BCC propose a progressive bus review & a public transport alliance model

[HappyTrainGuy]

Out west a lot of the so called ' feeder buses ' are 30 minutes at peak!  Often with spans that also limit the ability of people to use them rather than drive.

Off peak buses are often one hourly, and as we have noted sometimes cancelled!  Which makes it all a lot more diabolical of course.

It seems clear to me that most of SEQ is going to have to put up with generally mediocre bus options for a while yet.

But digressing a bit from the main thrust here.  Most of Brisbane is better placed for frequent bus (just a function of population, route overlap etc.).   Park and ride within inner Brisbane is largely a waste, some limited here and there.  As you move out, and even in outer Brisbane itself park and ride becomes a lot more significant.  Bus options drop off though in general terms (some exceptions).

Strathpine peak hour bus frequency. 60 minutes.

And one wonders why all the railway station car parks on the Caboolture line have just exploded. Just have a look at how many buses and what their frequency are

[#Metro]

Don't forget the colour blind people!  Actually, I'm not sure if colour in this context meets the DDA?

Yes, it is a good point there STB. We also have a limited vocab when it comes to some colours - for example, which yellow is the yellow bus? There are four or five shades of it in that panel that was posted up.

The current Brisbane Transport Blue and Yellow is very good visibility. It's good as it is, short of painting the bus Fanta Orange or Hot Pink.

[verbatim9]

Maybe they are thinking to do something like in Sydney Re Metro Bus
http://www.sydneybuses.info/routes/metrobus

[bcasey]

I would be very wary of going too overboard with colour branding on buses, as it locks buses into only being able to do those routes. It would hinder driver shift and bus run optimisation, and could prove to be quite costly. I would suggest limiting it to branding certain buses (most likely higher capacity ones) as part of the high-frequency brand, and leave the standard branding on all other buses which will provide the lower-frequency services. This allows for some flexibility for which routes each type of bus can run, while still making the high-frequency buses more visible.

http://humantransit.org/2013/03/branding-individual-routes-too-many-colors-or-the-gold-standard-of-legibility.html

[verbatim9]

I would be very wary of going too overboard with colour branding on buses, as it locks buses into only being able to do those routes. It would hinder driver shift and bus run optimisation, and could prove to be quite costly. I would suggest limiting it to branding certain buses (most likely higher capacity ones) as part of the high-frequency brand, and leave the standard branding on all other buses which will provide the lower-frequency services. This allows for some flexibility for which routes each type of bus can run, while still making the high-frequency buses more visible.

http://humantransit.org/2013/03/branding-individual-routes-too-many-colors-or-the-gold-standard-of-legibility.html

They aready Colour Code and lock in vehicles on the Marron and Blue Glyder routes.

[ozbob]

^ which is a problem at times.  Much better fleet and operational flexibility to NOT have route specific branding.

[Gazza]

Yeah, the Maroon glider for instance results in buses dead running all the way from Langlands Park to Carina, because they cant do other routes on that corridor.

So inefficient.

[verbatim9]

Sydney uses just the one colour Red for Metro Bus I believe but the buses are also fitted with real time next stop info and audio announcements. Be good to have that in all High Frequency buses in SEQ. I am also a fan of coloured buses brightens up the city. BCC could remove the rocket brand if a new High Frequency model is design properly.

[ozbob]

Some feedback received from a person who wishes to remain anonymous, but thanks very much for your feedback.

It is well informed and will help our ongoing efforts.

I like the old system we had over the current route numbering system which was in all essence, just copied from Sydney Buses.

The old numbering system.

1. With the all stopper services. They were numbered in the 1xx range. As an example, Old Cleveland Rd all stoppers were numbered 165, 175, 185, 195. First digit meant all stops. Second digit was the route variant and last digit was the corridor ( ie, Old Cleveland Rd )

2. The Peak Rocket services. They were numbered in the 2xx range. (ie, 205 was an Old Cleveland Rd Rocket)

3. Services in the 3xx range were basically local area runs that did not go to the City/Valley. ( There were a couple of exceptions though later on )

4. The 4xx range was for City Precints services. Basically they were Rocket runs that went to and traveled around the outer CBD

5. 5xx range was the popular CityXpress routes that ran all day and night. In their time, the 5xx services ran half hourly during the day with extra services during peak and hourly after 7pm. These routes had a dedicated fleet much like todays City Gliders. ( ie, 505 was Old Cleveland Rd ) { exceptions were the 598/599 Great Circle Line }

6. Colour Coded Bus Stops for common corridors. ( ie, Blue stops were for Logan and Old Cleveland Rd services, Yellow stops were for Breakfast Creek Road / Wynnum Rd services { was a through service back then } Red stops for Gympie Rd and so on. Also had Grey, Green and Orange from memory. )

This was an effective system in the day. Colour coding made it easier for people to find their stops in the City area.

I'm not sure anything less than 3 digits would be enough for the SEQ bus network unless Cr Schrinner was thinking about using letters, eg AA , AB, AC ,........, ZA, ZB... or 11A, 11B. Not so sure about that.

Another thought is we could use 3 digit trunk routes and 2 digit feeders into interchange points to identify the service type.

Anyway, Just food for thought. May or may not be relevant for the review.



There are a lot of City services that could/should instead feed into rail.

The Enoggera Interchange should be a focal point in the review as it is already in place and at the moment is a bit of a white elephant. It was a great idea when it was built, the the lack of Bus / Train frequency let it down in the end plus the roads were not gridlocked in peak to the extent they are now.

Seems to me that now is a good time to reinvent Enoggera Interchange as now we have the frequency with the trains and should introduce high frequency with bus feeders.



Why don't we make proper use of the Sleeman Centre ( Chandler ) as a fully fledged Park n Ride. That is to say, take today's 222 and extend to Chandler.  The locals often say that in today's world, why would they go to Chandler to park and then wait for a limited service that only goes to Carindale , then have to change again to go to the City. Vice versa, come from the City to Carindale and possibly miss the limited service to Chandler and then drive.

Have the frequent service to Chandler and the people will park. ( Example, look at 8 Mile Plains )

No problem going to the City during the day (off-peak) from Redland Bay and transferring to a City service at Griffith or Carindale.
BUT, going home, pax gets to Carindale or Griffith and through no fault of their own, say the bus from the city was held up late arrival at Carindale / Griffith often means missed the bus and 1 hour trip has just become a 2 hour trip. A lot of bus users in the Redlands do complain about this problem as they have all experienced it at some time. ( Remember, I am talking about Off Peak travel )

In a perfect world, the 250 and the 270 would run every 15 minutes to Chandler to connect to the 222 to the City.
A better scenario to avoid duplication , 250 and 270 to Capalaba Park n Ride and 222 to the City, all on a minimum 15 minute frequency ( Route 222 @ 5-10 in peak ) till at least 9pm .

We no longer have service contract borders like there was pre-Translink so that should be feasible .
Transdev and BT could in essence share the 222 route.

Chandler would become a popular and handy Park n Ride Location in the process. It's already there so lets make the most of it.

[ozbob]

Parking & Transit Land Management Strategy --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg179657#msg179657

[verbatim9]

Received this morning regarding the review

Whether you catch it or not, public transport matters!

That's why I'm proud that Brisbane City Council has been involved in providing public transport services for more than 90 years.

We do this because it is an important community service, it improves accessibility for residents and it helps to reduce traffic congestion.

This year, the City of Brisbane will invest more than $120 million into providing and improving public transport.

In all other parts of Queensland, and across the nation, public transport is solely a State Government responsibility and other Councils put in little or no funding.

While it would be easy for Brisbane City Council to invest $120 million per year on other things and leave public transport entirely to the Queensland Government, this would not be the best outcome for the community.

Brisbane's investment in public transport means that residents have access to more bus and ferry services and a modern fleet.

Unlike other bus operators in SEQ, which are private companies existing to make a profit, Council bus services run on both profitable and unprofitable routes to ensure that residents have access to better services.

In fact, the fares paid by passengers boarding Council buses cover only 34% of the cost of providing bus services. The remaining 66% is covered by subsidies from Council and TransLink.

Council is determined to continue supporting public transport into the future, which is why I recently proposed a new Public Transport Alliance for Brisbane, together with a plan to improve bus services across the city.

For further information, please see the article below.

Kind regards,

Adrian Schrinner
Deputy Mayor
Councillor for Chandler Ward
Chairman for Public & Active Transport

A new Public Transport Alliance for Brisbane

Council wants to make greater use of large articulated buses (banana buses) to significantly boost the passenger carrying capacity on the busiest routes across Brisbane. Photo credit: Robert Dow.Cr Adrian Schrinner, Council's Public and Active Transport Chairman, recently launched a new plan to partner closely with the State Government to deliver improved bus services across Brisbane.

"There is no other Council operating public transport services and there are no other transport companies heavily subsidising services either, so it's pretty clear Council is not just another transport 'contractor' - we are a co-investor," Cr Schrinner said.

"By working together far more closely, I believe the State Government and Council can deliver better services for Brisbane residents."

Cr Schrinner has written to the State Minister for Transport proposing a new Public Transport Alliance for Brisbane, with a range of initiatives for Council and Translink to work on jointly to improve the public transport network.

Here's how public transport works in Brisbane at present:

The State Government sets public transport faresThe State Government receives all bus, rail & ferry fare revenueThe State Government approves all new transport routes and servicesThe State Government engages Council as a 'contractor' to operate buses and ferries, but doesn't fully fund these servicesCouncil 'tops-up' public transport funding to fill the gap left by the StateIn contrast, all other 'contractors' (i.e. private bus companies) in Southeast Queensland are fully-funded by the State GovernmentThe State pays private bus companies an average of more than $7 per trip to run bus servicesPrivate bus companies make a profit from running bus servicesThe State pays Council an average of less than $4 per trip to run bus servicesCouncil does not make a profit from running bus servicesCr Schrinner said it was time for Brisbane residents to get a better deal when it comes to public transport.

"Council is more than happy to keep funding and subsidising public transport services, but we want a seat at the table when it comes to planning a better transport network," Cr Schrinner said.

"Brisbane deserves a New World City public transport system and Council has been extremely concerned that in recent times the State Government appears to be focused more on harsh cost-cutting measures, than on improving transport for commuters."

"The last thing we want is to see reduced service levels for the 68 per cent of all public transport users who catch buses in Brisbane."

Cr Schrinner said that Council had put forward a broad ranging plan for public transport, including proposals to accommodate the future growth of the network.

"I'm calling on the Minister to work cooperatively with Council to implement our strategy for strengthening the bus system, which is the backbone of the public transport system," he said.

"We know that the State Government alone has no plans to improve the bus network, which is why it is critical for us to work together."

"A cooperative and strategic approach to public transport will result in improvements which encourage more people, not less, to take advantage of public transport, by making services more user-friendly and responsive to community needs."

Council's Public Transport Alliance for Brisbane proposal includes:

A progressive review of the Brisbane bus network to grow patronage, involving staged and systematic localised service reviews   Route simplification and re-branding of routes to make them easier for passengers to understandDeveloping a clear strategy for the use of High Capacity Buses (i.e banana buses) on the bus networkEncouraging patronage growth and multi-modal trips through sharing of future fare box revenue growth across all modes (rail, bus, and ferry)Development of demand-responsive transport options, such as Personalised Public Transport, to complement the existing TransLink networkIntroduction of a loyalty program (frequent traveller program) for go card usersDeveloping a clear Park and Ride strategy to encourage mode shift from private motor vehicles to public transport

For further information, see coverage of this plan in the Brisbane Times.

Public transport fares to become cheaper

After a long community fight for fairer public transport fares, the State Government has finally agreed to reduce fares and streamline the zone system from January 2017.

Cr Schrinner said that he had been fighting State Government fare increases for many years and the petition he established on the issue had attracted more than 4,000 signatures.

"A huge 'thank you' to everyone who signed my change.org petition," he said.

"I commend the State Government for listening to the local community on the issue of public transport fares - it's better late than never," Cr Schrinner said.

Under the new fare structure, residents from across Brisbane will benefit from TransLink fare savings.

The new fares apply to buses, CityCats and trains. For further information, including a fare calculator, please click here.

The key changes to TransLink's public transport fare structure include:Fewer zones: SEQ's 23 travel zones will be simplified to 8 zones.Cheaper fares: Fares for all zones of travel will be slashed.Extending off-peak discount: Peak period won't start until after 6am in the morning to encourage earlier travel and give these users cheaper fares. The 20 per cent off-peak discount will now apply for all travel between 7pm and 6am, between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday-Friday and all day on weekends.Kids go free on weekends:Children under the age of 15 will be able to travel free on the weekend on a child go card.Senior discounts: Seniors and pensioners will retain the 'One, Two FREE' travel8 and 50 for commuters: The Government will scrap 'Nine + FREE' and replace with 8 paid journeys and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week to deliver higher travel savings to more customers.Concessions for Queensland job seekers: TransLink will work with Federal Agencies so jobseekers on Newstart or Youth Allowance will be able to access concession fares from early 2017

Feedback shows importance of public transport

Survey after survey shows that Brisbane residents agree that public transport is critical to the future of our city.

In my recent 3 Minute Community Survey, respondents nominated 'improving public transport options' as the most effective way of fighting traffic congestion across Brisbane.

Selected results from my survey are included below. You can also see the full results by clicking on the button below.

If you haven't already completed the Community Survey, it's not too late -

Our mailing address is:

Brisbane City Council

City Hall

Adelaide Street

Brisbane, QLD 4000

Australia

[tazzer9]

I also the same email from city hall.  Anyone else notice many of the funding lies?
At least they somewhat admitted they are a contractor for translink.

[#Metro]

It is my opinion that Brisbane City Council cannot be trusted, due to their proven track record of non-co-operation and politicking, and anything they do needs to be very carefully watched over.

In all other parts of Queensland, and across the nation, public transport is solely a State Government responsibility and other Councils put in little or no funding.

Melbourne and Perth have excellent public transport provision without council involvement. Council's involvement is a historical Quirk from the 1920's.

Unlike other bus operators in SEQ, which are private companies existing to make a profit, Council bus services run on both profitable and unprofitable routes to ensure that residents have access to better services.

A company is paid to run whatever it is paid to do, whether it is profitable for the city or not. BCC knows this, which is why BCC contracts a private, for-profit, multinational corporation to run its CityCats. I doubt any bus routes in any region outside BCC is making a farebox profit.

"Council is more than happy to keep funding and subsidising public transport services, but we want a seat at the table when it comes to planning a better transport network," Cr Schrinner said.

What a bizzare claim! Total inversion of the actual situation. "Council wants a seat at the table"? Really? Both the table and the seat are inside City Hall!

"Brisbane deserves a New World City public transport system and Council has been extremely concerned that in recent times the State Government appears to be focused more on harsh cost-cutting measures, than on improving transport for commuters."

So State Government won't fund the latest cost explosion and become a passive ATM, this is cast as "cost-cutting".

We know that the State Government alone has no plans to improve the bus network, which is why it is critical for us to work together."

Nonsense. The plans are sitting at the bottom of a drawer at TransLink HQ, I expect. The reason why they are sitting there is because of BCC.

At least we can get more high capacity buses on the road (150 pax)

[City Designer]

The new bus network in Auckland New Zealand has demonstrated what can be done by breaking the network review into smaller chunks and consulting over a longer period of time.

Brisbane City Council should be encouraged to follow through with a consultative approach to network reform.

[verbatim9]

BCC may have a point if State Gov took over the bus network in Brisbane the likely scenario would be that the State will not operate the buses and would be reluctant to take whole project on. They would most likely put it out to tender and allow a  private company run it. May also be split up North and South. I do prefer what we have at the moment, management wise.

[verbatim9]

TransLink branding will take over QConnect branding in Toowoomba in mid-late 2017.  Consultation calls for the upcoming bus network reform in Tooowoomba is now open.

Toowoomba routes post-TransLink regional implementation will take on the early 900 series numbering.

https://haveyoursay.translink.com.au/improving-toowoombas-bus-network

Just regarding the 2 digit thought bubble for Brisbane busses. I don't think it's going to be happening especially since that Toowoomba will be rebranding to TransLink and 900 series numbers. I can still see them rebranding High Frequency services from Buz to ?

[SurfRail]

I don't know what their plans are for regional numbering.  They currently have regional services numbered in the 100s (Cairns), 200s (Townsville), 300s (Toowoomba - being eliminated and replaced with 900s), 400s (Rockhampton), 500s (Gladstone) and 800s (Innisfail for 80#, Sunshine Coast hinterland and Kilcoy for 89#).

The entire range would fit inside 800-999 if they could be bothered trying to make it work, which would mean no overlaps with SEQ.  If TfNSW agreed to let the Tweed routes be renumbered into the 77# and 78# range they would be discrete also.

[CQRail]

Mackay's new bus network under the Translink banner will be using the 300-310 routes numbers. Toowoomba urban routes currently only use single digits, the regional services to Crows Nest/Highfields use 300/301 and 314/315 respectively.

[verbatim9]

BCC and Translink may just use the 2 numbering system for High Frequency routes which will give a range of 89 two digit numbers. That equates to 89 different High Frequency services, more than we have now.

[ozbob]

.@Schrinner: we welcome working with Minister Hinchliffe to implement our 10 point plan for public transport in #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/EnHVIcWewV

— Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) September 29, 2016

[ozbob]

7 News just interviewed me at Roma St re these proposals.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Council launches bus campaign to mark 90th anniversary

BRISBANE'S buses were put in the spotlight today with both their past celebrated and their future questioned.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk unveiled two of the four buses that feature past iconic bus liveries to celebrate 90 years of Brisbane bus transport.

The buses, that are part of a new Brisbane Bus Pride Campaign, will hit the streets next month and remain in the bus network in the future.

"For 90 years council has invested in public transport and council's contribution of $122 million this financial year is more than all other Australian capital cities' investment combined," Cr Quirk said.

"We now have the most modern bus fleet in Australia with an average age of just 6.8 years, 100 per cent air conditioned and 100 per cent in terms of disability access.

"The iconic liveries of the 1980s Cityxpress Bus service and the 1960s Panther-style chassis will be featured in a peel-back design on four buses, to remind bus users about just how much our Brisbane buses have changed over the decades."

The unveiling of the buses brought to the forefront council's progression in their 10 Point Plan.

The 10 Point Plan, designed to reform and improve Brisbane's public transport network, is underway but Public and Active Transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said residents may have to wait until mid-2017 for the affects of the plan to come into affect.

"We want this to be part of the new contract, the new contract at this stage is expected to come into play in the middle of next year," Cr Schrinner said.

"I will be meeting very soon with the Minister for Transport to discuss the 10 point plan, he's been very receptive so far.

"We welcome his intervention in these contract negotiations and look forward to a positive outcome."

Cr Schrinner said as part of the plan council asked TransLink to update the bus timetables, with some being 10 years old.

"Consider what has happened in that 10 years in Brisbane, the city has grown and there is more traffic on the roads, but we're still dealing with timetables that are ten years old in some cases," he said.

The plan will also see bus routes rebranded and simplified, a colour-coded network and a new frequent traveller system for all go-card users.

For more information about council's bus services visit brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3404 8888.

" "I will be meeting very soon with the Minister for Transport to discuss the 10 point plan, he's been very receptive so far.

"We welcome his intervention in these contract negotiations and look forward to a positive outcome." "

[#Metro]

For 90 years council has invested in public transport and council's contribution of $122 million this financial year is more than all other Australian capital cities' investment combined," Cr Quirk said.

Hubris really. Is Canberra a capital city? They are outspending BCC.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane buses go retro for 90th anniversary

Brisbane buses have gone back to the future, with livery from the 1960s and 1980s making a comeback as the council's bus services mark 90 years.

Brisbane City Council's first bus services left the city's depots in 1926 and the fleet has grown to be one of the largest in Australia.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said four buses had been decked out, using decals, to reflect the 1980s' Cityxpress bus and the old 1960s chassis.

"A couple of those buses will reflect the city express services of the 1980s and a couple of others will show the 'panthers', the old style of buses that we had back in that 1960s period," he said.

"We've seen over the past decade a transitioning of our Brisbane City Council bus services and bus fleet.

"We now have the most modern bus fleet in Australia, with an average age of just 6.8 years and they're 100 per cent air-conditioned and 100 per cent in terms of disability access."

Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner, the council's public transport chairman, said the livery flashbacks were inspired by Qantas, which introduced the second of its "Retro Roos" to its fleet last year.

The first Retro Roo was introduced in 2014.

Aside from cosmetic changes, Cr Schrinner said the council was pushing ahead with its 10-point plan to improve services across the city.

The review, which could lead to the scrapping of Brisbane's three-digit bus route system, was revealed in the council chamber earlier this month.

Cr Schrinner said discussions with Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe about the review had so far proven to be fruitful.

"There are people in Translink, however, which is his department, who haven't been as cooperative," he said.

"So we welcome his intervention in these contract negotiations and we're looking forward to a positive outcome."

[#Metro]

"There are people in Translink, however, which is his department, who haven't been as cooperative," he said.

Who blocked meetings with TransLink staff on six occasions back in 2013.

Hypocrisy much?

[ozbob]

"There are people in Translink, however, which is his department, who haven't been as cooperative," he said.

Who blocked meetings with TransLink staff on six occasions back in 2013.

Hypocrisy much?

Remember that Cr Schrinner ' wants to stop the blame game '  that comment by him as reported doesn't help that aim to mature much .. 

[SurfRail]

For 90 years council has invested in public transport and council's contribution of $122 million this financial year is more than all other Australian capital cities' investment combined," Cr Quirk said.

Hubris really. Is Canberra a capital city? They are outspending BCC.

It's factually incorrect even if Canberra is the only other operator paying for buses, because City of Sydney is spending $200m on the CSELR project and even a tiny fraction of that plus Transport Canberra's budget would combined outspend BCC.

[SurfRail]

Leaving aside the rest, Schrinner's comment about Hinchliffe needing to reign in his department actually rings pretty true to me. 

[ozbob]

Brisbane City Council's 10-point proposal to improve public transport: https://t.co/QjFmhjH3Yr #bnetraffic #7News https://t.co/M9ysPyCYhe

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) September 29, 2016

[verbatim9]

7 News onto the changes for the buses. It's been emphasised that colours will replace numbers on High Frequency routes---->
https://www.facebook.com/7NewsBrisbane/videos/1272806829398833/

[#Metro]

I am unconvinced by colour coding. It costs money and does not increase capacity, frequency, span etc.

There could be one colour for HF buses and another for all other lower frequency buses, that could work. But going around the rainbow for each BUZ is just playing dress ups really.

Against removal of three digit codes. Would take Brisbane back to 1998 or thereabouts. Not broken - don't fix.

Absolutely NO to 'loyalty program'. If BCC wants that it should come 100% out of the city budget.

[verbatim9]

Great to see more Articulated buses being introduced across the network. The colour coding is a great idea. Also onboard next stop info wouldn't go astray.

[SurfRail]

Colour coding is fine as a visual cue as part of soft branding like what goes on a network map (eg in Canberra the Blue/Red Rapids and the Gold/Green Lines).

As a way of actually encoding specific route information - big no no.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd October 2016

Cut The Crass Politics - Brisbane Bus Reform NOW!

Greetings,

It is with great dismay we read about the latest ' politicking ' between the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council over transport funding and social media videos.

It is all our public agencies seem to do these days - produce videos, animations, and dreams about infrastructure while shirking on hard funding.

The Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council are supposed to be fighting congestion. Not each other.

Without the Queensland Rail network, bus congestion would have blocked Brisbane's CBD and streets decades ago. A gigantic black hole in council's transport budget would also exist.

We challenge council's claim that it is the only local government that funds public transport. Although presently some other local governments have not chosen to pay for operations, they have chosen to pay for infrastructure - Gold Coast with Light Rail and Moreton Bay Region with the Redcliffe Peninsula Line for example. The Sunshine Coast Council has a rate payer Transport Levy which is used to help speed up local public transport improvements and infrastructure.

Let's compare Brisbane City Council's contribution to a comparable organisation.

The ACT Government (Canberra) has local government character and powers. Comparing Brisbane City Council's operating subsidy for buses versus its Canberra counterpart shows that Canberra spends more, both in absolute terms and on a per-capita basis.

On buses, the ACT Government spends around $395 per person, whereas Brisbane City Council spends around $122 per person.

Canberra is spending 3 times as much on buses as Brisbane City Council is, per capita. We provide links to budget statements to back up our claim.

Why is the difference so large? Because Canberra lacks a rail system. Canberra's is now building Light Rail. The Queensland Government has shouldered billions of dollars in infrastructure costs so that Council's inefficient buses can travel on busways, for free. In contrast, Queensland Rail must pay to maintain its own tracks. The now obvious collapse of Brisbane's bus network underscores the efficiency of rail and the importance of Queensland Rail to the city.

Rather than petty disagreements played out in the media, can we move forwards with the review of the Brisbane bus network and sorting out Victoria Bridge as a green bridge?

This would be a tangible sign of real government.

Thank you!

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

State calls for council to fund trains after promo video appearance
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-calls-for-council-to-fund-trains-after-promo-video-appearance-20160930-grsmjr.html

ACT Bus Funding
Output 1.1: Bus Operations
2016-17 Budget Statements - Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate. Page 57
http://apps.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/869984/H-TCCS-Budget-Statements.pdf

Calculation: $141 million divided by 356,585 people = $395/person

Brisbane City Council - Annual Plan and Budget documents
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/20160615_budget_2016-17_moving_brisbane.doc

"In 2016-17 Council will provide an operating subsidy of $121.9 million towards the cost of
providing bus and ferry services as well as the Blue and Maroon CityGliders." (Page 6)

Calculation: $122 million divided by 1 million people = $122/person

Sunshine Coast Council
https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Pay-and-Apply/Rates/Levies

[ozbob]

Latest: ' Cut The Crass Politics - Brisbane Bus Reform NOW! '
> https://t.co/2ilX4a9kaG#qldpol @TransLinkSEQ @StirlHinchliffe @Schrinner pic.twitter.com/0zjzCLPTwW

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) October 1, 2016

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 4th October 2016 page 19

Stop fighting and sort out transport

[ozbob]

I will just leave this here ...

@Robert_Dow To quote the deputy mayor from the last #BCC meeting where the 'alliance' model was suggested https://t.co/xqj8lYr3lU #qldpol pic.twitter.com/9EEitHYtic

— Michael G Swifte (@TransFixSEQ) October 10, 2016

[#Metro]

Brisbane City Council, IMHO, wants all of the power and none of the responsibility.

They lash out at the thought of competitively contracted buses, and yet they themselves competitively contract out the CityCat to a private french multinational for-profit corporation. Hypocrites.

The latest "alliance" features a power grab over route numbering (currently a TL domain), route planning (also TL) and fares/ticketing.

There should be absolutely NO "loyalty scheme" whatsoever. The moment that gets introduced it will corrupt into a "vote-for-me" loyalty scheme and be another money-wasting scam forced on to the taxpayer and ratepayer.

Yes it is true that 'the private sector uses loyalty schemes', but politicians need to realise they are running a government and not all concepts port over or have the same effects when implemented in public space as they do in private space.

Frankly, the entire set of BCC politicians needs the proverbial broom put through them. After 10 years or so administrations get lazy and focused on public relations and the rot sets in. Periodic renewal is required to keep admins on their toes.

Nothing short of a massive election loss and wipeout is required to bring back some fresh people and new I am afraid.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th October 2016

BCC propose bus review & a public transport alliance model or are we tap dancing ...

Good Morning,

Does anyone know if there has been any progress with the proposals put forward in early September for public transport improvements?

A meeting was to occur with the Minister for Transport ( https://twitter.com/StirlHinchliffe/status/773036803985027072 ) to hopefully start to progress urgently needed bus reform.

Are we still frozen at the wheel of the bus? Have we missed the bus, again??

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

6th September 2016

BCC propose bus review & a public transport alliance model

Greetings,

Some excellent developments today with Cr Adrian Schrinner proposing a unique transport alliance to progress a review of the full Brisbane Bus Network, involving a staged and systematic localised reviews to grow patronage.

Some key points of the proposal:

.  Stop the blame game & establish a unique transport alliance model, rather than a standard commercial contract for buses

.  Simplification & re-branding of all bus routes to make it easier for passengers (replacing the 100, 200, 300, 400 route numbering series)

.  Developing a clear strategy for the future use of High Capacity Buses (including articulated buses) on the Brisbane bus network

.  Encouraging patronage growth & multi-modal trips through sharing of future fare box revenue growth across all modes (rail, bus, & ferry)

.  Retaining a high quality, customer-focused bus operator workforce with above industry standard pay & conditions

.  Development of new demand-responsive, personalised public transport options to complement the existing @TransLinkSEQ network

RAIL Back On Track welcomes these proposals and supports strongly the proposal for the full Brisbane bus network review.

Thank you Cr Schrinner.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

1.  BCC propose bus review & a public transport alliance model
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12433.0

[ozbob]

Very concerned that the @TransLinkSEQ Bus Contract Review hasn't even mentioned Council's Transport Alliance contract proposal & 10 pt plan pic.twitter.com/jKeQKLacra

— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) October 17, 2016