TransLink regional expansion - Toowoomba

[Arnz]

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

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[verbatim9]

Wow! That's great

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[ozbob]

280 new bus services to be introduced in Toowoomba in 2017 as part of public transport shake up @ABCNewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/ksOjzzIk1V

— Isobel Roe (@isobelroe) September 22, 2016

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[SurfRail]

Looks like a definite improvement, but still seriously lacking.  I doubt they are able to make a case for anything more than marginal extra funding.

Sunday services for the first time (AFAIK) on some routes, which is good.

The network layout still looks rather shoddy, although (as usual) I am having trouble picking out what goes where because they keep REFUSING to use proper maps in their consultation materials.  I don't know why they are being so cheap, or ignorant of best practice.

The Mackay changes at least looked reasonably legible even though they also featured fairly low levels of service.

I gather the easternmost parts of town will still be covered by the Kan-go route which is why it looks like a big black hole.

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[verbatim9]

Did anyone see any services past 7pm on any day or services to Wellcamp Airport?

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[MaxHeadway]

Did anyone see any services past 7pm on any day or services to Wellcamp Airport?

Nope. None to Wellcamp. None to Picnic Point either.

And why are the 905 buses that serve the Westbrook extension timed out of sync with the rest, instead of an even hourly frequency on the main part of the route? 

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[verbatim9]

The stores are open till 9 weekdays There must be people at the Uni at least until 8 and 9pm. But why no buses until this time?. Wellcamp is the major Airport for Toowoomba? Why no proposed TransLink buses there. Picnic point is a major Tourist destination for Toowoomba, again no proposed buses.

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[City Designer]

"On Monday 19 June 2017, TransLink will launch in Toowoomba with a new bus network for the community."

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/toowoomba/your-new-bus-network

I note the mapping has buses going two ways through a section of Victoria Street between Harries Street and Margaret Street that is one way.

I haven't ground truthed it but recent aerial photography has not changed the configuration (30 September 2016)

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[SteelPan]

 

Congratulations to all involved in this [potentially] significant positive development for the SEQ Region.

We look forward to the no-doubt imminent announcement of a TRULY world-class and long overdue inter-urban passenger rail link between two major Australian population centres, so close to each other and what that will mean for the wider SEQ region regards housing, employment, business and other lifestyle opportunities!   

  yep..... no-doubt imminent announcement.....

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[ozbob]

Toowoomba, find out how your feedback helped design your new bus network. Download consultation report at https://t.co/7ZxRYsO0K9 #twmba pic.twitter.com/3n0aDlRbAQ

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) April 26, 2017

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[SteelPan]

Checkout that shinny new bus sign...... 

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[ozbob]

Toowoomba Chronicle --> Government spends big to boost passengers on our buses

ON THE BUS: Assistant Transport Minister Glenn Butcher, with Toowoomba North ALP candidate Kerry Shine and Jodie Weller, regional manager TransLink, has revealed further details about the new bus system. Bev Lacey

 THE Queensland Government will spend an extra $1.5 million a year to try and correct falling passenger numbers on Toowoomba's outdated bus network.

Assistant Transport Minister Glenn Butcher today revealed further details about TransLink's new network in the Garden City, which will be launched on June 19.

The news comes as Toowoomba residents continue to shun public transport with the bus network experiencing nearly 200,000 fewer passengers annually between 2008 and 2015.

Mr Butcher said three extra buses, 11 new drivers along with increased trips and routes would improve passenger numbers on a system he emphasised was more than a decade out of date.

North ALP candidate Kerry Shine and Jodie Weller, regional manager TransLink, has revealed further details about the new bus system. Bev Lacey

"What this is creating is 11 new jobs on the ground, driving these buses in and around Toowoomba," he told the media yesterday.

"It's absolutely fantastic for the 11 new workers, but on top of that, over $500,000 has been spent on infrastructure, upgrading some of our pick-up spots, as well as $1.5 million spent on this service every year.

"This has been ongoing since September-October last year when we consulted with the public both in shopping centres and also a survey that has been done.

"What we're doing here hasn't been done for 12 years."

 Other changes included shifting the Grand Central bus stop to Victoria St, while the buses will start earlier and finish later in and out of the CBD.

Mr Butcher re-iterated the network would not feature the Go Card ticketing system, saying it was not cost-effective since a new scheme was in the pipeline.

He said the changes should lead to faster commuting across the city.

"We have joined together a couple of routes, so what they will do is streamline the routes, so you would imagine times would be quicker," he said. "This is new for Toowoomba, so this will be a fantastic opportunity for people to get re-engaged in public transport."


Glenn Butcher, Assistant Transport Minister at USQ to launch new buses, extension of bus services. June 12, 2017 Bev Lacey

A sighting of the Assistant Transport Minister!   

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[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/the_chronicle_/status/876711206949662720

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[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd June 2017

Well done TransLink with new bus network for Toowoomba

Good Morning,

Some good news.  Well done TransLink and all involved with the new bus network for Toowoomba.  Successes are few on the ground these days in public transport in Queensland but by all reports this upgrade at Toowoomba has gone well (1, 2). Thank you!

Bus network reform on any level can be very worthwhile.  It is a great tragedy for Brisbane and SEQ generally that the network reform proposed by TransLink in 2013 was not carried out.  However with the Brisbane Metro plan now well advanced, bus network reform for Brisbane will occur in conjunction with that project as the busways move to a trunk and feeder model - a great outcome, removes CBD bus congestion and allows more buses to be deployed to the suburbs for better feeders, frequency and coverage.

Let us hope that TransLink can now turn their attention to the Western bus region (Ipswich and Springfield) where network reform is urgently needed.  It was indicated to me over two years ago by TransLink staff that there would be progress with the Western bus region - still waiting.  The feeder bus arrangements for the Springfield Central railway are particularly very poor.  Reform is needed, and fast.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

1. TransLink: Toowoomba - Your new bus network
https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/toowoomba/your-new-bus-network

2. The Chronicle (Toowoomba) New bus service gets big thumbs up from commuters > https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/new-bus-service-gets-big-thumbs-up-from-commuters/3191243/

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[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/877566097867784194

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[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 23rd June 2017 page 11

Toowoomba bus upgrade is welcome

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[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/878002653115981824

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[ozbob]

Toowoomba Chronicle --> Bus route changes rob pensioners of independence

PENSIONER Rita Hallahan, 86, feels her independence has been taken away from her after Translink removed the bus stop closest to her house.

Mrs Hallahan has been catching the bus from her Kearneys Spring home to the shops for the past 44 years.

However, it is now impossible for her to reach the new bus stop which is more than one kilometre from her house and down a hill. She would also have to cross two busy roads.

"There are a lot of people in the area who don't have great mobility and rely on the bus for their independence and now that has been taken away from them and me as well," Mrs Hallahan said.

Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki MP said Translink's response to Mrs Hallahan's enquiries were not good enough.

 "Rita travelled to Clifford Gardens to speak to a Translink staff member who simply told her not to worry because there would be a review of the route in five years," Mr Janetzki said.

"She also phoned Translink for help and the person she spoke to didn't even know where Toowoomba was."

Mrs Hallahan said it would cost her $30 return to get a taxi to Clifford Gardens for her groceries.

"My weekly grocery bill is about $45. To add $30 onto my grocery bill is a lot for a pensioner," she said.

Her weekly bus trips used to cost $2.20 return.

Mrs Hallahan's neighbour Gwen Stagg, who has also been catching the bus for 40 years, said it was devastating to lose the service.

"It has been absolutely devastating for me," Mrs Stagg said.

"I don't have very good vision and I can't make it to the new bus stop."

Church of Christ offer a transport service for $14 return but it needs to be booked two days in advance.

Mr Janetzki contacted the Department of Transport and Main Roads which suggested Mrs Hallahan could catch a bus into the city from a closer bus stop. However, she would have to cross four lanes of Ruthven Street where there were no traffic lights or pedestrian crossings to get there.

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[ozbob]

The Chronicle --> Changes to bus route 'affecting elderly and schoolkids'

TRANSLINK said they were "improving Toowoomba's bus services" but for some residents of Crows Nest, the new timetables have done anything but that.

 Crows Nest resident Joanne Brackenbury said "nearly everyone" who uses the number 950 bus service between Crows Nest and Toowoomba "thinks it is worse than it was before and less and less people are starting to use the service".

She said while the old bus service took approximately 45-50 minutes to get to Toowoomba from Crows Nest, the new route, which goes through the back streets of Highfields, takes around one and a half hours to get to Grand Central.

And it's the most vulnerable - school children and the elderly - who are worst affected by the changes.

"A lot of the people who catch the bus to and from Crows Nest are either school children or pensioners, with a handful of workers," Mrs Brackenbury said.

"Having to change buses is ridiculous - most of the elderly find it hard enough to get on and off the bus without the need to transfer from one bus to another."

What's most concerning for Mrs Brackenbury, however, is the school run, which her son currently uses and her daughters soon will too.

The dedicated school bus service that runs from Crows Nest is a half-hour walk from Mrs Brackenbury's home, meaning the 950 bus is her kids' only option.

The 950 bus now leaves Crows Nest at 6.20am, arriving at Highfields State High School at 7am and Toowoomba State High School Mount Lofty Campus at 7.30am.

Mrs Brackenbury said she was worried about students' safety, with them arriving on the 950 bus between an hour and a half to two hours before school starts each day. 

 "As a parent I find this extremely concerning as I still have another couple of children to attend TSHS Mount Lofty Campus in the coming years and do not want them stranded in town with nowhere to go or no supervision as anything could happen," she said.

Mrs Brackenbury has spent the past month trying to raise her concerns with Translink, but her efforts have so far fallen on deaf ears, she says.

"Translink advised they had discussions with people regarding the new service and yet no one in Crows Nest had been consulted; they never held any meetings out here and considering most of the people that use this service do not drive - how were they supposed to get into Toowoomba for a meeting we were not informed anything about?"

A Translink spokesperson said there was "significant engagement" with Towooomba Regional Council and provider Bus Queensland that analysed the use of existing services before any changes were made to the bus network.

"There was also a significant community consultation period and the feedback from these activities was incorporated into the changes," the spokesperson said.

"Based on community feedback and patronage numbers, route 950 was introduced to increase the number of services through Highfields Village, a growing residential area with an increasing demand for services.

"We acknowledge that the service arrives early for school, which is why we encourage students to catch the dedicated school bus service 302. This service departs later and services a number of local schools.

"TransLink takes the safe travel of children very seriously. Parents or caregivers are asked to report any issues regarding student travel across the TransLink network immediately by phoning 13 12 30 anytime (24/7) to solve the issue if it is currently happening or investigate it as a matter of urgency."

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[verbatim9]

With Next Generation Ticketing this should be addressed. First phase of the Toowoomba network being managed by Translink has been completed. I guess @Metro you are referring to the second stage of the process!?

First step would be to convince QLD Gov't to include Toowoomba into the TransLink system of ticketing zones.

Second step, consider having the Brisbane - Toowoomba bus become part of the TL network (possibly a mounted handheld reader could be used).

^^Continuation from Budget 2018

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