and 385 BOTH were not in the top 10 buses because they cannibalised each other, exactly as we predicted.

This is an improvement, but the metroad 5 section is better serviced by the removal of the GCL and the introduction of 911 UQ CityConnector along this section.

Red team needs to make a move - they're on the back foot and their commitment to no bus contracting will mean the funding for their changes will be harder to achieve.

[ozbob]

Announcement today that the LNP will extend the MaroonGlider to Enoggera station.

http://t.co/Hkp8o9GdEF

Presumably that will necessitate removing the Elimatta Dr portion of the route.

Thanks!

[aldonius]

Why would elimatta dr need to be removed from the route ?

The MaroonGlider presently terminates with a one-way loop: northbound along Elimatta and southbound along Stewart. Presumably they want to continue serving Ashgrove Village and from both directions, which means the route would need to run northbound along Stewart also.

[newbris]

Announcement today that the LNP will extend the MaroonGlider to Enoggera station.

http://t.co/Hkp8o9GdEF

Presumably that will necessitate removing the Elimatta Dr portion of the route.

Oh I get it...to have an outbound stop at Ashgrove village it would need to turn right into waterworks and left into Stewart rd.

[Stillwater]

Makes you wonder whether every LNP candidate has a similar 'plan' for each of their electorates.

[SurfRail]

What a surprise.  Everybody pull a pointless bus route extension out of your backside in each electorate!

[#Metro]

Well Ozbob had always said it was a political stunt when it first started - now confirmed!

[BrizCommuter]

Sent to all outlets:

8th January 2015

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

Greetings,

Campbell Newman and Kate Jones - are you going to fix the buses in Ashgrove?

RAIL Back on Track has developed a package of upgrades for the Ashgrove Electorate's local areas.

Brisbane Bus Reform: Even More Buses For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11127.0

Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11072.0

RAIL Back on Track is proposing:

    BUZ 380 The Gap  - upgraded to high frequency and realigned to travel along Payne Rd

    BUZ 385 The Gap - realigned to travel along Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Rds

    911 UQ CityConnector - A frequent, direct bus service from Brookside Shopping Centre to UQ St Lucia formed from the existing Great Circle Line

    Upgraded weekend train services for the Ferny Grove Line


Our proposal is low cost and requires no new infrastructure, with the bus component able to be implemented within the first 100 days of office.
Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

...No mention of the RBoT plan to remove the useful, popular, and value for money 390.

[Golliwog]

What a surprise.  Everybody pull a pointless bus route extension out of your backside in each electorate!

Gah! It's this sort of 'planning' that has lead to the haphazard network we currently have!

Here's hoping the Ferny Grove electorate's plan involves putting the 367 back to half hourly now that they finally stopped it being a giant one-way loop in the off-peak.

[BrizCommuter]

Extending the Pork Barrel City Glider to Enoggera could be reasonably useful to BrizCommuter (in fact it would provide a one seat ride to/from work). However, by designing the bus network around political motives instead of an efficient network design looses BrizCommuter's vote on this issue.

[ozbob]

Extending the Pork Barrel City Glider to Enoggera could be reasonably useful to BrizCommuter (in fact it would provide a one seat ride to/from work). However, by designing the bus network around political motives instead of an efficient network design looses BrizCommuter's vote on this issue.

Well said Briz!

[ozbob]

Well Ozbob had always said it was a political stunt when it first started - now confirmed!

As it was originally proposed definitely a stunt.  It took a lot of work by TransLink et al to get it into a more functional route, and then make some subsequent changes to others.

[James]

Announcement today that the LNP will extend the MaroonGlider to Enoggera station.

http://t.co/Hkp8o9GdEF

Presumably that will necessitate removing the Elimatta Dr portion of the route.

Pls no. Why? Is MGLD just a route to be extended when Newman requires re-election?

Meanwhile, service improvements in the transport minister's electorate are as follows:

[SurfRail]

^ Maybe the service will be extended to Caloundra South.

[Golliwog]

^ Maybe the service will be extended to Caloundra South.

...via a purpose built busway running along the Trouts Rd corridor, but to justify it they'll have to up it to a Maroon Glider every 2 minutes! 

[Arnz]

^ Maybe the service will be extended to Caloundra South.

...via a purpose built busway running along the Trouts Rd corridor, but to justify it they'll have to up it to a Maroon Glider every 2 minutes! 

Followed by BUZing and extending the 314 to Clowntown South via Cabulcha. 

[#Metro]

CentenaryGlider mentioned in the SCD:

Membership secretary Dorotee Braun said that public transport was one of the biggest issues facing the south-west area.

"We're looking at getting a transport network that suits the area a whole lot better, part of it is to get more cars off the road and more people on public transport," she said.

"We are supporting the Rail Back on Track proposal for a Centenary Glider, a so called super bus, with high frequency travel to Darra station as well as Indooroopilly Shoppingtown and further into the CBD.

"We also need express trains all day long and better connectivity between the suburbs.

"A new branch in the south-west will better reach the local community so we can see what needs to be done here."

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/greens-plant-roots-in-centenary/2470263/

[ozbob]

Media release 13th January 2015

Brisbane Bus Reform: 'FREE' bus upgrade for Seven Hills and Carina!

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 calls on Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk to upgrade buses for Seven Hills and Carina residents.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"As part of RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane Seven Hills and Carina residents will get a bus upgrade. Our proposal for the 200 bus service recycles existing resources, can be achieved at virtually ZERO cost and requires no new infrastructure; this means it can be implemented within the first 100 days of winning office."

"The current BUZ 200 Carindale service duplicates the high frequency 222 Service from Coorparoo all along Old Cleveland Road to Carindale. Under bus reform, this duplication would go, giving high frequency bus service to more people in Seven Hills and Carina."


http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus200.jpg
Image Credit: Whistling Nixie

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

A new Hi 200 Carindale bus would service:

* Queen Street Bus Station
* SE Busway through to Wooloongabba
* Macrossan Avenue
* Stanley Road
* Meadowlands Road
* Carindale Interchange.

"Maps comparing the current Brisbane City Council bus network to our New Bus Network Proposal are available (see links). RAIL Back on Track has also published extensive bus reform proposals for this election, including for marginal electorates such as Bulimba and Brisbane Central."

"The existing 222 Carindale service via the Eastern Busway can also be upgraded to a bus every 10 minutes all day at virtually zero cost with this proposal. Over time, super-buses capable of carrying 150 passengers should be phased into this route. International precedents show that super-buses can be run on surface streets with no busway infrastructure at all (e.g. Stockholm Bus Lines 3, 4, Paris RoissyBus to Paris-CDG Airport)."

"These simple reforms to the BCC bus network will result in greatly improved bus service for residents of East Brisbane, Norman Park, Seven Hills, and parts of Camp Hill and Carina. CityGlider-style stop spacing means high speed for all passengers and strong additional patronage along this improved route."

"Any public transport policy that does not have bus contracting and bus network reform at its core is unlikely to generate the necessary funds to pay for upgrades required all across Brisbane. The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all."

"We look forward to the response by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk, and swift publication of detailed transport policies on their respective websites."

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

References:

The Principles Of Bus Network Reform, Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus_reform.pdf

City's public transport will never improve while run by opposing sides Couriermail 11th April 2012 pages 18-19
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p18.jpg
http://backontrack.org/docs/cm/cm_11apr12_p19.jpg

The contracting of urban bus services – Recent Australian developments
Ian P. Wallis and David J. Bray, Research in Transportation Economics
Volume 48, December 2014, Pages 48–61.
http://doi:10.1016/j.retrec.2014.09.031

[HappyTrainGuy]

I guess I can't see serious headway being made on bus services without infrastructure and/or better train frequency depending on the location.  The deep root problem of the system has always been train frequency (or lack of it).

Hahahahahaha!...... BAHAHAHAHA! Try telling that to anyone on Brisbane's Northside. Doesn't explain why Brisbane Transport buses still can't meet the trains at proper times. Like the 338 departing Strathpine heading towards Brendale just minutes before the train arrives at Strathpine. God know's how many times I have caught the train home in the morning waiting at the door only to see a Brendale bound 338 waiting as we go across the level crossing into the station. The 327 departs Geebung just before/after and because of the removal of the level crossing actually goes past while both the inbound and outbound trains are stopped on the platform. The majority of the time I'm on the Caboolture train at Geebung I look to the right to see the Ipswich train. Look to the left and see a 327 cruise past. No one can transfer to the train and no one can transfer to the bus.



The 340 used to depart Carseldine as the train was arriving on the platform. When the timetables were changed they now depart just minutes before the trains arrive. One very big noticeable effect that I have seen is the train+340 transfer. Prior to the timetable changes it was faster/same travel time to get to the Aspley stop on a train + 340 inbound than it was on a 340 direct outbound from the city (was faster to Carseldine/Bridgeman Downs). The same with the 338. In peak hour you could get to Eatons Hill faster on the train + Chermside bound 338 than it was with the direct 357/359. Now that's questionable. The very first 335 outbound doesn't get to Carseldine railway station until after 9am before arriving at Sandgate Railway Station around 9.30am. The bus stops for the 2 hourly 336/337 are located at the entrance to Geebung railway Station while the hourly 325 stops are located 150m meters around the corner at the RSL. 326/327 is supposed to be a community feeder service yet is run between peak hours only so anyone wanting to use it as a rail feeder service does not have that ability. Ummmm what else. Ah yes the 326/327 bypass the Bald Hills-Strathpine leg during peak hour. The majority of all routes run hourly which is worse than the railway line frequency. Span of hours is another one. Route design is another problem. Network congestion is another issue with buses. Take the 330/335/340. Outbound services can be delayed purely as a result of poor planning at the Chermside interchange. This in turns delays the outbound 335 and 340 from their railway interchanges with the 335 being the worst offender of this (from what I've heard and seen).

A BCC spokesman said the council continually looked for ways to improve the quality and cost of the bus service it provided.

Pffft!

How can we squeeze more buses into this area??


Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect.

[ozbob]

Election 2015: Bus Network Survey - have your say!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org invites citizens to participate in our bus network survey.



This State Election, RAIL Back on Track has released very detailed and specific proposals for more buses, more often - as part of its
New Bus Network Proposal. These include major service upgrades to 'black hole' areas such as The Centenary Suburbs, Albany Creek,
Bulimba and Yeronga. As our proposal recycles existing resources, it is very low cost and be rapidly implemented.

Bus Reform means more buses more often and affordable fares for all. See for yourself with our maps the improvements proposed for
your area! So please take a moment to fill out our short survey. The data collected will help shape better public transport
for Brisbane after the 2015 State Election.

New Bus Network Survey - http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network -  http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

New Bus Network Proposal -  http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to
guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all.

We look forward to public transport policy announcements by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk, and swift publication of
detailed transport policies on their respective websites.

Current Survey Responses by Bus Network Area

Brisbane Southside (the area with 100 series routes)   26%
Brisbane East (the area with 200 series routes)      10%
Brisbane Northside (the area with 300 series routes)   33%
Brisbane West (the area with 400 series routes)      27%
Buses in my area are not BCC buses      4%

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Brisbane Buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141104-11gxl3.html

Details of Local bus improvements under bus reform can be found in our Bus Reform thread:
Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0

[ozbob]

Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk - will you fix the buses?

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 calls on Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk to fix the Brisbane Bus Network.

Exhibit A: Schematic of Coronation Drive bus failure



Image: Coronation Drive (analysis). In our opinion, BCCs bus network places buses exactly where they are least required, wasting resources, pushing up fares and congesting the Brisbane CBD. There are too many buses congesting the Brisbane CBD and too few buses in the suburbs leading to long waits. bph = buses per hour. 26 buses per hour is approximately a bus every 2 minutes. Red circles indicate BUZ routes. Each line represents a bus service, i.e. four lines coming from the 444 circle indicates four buses per hour / a bus every 15 minutes.


Our analysis of the Coronation Drive corridor illustrates major problems within Brisbane City Council's Bus Network. This includes (a) massive duplication of service leading to (b) inefficient loadings and high costs, (c) too many buses congesting the Brisbane CBD while (d) too few buses in the suburbs and (e) 'black hole' areas without decent service and lack of connections with rail. These problems are repeated across Brisbane. All of these problems stem directly from the refusal to engage in bus reform, something that three major New Zealand cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch - have now embraced.

In 2013, it was revealed on ABC Radio that Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had asked for increased funding beyond the 4% annual provision- possibly up to 21% more funding from the Queensland Government. In our opinion, this is more evidence that Brisbane City Council was pushing up fares for passengers.

What is Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk's plan to deal with the high levels of network waste and 'black holes' within Brisbane City Council's bus network?  All very well for Ashgrove to get better public transport but what about the rest of the electorates?

We look forward to the response by Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk, and swift publication of detailed transport policies on their respective websites.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

The Principles Of Bus Network Reform, Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/bus_reform.pdf

Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform
Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Speed limit review - and BCC bus review handed to Translink, 04 June 2013 , 8:05 AM by Spencer Howson
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/06/speed-limit-review-and-bcc-bus-review-handed-to-translink.html?site=brisbane&program=612_breakfast

A special election edition of our newsletter ' Public Transport Matters '  can be downloaded direct from:
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/ptm/PTM0115.pdf PDF 1MB

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th January 2015

Ashgrove Bus Reform Funding Guarantee Sought from Kate Jones and Campbell Newman

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track is asking candidates Campbell Newman and Kate Jones to explicitly affirm funding for the following bus service improvements in Ashgrove Electorate. Vague platitudes to "do more" are not good enough.

Will Kate Jones or Campbell Newman announce funding for:

* A NEW BUZ 380 The Gap via Payne Road coming every 15-minutes all day or better, along a new Payne Road alignment?

* IMPROVED BUZ 385 The Gap via Waterworks Road for residents of Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Road, coming every 15-minutes all day or better?

* NEW HI-FREQUENCY 911 CityConnector cross-town buses servicing Brookside, Ashgrove, Bardon, Toowong and St Lucia giving direct access to The University of Queensland. Also coming every 15-minutes all day or better?

Guarantees are also sought that any improvements will NOT result in higher fares for passengers.

Kate Jones and Campbell Newman need to support bus reform!

The political party that offers genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform, is the political party able to guarantee low cost and abundant public transport for all.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

19th January 2015

Re: RAIL Back on Track Responds To Ashgrove Bus Scare Campaign Material

Greetings,

Further to  "Save Our Buses from Privatisation". http://goo.gl/tfR24I RAIL Back on Track is pleased to release imagery regarding bus services in Ashgrove Electorate.

Bus Reform means more buses more often, and guaranteed abundant and low cost public transport for all.
We make actually available maps of new or improved bus services within the Ashgrove Electorate on our website.

Reading our maps is easy: Thicker lines mean higher quality services. Red lines are frequent services (every 15 min or better), black lines (30 min) and green lines (60 min or worse) as well as peak-only (thin blue lines).

Exhibit A shows the current Brisbane City Council bus network, the one that we are supposedly to "save" from "privatisation".

Exhibit B shows our New Bus Network Proposal, paid for by reorganising existing bus services to reduce the waste and inefficiency in the current bus network.

Passengers wishing to experience "privatisation" are directed to buy a ticket for Brisbane City Council's CityCats, which are already privately operated by TransDev; All other bus operators in South East Queensland are also private. It is therefore our opinion that this campaign material is scare campaign material and should be rejected.

Exhibit A: ASHGROVE ELECTORATE No Bus Reform (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network)
http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus [CLICK TO ZOOM]



Exhibit B: ASHGROVE ELECTORATE Bus Reform (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network)
http://tiny.cc/newnetwork [CLICK TO ZOOM]



Under our bus reform proposal:

* A new hi-frequency BUZ 380 The Gap via Payne Road coming every 15-minutes all day or better
* Better access to BUZ 385 The Gap via Waterworks Road for residents of Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Road
* Direct access to The University of Queensland on our new hi-frequency 911 CityConnector cross-town buses servicing Brookside, Ashgrove, Bardon, Toowong and St Lucia.

Brisbane City Council refuses to implement proper bus network reform, hence there will be little or no improvement to buses in the Ashgrove Electorate under continued Brisbane City Council operation unless there is network reform.

Maps

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

2. Brisbane Bus Reform: Even More Buses For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11127.0

3. Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11072.0

4. QLD Election 2015: Will the punters be hit with 20% plus fare increases after the show?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11195.0

Sent to all outlets:

19th January 2015

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track's Response To Ashgrove Bus Scare Campaign Material

In response  "Save Our Buses from Privatisation". http://goo.gl/tfR24I

Bus Reform means more buses more often, and guaranteed abundant and low cost public transport for all.
We make actually available maps of new or improved bus services within the Ashgrove Electorate on our website.



Under our bus reform proposal:

* A new hi-frequency BUZ 380 The Gap via Payne Road coming every 15-minutes all day or better
* Better access to BUZ 385 The Gap via Waterworks Road for residents of Hilder, Kaloma and Settlement Road
* Direct access to The University of Queensland on our new hi-frequency 911 CityConnector cross-town buses servicing Brookside, Ashgrove, Bardon, Toowong and St Lucia.

Brisbane City Council refuses to implement proper bus netework reform, hence there will be little or no improvement to buses in the Ashgrove Electorate under continued Brisbane City Council operation.

Anybody can see from their home computer the improvements in the Ashgrove local area under bus reform, and compare between Brisbane City Council's bus network and our new, improved bus network under bus reform.

New Bus Network Proposal > http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

New Bus Network Proposal Survey > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Current BCC Bus Network > http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Our research shows strong evidence that suggests Brisbane City Council is behind the escalating 20% and 15% fare increases. In 2013, it was revealed on ABC Radio that Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had asked for increased funding beyond the 4% annual provision - possibly up to 21% more funding from the Queensland Government. Higher costs like this means higher fares.

Without bus reform, we believe fares could increase by 20% immediately after the election, as they did in 2010.

RAIL Back on Track reaffirms our strong support for bus network reform, including competitive bus contracting should that be necessary.

There is a simple solution to the Brisbane bus mess.  BCC finally cooperate and direct Brisbane Transport to sit down with TransLink, fine tune the 2013 bus review and set about implementing it.

This would then turn around the patronage, provide a better fare box and allow more improvements, not only in the Brisbane region but also in all the other bus regions outside Brisbane that have had real cuts to prop up Brisbane.

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

1. Brisbane Bus Reform: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.0

2. Brisbane Bus Reform: Even More Buses For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11127.0

3. Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove Electorate
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11072.0

4. QLD Election 2015: Will the punters be hit with 20% plus fare increases after the show?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11195.0

Media Release 18th January 2015

Queensland Election: Public Transport Privatisation: Fact Check

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 said the Candidate for Ashgrove Kate Jones is currently circulating a petition which reads:

'We are gravely concerned that any such moves will lead to cutbacks and a reduction in much-needed public transport services..... Our State Government and BCC must do more to improve our bus services and increase routes, instead of putting those services at risk through privatisation.' (1)

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In SEQ, bus routes are contracted out on a region by region basis. TransLink first determines where the buses are routed and how frequently they are run. TransLink then pays operators to run these packages of services. If they don't deliver they are subject to penalties."

"Already in SEQ the majority of public transport is run by Private operators, from G:Link and Surfside on the Gold Coast to Veolia in the Redlands. Even the CityCats are run by a private operator, Transdev.

"Currently, only Queensland Rail and Brisbane transport are the only publicly owned public transport operators in SEQ."

"Privatisation doesn't imply services will be cut back. A private company working for TransLink doesn't have the authority to slash services. They are obliged to run what the government dictates."

"If service cutbacks do occur (For example as happened in Nerang on the Gold Coast) it was a result of government decision making which flowed from the failed bus review for Brisbane."

"In SEQ, our high fares are a combination of successive governments increasing fares above the rate of inflation, and inefficient network design and operating practices that haemorrhage money."

"Outside of SEQ, all urban bus operations are run by private companies with qconnect (TransLink) responsible for setting fares and routings.

"In these regions the public has not been subject to these fare polices, so still enjoy low fares, despite buses being run by private operators (2, 3, 4)."

References:

1. http://queenslandlabor.org.au/saveourbuses/

2. http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/2013Fares_Townsville_001.pdf

3. http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/2014Fares_Rockhampton.pdf

4. http://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/transport/timetables/qconnect/

5. TransLink partners http://translink.com.au/about-translink/who-we-are/who-we-work-with


Contact:

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