#GetMovingSEQ campaign targets southeast’s commuter crisis

[#Metro]

There are a number of potential TOD sites. The trick is to choose sites that have good shopping centre access and also have high land value which is usually inner city. Sites further out are cheaper and hence the margin might not be so great.


Bowen Hills
Windsor
Auchenflower
Taringa
Park Road
Morningside
Coorparoo
Buranda
Dutton Park
Wynnum
Cleveland
Toombul
Sandgate
Nundah
Helensvale
Robina
Fairfield
Eagle Junction
Mitchelton

[ozbob]

#GetMovingSEQ Tweets

[Arnz]

There are a number of potential TOD sites. The trick is to choose sites that have good shopping centre access and also have high land value which is usually inner city. Sites further out are cheaper and hence the margin might not be so great.


Bowen Hills
Windsor
Auchenflower
Taringa
Park Road
Morningside
Coorparoo
Buranda
Dutton Park
Wynnum
Cleveland
Toombul
Sandgate
Nundah
Helensvale
Robina
Fairfield
Eagle Junction
Mitchelton

Strathpine, Morayfield and Beerwah.  The former two within walking distance of a shipping centre, whilst Beerwah has a shopping centre and many supermarkets on its doorstep (Target, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi)

[Jonno]

All stations are TOD sites it is only the scale that changes.

[Stillwater]

Any TOD development at Beerwah would have to take into account the eventual alignment of a duplicated B-Nbr railway line.  Tastefully done, however, it could become an excellent pedestrian pathway overhead, linking both sides of the town and leading directly into it's nicely-done new shopping centre.

Nambour is ripe for a TOD also, connecting to the main street and Coles development, but also allowing for reconstruction of the railway station in a configuration that would allow for track duplication.  At Palmwoods, development is held up there because QR won't sell a piece of land required for the development to proceed.

[#Metro]

All stations are TOD sites it is only the scale that changes.

I'm not quite sure of that. Development can only be supported where there is demand, and not all stations would have that. Good indication of demand is high land value - this tends to be inner city and town centres.

Construction carries risk that the apartments might be unsold or difficulties would delay the construction time / reduce the return.

Park Road is good due to its closeness to UQ and PA.

[Old Northern Road]

All stations in Brisbane could support some kind of TOD apart from those located in industrial areas like Wacol, Holmview, Thorneside, Bindha etc. Remember not all TODs need to be like Chatswood. Even 2-3 story apartments or townhouses are a huge improvement over what currently surrounds a lot of Brisbane stations.

[Derwan]

If we're talking suburban TOD's I'll add Boondall to the list.  (Yes - Boondall!)  It's not much now but there is a huge parcel of land across the corner that currently has about 4 houses, a car junk yard, a bunch of sheds and a horse paddock.

It could be developed in stages, starting with the horse paddock (which is closest to the station).  It wouldn't support a supermarket but a corner store and takeway could be added.  I've always said it'd be really handy to grab the milk and/or a cooked chook as I get off the train and walk home - instead of having to walk home and then take the car out if I've run out of milk!  If the takeaway stayed open on event nights at the Entertainment Centre, they might even get a bit of trade from people before or after events.  (Lots of people park on that side of the tracks so they don't have to pay parking fees.)

[Old Northern Road]

North Boondall as well

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> #GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets

HUNDREDS of half-empty buses pour into Brisbane every day, clogging city streets, while suburban travellers struggle for regular services.

State Government figures show more than 550 buses arrive in the CBD during the morning peak-hour alone. That number is forecast to almost double to 1000 in the next 16 years.

But two-thirds of them are less than half-full. Across the whole day, 78 per cent of city services have less than 50 per cent occupancy.

Rather than alleviating gridlock, the under-occupied buses are part of the problem.

"Buses must mix with general traffic on major roads and city streets and compete for time and/or space with other road users at major intersections,'' reports prepared for the previous Newman government say.

Buses are frequently forced to queue back on to the Riverside Express off-ramp and Adelaide and Elizabeth streets both handle more than their official bus capacity.

Edward and Ann streets are also affected.

"These factors undermine bus travel time, reliability and operational efficiency,'' the documents say.

Robert Dow, spokesman for commuter lobby group RAIL Back On Track, says it highlights the need for an overhaul of Brisbane's bus routes.

"The bus network for Brisbane is a disgraceful mess,'' he said.

"It is extraordinarily complex. There are too many buses where they are not required, we flood the CBD with too many buses while leaving too few in the suburbs. Entire suburbs are black holes left without frequent services.'' ...

Instead of spending billions on expanding busways and extra buses, Mr Dow says authorities should be making better use of the existing Brisbane Transport 1179-vehicle fleet by redesigning routes to provide more high-frequency services to and from interchange hubs where people can transfer to city-bound services.

The last TransLink review of the SEQ bus network in 2012-13 was a debacle, with the City Council-owned Brisbane Transport refusing to be part of it.

The State Government handed it over to the Council, which made minimal changes to services.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said it "represented a revolution rather than an evolution in public transport services''.

A TransLink spokesman told The Courier-Mail its review "aimed to remove service duplication, manage infrastructure capacity, simplify the network, improve connectivity between services and modes, and redirect resources to routes where there was overcrowding.

"These objectives were generally achieved outside the Brisbane bus network.'' ...

Back OnTrack argues the Lord Mayor's "evolution'' approach is not working.

"We estimate at four bus route changes per year, it would take five decades to reform the Brisbane bus network,'' Mr Dow said.

But Mr Quirk has ruled out another review and remains opposed to the interchanges approach.

"Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

"Once people are required to undertake a number of public transport transfers they are more likely to jump into their cars which leads to more traffic on the roads.''

[ozbob]

1st June 2015

Good Morning,

#GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets



The Courier Mail has today highlighted the fundamental problems with the Brisbane bus network.

Couriermail --> #GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets

What is disturbing is the fact that again the Lord Mayor of Brisbane confirms his ignorance and understanding of how public transport networks develop and improve.

"Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

"Once people are required to undertake a number of public transport transfers they are more likely to jump into their cars which leads to more traffic on the roads.''

People are abandoning the Brisbane bus network because of the poor frequency of service, indirect routes and of course fare unaffordability. Fare unaffordability is a consequence of the old direct network model.  By reforming the bus network more buses more often for more people can be achieved.  A transfer from a frequent feeder service into a high frequency corridor is how the developed public transport networks work. Higher fare box is then achieved, more scope for proper and well overdue fare reform as passengers return to the integrated connected frequent public transport network.

TransLink did attempt to reform the network in 2013.  A TransLink spokesman told The Courier-Mail its review "aimed to remove service duplication, manage infrastructure capacity, simplify the network, improve connectivity between services and modes, and redirect resources to routes where there was overcrowding."

"These objectives were generally achieved outside the Brisbane bus network.''

Bus network reform did go ahead outside the Brisbane bus region as TransLink have indicated. However there were many compromises and reductions in service in the other regions so that the failing Brisbane bus network could be continued by the Lord Mayor and BCC.  Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC put politics before the community need.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate properly with TransLink. Is this really equitable or morally responsible?

There is really only one solution to fixing up the mess that is public transport in Brisbane and the consequent negative flow on to the rest of SEQ.  It is this.  Bus network planning must be removed from BCC and given over to the proper authority - TransLink.  Brisbane Transport is a very good bus operator, they themselves, I have no doubt, are itching to get into network reform to deliver more bus services to more people.

Lord Mayor Quirk needs to read some basic information. Other Lord Mayors around Australia and the world embrace bus network reform and help deliver improved connected frequent networks by getting on board with reform and helping with the necessary community eduction of the benefits of reform.

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
>> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

It is clear that Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC are an anachronism.  It is time that the State Government acted in the best interests of Queenslanders and took over proper network planning through TransLink.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

27th May 2015

#GetMovingSEQ? Bus Network reform will save billions of $$$

Greetings,

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

Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network
>> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

RAIL Back on Track  calls for Brisbane City Council to get on board with bus reform - to acknowledge the benefits and help educate the public.  Billions of dollars on busways is not needed now, network reform is.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has stated that Brisbane passengers "don't like to transfer". In the context of Brisbane's bus network, this isn't surprising!

Much of the Brisbane bus network is made of infrequent, illegible and indirect routes, embarking on an hourly-or-worse suburban safari before making their way to the city. Little wonder that few would willingly transfer between such services.

Chicken, meet egg.

By contrast, and to Council's credit, the BUZ services showcase the demand for frequency and directness.

Now, not all routes can or should be BUZ routes. However, there's usually no need for local services to go to the city. By terminating at an interchange or railway station, the length of the route can be significantly reduced.

Savings from this can go into upgrading service frequency (reducing average wait time) and increasing span of hours (directly increasing personal mobility).

Council is in an unique position to educate people on the benefits of an integrated and connective network. As we have seen sadly, it is also in an unique position to hinder any attempts to introduce such a network.

RAIL Back On Track  calls on Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the benefits, to cooperate with TransLink and help perform the education - and consultation - necessary, and to work with TransLink to create an improved public transport network that advantages not only Brisbane but the entire SEQ region.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

#GetMovingSEQ: More costly busways 'not the way forward' | The Courier-Mail
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/getmovingseq-more-costly-busways-not-the-way-forward/story-fnihsrf2-1227370488418?sv=423c4f513d46c3fe3244eb4b8449e2a#.VWSsn8Fh9Yw.twitter

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Auckland does what Brisbane struggles with

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st June 2015

Higher Fares Coming Without Bus Reform

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council has a sister city agreement with Auckland City Council, New Zealand.
Auckland City Council finished their bus review and are now making the changes. Brisbane City Council is not.
Auckland bus patronage is increasing, not decreasing. Connections have increased, not decreased, patronage.

The Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says that he doesn't like the idea of passengers connecting. If you are against connections
then you are also against a simple, frequent and affordable bus network for your city. It's as simple as that.

It's not a case of transfers vs no transfers, but a case of some transfers versus 15% and 20% fare increases.

This Auckland Transport video explains why we think Graham Quirk has got it wrong on the bus network.

We also performed our own research into Brisbane City Council's Bus network. Our survey data shows that
when passengers are asked to trade off higher fares or connections, they choose connections. And without connections,
fares will go up.

Brisbane City Council cannot expect the Queensland Government to shell out billions and billions of dollars on busway
tunnels just because it can't be bothered fixing up its own bus network ideology.



Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New Bus Network Proposal (Updated) ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Survey Findings ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/2015RBOTBusReformSurvey.pdf

Survey Submissions (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Survey Submissions (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/RBOT_Feedback_Part2.pdf

1st June 2015

Good Morning,

#GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets



The Courier Mail has today highlighted the fundamental problems with the Brisbane bus network.

Couriermail --> #GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets

What is disturbing is the fact that again the Lord Mayor of Brisbane confirms his ignorance and understanding of how public transport networks develop and improve.

"Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

"Once people are required to undertake a number of public transport transfers they are more likely to jump into their cars which leads to more traffic on the roads.''

People are abandoning the Brisbane bus network because of the poor frequency of service, indirect routes and of course fare unaffordability. Fare unaffordability is a consequence of the old direct network model.  By reforming the bus network more buses more often for more people can be achieved.  A transfer from a frequent feeder service into a high frequency corridor is how the developed public transport networks work. Higher fare box is then achieved, more scope for proper and well overdue fare reform as passengers return to the integrated connected frequent public transport network.

TransLink did attempt to reform the network in 2013.  A TransLink spokesman told The Courier-Mail its review "aimed to remove service duplication, manage infrastructure capacity, simplify the network, improve connectivity between services and modes, and redirect resources to routes where there was overcrowding."

"These objectives were generally achieved outside the Brisbane bus network.''

Bus network reform did go ahead outside the Brisbane bus region as TransLink have indicated. However there were many compromises and reductions in service in the other regions so that the failing Brisbane bus network could be continued by the Lord Mayor and BCC.  Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC put politics before the community need.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate properly with TransLink. Is this really equitable or morally responsible?

There is really only one solution to fixing up the mess that is public transport in Brisbane and the consequent negative flow on to the rest of SEQ.  It is this.  Bus network planning must be removed from BCC and given over to the proper authority - TransLink.  Brisbane Transport is a very good bus operator, they themselves, I have no doubt, are itching to get into network reform to deliver more bus services to more people.

Lord Mayor Quirk needs to read some basic information. Other Lord Mayors around Australia and the world embrace bus network reform and help deliver improved connected frequent networks by getting on board with reform and helping with the necessary community eduction of the benefits of reform.

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
>> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

It is clear that Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC are an anachronism.  It is time that the State Government acted in the best interests of Queenslanders and took over proper network planning through TransLink.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

27th May 2015

#GetMovingSEQ? Bus Network reform will save billions of $$$

Greetings,

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

Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network
>> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

RAIL Back on Track  calls for Brisbane City Council to get on board with bus reform - to acknowledge the benefits and help educate the public.  Billions of dollars on busways is not needed now, network reform is.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has stated that Brisbane passengers "don't like to transfer". In the context of Brisbane's bus network, this isn't surprising!

Much of the Brisbane bus network is made of infrequent, illegible and indirect routes, embarking on an hourly-or-worse suburban safari before making their way to the city. Little wonder that few would willingly transfer between such services.

Chicken, meet egg.

By contrast, and to Council's credit, the BUZ services showcase the demand for frequency and directness.

Now, not all routes can or should be BUZ routes. However, there's usually no need for local services to go to the city. By terminating at an interchange or railway station, the length of the route can be significantly reduced.

Savings from this can go into upgrading service frequency (reducing average wait time) and increasing span of hours (directly increasing personal mobility).

Council is in an unique position to educate people on the benefits of an integrated and connective network. As we have seen sadly, it is also in an unique position to hinder any attempts to introduce such a network.

RAIL Back On Track  calls on Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the benefits, to cooperate with TransLink and help perform the education - and consultation - necessary, and to work with TransLink to create an improved public transport network that advantages not only Brisbane but the entire SEQ region.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

#GetMovingSEQ: More costly busways 'not the way forward' | The Courier-Mail
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/getmovingseq-more-costly-busways-not-the-way-forward/story-fnihsrf2-1227370488418?sv=423c4f513d46c3fe3244eb4b8449e2a#.VWSsn8Fh9Yw.twitter

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Auckland does what Brisbane struggles with

[ozbob]

Despite the transport authorities suggesting reform is needed.  Quirk hangs onto the past.  He is definitely yesterday's Lord Mayor.  The best thing he can do is move on and retire, like some of the other councillors are doing.

The State Government must step in now.  This is beyond farce.

[SurfRail]

What a putz.

Gold Coast network changes - 22% patronage uplift, EVEN WITH crap fares and crap hours of operation on most routes.

Brisbane (no) network changes - patronage losses.

There is no excuse for this kind of rampant stupidity any more (not like there ever was).

[curator49]

What a load of bull dust from Quirk. Brisbane has grown up to be a major city covering a vast area. People in other major cities have grown accustomed to changing modes of transport at interchanges or from one service terminating to catch another for an onward journey. London is a case in point.
Quirk's buses aren't personal door-to-door transport they are meant to provide a service for the whole of Brisbane and improvements to cross city services are sadly lacking. Many of Brisbane's bus services go into the city and just clog up the arteries even if they are only carrying a few passengers.
The sooner Quirk retires the better and a proper independent review on Brisbane's buses should be carried out forthwith.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd June 2015

Brisbane City Council Bus Network Feedback

Greetings.

As part of our new bus network proposal, we asked commuters their thoughts about Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus network.

We asked: 'What comments do you have about Brisbane City Council's Current Bus Network?' ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Here is a sample of what they told us:

"Highly wasteful network operation, unreliable services. Poor integration with rail."

"I frequently use buranda busway as an interchange to get from Camp Hill to UQ faster as the direct 209 route can be infrequent."

"Confusing to use with too many routes."

"Bus network is infrequent, unreliable and uncoordinated."

"Illogical and irrational ­ especially the stop locations and the names of stops with their numbering system. It's also very inefficient."

"Brisbane City Council's network has so much duplication in it. This is evident particularly in the central areas of Brisbane, where all these buses meet and become congested."

"The current network is overly complex, with too many routes seemingly servicing similar areas, making it difficult to know which buses run where, and where they stop in the CBD."

"Inefficient, too much duplication (e.g. similar routes with different CBD stops), confusing (too many routes), poor high frequency coverage."

"There is too much duplication and not enough frequency in the suburbs. Services are wildly complicated. Simple should be the way to go."

"Does not create a network but is just a collection of CBD centric routes with no linkages across/to the railway system."

Our new bus network proposal http://tiny.cc/newnetwork will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. It includes a new CentenaryGlider every 10 minutes for the Centenary suburbs and a new BulimbaGlider for Bulimba, serving both Thynne and Riding roads. It is funded by rearranging existing bus services. For convenience, we also provide a service quality map of Brisbane City Council's current bus network http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus which shows just how poor the service quality actually is.

The Lord Mayor  freely admits that he does not use his own bus network. If there ever was a case for bus network reform, that's it right there.

So come on Brisbane City Council. Fix up your bus network.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

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

Graham Quirk unable to remember when he last caught bus
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/graham-quirk-unable-to-remember-when-he-last-caught-bus-20140402-35yb9.html

survey connections


Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

Survey Submissions (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Survey Submissions (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/RBOT_Feedback_Part2.pdf

Sent to all outlets:

1st June 2015

Higher Fares Coming Without Bus Reform

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council has a sister city agreement with Auckland City Council, New Zealand.
Auckland City Council finished their bus review and are now making the changes. Brisbane City Council is not.
Auckland bus patronage is increasing, not decreasing. Connections have increased, not decreased, patronage.

The Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says that he doesn't like the idea of passengers connecting. If you are against connections
then you are also against a simple, frequent and affordable bus network for your city. It's as simple as that.

It's not a case of transfers vs no transfers, but a case of some transfers versus 15% and 20% fare increases.

This Auckland Transport video explains why we think Graham Quirk has got it wrong on the bus network.

We also performed our own research into Brisbane City Council's Bus network. Our survey data shows that
when passengers are asked to trade off higher fares or connections, they choose connections. And without connections,
fares will go up.

Brisbane City Council cannot expect the Queensland Government to shell out billions and billions of dollars on busway
tunnels just because it can't be bothered fixing up its own bus network ideology.



Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New Bus Network Proposal (Updated) ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Survey Findings ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/2015RBOTBusReformSurvey.pdf

Survey Submissions (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Survey Submissions (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/RBOT_Feedback_Part2.pdf

1st June 2015

Good Morning,

#GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets



The Courier Mail has today highlighted the fundamental problems with the Brisbane bus network.

Couriermail --> #GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets

What is disturbing is the fact that again the Lord Mayor of Brisbane confirms his ignorance and understanding of how public transport networks develop and improve.

"Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

"Once people are required to undertake a number of public transport transfers they are more likely to jump into their cars which leads to more traffic on the roads.''

People are abandoning the Brisbane bus network because of the poor frequency of service, indirect routes and of course fare unaffordability. Fare unaffordability is a consequence of the old direct network model.  By reforming the bus network more buses more often for more people can be achieved.  A transfer from a frequent feeder service into a high frequency corridor is how the developed public transport networks work. Higher fare box is then achieved, more scope for proper and well overdue fare reform as passengers return to the integrated connected frequent public transport network.

TransLink did attempt to reform the network in 2013.  A TransLink spokesman told The Courier-Mail its review "aimed to remove service duplication, manage infrastructure capacity, simplify the network, improve connectivity between services and modes, and redirect resources to routes where there was overcrowding."

"These objectives were generally achieved outside the Brisbane bus network.''

Bus network reform did go ahead outside the Brisbane bus region as TransLink have indicated. However there were many compromises and reductions in service in the other regions so that the failing Brisbane bus network could be continued by the Lord Mayor and BCC.  Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC put politics before the community need.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate properly with TransLink. Is this really equitable or morally responsible?

There is really only one solution to fixing up the mess that is public transport in Brisbane and the consequent negative flow on to the rest of SEQ.  It is this.  Bus network planning must be removed from BCC and given over to the proper authority - TransLink.  Brisbane Transport is a very good bus operator, they themselves, I have no doubt, are itching to get into network reform to deliver more bus services to more people.

Lord Mayor Quirk needs to read some basic information. Other Lord Mayors around Australia and the world embrace bus network reform and help deliver improved connected frequent networks by getting on board with reform and helping with the necessary community eduction of the benefits of reform.

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
>> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

It is clear that Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC are an anachronism.  It is time that the State Government acted in the best interests of Queenslanders and took over proper network planning through TransLink.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

27th May 2015

#GetMovingSEQ? Bus Network reform will save billions of $$$

Greetings,

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

Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network
>> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

RAIL Back on Track  calls for Brisbane City Council to get on board with bus reform - to acknowledge the benefits and help educate the public.  Billions of dollars on busways is not needed now, network reform is.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has stated that Brisbane passengers "don't like to transfer". In the context of Brisbane's bus network, this isn't surprising!

Much of the Brisbane bus network is made of infrequent, illegible and indirect routes, embarking on an hourly-or-worse suburban safari before making their way to the city. Little wonder that few would willingly transfer between such services.

Chicken, meet egg.

By contrast, and to Council's credit, the BUZ services showcase the demand for frequency and directness.

Now, not all routes can or should be BUZ routes. However, there's usually no need for local services to go to the city. By terminating at an interchange or railway station, the length of the route can be significantly reduced.

Savings from this can go into upgrading service frequency (reducing average wait time) and increasing span of hours (directly increasing personal mobility).

Council is in an unique position to educate people on the benefits of an integrated and connective network. As we have seen sadly, it is also in an unique position to hinder any attempts to introduce such a network.

RAIL Back On Track  calls on Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the benefits, to cooperate with TransLink and help perform the education - and consultation - necessary, and to work with TransLink to create an improved public transport network that advantages not only Brisbane but the entire SEQ region.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

#GetMovingSEQ: More costly busways 'not the way forward' | The Courier-Mail
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/getmovingseq-more-costly-busways-not-the-way-forward/story-fnihsrf2-1227370488418?sv=423c4f513d46c3fe3244eb4b8449e2a#.VWSsn8Fh9Yw.twitter

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Auckland does what Brisbane struggles with

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> 'NEW buses carrying up to 150 passengers ... '

NEW buses carrying up to 150 passengers would be used on some of Brisbane's busiest routes under a plan from commuter campaigners.

Lobby group RAIL Back On Track has drawn up a detailed overhaul of the city's bus network that it claims would give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years.

The proposal includes articulated buses up to 18.75 metres long running every 10 minutes along the dedicated busways and other major roads between the CBD and suburban interchanges and key destinations.

Spokesman Robert Dow said the services would free up smaller buses to shuttle passengers between the suburbs and the interchange hubs.

Filling up with passengers from feeder services at key hubs would take hundreds of half-empty buses out of the city centre.

"It would operate almost like a light rail system,'' Mr Dow said.

"We envisage electric buses would be used in the future, recharged from renewable sources."

A TransLink spokesman confirmed officials recently met the group to discuss the proposed network reform.

Queensland Bus Industry Council executive director David Tape said frequency was the key to more patronage.

"We need to look at network efficiencies," he said. "I'm sure there are more improvements that can be made.''

But Brisbane City Council still insists no major changes to the network are needed.

A City Council spokesman said 30 of the 1179-bus fleet were 18m vehicles with a capacity of 97 passengers.

"Council's articulated buses could have a passenger capacity (seated and standing) of 130 people through variation to the seating configuration," he said. "However, we prefer to maximise seating options for passengers.''

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd June 2015

Super-buses and bus network reform for Brisbane

Good Morning!

The Couriermail has today highlighted the need for for more super-buses on a reformed bus network.

>> 'NEW buses carrying up to 150 passengers ... '


What is very interesting is the comment from Queensland Bus Industry Council executive director David Tape who said frequency was the key to more patronage.

"We need to look at network efficiencies," he said. "I'm sure there are more improvements that can be made.''

Exactly.  The only people opposed to bus network reform are Lord Mayor Quirk and Brisbane City Council.  Network reform will give improvements to frequency and services all over Brisbane.  Areas that are service poor will have access to high frequency bus services.

If BCC will not allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate fully with TransLink to drive necessary and urgent bus network reform there is only one alternative.

The State Government must move to give full network planning control to TransLink by removing this from Brisbane City Council.  Our public transport is bigger than the Brisbane bus network and petty politics of Brisbane City Council.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

2nd June 2015

Brisbane City Council Bus Network Feedback

Greetings.

As part of our new bus network proposal, we asked commuters their thoughts about Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bus network.

We asked: 'What comments do you have about Brisbane City Council's Current Bus Network?' ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Here is a sample of what they told us:

"Highly wasteful network operation, unreliable services. Poor integration with rail."

"I frequently use buranda busway as an interchange to get from Camp Hill to UQ faster as the direct 209 route can be infrequent."

"Confusing to use with too many routes."

"Bus network is infrequent, unreliable and uncoordinated."

"Illogical and irrational ­ especially the stop locations and the names of stops with their numbering system. It's also very inefficient."

"Brisbane City Council's network has so much duplication in it. This is evident particularly in the central areas of Brisbane, where all these buses meet and become congested."

"The current network is overly complex, with too many routes seemingly servicing similar areas, making it difficult to know which buses run where, and where they stop in the CBD."

"Inefficient, too much duplication (e.g. similar routes with different CBD stops), confusing (too many routes), poor high frequency coverage."

"There is too much duplication and not enough frequency in the suburbs. Services are wildly complicated. Simple should be the way to go."

"Does not create a network but is just a collection of CBD centric routes with no linkages across/to the railway system."

Our new bus network proposal http://tiny.cc/newnetwork will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network within two years. It includes a new CentenaryGlider every 10 minutes for the Centenary suburbs and a new BulimbaGlider for Bulimba, serving both Thynne and Riding roads. It is funded by rearranging existing bus services. For convenience, we also provide a service quality map of Brisbane City Council's current bus network http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus which shows just how poor the service quality actually is.

The Lord Mayor  freely admits that he does not use his own bus network. If there ever was a case for bus network reform, that's it right there.

So come on Brisbane City Council. Fix up your bus network.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

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

Graham Quirk unable to remember when he last caught bus
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/graham-quirk-unable-to-remember-when-he-last-caught-bus-20140402-35yb9.html

survey connections


Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

Survey Submissions (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Survey Submissions (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/RBOT_Feedback_Part2.pdf

Sent to all outlets:

1st June 2015

Higher Fares Coming Without Bus Reform

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council has a sister city agreement with Auckland City Council, New Zealand.
Auckland City Council finished their bus review and are now making the changes. Brisbane City Council is not.
Auckland bus patronage is increasing, not decreasing. Connections have increased, not decreased, patronage.

The Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says that he doesn't like the idea of passengers connecting. If you are against connections
then you are also against a simple, frequent and affordable bus network for your city. It's as simple as that.

It's not a case of transfers vs no transfers, but a case of some transfers versus 15% and 20% fare increases.

This Auckland Transport video explains why we think Graham Quirk has got it wrong on the bus network.

We also performed our own research into Brisbane City Council's Bus network. Our survey data shows that
when passengers are asked to trade off higher fares or connections, they choose connections. And without connections,
fares will go up.

Brisbane City Council cannot expect the Queensland Government to shell out billions and billions of dollars on busway
tunnels just because it can't be bothered fixing up its own bus network ideology.



Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New Bus Network Proposal (Updated) ---> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Survey Findings ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/2015RBOTBusReformSurvey.pdf

Survey Submissions (Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/BusReformFeedbackBCC.pdf

Survey Submissions (RAIL Back on Track New Bus Network Proposal) ---> http://backontrack.org/docs/busreform/RBOT_Feedback_Part2.pdf

1st June 2015

Good Morning,

#GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets



The Courier Mail has today highlighted the fundamental problems with the Brisbane bus network.

Couriermail --> #GetMovingSEQ: Empty buses clogging Brisbane streets

What is disturbing is the fact that again the Lord Mayor of Brisbane confirms his ignorance and understanding of how public transport networks develop and improve.

"Feedback from commuters is they prefer direct journeys,'' he said.

"Once people are required to undertake a number of public transport transfers they are more likely to jump into their cars which leads to more traffic on the roads.''

People are abandoning the Brisbane bus network because of the poor frequency of service, indirect routes and of course fare unaffordability. Fare unaffordability is a consequence of the old direct network model.  By reforming the bus network more buses more often for more people can be achieved.  A transfer from a frequent feeder service into a high frequency corridor is how the developed public transport networks work. Higher fare box is then achieved, more scope for proper and well overdue fare reform as passengers return to the integrated connected frequent public transport network.

TransLink did attempt to reform the network in 2013.  A TransLink spokesman told The Courier-Mail its review "aimed to remove service duplication, manage infrastructure capacity, simplify the network, improve connectivity between services and modes, and redirect resources to routes where there was overcrowding."

"These objectives were generally achieved outside the Brisbane bus network.''

Bus network reform did go ahead outside the Brisbane bus region as TransLink have indicated. However there were many compromises and reductions in service in the other regions so that the failing Brisbane bus network could be continued by the Lord Mayor and BCC.  Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC put politics before the community need.  BCC refused to allow Brisbane Transport to cooperate properly with TransLink. Is this really equitable or morally responsible?

There is really only one solution to fixing up the mess that is public transport in Brisbane and the consequent negative flow on to the rest of SEQ.  It is this.  Bus network planning must be removed from BCC and given over to the proper authority - TransLink.  Brisbane Transport is a very good bus operator, they themselves, I have no doubt, are itching to get into network reform to deliver more bus services to more people.

Lord Mayor Quirk needs to read some basic information. Other Lord Mayors around Australia and the world embrace bus network reform and help deliver improved connected frequent networks by getting on board with reform and helping with the necessary community eduction of the benefits of reform.

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
>> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

It is clear that Lord Mayor Quirk and BCC are an anachronism.  It is time that the State Government acted in the best interests of Queenslanders and took over proper network planning through TransLink.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

27th May 2015

#GetMovingSEQ? Bus Network reform will save billions of $$$

Greetings,

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

Current Brisbane City Council Bus Network
>> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Report: Frequency is Freedom
>> http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

RAIL Back on Track  calls for Brisbane City Council to get on board with bus reform - to acknowledge the benefits and help educate the public.  Billions of dollars on busways is not needed now, network reform is.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has stated that Brisbane passengers "don't like to transfer". In the context of Brisbane's bus network, this isn't surprising!

Much of the Brisbane bus network is made of infrequent, illegible and indirect routes, embarking on an hourly-or-worse suburban safari before making their way to the city. Little wonder that few would willingly transfer between such services.

Chicken, meet egg.

By contrast, and to Council's credit, the BUZ services showcase the demand for frequency and directness.

Now, not all routes can or should be BUZ routes. However, there's usually no need for local services to go to the city. By terminating at an interchange or railway station, the length of the route can be significantly reduced.

Savings from this can go into upgrading service frequency (reducing average wait time) and increasing span of hours (directly increasing personal mobility).

Council is in an unique position to educate people on the benefits of an integrated and connective network. As we have seen sadly, it is also in an unique position to hinder any attempts to introduce such a network.

RAIL Back On Track  calls on Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the benefits, to cooperate with TransLink and help perform the education - and consultation - necessary, and to work with TransLink to create an improved public transport network that advantages not only Brisbane but the entire SEQ region.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

#GetMovingSEQ: More costly busways 'not the way forward' | The Courier-Mail
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/getmovingseq-more-costly-busways-not-the-way-forward/story-fnihsrf2-1227370488418?sv=423c4f513d46c3fe3244eb4b8449e2a#.VWSsn8Fh9Yw.twitter

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Auckland does what Brisbane struggles with

[STB]

This I must say has probably been the best coverage of public transport in the media in a very long time, stripped of PR fluff from the Minister's office, and given the warts and all treatment.  Community education is going to be key moving on from this, and a massive political cultural change and potential legal change to Brisbane City Council so Brisbane Transport isn't linked to two levels of political interference.  Nice going all!

[ozbob]

This I must say has probably been the best coverage of public transport in the media in a very long time, stripped of PR fluff from the Minister's office, and given the warts and all treatment.  Community education is going to be key moving on from this, and a massive political cultural change and potential legal change to Brisbane City Council so Brisbane Transport isn't linked to two levels of political interference.  Nice going all!

Possibly ever?  Good job Daryl P. and CM.

[ozbob]

You are spot on about community education.  The people fear change, they are wedded to a single seat from outer suburbia to CBD and then complain bitterly about the high unaffordable fares and bus jam. Poor frequency and limited span of hours!   BCC exploits the public's naivety and lack of network understanding.  BCC is a disgrace IMHO.

TransLink also has to lift the game.  Is there anything about the benefits of a connected network on their website?  Any real public transport education material?  No, all just waffle, spin and basic information on existing poor services and fare structure. And of course the cryptic data they make available.

[ozbob]

Why should I transfer from the mighty 524 bus at Goodna rail, shouldn't the bus go all the way to the City?   

[Jonno]

The quote about the network running like light rail routes sums it up perfectly.  The vehicle is less important than the route, the stations, the frequency, the priority and the connectivity.

[#Metro]

Trambuses

[STB]

TransLink also has to lift the game.  Is there anything about the benefits of a connected network on their website?  Any real public transport education material?  No, all just waffle, spin and basic information on existing poor services and fare structure. And of course the cryptic data they make available.

In all honesty, I think TransLink should be independent to Government to a massive extent, as it pretty much was back between 2005-2008 (even though it was still part of the Department of Transport), to allow them to go ahead and make the changes in a careful but needed manner and to be given the resources to actually do the right work both in funding and the type of staff involved.  I'm not sure if TransLink currently have the right amount of staff to do the work nor the right type of staff to do the work who have the right level of experience and open mindedness about their own internal operations (eg: website design), and the thoughts on the network.

[ozbob]

Agreed .. PTQ   

[techblitz]

take a look at translink facebook page and the mess on the shorncliffe line this morning...why would anyone want to transfer into a line which if experiencing delays....the delays are not even properly communicated to translink and its app?.....until translink and QR get thier communication act together there will be no trust from bus commuters hooking into thier morning/afternoon peak networks.....

Good morning. We have not received any information from Queensland Rail regarding any delays on the Shorncliffe line. If this changes the updates will be posted on the website as soon as we receive them. -***

Hello ***. Thank you for all that information regarding your journey this morning. I will be sending your posts to #QR management regarding the delays on the Shorncliffe line today to find out exactly what happened and at what time.

suggestion: give QR access to the translink website service status section and give them the ability to instantly update the commuting public on any delays...

[SurfRail]

Suggestion - scrap QR and TransLink and have a single agency responsible for public transport which can do the whole thing without operating in silos.   

[James]

take a look at translink facebook page and the mess on the shorncliffe line this morning...why would anyone want to transfer into a line which if experiencing delays....the delays are not even properly communicated to translink and its app?.....until translink and QR get thier communication act together there will be no trust from bus commuters hooking into thier morning/afternoon peak networks.....

suggestion: give QR access to the translink website service status section and give them the ability to instantly update the commuting public on any delays...

Whinge whinge whinge. It is all too hard. What happens when the trains break down in Vancouver? Perth? Auckland? The Gold Coast?

Simple solution is to allow QR direct input and improve communications. Not difficult. The people of Brisbane need to get out of this 'big country town' mentality and grow up. Just because a line may face delays once every month or so, it is no reason to say 'I want a direct bus going everywhere'.

[techblitz]

james bzzzzzt plz......your on this vendetta of blaming bus users and grannies for everything....

Just because a line may face delays once every month or so

what are you on?.....once a month delays?
a concerted effort from all parties is required here.....BT needs to rededsign......QR needs to get on top of its track issues,dda and communication....translink...needs to keep on top of its website/app updating....
NGR? how about #NGA -next generation attitude across the board 

[Stillwater]

^^ Spot-on SurfRail.  Bring on Q-Trans!

[ozbob]

Did a pre-record interview about network reform with Rebecca Levingston 612 ABC earlier today. For the Drive show after 3pm today.

Thanks for the interest Rebecca and 612!

[SurfRail]

a concerted effort from all parties is required here

I would say there is a need for a concerted effort to reduce the number of parties involved.

[techblitz]

a concerted effort from all parties is required here

I would say there is a need for a concerted effort to reduce the number of parties involved.

the number of commuters/employees wanting this will only increase as communication issues and network unreliability increases...

[SurfRail]

^ By "this", do you mean what I said or something else?

The PTA in WA doesn't have to ask another agency what is happening with its buses or trains.

[ozbob]

Did a pre-record interview about network reform with Rebecca Levingston 612 ABC earlier today. For the Drive show after 3pm today.

Thanks for the interest Rebecca and 612!

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2015/06/could-super-busses-come-to-brisbane.html?site=brisbane&program=612_drive

Could super busses come to Brisbane?

03 June 2015 , 5:41 PM by Lachlan Mackintosh

How would you rate Brisbane's bus network?

Robert Dow from Rail Back On Track wants to see bigger busses servicing Brisbane's CBD and busway, which he says would free up smaller buses to shuttle passengers between the suburbs and interchange hubs.

>> https://soundcloud.com/612abcbrisbane/could-super-busses-come-to-brisbane

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th June 2015

Don't renew Brisbane City Council Bus Contract?

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

Auckland City Council Bus Network Review

Greetings,

The Brisbane City Council bus contract is due for renewal in September. Once again the Lord Mayor has confirmed that the message just isn't getting through to City Hall. Bus network reform is urgently needed for Brisbane. Other regions outside of Brisbane have had bus reform.  Gold Coast bus patronage has soared.  Brisbane, bus patronage is falling or stagnant.

Our message to Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is this - Don't renew Brisbane City Council's bus contract. The Queensland Government already owns the buses and is paying most of their running costs anyway. Taking direct State Government public control of the buses will mean State Government money will be spent efficiently, unlike now.

Massive 15% and 20% fare increases will return unless buses are removed from Brisbane City Council. With parliamentary seats the way they are, massive fare increases mean the potential loss of government at the next election.

Families can't afford another Council fuelled 15% and 20% bus cost explosion.

Outsourcing the bus operations to Brisbane City Council should cease and the bus operations brought into State Government public ownership through nationalisation.

All Brisbane Transport employees should be offered employment with the Queensland Government, similar to how it is set up in Sydney with State Transit buses.

All necessary changes, including securing funding supply, can be legislated by altering The City of Brisbane Act 2010.

Our New Bus Network proposal shows how a reformed network can operate >> http://tiny.cc/newnetwork
While there is increased use of connections, most passengers will see no need to change. It is funded by recycling existing bus resources.

Compare this to what the Lord Mayor and Brisbane City Council have to offer http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Insisting on running all buses directly to the CBD means a low quality, low frequency, high fares bus network. Brisbane City Council cancelled high-frequency bus services planned for Yeronga, Albany Creek and Centenary in the 2013 bus review because after it spent all the money running all buses to the CBD, there were no funds left over for decent service in these areas.

These areas now remain public transport black holes with terrible service.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad must intervene and fix Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's failing bus network.

The Queensland Government is elected to act. History has shown that governments that fail to act are quickly removed from office.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

612 ABC Brisbane interview: Could super busses come to Brisbane?
https://soundcloud.com/612abcbrisbane/could-super-busses-come-to-brisbane

Transferring is Good For You and Your City
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Report: Frequency is Freedom
http://backontrack.org/docs/bus/reform/BusReformBlueprint.pdf

Empty Buses clogging Brisbane Streets
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/getmovingseq-empty-buses-clogging-brisbane-streets/story-fnihsrf2-1227377268454

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th June 2015

Bus Cost Explosion to continue?

The record for recent Transport Ministers in Queensland isn't good . One by one, they lose control and are removed from office.

The Beattie Administration created TransLink in 2004 so that buses worked with trains and ferries. Single network, single ticket, single price. The purpose of these reforms was to permit passengers to transfer from one mode to another. One of the best reforms ever in south-east Queensland.

Why? Because transfers are central to sustainable transport in a large and growing city.

The Bligh administration didn't review the bus network. The result? Explosive 20% and 15% fare increases which slammed minimum wage workers, refugees and Centrelink recipients. Election goner.

The Newman administration came along. The former Transport Minister spectacularly lost control of his own portfolio to Brisbane City Council. The result? 7.5% fare increases on top of already high fares. Passengers abandoned the network and discounting didn't bring them back. Fiddling. Election goner.

Under bus reform, new CityGliders to Bulimba and the Centenary suburbs would have shored up marginal seats. A totally different election outcome was possible. Opportunity gone.

Successive governments have lost sight of TransLink's single network, single ticket, single price purpose. The purpose is to enable transferring, or put another way, "integration".

Non-integrated, fragmented networks are inefficient, ineffective and infrequent. They offer black hole service in the suburbs, overload busway infrastructure in the city, and above all, are incredibly expensive to operate. This is why fares and subsidies have gone up, and patronage has gone down.

How long can that really continue?

Brisbane City Council has little incentive to change. After all, the State Government already owns the buses, pays around 75% of the operating costs and pays for almost all the busway infrastructure, old and new. It even bears the brunt of criticism when fares go up.

We now have a new Transport Minister. All the problems the previous three Queensland Governments failed to fix are still there. And they're getting worse.

Will the present Government succumb to the bus cost explosion that has engulfed her predecessors? Time will tell.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

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

Brisbane City Council Bus Network ---> http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus

Auckland Transport Bus Network Reform


Transferring Is 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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow now

History repeating? > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11443.msg157112#msg157112 ...     >> ...  #qldpol @jackietrad @scottemerson  #busfailBCC @TMRQld O_o

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th June 2015

Greetings

Superbus plan closest thing to Light Rail

RAIL Back on Track welcomes public interest in our New Bus Network Proposal (http://tiny.cc/newnetwork).
In addition to enhanced capacity, superbuses mean a much simpler light-rail style network that is fast, frequent and affordable for all. It's the closest thing to light rail without laying the track.

Brisbane City Council appears to be under utilising the existing banana (articulated) bus fleet. This is an inefficiency, and leaves people behind on busy routes in peak hour such as Route 66. So  while 1000 - 2000 buses are leaving passengers behind every month, the capacity to take those passengers already exists but is unused.

Brisbane City Council says that its 'banana' buses carry 97 passengers, but could carry up to 130 passengers with minimal changes. So, a whole 25% of the bus capacity is wasted! We thought the purpose of these bigger buses were to add more capacity to the bus network. Why aren't they being fully used, leaving people behind?

Under our new bus network proposal these routes would be 'superbussed'.  With all door boarding, passengers just swipe on, and swipe off.

Route 66 RBWH to UQ Lakes via Busway
Route 222 Carindale Interchange via Old Cleveland Rd
Route 333 Chermside Interchange
Route 400 CentenaryGlider to CBD (new service)
Route 412 UQ St Lucia

The new 400 CentenaryGlider would run every 10 minutes from the Centenary suburbs, and have 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights. Superbus capacity will permit Indooroopilly to become an interchange hub. By not running all local buses to the Brisbane CBD, more local buses will run more often for the western suburbs.

Unlike roads, public transport isn't built, it's operated. So instead of spending billions on busway extensions that can't even handle increased load, we should be investing in improved service and bus reform. It's cheaper and it's more cost effective. No funds should be given to Brisbane City Council for more infrastructure unless it agrees to bus reform, cuts waste and inefficiency.

The Lord Mayor says that Brisbane is a 'New World City'. Well, New World Cities  such as Vancouver, Toronto and Auckland run networks based around connections. Our plan will give Brisbane Australia's best bus network in 2 years.

It's not 1988 any more. Jackie Trad and Graham Quirk, please fix up the bus network!

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

New buses carrying up to 150 passengers could be used on Brisbane's busiest routes
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/new-buses-carrying-up-to-150-passengers-could-be-used-on-brisbanes-busiest-routes/story-fnihsrf2-1227380120225

MAN Lion's City Superbus (150 Passengers)

612 ABC Brisbane interview: Could super busses come to Brisbane?
https://soundcloud.com/612abcbrisbane/could-super-busses-come-to-brisbane