Brisbane - bus network proposal

[#Metro]

Lions City GL Jury Verdict - bus of the year 2015

[techblitz]

Please don't get me wrong, I think the overall bus proposals are very good. However, local knowledge of how people use public transport is important in route planning. This is something that is not as easily available to RailBOT members as it was to TransLink during there abandoned bus route plans.

re: auckland....sending staff out to actually travel the route in peak and off-peak and talk to passengers.


my PEAK loading report
The outbound services do get well loaded between 2.30 - 5.30...average of 10-15 pax still onboard after it turns onto samford rd (outbound) <<<< the samford rd pax do have choice of walk to rail......however translink/BT give them that second option.....i would prefer slightly less frequency(345) than what LDT is now proposing if it means an extra coverage service down samford...

60 mins offpeak and 30 minutes peak should hopefully suffice....
this 345/ QUT/alderley rail situation is starkingly similar to a 412/UQ/toowong rail scenario....

[#Metro]

Citaro - 100 - 150 pax capacity. Newer models out.

http://bendy-bus.com/pages/products/mercedes/Citaro1.pdf

[STB]

Mercedes Benz also has a bus, Citaro, but for real mass transit, there is also the 'CapaCity' (get it, lol). This goes up to 190 pax in the bus, I doubt that we will need that, maybe only on route 66; would have to be pre-paid, but on the other hand, many cities do just that.

Tech Specs http://www.mercedes-benz.com.sg/content/singapore/mpc/mpc_singapore_website/enng/home_mpc/bus/home/new_buses/models/regular_service_busses/capacity_2_0/facts/technical_data.html

We could have that one day.  Turn the SE Busway into effectively a railway (with high capacity buses) with one very specific route ala what TransLink put forward, completely redo the network, and have the Busway be treated as a railway ticketing wise, all prepaid, Go Card or whatever we end up having eventually post 2016.

[#Metro]

I think this video is a fake, but one has to ask, at what point does a bus become more like a train?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th November 2014

Re: SEQ: Who is driving the bus?

Good Morning,

A pathway for Brisbane bus network reform is here -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11046.0

Moving past council boundaries (real and mental) will mean an improved network for not only Brisbane but all of SEQ.

Have a great day! Lunch time bus trips* on the go card?  Crazy I know ..

Best wishes

Robert

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


* 'don't get angry, get even' fare campaign .. > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10444.msg148303#msg148303

Media release 9th November 2014

SEQ: Who is driving the bus?

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 it is time that TransLink was given full and proper authority for public transport planning in Brisbane and  SEQ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In 2010, the then Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman wanted the State Government to run buses (1).  Now is your big chance Premier."

"As was reported in the Courier Mail Premier Newman was upset that 'Buses . . . are full when they leave Eight Mile Plains and the problem is they go past all these stops down the line where Brisbane ratepayers – people who have contributed to the service – can't get on.' This highlights the basic problem with BCC - they do not see themselves as part of a proper integrated network. Other operators do."

"Bus reform will deliver more frequent and affordable services for all.  The key though is that TransLink must be able to do network planning free from petty Council politics."

"Brisbane needs better frequent affordable public transport. It must now be properly integrated with public transport throughout SEQ (2, 3, 4, 5).  Brisbane City is no longer surrounded by market gardens."

References:

1. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman wants State Government to run buses
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newman-wants-state-government-to-run-buses/story-e6freoof-1225839337936

2. 5 Nov 2014: Brisbane Bus Reform: New Bus Network Proposal
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11046.0

3. Brisbane buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141105-11gxl3.html

4. Scrap the Great Circuit Bus line and begin again: expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/scrap-the-great-circuit-bus-line-and-begin-again-expert-20141105-11hi9n.html

5. Interview 4BC Drive - ' Filling black holes '
http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/2014-4bc-drive-audio-blog/filling-black-holes/20141105-3jo7e.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Interview on 4BC Newstalk 1116 after 3pm news today with Ben Davis.

4BC Drive Interviews

' Filling black holes '

>> http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/2014-4bc-drive-audio-blog/filling-black-holes/20141105-3jo7e.html

Thanks Ben and 4BC!   

This interview was replayed in full on 4BC this morning around 4.45am.  Thanks 4BC!!   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th November 2014

Bus Reform: 400 CentenaryGlider Soars

Greetings

Quite a lot of interest from the community regarding CentenaryGlider. RAIL Back on Track has now received a number of invitations to speak about our CentenaryGlider concept. We are running a survey here > http://tiny.cc/busreform

Larger buses represent a major efficiency, with 150+ passengers carried using 1 staff. This will release resources for bus network expansion to other parts of Brisbane.

Some potential vehicles that could run in these upgraded routes are shown below. Note, these are examples only and not an endorsement of any particular supplier. Australian Design Rules may need modification to accommodate larger buses.

Mercedes

MAN Buses

RAIL Back on Track also recently received correspondence from a pensioner using our system maps to work out travel plans. Specifically we were requested to show where this person could go from their house to 'everywhere' using public transport. Why is there no total system quality map that shows the whole network as a single whole, all modes, coded by service quality on the TransLink website? Passengers need to know not where they can go now, but also how much 'stuff' they can access within 30 minutes of their home using the public transport network. These maps would be in the same way that road users see a road map that clearly distinguishes between a motorway, a main arterial and a local road.

Bus reform will have huge benefits for the entire city. Don't miss the bus!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Brisbane Bus Reform: New Bus Network Proposal > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11046.0

Brisbane Buses: Call for CentenaryGlider > http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141105-11gxl3.html

"Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city > http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

[bcasey]

RAIL Back on Track also recently received correspondence from a pensioner using our system maps to work out travel plans. Specifically we were requested to show where this person could go from their house to 'everywhere' using public transport. Why is there no total system quality map that shows the whole network as a single whole, all modes, coded by service quality on the TransLink website? Passengers need to know not where they can go now, but also how much 'stuff' they can access within 30 minutes of their home using the public transport network. These maps would be in the same way that road users see a road map that clearly distinguishes between a motorway, a main arterial and a local road.

Many of the regulars on this forum probably already know this, but what you are looking for here are accessibility maps

http://www.humantransit.org/2010/11/mapnificent-your-freedom-to-roam.html
http://www.humantransit.org/2012/11/the-need-for-maps-of-your-freedom.html
http://www.humantransit.org/2013/03/abundant-access-a-map-of-the-key-transit-choices.html
http://www.humantransit.org/2014/07/brisbane-a-city-transformed-by-a-bus-bridge.html

Mapnificent is one of the websites that Jarrett has linked to several times with regards to access mapping, and it is able to do the Brisbane network, and any other city which has GTFS files available.

http://www.mapnificent.net/brisbane/

This blog post by the creator explains how it works, its actually a fairly simple algorithm.

http://blog.stefanwehrmeyer.com/post/1448498820/a-mapnificent-world

There are a couple of assumptions he makes on the initial waiting time (i.e. no waiting time) and transfer times (he surmises that the average transfer time is not actually 1/2 the headway of the service that you are transferring to, but a smaller amount, since many transit agencies try to schedule services to reduce transfer times. he uses a value of headway / 3. Also, to represent the walking, he seems to just create a circle around the stops based on average walking speed, rather than taking the actual walking network into account. I'm not sure I'd agree with these assumptions, and would probably deal with these issues in a different way, but for the most part, I think its a good site to check out.

[ozbob]

FYI

Twitter

Transport for NSW ‏@TransportforNSW

Calling all digital experts to create transport info apps to assist customers with disability http://ow.ly/E5MGa

[#Metro]

Metrobus, Hamburg, Germany.

More buses. They have it sorted over in Europe. Heavily used routes just get bigger and bigger buses. 2x - 3x what BT buses carry now. Will be a whole lot longer before we see LRT in Brisbane IMHO. The costs are just so high.

[ozbob]

Media release 17th November 2014

Brisbane Bus Reform: More Buses, More Often For Ashgrove 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 Ashgrove Electorate candidates Campbell Newman and Kate Jones to support a proposal for a 911 UQ CityConnector bus for Ashgrove.



Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Our New Bus Network Proposal will allow residents unprecedented freedom to use public transport to travel to more places, more often, without a car. As mentioned in the Australian Parliament, the suburbs of Mitchelton, Enoggera, Ashgrove, Bardon and Toowong contain high unmet demand for travel to The University of Queensland (1)."

"Our proposed 911 UQ CityConnector begins at Brookside Shopping Centre, serves Mitchelton rail station, Enoggera Rail station, Ashgrove, Bardon, Toowong Rail station, and then travels directly to the University of Queensland via Hawken Drive. We expect the 16.5 km route to take approximately 45 minutes. Time savings will come from a faster, more direct route along Metroad 5, from higher service frequencies dramatically cutting bus stop waiting time, and adopting 'CityGlider' style stop spacing for high speed. That's good news for students and staff members rushing for that 8 am lecture or exams at UQ; St Lucia residents along Hawken Drive will no longer have to wait up to half an hour for the 411 bus; We propose the 911 bus run every 15 minutes, all day.** The service will be funded in part by amalgamating the 411 and relevant sections of the Great Circle Line to keep a lid on fares."

"University of Queensland students and staff living at The Gap and along the Ferny Grove Line will not miss out either. Key Interchange Points (KIPs) at Brookside, Ashgrove and Bardon will allow UQ passengers can catch their usual bus route and then change to the 911 UQ CityConnector bus with a minimum of fuss. Real time bus information, maps, timetables, better lighting, distinctive shelters, painted curbs and in selected locations, superior bicycle parking will feature at these locations."

"These interchange points will permit passengers to use public transport like a car to go 'from anywhere to anywhere'. Previous journeys only possible by car will now be possible using public transport; this in turn will bring in more fare revenue for TransLink."

A route map of our Bus Reform proposal and bus route 911 UQ CityConnector may be found at http://backontrack.org/images/bus/reform/route911.png

RAIL Back on Track is also running a survey, which may be found at http://tiny.cc/busreform

Bus reform promises massive benefits for Brisbane, including:

(a) increased fare revenue*

(b) lower reliance on subsidies

(c) greater liberty of movement for all

(d) a more equitable distribution of hi frequency services across the city

(e) reduced carbon emissions (patronage services only)

(f) secure bus driver jobs from the threat of redundancies caused by falling bus patronage

"In our opinion, any bus tender that does not explicitly and unconditionally support bus reform, no matter how cheap the tender is, should be rejected without further consideration."

"As a change management strategy, the proposed 911 UQ CityConnector service would be introduced over the top of existing routes as a trial service, with permanency conditional on 'trading in' old routes in the area, and local consultation. Residents are more likely to accept change if the new service is introduced first and old routes adjusted after a trial period has ended."

"Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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


References:

1. Private Members' Business, South-East Queensland: Public Transport Monday, 27 May 2013, http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2013-05-27.166.9

2. Scrap the Great Circle bus line and begin again: expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/scrap-the-great-circle-bus-line-and-begin-again-expert-20141105-11hi9n.html

3. Brisbane buses: Call for CityGlider in Centenary suburbs
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-buses-call-for-cityglider-in-centenary-suburbs-20141105-11gxl3.html

4. Bus Reform Survey (includes links to maps) http://tiny.cc/busreform

5. Map of 911 UQ CityConnector http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11070.msg149001#msg149001
Direct image  link --> http://backontrack.org/images/bus/reform/route911.png

* TransLink retains all fare revenue and any profits generated, to cross-subsidise the network, irrespective of whether the bus operator is public or private, or the level of patronage. Bus operators are paid for their work (service x km). As operators do not keep fare revenue it is categorically incorrect to assert that a private operator will only focus on the most profitable bus routes. Operators are paid for the work they do, not how much revenue or passengers they take.

** Frequency based on route 209 UQ Lakes, which runs every 15 minutes.

[#Metro]

Blast from the past?



Improved rail services are quite useless if one cannot actually get there using the bus. You'd have to literally live in front of the station to benefit.

Park and ride? What joke is that? So a resident is going to drive their car to the P&R and then transfer from the car to the infrequent bus, where they will be charged sky high fare and wait possibly half an hour just out of the goodness of their personality. Crazy!



http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7931.msg92825#msg92825

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th November 2014

TONIGHT: CentenaryGlider local launch at Oxley Bowls Club!

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 will have a local launch of the 400 CentenaryGlider at Oxley Bowls Club as part of RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network proposal.

Bus reform means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 7.30 PM tonight at the Oxley Bowls Club, Englefield Rd, Oxley, we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburbs as part of a local election candidate's transport forum. We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Mt Ommaney Electorate.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you tonight!

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th November 2014

400 CentenaryGlider Service Launch - Tonight

Centenary Residents have waited long enough. At 7.30 PM tonight at the Oxley Bowls Club, Englefield Rd, Oxley, we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburbs as part of a local election candidate's transport forum. We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Mt Ommaney Electorate.

Below is our map of our CentenaryGlider concept; See you all at the forum!



Reference:

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11070.msg149032#msg149032

Sent to all outlets:

19th November 2014

TONIGHT: CentenaryGlider local launch at Oxley Bowls Club!

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 will have a local launch of the 400 CentenaryGlider at Oxley Bowls Club as part of RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network proposal.

Bus reform means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 7.30 PM tonight at the Oxley Bowls Club, Englefield Rd, Oxley, we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburbs as part of a local election candidate's transport forum. We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Mt Ommaney Electorate.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you tonight!

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

[ozbob]

From the Quest South West News 19th November 2014 page 13

Quick fix for transport

[dancingmongoose]

Today was the perfect advocate for the 400 CentenaryGlider. Trying to get from the city (the gabba specifically) and they decided it would be smart to cancel 60% of the 100 BUZs and they were all too full to take passengers. The 400 would have been a good alternative and would have meant I wouldn't have been sitting waiting for a non full BUZ for an hour

[techblitz]

Today was the perfect advocate for the 400 CentenaryGlider. Trying to get from the city (the gabba specifically) and they decided it would be smart to cancel 60% of the 100 BUZs and they were all too full to take passengers. The 400 would have been a good alternative and would have meant I wouldn't have been sitting waiting for a non full BUZ for an hour

yep i saw some "sorry bus full" 100's at mater hill........however it wouldnt have been thier choice to cancel those buzes...if willawong depot is inacessible...of which there was significant flooding around that area.......then its inevitable.....just so you know...a lot of current centenary routes are also serviced by willawong buses....probably wouldnt have made a difference.....the 400 would also have been hit by delays..it was aboslute chaos all over the southside this afternoon....but not half as bad as the rail lines...

[James]

Today was the perfect advocate for the 400 CentenaryGlider. Trying to get from the city (the gabba specifically) and they decided it would be smart to cancel 60% of the 100 BUZs and they were all too full to take passengers. The 400 would have been a good alternative and would have meant I wouldn't have been sitting waiting for a non full BUZ for an hour

Today's chaos was really not an example of how useful 400 CentenaryGlider would have been, aside from the fact that in heavy traffic congestion, it is better for there to be one trunk route running frequently then three versions of rockets which all run on different corridors and hence, all face different kinds of delays. The entire network was in meltdown, not a lot you can do in those cases.

The only thing today's meltdown supports would be terminating routes at Indro/Toowong, and thus avoiding the snails pace crawl all the way to the CBD. Rail just went into meltdown due to water in the core section - this is one thing which really needs to be fixed up. The Roma Street - Bowen Hills 'core' almost needs to be unexpected-delay-proof.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: TONIGHT: CentenaryGlider local launch at Oxley Bowls Club!

Good Morning,

Good roll  up at Oxley Bowls Club last evening.  It is clear that bus network reform is something that is needed to get more buses to more people more often.

Problems with station access (no parking, no feeder buses) was a major issue with the community that attended last evening.

The public wants and expects proper network reform, with an equitable affordable fare system.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

19th November 2014

400 CentenaryGlider Service Launch - Tonight

Centenary Residents have waited long enough. At 7.30 PM tonight at the Oxley Bowls Club, Englefield Rd, Oxley, we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburbs as part of a local election candidate's transport forum. We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Mt Ommaney Electorate.

Below is our map of our CentenaryGlider concept; See you all at the forum!



Reference:

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11070.msg149032#msg149032

Sent to all outlets:

19th November 2014

TONIGHT: CentenaryGlider local launch at Oxley Bowls Club!

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 will have a local launch of the 400 CentenaryGlider at Oxley Bowls Club as part of RAIL Back on Track's New Bus Network proposal.

Bus reform means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 7.30 PM tonight at the Oxley Bowls Club, Englefield Rd, Oxley, we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburbs as part of a local election candidate's transport forum. We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Mt Ommaney Electorate.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you tonight!

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

[SurfRail]

Maybe more competent private operators wouldn't site their depots containing nearly 1/3 of their fleet in the most floodprone areas of a city which is known to flood regularly and which are remote from nearly every terminus of the routes it operates.

[ozbob]

Some principles and concepts that under-pin bus reform.

Thanks to Gazza for doing these slides and making available.  Very useful

Bus reform --> here! PDF 4.8 MB

[techblitz]

Maybe more competent private operators wouldn't site their depots containing nearly 1/3 of their fleet in the most floodprone areas of a city which is known to flood regularly and which are remote from nearly every terminus of the routes it operates.

hard to disagre with that...one of the reasons the bus network folded yesterday.....beatty rd,sherwood rd are not good rds to try and access youir starting points at garden city and the cbd....which are the main rds that willawong and sherwood depots use....

[#Metro]

Some principles and concepts that under-pin bus reform.

Thanks to Gazza for doing these slides and making available.  Very useful

Bus reform --> here! PDF 4.8 MB

Can this be powerpoint please. That way I can break it up into images and these can then go all over FB individually.
Also easier for MRs

[ozbob]

^

Just extract pages using AA, then save as a jpg or just print screen to save as images  ( view desired slide, shift+prtsc, paste into an image editor and edit).

[James]

Some principles and concepts that under-pin bus reform.

Thanks to Gazza for doing these slides and making available.  Very useful

Bus reform --> here! PDF 4.8 MB

Great powerpoint, just one thing - 412 runs at 6bph on weekdays, so there should be 6bph coming from the 412 and 26bph down Coro Drive (with 28bph if 454 was BUZed). Nitpicking, I know.

[aldonius]

I've extracted all the JPGs and chucked em in a zip:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/7243561/RBoT/bus-reform-jpgs.zip

[Gazza]

Some principles and concepts that under-pin bus reform.

Thanks to Gazza for doing these slides and making available.  Very useful

Bus reform --> here! PDF 4.8 MB

Great powerpoint, just one thing - 412 runs at 6bph on weekdays, so there should be 6bph coming from the 412 and 26bph down Coro Drive (with 28bph if 454 was BUZed). Nitpicking, I know.

LD, in Acrobat hit Ctrl+L to view slideshow mode.

James, woah, since when? I always remember the 412 being 4bph.

Sheet, makes you wonder why they didn't give the 411 some love and split buses between the two routes.

[#Metro]

James, woah, since when? I always remember the 412 being 4bph.

It is a service every 10 minutes. In the model it is operated by superbuses. This means 402 can be abolished, releasing efficiencies. It also means the slow stopping pattern stops are also made redundant. 

The model proposes only 400 CentenaryGlider and 412 St Lucia operate on Coronation Drive. This would give 5 minute frequency along that section, or 12 buses per hour, which is plenty. Currently there are 26 or so buses per hour, 100%+ more than the model proposes.

[James]

LD, in Acrobat hit Ctrl+L to view slideshow mode.

James, woah, since when? I always remember the 412 being 4bph.

Sheet, makes you wonder why they didn't give the 411 some love and split buses between the two routes.

I believe this occurred when the 412 got BUZed back in 2010, as long with some significant upgrades to the 402 (which got paired back thanks to the 402 leaving immediately after the 412, rendering it a totally useless route).

The reason why they haven't gotten some love is because BCC refuses to alter our timetable from the one we had in 2000. Aside from the removal of about 2 AM peak services (before 9am) and some minor timetable tweaks (shifts of 5 minutes either side), the 411 timetable is effectively unchanged from the timetable in 2000. I suspect that this timetable may actually date back even further...

[#Metro]

The reason why they haven't gotten some love is because BCC refuses to alter our timetable from the one we had in 2000.

How did you get that link to work? All the other ones appear broken except for 411.

[ozbob]

RBoT Survey Flyer --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/RBOTSurveyPromo.pdf

Centenary Glider Flyer  --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/CentenaryGliderFlyer.pdf

Centenary Glider Flyer concept map --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/hf400.pdf

[James]

How did you get that link to work? All the other ones appear broken except for 411.

Luck. For some reason somebody web archived the inbound 411 timetable on that date, but nothing else. There are only about three other html timetables you can access from 2000, inbound 411 just turned out to be one you could access.

[dancingmongoose]

And they say bus reform isn't needed. South Bank this morning
[IMGT]http://i.imgur.com/NCOLXP3.jpg[/IMGT]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd November 2014

TODAY: Centenary Suburbs and bus reform

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 will today support the launch of the South West Brisbane GREENS by outlining what bus reform means. It means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 2pm today, at the Mount Ommaney Community Hub we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburb ( Meeting flyer > http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/greensswbflyer.pdf ). We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Centenary suburbs.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you this afternoon!

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

[#Metro]

New bus network? I mean, new for Expo 1988

Time the whole Brisbane network is given a big kick up the bum and reformed.

Check this out, 1980s from ACT

[ozbob]

Good turn out for this.  Thanks to the members who attended representing RBoT and to Gazza for helping with the presentation.

Projecting these important reform principles is useful community education.  Well done!

Sent to all outlets:

22nd November 2014

TODAY: Centenary Suburbs and bus reform

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 will today support the launch of the South West Brisbane GREENS by outlining what bus reform means. It means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 2pm today, at the Mount Ommaney Community Hub we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburb ( Meeting flyer > http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/greensswbflyer.pdf ). We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Centenary suburbs.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you this afternoon!

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg

[#Metro]

Gazza, is it possible to get a slightly updated version of the presentation? (updated network waste diagrams on p14, 15 and 17) reflecting BUZ 412 as 6 buses/hour? Just needs to be accurate if it goes into a MR.



There are more hits in the survey this morning. Might be good to send a follow up e-mail to distribute through their networks http://tiny.cc/busreform

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd November 2014

Re: TODAY: Centenary Suburbs and bus reform

Greetings,

Excellent turn up and response to our bus reform proposals for Brisbane.  The community wants better, affordable, connected public transport.

The Newman Government seems to be not hearing the call.  They failed with the 2013 bus review process for Brisbane, and have also failed to address proper fare reform for SEQ.  A simple fare cut is not reform - it is lazy politics with a measure of contempt for the community.

RBoT Survey Flyer --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/RBOTSurveyPromo.pdf

Centenary Glider Flyer  --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/CentenaryGliderFlyer.pdf

Centenary Glider Flyer concept map --> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/hf400.pdf

The bus component of the BaT tunnel is not needed.  Proper network reform as we have shown will deliver a better outcome for bus, saving many billions of dollars.

We are very concerned that government would put politics before sound transport planning processes, and not put Brisbane forward on a proper sustainable transport future.

14 Sep 2014: SEQ: Will the BaT fly? --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10955.0

Bus and rail tunnel all show and no substance: transport expert
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bus-and-rail-tunnel-all-show-and-no-substance-transport-expert-20131118-2xrab.html#ixzz3DDY3F0p7

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

22nd November 2014

TODAY: Centenary Suburbs and bus reform

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 will today support the launch of the South West Brisbane GREENS by outlining what bus reform means. It means more buses more often for the Centenary Suburbs.

At 2pm today, at the Mount Ommaney Community Hub we will be detailing our bus reform proposal for the Centenary Suburb ( Meeting flyer > http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/greensswbflyer.pdf ). We invite all residents and interested media to come along and hear about more buses more often for the Centenary suburbs.

After not one, but two bus reviews by two different levels of Government, public transport is as bad as ever for Centenary residents. Our exclusive research reveals that despite 15 different bus routes going to the Centenary Suburbs, not a single one is coming every 15 minutes all day. Incredibly, there are different buses on different days of the week (450 versus 453, 454), while others don't connect with Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre. Almost all provide universally poor hourly, half hourly or peak-only service wasting residents' valuable time. Fares are also hugely expensive. Compared to Moggill residents who get a single all-day high frequency bus (BUZ 444) and peak hour rocket (443), Centenary residents are getting a raw deal despite having around 3x more residents than Moggill.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is on record as strongly opposing bus-train connections. Can the Lord Mayor explain how he expects Centenary residents to access schools, hospitals, new jobs, universities at Springfield and Ipswich if he doesn't want buses to access Darra station and perform interchange?

The Lord Mayor's own councillors know that Brisbane City Council's bus network doesn't work. In 2012, BCC Councillor Matthew Bourke (LNP) was reported in local newspapers highlighting the poverty of service Centenary residents had to endure:

"A lack of early morning and late-night services means shift workers are unable to get to Darra train station."

"University students are also finding it hard to get home after late classes."

Centenary residents deserve better. They deserve a simple, fast and frequent CentenaryGlider. The Lord Mayor should show his support for this new CityGlider service by announcing genuine bus reform. This will allow the funds locked up by existing, poor services to be traded in for new and improved services.  Why is it the New Zealanders can organise a proper bus review without fuss, but here in Queensland we do it twice, and still get nowhere?

Only genuine reform of rail and bus networks, together with fare reform will guarantee abundant and low cost public transport for all. See you this afternoon!

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

(Bus routes: 450 Riverhills; 451 Sinnamon Pk to Darra Station; 452 Darra Station via Riverhills; 453 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive; 454 Riverhills via Coronation Drive, P455 Riverhills; P456 Mt Ommaney; P457 Riverhills to City via Coronation Drive; P458 Mt Ommaney via Coronation Drive;P459 Riverhills via Coronation Drive; 460 Forest Lake; 467 Mt Ommaney/Oxley; 468 Sinnamon Park/Oxley; 103 Inala; 106 Indooroopilly to Mt Ommaney)

RAIL Back on Track is non-partisan community group and is happy to consider any request to speak from any organisation regardless of political party.

Centenary of Transport Neglect, Southwestern News, 28/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/swn/swn_28mar12_p5.jpg

Push for more bus services, The Satellite, 21/03/2012
http://backontrack.org/docs/sat/sat_21mar12_p5.jpg