TransLink Toowoomba

[Cazza]

No. The closest is the 539 from Rosewood to Helidon (https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/timetables/170109-539.pdf)

[Arnz]

Toowoomba is part of the TransLink Toowoomba network.  Similar to how the regional areas are part of their 'own' TransLink network, e.g TransLink Cairns, TransLink Mackay, etc.

Eventually the rest of the existing regional QConnect network will be converted to their own TransLink networks, with the possible exception of the QConnect-run Sunshine Coast Hinterland route, which may be speculated to be potentially absorbed into TransLink SEQ with the SEQ fare zones applied instead.

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/our-service-area

[#Metro]

Would it be worth running a bus from Ipswich to Toowoomba as part of the TL network?

[achiruel]

If that's your goal, why not just extend the 539 by going up the range? Not sure if the current fleet could be used, though, as I think all buses up the range must have seatbelts fitted. It's kind of bizzare how the current network terminates in a kind of nothing location (Helidon, pop. ~1,100), but I suspect it's a hangover from the days of the Helidon railmotor. It never ran to Toowoomba because of the ridiculous alignment.

[verbatim9]

We are getting a new electrified rail line to Toowoomba, so the the bus is likely not needed from Helidon to Toowoomba.

[achiruel]

We are getting a new electrified rail line to Toowoomba, so the the bus is likely not needed from Helidon to Toowoomba.

I think the electrified railway to Toowoomba is poe-in-the-sky. It's a good idea, but I'd be surprised if it happens within the next 30 years.

I mean, we can't even extend the Gold Coast line to OOL, which is relatively easy compared to Toowoomba. NCL duplication has been on hold for an age. No CAMCOS. No Cleveland duplication. CRR is rapidly turning into a disaster. And you think there's gonna be train to Toowoomba?

[#Metro]

Toowoomba

Toowoomba is approaching 200K population. I am adding to this thread on Toowoomba as I think there is are a lot of opportunities there for improvement. Perhaps this could be a sub-board in time, along with GC, SC, Ipswich etc.

Potential Improvements

- A regular TL bus from Ipswich to Toowoomba. Ideally, with 120 or 60-minute frequencies 6 days per week, and a reduced frequency on Sunday.

- One flat fare zone across the entire urban area of Toowoomba . Right now there are 11 fare zones.
Yes, Toowoomba has more zones than SEQ -  which seems excessive and completely unneccesary https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/91385/Toowoomba-2019.pdf

- Bus Reform. Toowoomba appears to have a central terminus model, where all buses terminate in the city. Consideration should be given to through-routing which would greatly simplify the network. More frequent buses could also be considered.

- Electric Scooters and eBicycles One of the great things about Toowoomba is that it has a pleasant urban form. Scooters can fill in the gaps in the PT network both as line-haul function and to a lesser extent to connect with bus services. Scooters would likely be more effective than flexible bus services, provided that the scooters were given designation station areas to park in and that scooter numbers were not too restrictive.

- PT infrastructure
Some tweaking of PT infrastructure should be considered, particularly in the city.

- Full integration within the TL SEQ Network
Toowoomba to be added to the SEQ fare zones network, along with GoCard access (could be a virtual GoCard on your mobile phone).

- Park and Ride Consider park and ride options for bus services

[Gazza]

Agree with the above.
Everything is mostly hourly barring some half hourly services on a couple of routes in the morning peak.

Routing is probably the best you could hope for, unless you launched extra routes to reduce some of the zig zagging.


I don't disagree about having a TL bus from Toowoomba to Ipswich, but to be honest it will probably end up being a welfare service like the 540 since It'll be slower than driving.

[#Metro]

I don't disagree about having a TL bus from Toowoomba to Ipswich, but to be honest it will probably end up being a welfare service like the 540 since It'll be slower than driving.

I think the journey time itself would be on par with driving as the stops could be 'on request' and patronage in-between is not expected to be high. Most pax would be ex Ipswich or ex Toowoomba IMHO.

The frequency would not be attractive but not everyone can or wants to drive 90 km up the range.

A question I would have is what should the earliest and latest services be?

[verbatim9]

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9629.msg253798.msg#253798

[#Metro]

Low cost "it's going to be different this time" airlines pop up all the time. As soon as something happens - Oil prices, natural disaster, strikes, they go bankrupt.

There is barely any money in low cost airlines, Jetstar and Tiger never really made any. The money is in business class where the willingness to pay is much higher and the quality is better. That's why Virgin has moved away from low cost carrier to a more premium airline.

Again, people are willing to pay for quality. Bonza will go broke ASAP IMHO and I wouldn't touch it with a long pole!! Rex has a better chance as it's growth has been organic and supported by subsided air routes.

[verbatim9]

If Bonza ends up flying in and out of Toowoomba? It warrants an extension of the near by Translink service, to service Wellcamp Airport terminal as well.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2022/751-2022.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 751
Asked on 16 August 2022

MR T WATTS ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to Translink Bus Services and other government funded bus services in
Toowoomba—
Will the Minister advise (a) how many services in the Toowoomba North Electorate have been
cancelled since January 2021, (b) how many FTE bus drivers are needed to ensure every
Toowoomba bus service runs and (c) how many FTE bus drivers are currently employed in
Toowoomba?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Toowoomba North for the question.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads' Translink Division (Translink) contracts delivery
partners to provide public transport services across the state. Bus Queensland (Toowoomba
Transit) are the delivery partner that services the Toowoomba area.
Toowoomba Transit have reported the number of drivers required to deliver services in
Toowoomba, as at 22 August 2022, was 76 and the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) drivers
employed was 64.

Driver requirements vary depending on the mix of full-, part-time and casual drivers in the
workforce. The number of FTE drivers required to deliver the network is a contractual
responsibility of the delivery partner to determine and manage. There are many factors
influencing the number of drivers required to deliver a network such as:

.enterprise agreements dictating shift hours and meal breaks
. drivers ability to work full-time, part-time or casually
. route length and distance between start and end of routes
. allowances for holidays and sickness.

Between January 2021 and July 2022, there have been 538 cancelled urban services out of a
total of 98,515 scheduled services across the entire Toowoomba network. This equates to
0.55 per cent. Translink is unable to determine network data by electoral areas as data is
captured by contract area, not electorates.

More recently—like many other delivery partners—Toowoomba Transit have experienced higher
numbers of driver unavailability due to above average absenteeism and illness associated with
COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. This has recently impacted the delivery of some services in
Toowoomba with a higher than usual number of cancellations being experienced.

Translink has worked with Toowoomba Transit to list any expected cancellations on the Translink
website ahead of time to assist passengers to plan for any interruptions.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1570866357222412290

[ozbob]

New Toowoomba fares, zones and tickets

https://translink.com.au/updates/199256

From Monday 16 January, your bus fares and zones will change to make travel simpler, easier and fairer ahead of the future rollout of Smart Ticketing throughout Queensland.

Your timetables will stay the same, but route 3 will change to route 997 from Monday 16 January.

[verbatim9]

I have noticed that Translink is introducing a new service to get to Picnic Point and other key destinations in East Toowoomba. People will be able to catch the 997 to get to Picnic Point lookout which is one of the major draw cards of Toowoomba. This is a huge improvement and a great outcome for locals and travellers to the area.👍

[SurfRail]

It's the existing Route 3 school bus with a new route number.  It doesn't go to Picnic Point either.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1612678716399943680

[ozbob]

📢 On demand transport has arrived in Toowoomba! 🚌 On demand has replaced the Kan-go service to provide more flexible...

Posted by Translink on Monday, 25 September 2023

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2024/555-2024.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 555
Asked on 2 May 2024

MR P WEIR ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR
DIGITAL SERVICES (HON B MELLISH)

QUESTION:

With reference to the considerable growth in population in the Toowoomba Regional Council area
over the past five years—
Will the Minister advise if the department will consider providing public bus transport services for
the communities within a 20-25 kilometre radius of the Toowoomba CBD given the increase in
population and rise in requests for public transportation provisions to be made available?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Condamine for the question.

Significant improvements to the Toowoomba bus network were implemented in 2017, following
extensive consultation with residents, Toowoomba Regional Council, and delivery partner Bus
Queensland.

These changes resulted in additional investment into the Toowoomba urban bus network and
rollout of the Translink brand, with the intent of increasing the attractiveness of the network
through delivering a focused network where Toowoomba residential suburbs can directly access
shopping centres, services and employment in the CBD.

Network improvements, including the introduction of additional weekday peak trips and Sunday
services, were implemented at this time.

Translink has also recently invested in the Toowoomba bus network to replace Kan-go services
with On Demand Transport (ODT). The introduction of ODT in Toowoomba has improved service
coverage and hours of operation, introduced a more efficient booking system, and reduced wait
times for customers.

Translink will continue to monitor demand and will consider services as part of the usual review
process.