Brisbane - bus network proposal

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th October 2015

GC LRT shows Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wrong Brisbane 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 shows the Gold Coast LRT is outperforming similar LRT projects in Adelaide and Sydney.

RAIL Back On Track has compared the patronage on Sydney's Dulwich Hill LRT and Adelaide's Glenelg Tram. Both these LRTs are in capital cities far larger than the Gold Coast, and in both cases the LRT directly serves the CBD.

We show that the Gold Coast LRT is already outperforming both these comparable LRT systems. And the reason behind Gold Coast Light Rail's success? Connecting buses

Patronage Comparison

Gold Coast Light Rail - 6.5 million passengers / year
Sydney Light Rail (Dulwich Hill) - 4.5 million passengers / year
Adelaide Tram - 2.9 million passengers / year

This incredible achievement has been made possible by terminating and transferring bus passengers at interchanges, a technique used in other international cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Houston and Auckland.

Bus patronage data clearly shows that reorganisation of the bus network into feeder buses led to increased, not decreased, bus patronage. For example, bus route 750 increased patronage by 12%, and bus route 740 increased patronage by 70%! Combined, these two feeder buses are transporting around 1 million passengers per year into the GC LRT system.

Why does Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Brisbane City Council continue to resist international best practice bus network design, and cling to the anti-interchange rhetoric of the 1980s? Why are they also trying to push the dead BaT project onto Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a project which was financially discredited as delivering three times lower public benefits to the public than Cross River Rail?

Patronage on the Gold Coast increased around 20%, and was achieved in the same high fares environment that Brisbane City Council is suggesting as the reason for the plummeting patronage on its own bus network. Brisbane does not have light rail, but it does have something better-heavy rail trains that don't run on streets. Buses could be reorganised around that.

No further extensions or renewals to Brisbane City Council's bus contract should be entertained. We call on Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to declare that this will be Brisbane City Council's last bus contract, and that upon expiry, bus service provision in Brisbane will return to the state, with the Queensland Government performing the bus operations in Brisbane. The NSW Government already adopts this approach through its agency State Transit.

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

References:

DPTI Annual Report (2013-2014) Page 88 (initial boardings)
http://dpti.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/154270/DPTI_Annual_report_2013-2014_060115.pdf

Light Rail in Australia – Performance and Prospects (2013)
Graham Currie and Matthew Burke
http://atrf.info/papers/2013/2013_currie_burke.pdf

TransDev Sydney
http://www.transdevsydney.com.au/

"Each year, more than 4.5 million commuters, students, leisure seekers and tourists rely
on light rail as their primary source of transportation to and from the Sydney CBD."

TransLink Feedback (letter)

'In response to your question about patronage on the Gold Coast light rail, I can confirm that
patronage continues to exceed expectations, with an average of more than 18,200 trips
made each day. The first anniversary of this service saw more than 6.5 million passenger
trips undertaken.

I am pleased to advise that since the service change implemented on 21 July 2014,
patronage for bus route 740 has increased from an average of 22,500 trips per month to an
average of 38,300 trips per month. This is an increase of just over 70%. Additionally,
patronage for bus route 750 has increased from 58,200 trips to 65,400 trips which is an
increase of just over 12%.'

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th October 2015

Greetings,

Re: GC LRT shows Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wrong - Brisbane bus reform

Greetings,

The previous Transport Minister, Scott Emerson, had this to say when it came to
reorganising the Gold Coast's bus network to feed rail.

"Rather than duplicate buses along the light rail route, we will be using our
resources smarter by increasing the number of east-west bus routes," he said.

Why can't this be done in Brisbane by reorganising the buses around heavy rail stations
where appropriate?

We have already shown what a shambles the current Brisbane City Council bus network is
here: http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus.

Our New Bus Network Proposal will deliver Australia's Best Bus Network within 2 years by rearranging existing bus resources,
like on the Gold Coast http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

It is an embarrassment that New Zealand's Auckland City Council Mayor has signed up
the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to review the Auckland Bus Network with a view get
buses connecting with trains while our own Lord Mayor resists genuine bus reform.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad needs to step in and declare this bus contract Brisbane City Council's last.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:
http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-to-get-more-buses-with-light-rail-launch/story-fnj94idh-1226919382938

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th October 2015

Bus Reform: Pressure builds on Lord Mayor Quirk as Moggill shuns public transport

Greetings,

Another day, another article about how fares are too high and lack of incentive to use public transport!

Local member Christian Rowan MP has suggested  park and rides are a potential solution. But at around $50 000 per car park space, they are terrible value for money. Compared with other Brisbane suburbs such as Bulimba, Yeronga, Albany Creek or the Centenary Suburbs, Moggill residents already have access to the high frequency BUZ 444. In the west, the Centenary Suburbs are a standout failure.

There is an elephant in the room with the words 'BUS REFORM' painted on its forehead.

A reformed bus network will increase patronage and take the pressure off fares. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk needs to  let genuine bus reform proceed, as it has happened in Brisbane's sister city Auckland, NZ. Indeed, the ex-head of Brisbane Transport is assisting the Mayor of Auckland implement its new bus network concept. We have already done the hard work with our New Bus Network proposal for Brisbane here http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

We again call on Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to come forward and declare this bus contract Brisbane City Council's last.



Best wishes,
Robert

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

Reference:

TransLink reviewing fares as Moggill commuters prefer car trip
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southwest/translink-reviewing-fares-as-moggill-commuters-prefer-car-trip/story-fni9r1nj-1227570390179?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th October 2015

Brisbane City Council election candidates urged to adopt Bus Reform

Bus reform is the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to improve Brisbane's public transport. Our New Bus Network Proposal will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network, and can be completed entirely within the first term of office.

We have done all the hard work reviewing Brisbane City Council 's bus network. We urge all candidates in the Brisbane City Council 2016 elections to consider adopting our New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane.

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

Current BCC network
http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Internationally, Houston and Auckland have implemented Bus Reform at near-neutral cost. Indeed, the ex-head of Brisbane Transport is assisting Auckland's bus reform, and his firm's office is located on Coronation Drive.

New CityGliders

400 CentenaryGlider Superbus
Light Rail style superbuses carrying 150+ passengers every 10 minutes or better to the Centenary Suburbs, 24 hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights.

230 BulimbaGlider
Faster and improved bus service every 15 minutes or better via both Riding and Thynne Rds with connections at Morningside station to the Cleveland line. 24 hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights.

New or Improved BUZ routes

175 Garden City BUZ (Logan Rd)
196 Yeronga BUZ (Extension into Yeronga)
200 Carindale BUZ (Stanley Rd) (new alignment)
205 Carindale Heights (Chatsworth Rd)
222 Carindale Interchange (converted to 150+ passenger superbuses)
300 Toombul Interchange BUZ (Kingsford Smith Drive)
359 Albany Creek BUZ (Old Northern Rd)
375 Stafford BUZ (new bus station at Stafford City)
380 The Gap BUZ (Payne Road)

900 Series CityConnector Buses

902 Toombul-Carindale CityConnector
903 Toombul-Ferny Grove CityConnector (current 369 extended from Brookside Shops)
911 UQ St Lucia-Mitchelton CityConnector (direct service to UQ from Northwest)

There are absolutely enormous service benefits across the entire city of Brisbane to be had with bus reform. 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

[#Metro]

From the South East Advertiser, earlier this year.
27 May 2015 South-East AdvertiserKieran Banks

Traffic nightmare faces suburb

BUS SERVICE SLAMMED

BULIMBA has been described as a bus route black hole by public transport advocate Robert Dow is calling for the suburb's bus service to be overhauled.
Reporters from the South East Advertiser found the bus route 230 was the slowest commute from Bulimba to the city during the morning peak hour.

Mr Dow from group Rail Back on Track said the bus route 230 had to offer a timely trip for city commuters.
He said a streamlined Bulimba Glider would provide commuters heading to East Brisbane and Woolloongabba with a viable alternative to driving.

"They (TransLink) have to look at what they can do in bus priority on the major arterial roads," he said.
"If people want to use public transport there has to be advantages to it."
Bulimba commuter Marnie Holgate works at Fortitude Valley.

She catches the 230 bus at 7.30am and arrives just before 10am every day.
"It's too far to walk for me to go to the ferry, I live all the way at the top of Bulimba past the school," she said.
"It's usually packed in the mornings. It only takes 20 minutes to drive, so to take an hour and 10 minutes on the bus, it's a joke."

A TransLink spokesman said a high frequency service for Bulimba would be considered when the Brisbane Transport network was next reviewed. What do you think? Email us at editorial@southeastadvertiser. com

[ozbob]

^ 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th October 2015

Re: Brisbane City Council election candidates urged to adopt Bus Reform

Greetings,

For your information. Reform is essential.  If BCC will not cooperate them remove them from the picture.

Best wishes.
Robert

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

From the South East Advertiser, earlier this year.
27 May 2015 South-East Advertiser Kieran Banks

Quote

Traffic nightmare faces suburb

    BUS SERVICE SLAMMED

    BULIMBA has been described as a bus route black hole by public transport advocate Robert Dow is calling for the suburb's bus service to be overhauled.
    Reporters from the South East Advertiser found the bus route 230 was the slowest commute from Bulimba to the city during the morning peak hour.

    Mr Dow from group Rail Back on Track said the bus route 230 had to offer a timely trip for city commuters.
    He said a streamlined Bulimba Glider would provide commuters heading to East Brisbane and Woolloongabba with a viable alternative to driving.

    "They (TransLink) have to look at what they can do in bus priority on the major arterial roads," he said.
    "If people want to use public transport there has to be advantages to it."
    Bulimba commuter Marnie Holgate works at Fortitude Valley.

    She catches the 230 bus at 7.30am and arrives just before 10am every day.
    "It's too far to walk for me to go to the ferry, I live all the way at the top of Bulimba past the school," she said.
    "It's usually packed in the mornings. It only takes 20 minutes to drive, so to take an hour and 10 minutes on the bus, it's a joke."

    A TransLink spokesman said a high frequency service for Bulimba would be considered when the Brisbane Transport network was next reviewed. What do you think? Email us at editorial@southeastadvertiser. com

Sent to all outlets:

19th October 2015

Brisbane City Council election candidates urged to adopt Bus Reform

Bus reform is the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to improve Brisbane's public transport. Our New Bus Network Proposal will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network, and can be completed entirely within the first term of office.

We have done all the hard work reviewing Brisbane City Council 's bus network. We urge all candidates in the Brisbane City Council 2016 elections to consider adopting our New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane.

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

Current BCC network
http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Internationally, Houston and Auckland have implemented Bus Reform at near-neutral cost. Indeed, the ex-head of Brisbane Transport is assisting Auckland's bus reform, and his firm's office is located on Coronation Drive.

New CityGliders

400 CentenaryGlider Superbus
Light Rail style superbuses carrying 150+ passengers every 10 minutes or better to the Centenary Suburbs, 24 hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights.

230 BulimbaGlider
Faster and improved bus service every 15 minutes or better via both Riding and Thynne Rds with connections at Morningside station to the Cleveland line. 24 hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights.

New or Improved BUZ routes

175 Garden City BUZ (Logan Rd)
196 Yeronga BUZ (Extension into Yeronga)
200 Carindale BUZ (Stanley Rd) (new alignment)
205 Carindale Heights (Chatsworth Rd)
222 Carindale Interchange (converted to 150+ passenger superbuses)
300 Toombul Interchange BUZ (Kingsford Smith Drive)
359 Albany Creek BUZ (Old Northern Rd)
375 Stafford BUZ (new bus station at Stafford City)
380 The Gap BUZ (Payne Road)

900 Series CityConnector Buses

902 Toombul-Carindale CityConnector
903 Toombul-Ferny Grove CityConnector (current 369 extended from Brookside Shops)
911 UQ St Lucia-Mitchelton CityConnector (direct service to UQ from Northwest)

There are absolutely enormous service benefits across the entire city of Brisbane to be had with bus reform. 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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 42s

Traffic nightmare faces suburb BUS SERVICE SLAMMED

>http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg162895#msg162895 ...

#qldpol #bccvotes

@BenPennings @Rod4Bris @Team_Quirk @jackietrad

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th October 2015

Bulimba Barracks: Call for BulimbaGlider bus upgrade

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 called for Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to announce a BulimbaGlider, now that the Bulimba Barracks are for sale.

The Bulimba Barracks development illustrates why Brisbane's bus network must be reformed. Our bus network is hopelessly out of date.

Bulimba is on RAIL  Back on Track's public transport 'Black Hole' list. Other suburbs on the list include Yeronga, Albany Creek, the Cedar Woods development and the entire Centenary Suburbs.

It is time for a BulimbaGlider bus upgrade. This can be done as part of our New Bus Network Proposal. Indeed, TransLink's own data shows that existing buses already feature very high value for money and very high patronage.

Our proposed 230 BulimbaGlider would feature light-rail style high-speed bus stop spacing, services every 10-15 minutes all day, including weekends, and 24 hour bus service on Friday and Saturday nights. Unlike the CityCats, it would connect to rail stations at both Morningside and Roma Street. As patronage increases, superbuses carrying 150+ passengers could be introduced.

We have accepted Cr. Julian Simmonds comments on our original BulimbaGlider proposal, and thus we have now extended our proposed BulimbaGlider service to serve both Riding and Thynne Roads in their entirety.

Now is the time for the Lord Mayor to reverse his opposition to Bus Reform and support a BulimbaGlider bus for Bulimba.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/bus230update.jpg




2.  6 April 2015: Brisbane Bus Reform: 230 BulimbaGlider - A Purple CityGlider for Bulimba?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11363.msg154861#msg154861

[aldonius]

now extended our proposed BulimbaGlider service to serve both Riding and Thynne Roads in their entirety.

Panicked for a moment there... Must've happened way back, the map reflects it.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd October 2015

Uber profiting from BCC Bus Network Black Holes

Greetings,

Apparently Uber has been profiting from 'black holes' in Brisbane City Council's bus network.

The company puts its popularity in Brisbane down to the "transport desert" across the city, where it says 59 per cent of its rides either end or begin. "Our data shows residents of public transport deserts are using Uber to extend the reach and use of existing public transport networks," a spokesman said [1].

There is now a mountain of hard evidence against Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's refusal to reform Brisbane's bus network. These reports from Uber independently confirm our unfavourable assessment of Brisbane City Council's  bus network.

Our service quality map of Brisbane City Council's entire bus network  clearly shows the majority of Brisbane is on hourly or half hourly bus service. Only a handful of select corridors has decent bus service.

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

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

Lord Mayoral challengers and Brisbane City Council election candidates would be well advised to run on a comprehensive bus reform platform at the upcoming 2016 Brisbane City Council elections. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has simply chosen to ignore the elephant in the room for many years rather than deal with the core issues.

Where is Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's vision and plans for upgraded bus service across all of Brisbane? For new CityGliders to Bulimba or the Centenary suburbs? For bus traffic light priority? There doesn't seem to be any.

We again call for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to release accurate GPS-logged bus on time figures for the Brisbane City Council bus fleet.

Best wishes,

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

Reference:

[1] Uber chalks up 25 million rides in Brisbane
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/uber-chalks-up-25-million-rides-in-brisbane-in-just-18-months-20151021-gkf1lk

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd October 2015

BCC has missed the bus ...

Greetings,

All regions outside of Brisbane have less than optimal bus services, in terms of routes, coverage, frequency and span of hours.

This is a consequence of BCC refusing to cooperate with TransLink and the inability of the authorities to move forward with essential bus network reform.

For example anger is growing in the west (see below).  We have pointed out for years that bus arrangements to support the Springfield railway are hardly best practise.

In fact there is a major crisis concerning parking.  Because of inadequate feeder bus services generally in SEQ, and the fixation on park n' ride, we are seeing patronage stalemate as people are not able to park and there are no reasonable alternatives.  Cars jammed into suburbs, often parked illegally is a sign of failure.  A 500 car park costs around $50 million dollars.  This fills half a train.  No wonder we are going broke.

What is going to happen when Moreton Bay Rail link opens?  More of the same failed parking paradigm?

It is time that courage was found to sort out BCC and its failed bus network. If BCC remain intransigent to essential bus network reform, then the transport authority must remove all public transport network control from BCC and get cracking with the reform process.

We have already shown what a shambles the current Brisbane City Council bus network is here: http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus.

Our New Bus Network Proposal will deliver Australia's Best Bus Network: http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Enough of the mediocrity, the network can be saved, just takes some leadership and vision.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Couriermail Quest --> Frustrated residents call for major overhaul of public transport in Ipswich region to keep up with area's growth

   

Ipswich residents are becoming housebound due to woeful public transport ­services in suburbs surrounding the booming Springfield region.

    With a major shopping centre at Redbank Plains to open late next year and Orion stage two nearing completion, residents want TransLink to improve bus services and extend the Springfield train line to Ipswich.

    Ipswich City councillor Victor Attwood (Div 3) said public transport needed a major overhaul.

    "They need to increase bus services and expand routes to cover more of the suburbs, not just up and down the main street," Cr Attwood said.

    "If you want people to use public transport you need to have the services."

    Council candidate Jade Connor (Div 9) said the new Town Square development would benefit the Redbank Plains area, encouraging more people to come together while providing facilities close to home.

    "One disappointing thing about the development is that council has approved it without requiring any bus stops," Mr Connor said.

    "In the future there will be increased demand for buses to this centre and people will be required to drop off at the 7-Eleven across the road."

    Cr Sheila Ireland (Div 9) said public transport was limited for some residents in Redbank Plains. Bellbird Park beauty salon owner Nick Corker said more buses were desperately needed in the area.

    "We have clients who tell us it's very hard to get around," Mr Corker said.

    "It's also very hard for students. My niece found it hard to get to classes and having to stay back after hours wasn't possible as she couldn't get home."

    Mr Corker said a train line linking Ipswich to Springfield would make things easier.

    Vision-impaired Camira resident Jacqui Hart said she had lost her independence due to limited public transport services.

    "I used to be able to take myself to the doctor and the shopping centre at Springfield, but now I can't because it's over a kilometre for me to get to a bus stop," Ms Hart said.

    "We desperately need more buses and bus stops."

    A TransLink media spokesman said the group would continue to monitor demand in Springfield and surrounds.

    "Three bus routes — 522, 526 and 534 — currently service Orion Springfield Central," he said. "TransLink plans services based on passenger demand and growth."

    Springfield News asked TransLink if public transport would be increased around the new Redbank Plains Town Square, but no comment was provided.

[ozbob]

Media release 8th September 2015 re-released 24th October 2015



Brisbane: Lord Mayor and BCC still cannot be trusted to run city's 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 for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to terminate Brisbane City Council's public transport responsibilities.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Almost three years ago we called for public transport to be removed from Brisbane City Council. Council had cancelled proposed bus upgrades to 'black hole' areas such as Bulimba, Yeronga, Albany Creek and The Centenary Suburbs. In our opinion, an inadequate bus review was substituted, which failed to fix any of the major problems such as service duplication, wasteful bus-train competition and network complexity - all factors that drove a fares cost explosion."

"Since then patronage has been going one way: down, down, down.

"The excuses are running out. We had been warning constantly that failure to reform the bus network would lead to mass patronage losses, and a fares and subsidy cost explosion.

"Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus 'evolution, not revolution' has hands-down failed. Two years of this failing program is more than enough evidence to judge it by. At 4 bus route changes per year, it would take 50 years to review Brisbane's c.a. 200-route bus network. That is just unacceptable.

"Brisbane needs a modern, reformed public transport network like Houston or Auckland. And it doesn't have to cost much more than the current network. If the Mayor of Auckland can hire the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to comprehensively reform Auckland's entire bus network, which is now registering spectacular growth, we can do also, rather than sit here debating how controversial it must be to have buses pull up to a train station and unload interchange passengers."

"Costs are going through the roof, and patronage is going through the floor. We are actually now paying MORE money for LESS passengers."

Bus reforms must now proceed. We detail our proposals here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0
New Bus Network Proposal - http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current BCC Bus Network - http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

"The sooner the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council is stripped of transport functions, the sooner genuine reform of rail and bus networks can go ahead, and the sooner we can look forward to abundant and low-cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

References:

27 Apr 2013: Lord Mayor and BCC can no longer be trusted to run city's buses
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9895.0

6 Jan 2015: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.msg151940

Blame game as Brisbane commuters abandon buses
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/blame-game-as-brisbane-commuters-abandon-buses-20150907-gjh4tf.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th October 2015

Route Review: Reroute 77 bus to UQ Lakes

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 for TransLink to reroute Brisbane City Council bus route 77 to UQ Lakes.

The route 77 bus currently provides a service between Chermside and Eight Mile Plains via the Clem 7 tunnel. Patronage on the 77 bus is poor. In its current form, route 77 will never achieve all-day high patronage outside of peak hours. It does not link together different passenger destinations very well. Although the long tunnel section means high speed, it also means poor passenger access as passenger demand generators are all located on the surface. Indeed, TransLink has previously attempted to scrap this route, describing it as 'Low value for money' and 'Low capacity utilisation'.

We think major changes are necessary. Our members agree that the 77 bus should be redirected to UQ Lakes.  RAIL Back on Track members have identified two potential options for Route 77 rerouting:

OPTION 1: UQ Lakes via Clem 7 Tunnel

Service begins at Chermside, continues via Northern Busway then through Clem 7 tunnel, then through Buranda busway station, Eastern Busway and on to UQ Lakes.

Advantages: High speed retained, access to SE Busway retained at Buranda, direct access to UQ from Northern Busway stations north of RBWH.

Disadvantages: Long tunnel section means surface passengers are bypassed.

OPTION 2: UQ Lakes via Story Bridge

Service begins at Chermside, continues via the Northern Busway then through RBWH, through Fortitude Valley, Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba Busway, Buranda Busway, Eastern Busway, UQ Lakes

Advantages: Opens up access to passenger markets at RBWH, Fortitude Valley, Kangaroo Point, and Woolloongabba that are not possible with the tunnel option. Access to rail network at Fortitude Valley and Park Road.

Disadvantages: Surface streets are slower than via tunnel.

In both options, route 77 would connect to UQ Lakes at The University of Queensland, the second largest trip generator after the Brisbane CBD. We believe TransLink should forecast patronage for both options, and consult with passengers, university students and residents around Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, and Fortitude Valley to determine whether a via-tunnel or via-Story Bridge option is the best.

Far too many empty and half-capacity buses on the Brisbane bus network, incredibly, even during peak hour. We badly need bus reforms to unlock major gains in service quality for passengers.

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

Reference:

Reroute 77
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11740.0

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th October 2015

Include Bus Reform in State Infrastructure Plan

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 Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to include bus reform of the Brisbane City Council bus network in the State Infrastructure Plan.

Bus Reform must be included in the Queensland Government's final State Infrastructure Plan. Bus reform ticks all the boxes. If you read the Draft State Infrastructure Plan, there are many paragraphs which say something like this:

"Building or expanding existing infrastructure will not always be the solution, so the SIP looks at ways to use
infrastructure better, smarter and differently; to reuse, refit and share infrastructure–to do more with less."

"This may include non-build solutions where these can deliver the same outcome without the need to invest in expensive building and construction."

"It represents a clear statement from the government that low-cost options, that either maintain or improve services to Queenslanders, will be considered over 'big ticket' infrastructure projects that achieve similar outcomes."

Bus Reform of Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus network must be top of the agenda! Bus reform can be delivered rapidly within one term of office, is effectively cost-neutral, will provide massive increases in mobility across the entire city of Brisbane, and does not require the construction of any new busways or new railway lines. It would easily fall into the 1-4 year program of works.

A number of low cost upgrades can be taken, such as upgraded bus shelters (e.g. BulimbaGlider, CentenaryGlider), superbuses capable of carrying 150 passengers (e.g. bus routes 66, 412, 333, 222), traffic light priority for buses, and modest access upgrades to some train stations to allow for direct bus access (e.g. Indooroopilly Rail, Coopers Plains Rail, Stafford City Shopping Centre).

And if the Queensland Government should ever be so inclined to change it's mind, there is even scope for private 'market-led' proposals for operating Brisbane City Council's bus fleet. We've already done the homework and our New Bus Network Proposal is public at the website http://tiny.cc/newnetwork. The current Brisbane City Council Bus Network is grossly outdated and is not fit for purpose, in our opinion. Go and see for yourself by clicking on to our BCC bus network service quality map at http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Public transport upgrades along these lines can also be rolled out in regional Queensland. CityGlider-style branded, Hi-frequency buses every 15 minutes, 7 days per week could be considered for Ipswich, Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns, for example. We think Building Queensland and the Queensland Productivity Commission should jointly investigate the merits of Bus Reform, and provide a business case assessment for it that includes cost-benefit ratio and net present value appraisals.

We look forward to Bus Reform taking a centerpiece position within the State Infrastructure Plan's transport priorities. Failure is not an option!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Market-Led Proposals
https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/projects-infrastructure/initiatives/market-led-proposals/index.php

State Infrastructure Plan (Queensland Government)
http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/infrastructure/state-infrastructure-plan.html

Bus reform is effectively cost-neutral because it re-arranges existing service. Effectively cost-neutral bus reforms have been carried
out in Houston (US) and Auckland (NZ).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2015

Cr Milton Dick nails it! Bus reform needed ...

Greetings,

In a recent article in Couriermail Quest,  Brisbane City Council increases AM bus services to cater to increased morning demand Cr Milton Dick is quoted as saying:

"While all new early services are welcomed, I am concerned that all we are now doing is plugging the holes caused by the $20m ripped out of public transport by the Lord Mayor in 2014," Cr Dick said.

"This is nothing more than a smoke and mirrors trick by the Lord Mayor, with these new services paid for as a result of him putting 120 less buses on the road this term.

"We know millions of passengers each year in Brisbane are jumping off buses.

"The Lord Mayor needs to do more than tinker around with early services for nine existing Buz routes"

Correct Cr Dick. The fundamental reason the the Brisbane bus network is such a mess is that a piecemeal and tinkering approach has just embedded systemic network failure, with massive duplication, waste, inefficiency and many areas of Brisbane struggle with poor bus services.  Rather than river fountains, fixing the bus network should be the priority.

We have demonstrated what can be achieved with a proper reform process:

Brisbane Bus Reform: RAIL Back on Track Launches New Bus Network Proposal > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.0

Under bus reform passengers will see greater liberty and freedom to go where they want, when they want on a bus that is always coming soon, and have a more equitable distribution of high quality bus services across the entire city.  Lord Mayor Quirk is a captive of the past.

Might be time for a new approach don't you think?

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow now

' @Team_Quirk is a captive of the past '

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg163496#msg163496 ...

#qldpol

@Rod4Bris @BenPennings @jackietrad

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2015

BulimbaGlider bus and the Bulimba Barracks Development

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council has been aware of Bulimba's traffic problems since residents raised parking and congestion concerns at Neighbourhood planning consultations way back in 2009. What has been Brisbane City Council's response since? Reject the BulimbaGlider bus proposal and cancel TransLink's proposed upgrades for bus services to Bulimba in 2013.

In addition to this, there are proposals from Bulimba MP Di Farmer to expand Cannon Hill train station car parking by 200 spaces. We estimate this would cost at least $10 million dollars, equivalent to a $400 property tax increase on Bulimba residents and not even fill half of a single QueenslandRail train.

It is obvious what the problem is. Bulimba needs a BulimbaGlider bus service before it chokes on its own congestion. There is no need for more traffic studies or monitoring. Just send in the BulimbaGlider already! The existing inadequate bus services already achieve high value for money and high capacity utilisation.

Local residents are very concerned about increasing traffic. In addition to the BulimbaGlider, Brisbane City Council could waive or reduce mandatory parking requirements. Congestion is caused by cars, and if there are low or no parking spaces in the development, then this concern can be reduced or eliminated, despite the increase in residents.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's transport non-policy is fast becoming akin to the sinking Titanic, with public transport policy the iceberg. Will the Lord Mayor change course before it is too late? Or just re-arrange more deck chairs?

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Bulimba residents living near barracks development
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/traffic-a-top-concern-for-bulimba-residents-living-near-barracks-development/story-fni9r0lo-1227585220949

NO! to more car parks at Cannon Hill
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg163410#msg163410

Brisbane Bus Reform: 230 BulimbaGlider - A Purple CityGlider for Bulimba?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.msg154862#msg154862

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2015

Calls for Bulimba glider rejected

Greetings,

Take a look at this link. Brisbane City Council rejected the BulimbaGlider in 2012. Bus service in Bulimba described as  'well served', which any Bulimba resident will tell you, is nonsense.

Calls for Bulimba glider rejected  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

Now with a big development coming to Bulimba and calls to expand Cannon Hill train station by 200 car parks, maybe rejecting the BulimbaGlider was a bad idea?

Brisbane is fast becoming a transport backwater.  Don't miss the bus!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2015

BulimbaGlider bus and the Bulimba Barracks Development

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council has been aware of Bulimba's traffic problems since residents raised parking and congestion concerns at Neighbourhood planning consultations way back in 2009. What has been Brisbane City Council's response since? Reject the BulimbaGlider bus proposal and cancel TransLink's proposed upgrades for bus services to Bulimba in 2013.

In addition to this, there are proposals from Bulimba MP Di Farmer to expand Cannon Hill train station car parking by 200 spaces. We estimate this would cost at least $10 million dollars, equivalent to a $400 property tax increase on Bulimba residents and not even fill half of a single QueenslandRail train.

It is obvious what the problem is. Bulimba needs a BulimbaGlider bus service before it chokes on its own congestion. There is no need for more traffic studies or monitoring. Just send in the BulimbaGlider already! The existing inadequate bus services already achieve high value for money and high capacity utilisation.

Local residents are very concerned about increasing traffic. In addition to the BulimbaGlider, Brisbane City Council could waive or reduce mandatory parking requirements. Congestion is caused by cars, and if there are low or no parking spaces in the development, then this concern can be reduced or eliminated, despite the increase in residents.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's transport non-policy is fast becoming akin to the sinking Titanic, with public transport policy the iceberg. Will the Lord Mayor change course before it is too late? Or just re-arrange more deck chairs?

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Bulimba residents living near barracks development
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/traffic-a-top-concern-for-bulimba-residents-living-near-barracks-development/story-fni9r0lo-1227585220949

NO! to more car parks at Cannon Hill
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg163410#msg163410

Brisbane Bus Reform: 230 BulimbaGlider - A Purple CityGlider for Bulimba?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.msg154862#msg154862

[ozbob]

For interest ..

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

Twitter

RAIL Magazine ‏@RAILMag 8h

Fantastic image of Vancouver's best & worst performing bus routes. Can you guess which is which? #transit #rail #YVR

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th November 2015

Reform Brisbane Bus Network

Greetings,

South East Queensland is witnessing something very positive.  Reform of the Moreton Region bus network to align properly with the new rail link to Kippa-Ring.

> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/62061/details

TransLink was stymied in 2013 in an attempt to reform the failing Brisbane Bus network.  Non cooperation by Brisbane City Council and hysterical media and weak political leadership, consigned Brisbane to years of transport failure, poor service and anti-public transport fare structure.

Regions outside of Brisbane have carried the can for BCC's intransigence long enough.  It is time the State Government gave TransLink the authority to reform the Brisbane public transport network.

Brisbane is no longer surrounded by market gardens, a properly integrated public transport network is needed now.  Political serfdoms and despot politics needs to be pushed aside.

Let's get cracking with reform.

We have shown the way.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Media release 8th September 2015



Brisbane: Lord Mayor and BCC still cannot be trusted to run city's 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 for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to terminate Brisbane City Council's public transport responsibilities.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Almost three years ago we called for public transport to be removed from Brisbane City Council. Council had cancelled proposed bus upgrades to 'black hole' areas such as Bulimba, Yeronga, Albany Creek and The Centenary Suburbs. In our opinion, an inadequate bus review was substituted, which failed to fix any of the major problems such as service duplication, wasteful bus-train competition and network complexity - all factors that drove a fares cost explosion."

"Since then patronage has been going one way: down, down, down.

"The excuses are running out. We had been warning constantly that failure to reform the bus network would lead to mass patronage losses, and a fares and subsidy cost explosion.

"Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus 'evolution, not revolution' has hands-down failed. Two years of this failing program is more than enough evidence to judge it by. At 4 bus route changes per year, it would take 50 years to review Brisbane's c.a. 200-route bus network. That is just unacceptable.

"Brisbane needs a modern, reformed public transport network like Houston or Auckland. And it doesn't have to cost much more than the current network. If the Mayor of Auckland can hire the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to comprehensively reform Auckland's entire bus network, which is now registering spectacular growth, we can do also, rather than sit here debating how controversial it must be to have buses pull up to a train station and unload interchange passengers."

"Costs are going through the roof, and patronage is going through the floor. We are actually now paying MORE money for LESS passengers."

Bus reforms must now proceed. We detail our proposals here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0
New Bus Network Proposal - http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current BCC Bus Network - http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

"The sooner the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council is stripped of transport functions, the sooner genuine reform of rail and bus networks can go ahead, and the sooner we can look forward to abundant and low-cost public transport for all."

Contact:

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

References:

27 Apr 2013: Lord Mayor and BCC can no longer be trusted to run city's buses
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9895.0

6 Jan 2015: Brisbane City Council's Bus Network - What Went Wrong?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11175.msg151940

Blame game as Brisbane commuters abandon buses
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/blame-game-as-brisbane-commuters-abandon-buses-20150907-gjh4tf.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th November 2015

Lord Mayor Quirk lives in the past ...

Good Morning,

We note that Lord Mayor Quirk is still living the past.

Brisbane congestion charge back on agenda as gridlock set to spiral
> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-congestion-charge-back-on-agenda-as-gridlock-set-to-spiral/story-fnihsrf2-1227603953645

Lord Mayor Quirk is still babbling on about the BaT -  the BaT is dead, again confirmed in parliament yesterday. In case Lord Mayor Quirk missed this, the BaT was never going to happen

Senior LNP figures say BaT Tunnel was former premier Campbell Newman's impossible dream
> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/senior-lnp-figures-say-bat-tunnel-was-former-premier-campbell-newmans-impossible-dream/story-fnn8dlfs-1227373555703

What is needed is bus network reform for Brisbane.  This will deliver more buses more often to where they are needed and reduce the number of near empty buses running into the Brisbane CBD both peak and off peak.

BCC needs to find the courage to convert Victoria Bridge to a green bridge.  That coupled with bus network reform is all that is needed from BCC's perspective.

Cross River Rail is the project that needs acceleration.

We have shown how bus reform for Brisbane can proceed.

We detail our proposals here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0
New Bus Network Proposal - http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current BCC Bus Network - http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

The sooner the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council is stripped of public transport functions, the sooner genuine reform of rail and bus networks can go ahead, and the sooner we can look forward to abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

The biggest problem with the looming massive congestion problem for Brisbane is Brisbane City Council.

Enjoy the gridlock!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

Reform Brisbane Bus Network > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg163937#msg163937

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Re: Lord Mayor Quirk lives in the past ...

Good Morning,

Another transport meltdown post the AC/DC concert last evening.  Nothing new is it?  Buses without priority on congested roads will always be problematical.

Sorting out the bus network for Brisbane remains a priority task and a challenge in our view.  It is good to see some great initiatives coming from Brisbane Lord Mayor candidates, the present Lord Mayor is locked into the past.  The fact that BCC can override TransLink and the State Government is proving to be disastrous for transport in and around Brisbane.  As a consequence of BCC's intransigence, other regions  in SEQ have suffered service cuts and reductions in spans.  Is this equitable?  It is time Councils outside of Brisbane starting asking questions of the BCC and acting for their citizens on this matter.

Next generation ticketing with fancy payment options is not going to cover up network failure.

It is time we saw some real leadership.  BCC needs to be directed to cooperate with network reform and we need to get cracking.  Time is running out.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

11th November 2015

Lord Mayor Quirk lives in the past ...

Good Morning,

We note that Lord Mayor Quirk is still living the past.

Brisbane congestion charge back on agenda as gridlock set to spiral
> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-congestion-charge-back-on-agenda-as-gridlock-set-to-spiral/story-fnihsrf2-1227603953645

Lord Mayor Quirk is still babbling on about the BaT -  the BaT is dead, again confirmed in parliament yesterday. In case Lord Mayor Quirk missed this, the BaT was never going to happen

Senior LNP figures say BaT Tunnel was former premier Campbell Newman's impossible dream
> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/senior-lnp-figures-say-bat-tunnel-was-former-premier-campbell-newmans-impossible-dream/story-fnn8dlfs-1227373555703

What is needed is bus network reform for Brisbane.  This will deliver more buses more often to where they are needed and reduce the number of near empty buses running into the Brisbane CBD both peak and off peak.

BCC needs to find the courage to convert Victoria Bridge to a green bridge.  That coupled with bus network reform is all that is needed from BCC's perspective.

Cross River Rail is the project that needs acceleration.

We have shown how bus reform for Brisbane can proceed.

We detail our proposals here:

Bus reform - our proposal media releases grouped - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11099.0
New Bus Network Proposal - http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current BCC Bus Network - http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

The sooner the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council is stripped of public transport functions, the sooner genuine reform of rail and bus networks can go ahead, and the sooner we can look forward to abundant and low-cost public transport for all.

The biggest problem with the looming massive congestion problem for Brisbane is Brisbane City Council.

Enjoy the gridlock!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

Reform Brisbane Bus Network > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.msg163937#msg163937

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th November 2015

Bus Reform: Tasmanians get bus review, Brisbane lagging behind

Greetings,

First it was the Mayor of Auckland, NZ hiring the ex-head of Brisbane Transport to re-organise Auckland's bus network. Now the Tasmanian Government has done its own citywide bus review. Under the Hobart bus reform, there will be more buses more often:

"The NEW network will streamline services with the objective of achieving fewer, more direct and evenly-spaced routes. This will allow resources to be redirected to create a simpler, easier to understand network.

To make services more direct, walking distances to some bus routes will increase. Where the demand exists there will be services operating in the evenings and on weekends in areas that currently only have a weekday daytime service.

Replacing poorly-patronised and lengthy, winding routes that travel via narrow streets and are difficult for Metro buses to access with more services on key suburban routes."

Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Quirk resisted bus reform and now passengers are fleeing the bus network. After destroying patronage, what exactly is the Lord Mayor's new policy on getting passengers back?

Is there a policy? Uber is already reporting that they are profiting from Brisbane's public transport black holes.

Fares for will also be rolled back for Tasmanians with a new daily fares cap. Here in Brisbane, the unemployed and those on minimum wage struggle to pay transport costs.

Brisbane needs bus reform. Our New Bus Network Proposal is right here and ready to go ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork . 

Effectively cost-neutral, it will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. The Centenary suburbs and Bulimba will also enjoy high frequency CentenaryGlider and BulimbaGlider services, running every 10 minutes all day or better.

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:

Hobart New Bus Network
http://www.metrotas.com.au/communication/blog/2015/hobart-network-review-2015/

Hobart Bus Network Public Engagement
http://metrotas.com.au.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/HNR-Stakeholder-Report-V2.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th November 2015

Kingsford Smith Drive - Just upgrade the bus!

Greetings,

We note that Lord Mayor Quirk has resorted to  ' public transport wash ' in an attempt to garner support for the Kingsford Smith Drive road upgrade project.

> https://twitter.com/Team_Quirk/status/666435399602978816

Twitter

Team Quirk ‏@Team_Quirk

Lord Mayor says high frequency #bus services will be possible with Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade #publictransport

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

We saw a similar attempt to use ' public transport wash ' for the Legacy Way project.  We are still waiting for the ' 2000 daily express buses on Legacy Way '.

SEQ: Legacy way's 2000 daily express buses - we don't believe it Campbell!

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7798.0

There is no reason why high frequency bus services cannot be run now.  Brisbane City Council only sees things in terms of massive infrastructure improvements, basic bus network reform will save billions of dollars.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

28th August 2015

Kingsford Smith Drive - Just upgrade the bus!

Greetings

RAIL Back on Track is skeptical of the Kingsford Smith Drive project advanced by Brisbane
City Council (BCC). Sadly, BCC is increasingly displaying signs of 'Campbell Newman Syndrome'.

The RACQ is actually talking sense. Why does Brisbane City Council and Cr. Adrian Schrinner
want to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Kingsford Smith Drive? Isn't the new AirportLink
and Clem 7 tunnel not enough? Why can vehicles not use that?

Both of these tunnels, which we were constantly told were 'absolutely vital' over and over
again, with the benefits beyond questioning, are now desperately in need more car traffic. And they
have both gone into financial administration.

Why not just upgrade the 300 Toombul bus?

It already achieves high value for money and very high capacity utilisation (i.e. good patronage).
The areas around Ascot, Hamilton and  Clayfield have excellent density.  Stop spacing should be reviewed.
High-speed stop spacing encourages patronage growth and speeds up passenger journeys. An upgraded
service could pull in a lot more passengers and lots of fare revenue, so we think the net costs would be rather small.

For too long, fundamental changes to the Brisbane bus network have been stonewalled by
Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. It's all part of the 'I'm not listening'
culture that has developed at City Hall. That needs to change.

It is absolutely clear that bus network reform must proceed as a matter of emergency.
RAIL Back on Track has already prepared a New Bus Network Proposal for Brisbane to address
this ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

Toombul 300 Bus
http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/buses/T/300

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th November 2015

Bus Reform: Lord Mayor Quirk Reverses TransLink Bus Superstop Opposition

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track welcomes Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus superstops policy reversal.

Adelaide Street superstops were originally proposed by TransLink in the 2013 bus review, the same review that the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Councillors rejected. Indeed, Brisbane City Council instructed its own staff not to attend meetings with TransLink staff on six occasions.

Journalist Tony Moore from the Brisbane Times newspaper wrote about superstops in 2013. This included superstops on Adelaide Street:

"Six "Super Stops", which will group bus services to particular suburbs, will be set up in the Brisbane CBD.
These six "super stops" will be the King George Square Bus Station, the Queen Street Bus Station, two on Adelaide Street (one eastbound and one westbound), one on George Street and another on Ann Street.
...
Adelaide Street (eastbound) will accommodate Hamilton, New Farm, and Toombul bus services.
Adelaide Street (westbound) will manage Cannon Hill, Carindale, Redlands and West End bus services."

We support citywide all door bus boarding. A trial of all door boarding in San Francisco has had excellent results. After the trial finished, San Francisco converted its entire bus network to all door boarding. All door boarding should be introduced to all high-frequency bus services, at all stops because it cuts waiting time.

These sudden policy changes are due to the looming council elections. The LNP has held the Lord Mayoralty since 2004, and after almost a decade in power, voters are fed up with high fares, a lack of decent bus service in many suburbs and long waits for buses.

Indeed, we are tipping 'Team Quirk' will announce a Lord MayorGlider just before the Brisbane City Council elections as a wildcard policy in an attempt to fend off Lord Mayoralty challengers.

Our members are already guessing which one it could be. There are three good contenders for a Lord MayorGlider:

230 BulimbaGlider - CBD, SE Busway, Riding Road, Bulimba, Balmoral, Thynne Rd, Morningside Rail Station.

400 CentenaryGlider - CBD, Coronation Drive, Moggill Road, Mt Ommaney, Darra Rail Station

300 ToombulGlider - CBD, Fortitude Valley, Kingsford Smith Drive and Toombul. (Brisbane City Council carried out basic studies into a ToombulGlider as part of the Lord Mayor's Mass Transit Report 2007)

Frankly, it is our opinion that Brisbane's buses are a mess. The network has become rinky-dink under the stewardship of the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council. Passengers have  abandoned the Lord Mayor's buses in droves. So these policy reversals are welcome, and we would like to see more reversals.

The sooner Brisbane City Council's reverses its damaging and diabolical opposition to bus reform, the sooner we can look forward to 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:

Major shake-up to southeast bus services
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/major-shakeup-to-southeast-bus-services-20130307-2fnob.html

Brisbane bus commuters set for a rear entry trial
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-bus-commuters-set-for-a-rear-entry-trial-20151126-gl97j8.html

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 4m

Latest: ' @Team_Quirk Reverses TransLink Bus Superstop Opposition '

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11322.msg164753#msg164753 ... #qldpol

[QLDBUS]

would this be a better solution compared to RAILBOT'S proposed network?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zyOQoSHIbm5k.krSUXPuqu3Y4&usp=sharing

[ozbob]

would this be a better solution compared to RAILBOT'S proposed network?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zyOQoSHIbm5k.krSUXPuqu3Y4&usp=sharing

Probably not.  The RBoT proposed network has been through an extensive review and feedback process.

Our proposal is a solution, not THE solution. 

The important thing is that a reform process be actually undertaken.  It will probably include elements of the original 2013 TransLink network proposal and other modifications I would expect.

[James]

would this be a better solution compared to RAILBOT'S proposed network?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zyOQoSHIbm5k.krSUXPuqu3Y4&usp=sharing

From looking at your network, the big issue is that it will not be cost-neutral. In order for any RBoT proposal to get up, particularly in the current political environment, it needs to be cost neutral (or close to it) - that is, no extra expenditure is required (aside from one-off implementation costs).

The main reason we have our network, though, is to stimulate change and show people what can be done (and how good communication can be if implementation is done properly). RBoT only represents a small sector of the community, and there may be issues which exist that have not been foreseen by RBoT.

[#Metro]

Hi QLDBUS,

Thanks for the link. The proposal is designed to be downloaded and 'remixed' by others.

Bus network plans tend to be a magnet for criticism of the type 'I don't like the plan because bus X (is cut from / will now go down) my street. This openness gives critics the opportunity to download the plan and make the changes themselves.

It is surprisingly difficult to keep the proposal up to date because the road network is constantly changing. For example, Legacy way is now open.

It is also quite easy to overlook local nuances. In another proposal I saw, there are a few roads around the back of Toowong where there are 30% inclines, totally unsuitable for buses. Another example, it is not possible to turn right from Boundary St into Dornoch Tce.

20 min frequencies were considered for buses, and it was puzzling to figure why 20 min frequencies are not common. The reason is that it is not possible to reliably connect a 20 min bus with a 10/15/30/60 minute connecting service as the times will be out of sync.

I welcome anyone who thinks they can make improvements to download, modify and post their ideas on the forum.

[newbris]

I might do that as the inner west still doesn't look right to me. I still don't understand why the maroon glider is being redirected from the busiest to the quietest streets in the area and avoiding major trip generators. It would drive it to failure. Splitting The Gap buses into Coopers Camp and Waterworks is a surprise as well. Also that the major catchment high school (Kelvin Grove College) serving Paddington, Red Hill and Ashgrove is not better served. And Kelvin Grove Urban Village. Rather than whinging I'll try and draw something though I don't know enough to work a full solution, just the local conditions and the aim to have a connected network rather than all buses to the CBD.

[Simon]

Had a look at this yesterday. Suffice to say that I would not run for office with this as part of my platform. Tempted to leave it at that, but here's a few points:

• What is with taking the 77 out of the Clem 7? Agree with sending to UQ though
• There are too many unnecessary renumberings e.g. 200 going to Stanley Rd and 210 going somewhere else
• What is with bagging "BUZ waste" while supporting the 333 and 340 continuing to serve the same stops between King George Square and Kedron North?

Sorry, but that's the way I see it.

[ozbob]

There is no perfect solution.  A reform process will not be based on what you think, or what we think.

The important thing is to get reform happening in our opinion.

[HappyTrainGuy]

would this be a better solution compared to RAILBOT'S proposed network?

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zyOQoSHIbm5k.krSUXPuqu3Y4&usp=sharing

From looking at your network, the big issue is that it will not be cost-neutral. In order for any RBoT proposal to get up, particularly in the current political environment, it needs to be cost neutral (or close to it) - that is, no extra expenditure is required (aside from one-off implementation costs).

The main reason we have our network, though, is to stimulate change and show people what can be done (and how good communication can be if implementation is done properly). RBoT only represents a small sector of the community, and there may be issues which exist that have not been foreseen by RBoT.

Brisbane northside... yuck! 335 would be one of many big flop routes. Its essentially the 329+341 combined with the 335 route number on the desto.

For the northside nothing I've seen has come close to what translink had planned. It wasn't perfect but it was the best proposed network I've seen for the northside especially for those in the centre part where more interchanges are available (just imagine how good the network would be with a trouts road corridor providing another key interchange facility). More east/west routes and more routes that terminated/linked between major interchange locations such as Strathpine, Taigum, Aspley, Chermside, Toombul bus interchanges and Strathpine, Sandgate, Boondall, Carseldine, Zillmere, Geebung, Virginia and Toombul railway stations. The best route I saw was the northern loop route. It cut so many routes up and merged them into one big super feeder route that dropped you off at very key interchange points. The redundancy that route provided was just f***ing fantastic! Should there be a problem with the railway line you could simply transfer nearly anywhere to that route. If you lived at Boondall but Northgate-Shorncliffe was out for whatever reason you could simply catch a train/HF bus to Geebung railway station and transfer to the loop route to get you to Boondall. Same with the Caboolture line. Lived at Carseldine but the railway line was out you could catch a HF bus to Chermside and catch any of the feeder routes that went there, train to Boondall and loop route to Carseldine, HF bus to Aspley and loop route to Carseldine. Lived at Aspley but the 345 was stopped due to a crash on Shand Street/level crossing at Alderley not operating then HF route to Chermside and then loop route to Aspley.

If there was a big problem with the rail network Translink could might even be able to work something out with BT/BCC in providing additional services that don't run to timetable or even a weekday frequency on the weekend should there be a line closure.

As I said the translink network wasn't that good for other areas and not 100% perfect for the northside but for the majority of it.... Brisbane's northside residents were the biggest winners.

[kaykayt]

The 105 route is missing a connection to Corinda railway

[Sound Transit]

Just thinking this network does have a lot of positives to it also...
-180 via newham Road
-181 serving the hole cavendish road
-renaming of the 196 to 195
-232 travelling down riding road connecting riding road to morningside Station
-340 connecting the shorncliffe line to the caboolture line
-rerouting of the 420
-new 135 service connecting parkinson and coppers plains to browns plains
-And the CBD Routing IS FANTASTIC AND EASIER TO UNDERSTAND

also remember this network has no superbuses either

[Simon]

-renaming of the 196 to 195

How is that a positive? There is already a 195 which would either have to be removed (not advised IMO) or renumbered.

[Gazza]

Just looking at this remixed proposal, yes the big issue is that it would not be cost neutral.

Eg the proposal to have a high frequency route extending to Long Pocket kind of sums that issue up.

Yet at the same time webster road lacks a direct route straight down it.

Priorities?

[kaykayt]

An extention for the route "104" from Corinda to Yeerongpilly/PA Hospital to the CBD.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zu6iTZ6TGTA4.kgIjxCVqhgjM&usp=sharing