Eastern & Northern Transit Ways

[Gazza]

The existing median is not wide enough to accommodate 2 bus lanes, and even then there are some stretches where there isn't a full sized median. Maybe one buslane could work in some bits? but I can't see how that would work in practicality.

Gympie road had two tram lines- dedicated row- in the median. Maybe they can recover the middle lanes for bus.

The tram line wouldn't have had proper island stops though back then it would have just been those skinny safety zones with bars, or none at all, where you just run out into the middle of the road like the older tram lines in Melbourne.


The actual stops were on the footpaths and you walked onto the road

[#Metro]

Recovering both the median and the innermost road lane could give a good busway down the middle.

The image here is of the M2 Hills Motorway (private tollway) at Barclay Road. https://goo.gl/maps/gHqJ6doZfvabhjsB7

Here you can see a busway station has been inserted into the median lanes of the freeway. Buses perform a cross to enter and exit the station.

A similar, scaled down version, might work for the Gympie Road corridor. Might have to use side platforms, one on each side of an intersection.

See also: Auckland: High-End Median Busway Proposed for Eastern Suburbs
https://humantransit.org/2010/12/auckland-high-end-median-busway-proposed-for-eastern-suburbs.html

It takes up less space to have two bus stops on the side of the road (in the same area as the road verge) than in the middle of the road.

Placing the bus lane in the left lane means cars doing left turn get in the way.

[Gazza]

Why don't you use the Google Earth ruler tool to demonstrate in real terms how it will fit in the road corridor

[City Designer]

I cannot see median running on Gympie Road working.

A key component of public transport is a continuous accessible path of travel to the stop or station. Having to cross to the median makes access more difficult.

The Liverpool to Parramatta Transitway has median running along Hoxton Park Road. However, it does not have frequent side streets and the platforms are offset on the far side of intersections.

[Gazza]

Having to cross to the median makes access more difficult.

Why? You have to do it on G link.

If its kerb platforms, you cross the full width of the road on your return trip.

in median platforms, you cross half the road initially, then half on the return trip.

Makes no difference really.

[City Designer]

The Gold Coast Light Rail is not comparable because it does not have passing bays, the platforms are co-located or combined, and there is a step free threshold for loading and unloading.

An island platform light rail stop takes up approximately 13 metres and co-located platforms take up approximately 17 metres.

A busway stop (Truro Street and Federation Street) takes up approximately 22 metres.

Gympie Road does not have the width for median running.

[Gazza]

I was addressing the point about accessibility.
Median based transit or kerbside transit are no different to each other in terms of accessibility

I agree fully about not being able to fit a median busway, it's really only #metro who believes in it.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New 'busway' to reduce lane width along Gympie Rd by three metres

THE squeeze is on for motorists along one of the busiest sections of Gympie Rd with up to three metres being shaved off six lanes to make way for the controversial Northern Transitway.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has confirmed that each of the six lanes along Gympie Rd would be reduced from approximately 3.6m (in sections) to 3.1m, while the Northern Transitway (NT) would be 3.5m wide.

The NT is effectively a 24/7 express bus lane that limousines, taxis and cyclists will be permitted to use.

It extends 2.3km and will replace the parking shoulder from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside on each side of the road.

Despite the $53 million project being created to primarily service buses, two stops will be removed and buses drivers will not be compelled to use it.

"Buses including express buses, when safe to do so, can merge into traffic and overtake other vehicles," a TMR spokesman said.

"The proposed design provides a lane width of 3.5 metres for bus lanes and 3.1 metres wide for general traffic lanes."

The TMR could not offer how much time buses would save during peak-hour and non-peak hour when NT complete.

Besides lane width reductions, the plan also includes the removal of two bus stops and the banning of right-hand turns out of five side streets.

The right-hand bans will leave dozens of stressed residents less than 100m to cross the NT and three general lanes to make a U-turn at the nearest set of traffic lights.

The Brisbane City Council is against the transitway and the banning of right-hand turns because it will create rat-runs and congestion through side streets.

Local councillor Fiona Hammond said she had fielded calls from concerned residents about the volume of traffic that would be created in side streets because of right-hand turn bans.

"They are already asking if we have done any studies about how much traffic will increase and what traffic calming measures will be put in place," Ms Hammond said.

Motoring lobby group RACQ has thrown its support behind the project, even going so far as to praise the widening of footpaths to accommodate bike riders, even though cyclists are permitted to use the transitway.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Dr Rebecca Michael said they would "investigate options" at the intersections where right-hand turns were being banned.

She did not directly answer whether the lane width reduction would make it more difficult for motorbike riders to filter through congested traffic or if they were concerned about the lack of width for semi-trailers using the major arterial road.

Dr Michael compared the lane reduction to Mains Rd, Sunnybank which is also a dual carriageway with approximately 3.1m wide lanes although it only has a peak hour transit lane.

"While full lane widths are preferable, due to the constraints of the existing road corridor, reducing the lane width is manageable, and we see other bus corridors around Brisbane manage with similar lane widths," Dr Michael said.

The NT proposal has local business leaders are in fear of losing their livelihoods when parking is eliminated along Gympie Rd.Consign-A- Car owner Yvette Cottrill said a peak hour express bus lane had merit but removing all parking 24/7 was overkill and unnecessary.

She said speed cameras are deployed weekly along the section of Gympie Rd between Kitchener and Rode Rds which contradicts the need for an express lane to bust non-existent congestion.

"If it's so busy along here, why do they have speed cameras here almost every weekend," she said.

"I can understand making it a peak hour express lane but there's no need for it to be every hour of every day."

Ms Cottrill and Kedron newsagent Peter Lincoln will meet with local MP and Mine Minister Anthony Lynham this afternoon to express concerns about the pain it will cause local businesses.

LNP shadow minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin said the community consultation process needed to go back to the "drawing board" because it did not address, but add to, the traffic chaos on Brisbane's north side.

He said the LNP, if it won office next year, would revisit the project.

"We will assess whether projects such as this will actually reduce congestion or only make things worse," Mr Minnikin said.

TMR has held two information meetings on the NT with another two set down at Kedron State School today and Saturday.

[Gazza]

What a negative article.

[City Designer]

Narrow lanes on major roads are not unusual. Parramatta Road and Victoria Road is Sydney have 2.8m wide lanes. Provided people are driving competently they can handle a 3.0m wide lane at 60km/h.

[achiruel]

Narrow lanes on major roads are not unusual. Parramatta Road and Victoria Road is Sydney have 2.8m wide lanes. Provided people are driving competently they can handle a 3.0m wide lane at 60km/h.

I think heavy vehicles are a bigger issue than cars. They can be up to 2.55 metres wide, so not leaving much space between two side-by-side.

[City Designer]

Well aware of this. I am familiar with design vehicles and technical standards.

In context the narrow lanes on Parramatta Road and Victoria Road are peak hour bus lanes.

During peak hour the low speeds make the narrow lanes safe and off peak they are used for car parking.

I sat on a 461 from Burwood to Ultimo a few weeks ago and the driver did not exceed about 30km/h through the narrow parts even at night.

It take it the route is timetabled to account for the narrow lanes and associated low speeds.

I also drove the same corridor from a few days later during the day from Ultimo to Parramatta in a GoGet Mercedes Benz A180.

High volumes of traffic limit travel speeds.

A 3.1m travel lane will not have the same issues.

[Paul B]

ABC interviewed the caryard owner in Kedron about the Transitlanes. There was no mention of "losing her parking" etc, she just said the area wasn't busy enough and that it would cause accidents, trucks use it, etc. Before they could get some callers in, the program changed over to PM. not sure if it went online

[achiruel]

ABC interviewed the caryard owner in Kedron about the Transitlanes. There was no mention of "losing her parking" etc, she just said the area wasn't busy enough and that it would cause accidents, trucks use it, etc. Before they could get some callers in, the program changed over to PM. not sure if it went online

(emphasis mine)

WTF  

One of the busiest roads in Brisbane isn't busy enough to need a transit way?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Real estate experts fear new 24/7 transitway to wipe thousands off property values

Dozens of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be devalued and take longer to sell if the State Government pushes ahead with its controversial Northern Transitway, say real estate experts.

DOZENS of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be devalued and take longer to sell if the Labor Government pushes ahead with its controversial Northern Transitway, say real estate experts.

The biggest impost will be felt by hundreds of Kedron property owners forced to make U-turns at busy intersections to access to their properties, from the opposite side of Gympie Rd, or simply head to the CBD.

The devaluations will be created when all non-signalised right-hand turns are banned along the route of the $53 million project that stretches 2.3km from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd Chermside.

On-street parking will be also wiped out along Gympie Rd and lane widths reduced by up to half a metre to make for the Northern Transitway (NT).

Construction is due to next year and independent property valuers M3 Properties said a financial fall out for home, unit and commercial lot owners was inevitable.

Bearing the biggest brunt will be apartment and house owners within Alice, Lawley and Bromilow St, Kedron as well as Gallagher Terrace who will only be able to travel north on Gympie Rd.

M3 Properties' Queensland managing director Ross Perkins said the closing of non-signalised right-hand turns was but one issue, because the proposal would create rat runs and could prove costly for small businesses.

"There is definitely going to be an impact on value, but how much is hard to say and how long it takes to wash through is hard to determine as well," Mr Perkin said.

"It impacts on the purchase price and values and it also impacts on sales and, instead of a six week selling period, it may blow out to three months because you reduce your market.

"There is no way around it with additional obstacles to get where you are going and to even to get home."

He said there was a need to improve Brisbane's transport infrastructure, but "the local area is not going to benefit compared to the impact it will have".

Alice Street resident Nick Chapman said he has rented his apartment for two years and was unaware of the Northern Transitway until approached by The Courier-Mail on Friday.

He said he loved the area, but had the Lawley St right-hand turn on to Gympie Rd been banned, as proposed by the State Government two years ago, he would not have rented it.

"It's going to make it very difficult for everyone if that happens (the right hand turn is taken away)," Mr Chapman said.

"I've lived here for about two years and if I was moving in now, knowing that was happening, no I wouldn't move in."

Local real estate agent Michael Spillane, from Innov8 Property sales, said many buyers would immediately overlook sections of Kedron because of the lack of vehicle access routes.

He said, on the whole, prospective buyers tend to snub properties where there was a need "to double back to gain access".

"The design means that at travelling at certain times of the day, that even if you are going peak-hour traffic, join it to get home and that can add significant time to what may have been a short trip,

Stafford MP Dr Anthony Lynham did not respond to a question on whether he did, or did not, support the Northern Transitway which runs through his electorate.

He said it was is at the consultation stage and the views from his constituents were "wide ranging, both for and against the Transitway".

"I have met with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on many occasions and have forwarded the views of my constituents to TMR," he said.

[achiruel]

^ if the car journey is so short that making a u-turn

can add significant time to what may have been a short trip

then maybe they should try walking or cycling instead?

[#Metro]

If their property is devalued, they can apply for a revaluation, reducing their rates and land tax.

[James]

I do sympathise - there are some streets that without their right turn, will become very difficult to access.

Lawley Street & Howell Street are two that I think are going to be really hard done by. Accessing Howell St from Gympie Rd southbound now requires motorists to travel through a private car park, accessing Bromilow Street requires travelling an extra km than current, likewise Boothby Street appears to have gotten a dud deal.

The worst part about this though is that in all three cases, it appears there is enough room to fit in a right turn lane in the median anyway - just the addition of the Northern Transitway appears to be justification for closing these right-turn lanes. I'm not sure if the safety 'benefit' of not having people cross four lanes of traffic is worth the 'cost' of having people rat run through suburban streets or a fast food centre carpark.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Childcare CEO who's invested millions in new centre fears Northern Transitway could 'cruel' business

A CHILDCARE centre boss says a State Government bans on all 'non-signalised' right-hand turns along Gympie Rd to facilitate priority bus lanes could "cruel" his business.

The State Government wants motorists to make U-turns at traffic lights to access the opposite side of Gympie Rd, along a 2.3km stretch, as part of the Northern Transitway (NT).

Kids Club Early Childhood Learning Centres CEO Corie Stone said he had signed a 15-year lease for premises within a neighbourhood that relies solely on access via Gympie Rd.

The early learning centre is on Lawley St, Kedron, one of four streets where residents can only enter, and exit, off Gympie Rd, and its in line for the right-hand turn ban.

If the ban is brought in, vehicles will only be able to exit to the north and enter from the south instead of direct a right-hand turn off, or on to, Gympie Rd.

"We are about to open that business in Kedron and this is a massive oversight," Mr Stone said.

"I've invested millions in the business and signed a 15-year lease.

"The access if vital and this will cruel the business."

The $53 million NT is effectively a 24/7 express bus lane that limousines, taxis and cyclists will be permitted to use.

It will replace the parking shoulder from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside on each side of the road and includes the removal of bus stops and all parking.

Construction will start next year.

Mr Stone said he did not know about the NT until contacted by The Courier-Mail.

He said while there was merit in priority bus lanes, the State Government needed to be mindful of the magnitude of the impact it would have on businesses and residents as well.

The Kids Club Early Childhood Learning Centre has the capacity for 75 children aged from six weeks to five years.

"It's our second in Queensland and this will be to the detriment of our growth in the state," he said.

Mr Stone is one several businesses that fear they'll be forced close or relocate because the NT which will also prohibit parking along Gympie Rd.

Local MP Dr Anthony Lynham did not respond to a question late last week on whether the Labor Government had given much weight to the impact the NT will have on local businesses and house prices.

"I am hearing the views of my constituents, which are wide ranging, both for and against the Transitway," Dr Lynham said late last week.

"I have met with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on many occasions and have forwarded the views of my constituents to TMR."

Real estate experts predicted dozens of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be

The biggest impost will be felt by hundreds of Kedron property owners in Alice, Lawley and Bromilow St, Kedron as well as Gallagher Terrace where Mr Stine's childcare centre is located.

3M Properties' Queensland managing director Ross Perkins said the closing of non-signalised right-hand turns would create rat runs and could prove costly for small businesses.

"There is definitely going to be an impact on value, but how much is hard to say and how long it takes to wash through is hard to determine as well," Mr Perkins said.

"It impacts on the purchase price and values and it also impacts on sales and, instead of a six week selling period, it may blow out to three months because you reduce your market.

"There is no way around it with additional obstacles to get where you are going and to even to get home."

At an information session for residents, TMR staff suggested the NT would save buses about four minutes during peak hour and would be possibly be "negligible" during off-peak times.

A TransLink spokesman would not specify the amount of travel time, in minutes, that the NT was expected to save buses during peak and non-peak periods.

"Traffic modelling indicates that in the first year of operation the Northern Transitway is expected to deliver up to 50 per cent reduction in travel times for certain trips during peak evening and morning times and up to 40 per cent reduction in travel times for certain trips during off peak times," the spokesman said.

[ozbob]

QUESTION ON NOTICE

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1730-2019.pdf

ASKED

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Answer Due: Friday, 22 November 2019

1730 MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
With reference to the Eastern Transitway project—

Will the Minister provide a breakdown of allocated funding for the project for 2020-21 to 2022-23 (reported
separately by year)?

[ozbob]

QUESTION ON NOTICE

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1671-2019.pdf

ASKED

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Answer Due: Thursday, 21 November 2019

1671 MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
With reference to the Northern Transitway project—

Will the Minister provide a breakdown of allocated funding for the project for 2020-21 to 2022-23 (reported
separately by year)?

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1671-2019.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1671
Asked on Tuesday 22 October 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
QUESTION:

With reference to the Northern Transitway project—

Will the Minister provide a breakdown of allocated funding for the project for 2020–21 to 2022–23
(reported separately by year)?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $53 million—through the Passenger Transport
Infrastructure Investment Program—for the Northern Transitway project.

Though the Member for Chatsworth has raised concerns in the media whether this project will
reduce congestion, the Northern Transitway is a cost effective on-road bus priority measure that
will deliver a high-quality public transport corridor along Gympie Road, from Sadlier Street,
Kedron to Hamilton Road, Chermside. The delivery of the Northern Transitway—a 2017
Palaszczuk Government election commitment—will provide:

• a safer and more efficient public transit system for Brisbane northside customers
• more reliable travel times along the corridor for bus customers, with the separation of buses
from general traffic
• savings of up to six minutes in travel time, in peak morning periods, for certain bus trips and
up to three minutes in travel time, for certain bus trips in peak afternoon periods
• a facility to support high-frequency bus services, encouraging more people to use public
transport, which will assist in managing congestion
• improved pedestrian capacity and safety, with bus stop and pathway improvements in some
sections of the alignment.

Project funding allocation for the next three financial years is outlined below.

Financial Year Allocation

Estimated expenditure to 30 June 2019 $2,686,000

2019–20 $2,560,000

2020–21 $17,529,000

2021–22 to 2022–23 $30,225,000

Total funding $53,000,000

[verbatim9]

The State Government is being accused of ruining businesses and jeopardising safety on Gympie Road. A transitway is planned for a section at Kedron, work will begin in the new year, but locals are far from happy. https://t.co/VZ3A1cpmr5 @STitmus7 #7NEWS https://t.co/NTHMpb3uE1

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1198882243378180096

[verbatim9]

^^This is just Polytricks by Council. A few businesses persuading Council to help scrap the proposal.

Just build the transit way! It's well needed! Buses are stuck in traffic every peak hour and even off peak on weekends.

Customers of the car yards can drive into the car yard or park in a side street and walk 50-100m. p.s. What a joke that the owner of the caryard states that customers.are scared of driving in. Just place a sign stating "Welcome" on site parking available for customers. We are open! Simple!

As for other businesses side street parking is readily available as well as rear of building parking.

^^P.s. Everyone knows that there is no money to build a segregated Busway at this stage.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1777-2019.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1777

Asked on Thursday 24 October 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the Northern Transitway—

Will the Minister advise (a) the level of consultation undertaken with the community including local
businesses (b) the full scope of the project that has been budgeted (c) whether the Member for
Stafford has attended any consultation sessions (d) whether the Member for Stafford was
consulted during planning and design and (e) the number of car parks on Gympie Road that are
set to be scrapped?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

(a) The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has undertaken community
consultation as part of the Northern Transitway project design stage, with over 34,000
households and businesses sent information about the project that included an opportunity
to provide feedback. In November 2018, TMR officers doorknocked impacted businesses
and in September and October 2019, held face-to-face meetings with local businesses.
During this time, TMR also held four community information sessions. These sessions were
advertised as part of the letterbox drop to 34,000 households and businesses and were
promoted on social media and TMR's website.

(b) The Palaszczuk Government has committed $53 million to the Northern Transitway. The
project is expected to reduce commutes for bus customers by up to 50 per cent, by
delivering up to six minutes reduction in bus travel times along the corridor for certain trips
during the peak morning period. The 2.3-kilometre corridor will support high-frequency
onroad bus services.

The project will enable improved and more reliable travel times,
encouraging more people to use public transport. Separating buses from general road
traffic will also provide more reliable travel times. Making bus travel more attractive to
customers will assist in managing congestion. To prioritise public transport within the
existing road corridor, the proposed design uses existing road shoulder, parking areas and
median areas on Gympie Road to accommodate the bus lanes. Safety works will take place
on six non-signalised intersections, as well as improvements to kerb ramps, asphalt, line
marking, and public utility works. Improvements to the pathways on both sides of Gympie
Road will also be undertaken as part of the project works.

(c) Individuals at the community information sessions were encouraged to register their
attendance, however it was not compulsory. There was no recorded registration for the
Member for Stafford.

(d) The Member for Stafford is identified as a key stakeholder and has been briefed on the
project, its milestones, benefits and impacts. The Member for Stafford has also made
representations on behalf of constituents to TMR.

(e) The current design presented to the community for consultation has approximately 250
impacted car parks, however this number is subject to the outcomes of community
consultation and decisions made on the final design.

[Gazza]

Yeah I dunno how the council can call this "half baked".

Plenty of time BCC have gone for cheaper (but still good solutions)
-Blue CityGlider instead of light rail.
-Bus Metro instead of rail based metro.

[timh]

So I took the 330 today from KGS to Chermside. One thing I noticed that is abysmally slow during the on-road sections is the weird bus lane intersection thing right before the Truro Street tunnel portal. That was the slowest intersection of the trip by far, and if you ask me that should be the quickest. That would be an ideal candidate to receive priority signalling. Has any thought been given to priority signalling or other measures south of Truro Street as part of the "Northern Transitway" project?

My preferred solution for Federation Street - Truro Street is still a tunnel. Use the Federation Street/Truro Street stations as tunnel portals, and run the tunnel slightly west of Lutwyche road to build an underground station underneath (or close to) Windsor rail station. Obviously it's a pipe dream for now but 10 years from now people will be screaming for this or something similar I reckon...

[Gazza]

I think the plan from memory was to build the Windsor station on the eastern side on this vacant block.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Windsor+QLD+4030/@-27.4328141,153.031887,201m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b9159c248109657:0x502a35af3de9e20!8m2!3d-27.4326765!4d153.0320137

[timh]

I think the plan from memory was to build the Windsor station on the eastern side on this vacant block.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Windsor+QLD+4030/@-27.4328141,153.031887,201m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b9159c248109657:0x502a35af3de9e20!8m2!3d-27.4326765!4d153.0320137

Ooh so are there actually plans somewhere for a busway for that missing link? I haven't been able to find anything....

That vacant block of land (if I'm looking at the right one) isn't exactly close to the train station, hardly works for interchanging :/

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

So I took the 330 today from KGS to Chermside. One thing I noticed that is abysmally slow during the on-road sections is the weird bus lane intersection thing right before the Truro Street tunnel portal. That was the slowest intersection of the trip by far, and if you ask me that should be the quickest. That would be an ideal candidate to receive priority signalling. Has any thought been given to priority signalling or other measures south of Truro Street as part of the "Northern Transitway" project?

My preferred solution for Federation Street - Truro Street is still a tunnel. Use the Federation Street/Truro Street stations as tunnel portals, and run the tunnel slightly west of Lutwyche road to build an underground station underneath (or close to) Windsor rail station. Obviously it's a pipe dream for now but 10 years from now people will be screaming for this or something similar I reckon...

I think the plan from memory was to build the Windsor station on the eastern side on this vacant block.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Windsor+QLD+4030/@-27.4328141,153.031887,201m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b9159c248109657:0x502a35af3de9e20!8m2!3d-27.4326765!4d153.0320137

I think the plan from memory was to build the Windsor station on the eastern side on this vacant block.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Windsor+QLD+4030/@-27.4328141,153.031887,201m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b9159c248109657:0x502a35af3de9e20!8m2!3d-27.4326765!4d153.0320137

Ooh so are there actually plans somewhere for a busway for that missing link? I haven't been able to find anything....

That vacant block of land (if I'm looking at the right one) isn't exactly close to the train station, hardly works for interchanging :/

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

A tunnel in this location to connect the missing link can't come soon enough. A new rail station. combined with a busway/metro station should be built. Favourably a transit oriented mixed use development. The current office buildings between the Windsor Buz stop and  the  Windsor train station are  ripe for acquisition and redevelopment A new combined station can be built closer to Lutwyche road.

[timh]

Agreed!!!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[SurfRail]

There are plans showing a continuous busway to Truro St (use the Wayback Machine and you should find project updates from 10+ years ago which depict it).

[timh]

There are plans showing a continuous busway to Truro St (use the Wayback Machine and you should find project updates from 10+ years ago which depict it).

Thanks, found it

https://web.archive.org/web/20060819193802/http://translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/busway_northern

The exact same Wayback Machine snapshot I used to find the Eastern busway plans, no less. Honestly I would have never thought to look, because I had no idea there was ever a tunnelling plan for this section, I thought it was always an "on road buslanes" thing.

Alright, so coming out of finding this new info, a few observations:
1) I thought the Eastern busway plans were complex but WOW. I really thought it would make more sense to take the tunnel west of Lutwyche road to avoid the Airport Link but NOPE they just digging another tunnel straight on top of it. No wonder they ditched this section that sounds immensely complex.
2) On that note, why did they ditch this section and do the Truro Street-Kedron Brook section first??? Was it a section with heavier traffic or something?
3) The Windsor station is poorly placed IMO. Why not take it closer to the railway station? Or alternatively, why not move the railway station closer to the busway station? (I'm guessing track curvature...) It makes much more sense to me to build it as a proper interchange to me though.
4) Albion Road busway station is totally unnecessary, and if they decided to think about building this bit again they should ditch it from the design. Run the tunnel from Windsor station straight to Truro Street station and just make Truro Street a proper busway station with a longer platform and overhead walkway and lifts and stuff

EDIT:

Done some more research. Found some great info from the Environmental Impact Study for the Airport Link (See: http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Airport%20Link/EIS/Volume%201%20-%20EIS/eis-21-cumulative-impacts.pdf)
One interesting piece of info: it poses that the "ultimate busway" between RBWH and Truro Street is expected to be constructed by 2026. Obviously a lot of stuff has changed since this document has come out, but honestly I don't think that's an unrealistic timeline to aim for.

Second bit is this great quote. I reckon we could use it in future press releases if we wanted to push for Northern busway stuff:
"The Northern Busway will fulfil a significant public transport task, comparable to the rail corridor and the
South-East Busway. The overall benefits to bus users of the Northern Busway will be significant and an increase
in bus patronage in the corridor is forecast due to the improved public transport services and the greater travel
reliability, comfort, safety and convenience provided by a Busway system. "

EDIT 2:
I think I answered my own question from above about why the Lutwyche-Kedron Brook bit was completed first. From reading that Airport Link document it seems like it would have been impossible to do all that tunneling for that bit of the Busway after the Airport Link was completed, so they needed to do it at the same time. Makes sense.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> LNP to halt controversial Northern Transitway if it wins power

The State Opposition has sided with concerned businesses and residents, vowing to block a controversial $50 million busway on Brisbane's northside.

THE LNP has promised to stop the controversial $53 million Northern Transitway proceeding if it win October's state election, as local business owners fear losing their livelihood.

The Labor Government has committed $53 million to construct the 2.3km Northern Transitway, effectively a 24/7 express bus lane that limousines, taxis and cyclists will be permitted to use.

The transitway stretches along Gympie Rd, from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside, and includes the banning of all on-street parking and non-signalised right hand turns as well as the removal of four bus stops.

Business owners along the route have said they will not renew leases while real estate experts forecast dozens of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be devalued if property owners are forced to make U-turns at busy intersections to access to their homes.

Lane widths would also be reduced by up to half a metre from about 3.6m to 3.1m.

Opposition Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said the design had been rushed and that an impact study on businesses was required and the transitway should be part of an overarching public transport plan and not constructed in isolation.

"If this is not materially started at all, we would immediately put a complete halt to it and review it and look at it in its entirety as a congestion busting strategy," Mr Minnikin said.

"It's a hollow exercise and it needs to be part of an integrated traffic study and proper consultation with all key stakeholders that are affected.

"There is going to be untold misery on a whole range of small business people."

The State Government released the proposed plans in September with the final design due out before Christmas and construction to start early in 2020.

However strong pushback from locals and business owners have delayed the final design and ultimately the starting date for construction.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Ryan said work on the transitway would begin this year.

He said local member Dr Anthony Lynham and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey had raised the concerns of residents and businesses about the project and they were being addressed.

"Following extensive consultation conducted by the department, Dr Lynham met with Minister Bailey last month and raised concerns on behalf of local residents and businesses about the potential loss of carparking, hours of operation, access to local streets and removal of two bus stops which were planned as part of the proposed design," Mr Ryan said.

"Minister Bailey has since directed his department to consider this feedback and to brief him on options for the final design of the Northern Transitway."

The banning of right-hand turns along the 2.3km route could "cruel" a childcare centre while Yvette Cottrill, who owns Consign-a-Car at Kedron, said she will have to move when her long term lease expires in 2021.

She said the section between Kitchener Rd and Rode Rd, where her business had been located for eight years, experienced heavy traffic on weekends but not during the week.

The end of on-street parking will all but kill off passing trade for her business and that of more than half a dozen car yards along the 2.3km strip.

"We're not sure what's happening as we haven't heard from anyone since October," Ms Cottrill said.

Mr Minnikin said if construction on the transitway had started by October then they would not scrap the project but conduct a review of its effectiveness and its impact on residents and businesses.

"If we are talking about whether there has been substantial construction then we would review it after six months because we are going to have business screaming blue murder for lack of sales," he said.

[timh]

Couriermail --> LNP to halt controversial Northern Transitway if it wins power

The State Opposition has sided with concerned businesses and residents, vowing to block a controversial $50 million busway on Brisbane's northside.

THE LNP has promised to stop the controversial $53 million Northern Transitway proceeding if it win October's state election, as local business owners fear losing their livelihood.

The Labor Government has committed $53 million to construct the 2.3km Northern Transitway, effectively a 24/7 express bus lane that limousines, taxis and cyclists will be permitted to use.

The transitway stretches along Gympie Rd, from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside, and includes the banning of all on-street parking and non-signalised right hand turns as well as the removal of four bus stops.

Business owners along the route have said they will not renew leases while real estate experts forecast dozens of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be devalued if property owners are forced to make U-turns at busy intersections to access to their homes.

Lane widths would also be reduced by up to half a metre from about 3.6m to 3.1m.

Opposition Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said the design had been rushed and that an impact study on businesses was required and the transitway should be part of an overarching public transport plan and not constructed in isolation.

"If this is not materially started at all, we would immediately put a complete halt to it and review it and look at it in its entirety as a congestion busting strategy," Mr Minnikin said.

"It's a hollow exercise and it needs to be part of an integrated traffic study and proper consultation with all key stakeholders that are affected.

"There is going to be untold misery on a whole range of small business people."

The State Government released the proposed plans in September with the final design due out before Christmas and construction to start early in 2020.

However strong pushback from locals and business owners have delayed the final design and ultimately the starting date for construction.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Ryan said work on the transitway would begin this year.

He said local member Dr Anthony Lynham and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey had raised the concerns of residents and businesses about the project and they were being addressed.

"Following extensive consultation conducted by the department, Dr Lynham met with Minister Bailey last month and raised concerns on behalf of local residents and businesses about the potential loss of carparking, hours of operation, access to local streets and removal of two bus stops which were planned as part of the proposed design," Mr Ryan said.

"Minister Bailey has since directed his department to consider this feedback and to brief him on options for the final design of the Northern Transitway."

The banning of right-hand turns along the 2.3km route could "cruel" a childcare centre while Yvette Cottrill, who owns Consign-a-Car at Kedron, said she will have to move when her long term lease expires in 2021.

She said the section between Kitchener Rd and Rode Rd, where her business had been located for eight years, experienced heavy traffic on weekends but not during the week.

The end of on-street parking will all but kill off passing trade for her business and that of more than half a dozen car yards along the 2.3km strip.

"We're not sure what's happening as we haven't heard from anyone since October," Ms Cottrill said.

Mr Minnikin said if construction on the transitway had started by October then they would not scrap the project but conduct a review of its effectiveness and its impact on residents and businesses.

"If we are talking about whether there has been substantial construction then we would review it after six months because we are going to have business screaming blue murder for lack of sales," he said.

Note that they don't seem to propose any alternative to do something about bus priority along this corridor...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Couriermail --> LNP to halt controversial Northern Transitway if it wins power

The State Opposition has sided with concerned businesses and residents, vowing to block a controversial $50 million busway on Brisbane's northside.

THE LNP has promised to stop the controversial $53 million Northern Transitway proceeding if it win October's state election, as local business owners fear losing their livelihood.

The Labor Government has committed $53 million to construct the 2.3km Northern Transitway, effectively a 24/7 express bus lane that limousines, taxis and cyclists will be permitted to use.

The transitway stretches along Gympie Rd, from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside, and includes the banning of all on-street parking and non-signalised right hand turns as well as the removal of four bus stops.

Business owners along the route have said they will not renew leases while real estate experts forecast dozens of apartments, houses and commercial properties will be devalued if property owners are forced to make U-turns at busy intersections to access to their homes.

Lane widths would also be reduced by up to half a metre from about 3.6m to 3.1m.

Opposition Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said the design had been rushed and that an impact study on businesses was required and the transitway should be part of an overarching public transport plan and not constructed in isolation.

"If this is not materially started at all, we would immediately put a complete halt to it and review it and look at it in its entirety as a congestion busting strategy," Mr Minnikin said.

"It's a hollow exercise and it needs to be part of an integrated traffic study and proper consultation with all key stakeholders that are affected.

"There is going to be untold misery on a whole range of small business people."

The State Government released the proposed plans in September with the final design due out before Christmas and construction to start early in 2020.

However strong pushback from locals and business owners have delayed the final design and ultimately the starting date for construction.

Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Ryan said work on the transitway would begin this year.

He said local member Dr Anthony Lynham and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey had raised the concerns of residents and businesses about the project and they were being addressed.

"Following extensive consultation conducted by the department, Dr Lynham met with Minister Bailey last month and raised concerns on behalf of local residents and businesses about the potential loss of carparking, hours of operation, access to local streets and removal of two bus stops which were planned as part of the proposed design," Mr Ryan said.

"Minister Bailey has since directed his department to consider this feedback and to brief him on options for the final design of the Northern Transitway."

The banning of right-hand turns along the 2.3km route could "cruel" a childcare centre while Yvette Cottrill, who owns Consign-a-Car at Kedron, said she will have to move when her long term lease expires in 2021.

She said the section between Kitchener Rd and Rode Rd, where her business had been located for eight years, experienced heavy traffic on weekends but not during the week.

The end of on-street parking will all but kill off passing trade for her business and that of more than half a dozen car yards along the 2.3km strip.

"We're not sure what's happening as we haven't heard from anyone since October," Ms Cottrill said.

Mr Minnikin said if construction on the transitway had started by October then they would not scrap the project but conduct a review of its effectiveness and its impact on residents and businesses.

"If we are talking about whether there has been substantial construction then we would review it after six months because we are going to have business screaming blue murder for lack of sales," he said.

Note that they don't seem to propose any alternative to do something about bus priority along this corridor...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

They better not stop.it. I doubt they will. A few business owners don't have that much influence when it comes to the election outcome. It's just the opposition trying to empathise with a small segment of the community. Hence pledging a review.

DTMR were assigned to come.up with this idea in place of the Busway. It's either dedicated transtway.or an expensive segregated Busway. The LNP rather the Transit way. I am sure LNP or Labor will look at a segregated mass transit solution in the future, but it seems this is the most affordable approach for now

[Jonno]

Everything that is wrong with transport in SEQ right here - Research shows that retailers significantly underestimate the number of customers arriving my foot, bike and public transport. Further non-car customers also spend more on average!!! https://www.citylab.com/life/2012/11/4-reasons-retailers-dont-need-free-parking-thrive/3978/

[Gazza]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/planned-northern-transitway-bus-lane-hours-scaled-back-20200214-p540tn.html

The state government has backed away from an unpopular plan to remove on-street parking and a number of bus stops from Gympie Road as part of its $53 million Northern Transitway.

The 2.3 kilometre project would have had 24/7 bus lanes between Sadlier Street and Hamilton Road, but after strong community feedback, Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced on Friday that bus-lane hours would be cut back.

The lanes in both directions will operate during weekday peak periods only, between 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm, with bus stops at Strathmore Street and Castle Street in Kedron retained.

The move will allow businesses to keep on-street parking while still reducing bus travel times for about 5000 passengers during weekday peak periods.

"We held a series of community information sessions last year and received 185 pieces of individual feedback on the proposed Northern Transitway plan," Mr Bailey said.

"The main issues raised by the community were the removal of the bus stops and on-street parking.

"The changes mean commuters will still enjoy quicker travel during the high-demand peak periods, while Gympie Road businesses will keep on-street parking for their customers for large parts of the day and all day on weekends."

However, no-parking areas near bus stops and intersections will be extended by up to 100 metres to improve bus priority travel on Gympie Road.

Traffic lights will be installed at the Gympie Road-Boothby Street intersection to include a right-turn and U-turn lane.

Plans to convert five intersections into left-in- and left-out-only access will be retained from the original plan.

"The parking and bus stops issues were repeatedly raised with me by residents at meetings and in phone calls and emails, so I'm glad those aspects have been considered and compromises reached," Dr Lynham said.

"About 70,000 motorists drive that stretch of Gympie Road every day, and the RACQ regularly lists it as one of the worst spots for nose-to-tail crashes because of the congestion."

Dr Lynham warned the LNP would scrap the Northern Transitway project if elected, a commitment given by opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin in January.

Tenders for the Northern Transitway are expected to be released next month.

It's a bit of a setback to be honest.
Bus proponents bang on about how bus lanes are just a bit of paint on the ground and a cheap and easy way to get priority.
In reality, its hard to even get a couple of kilometers of bus priority done, so buses remain slow and stuck in traffic.

Good at least they are retaining the strathmore st stop. Its right out the front of Coles, and it makes zero sense to move bus stops away from supermarkets.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th February 2020

Northern Transit Way, a part time failure ..

RAIL Back on Track, a web based community group which advocates better public transport has slammed the announcement by Transport Minister Mark Bailey that the new $53 Million Northern Transitway will only operate in the morning and afternoon peaks (1).
If we are to increase the use of public transport in Brisbane, we need to make it a top choice 7 days a week, and stop acting that it's only peak hour travellers that matter.

RAIL Back on Track is losing hope for Brisbane's long term commitment to improving public transport if we can't even set aside a mere 2.3km for 24 hour bus lanes.

Northside travellers are being dudded.

We've gone from a promise of a dedicated busway tunnel from the CBD to Chermside, to a partially built busway with gaps, to bus lanes, and now to bus lanes which only operate part time.

At the end of the day, Gympie Road is one of Brisbane's most important transport corridors, there are only so many lanes on Gympie road, there's not the space to keep widening it, so should be using the limited space the most efficiently.

This means bus lanes, not wasting lanes on parking.

Quite frankly, parking should be accommodated on the land of the business owners that need customer parking.

Failure to provide bus priority on main roads means that buses will be condemned to be slower than driving and public transport use will not significantly improve.

It is a shame that politics has once again trumped proper transport policy.

Contact:

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


1. Planned Northern Transitway bus lane hours scaled back
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/planned-northern-transitway-bus-lane-hours-scaled-back-20200214-p540tn.html

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1228149359914582016