TransLink SEQ - COVID-19 changes

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter has just finished disinfecting himself after ending up in an overcrowded 3-car train service today. Here is the blog report:
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2021/04/qrs-3-car-covid-disgrace.html

[ozbob]

See ' Rollingstock shortage ' discussion thread > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=14231.msg245554#msg245554

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail COVID fail as cleaning crews busted not doing job $

Queensland Rail cleaning crews have been busted not COVID cleaning trains, including services used by a person who later tested positive to the virus.

The renegade crews were discovered after checks on a series of services that a potentially COVID-positive person travelled on during the most recent Brisbane outbreak.

It's understood the cleaners were boarding trains but just hanging around on their phones, rather than properly cleaning them with a specialist fogging solution and wiping down high-traffic surfaces.

They were discovered in a review of CCTV footage and have since been fired. ...

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1387940449260695553

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Staff to be hired to monitor train cleaners after dodgy COVID practices

Contractors will be hired to watch other workers disinfect Brisbane trains after dodgy cleaning practices were caught on CCTV.

Security cameras caught a "number of staff", employed by contractor Alstom to do spot and deep cleaning aboard trains, sitting around "not doing any cleaning". ...

My understanding that this failure is related to the cleaning of NGRs as organised by Alstom.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Workers stood down after CCTV shows slack cleaning of Brisbane trains

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> '$5 all-day brekkie' a sign of tough CBD times as free public transport off menu

... But they want the Queensland government to offer free public transport for a short period "to break the habit" of working from home.

"We would like to see that here in Brisbane as well, because we know one of the biggest challenges is that people are choosing to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and they are driving in," she said.

"We need to get people back onto public transport and flatten out the working week." ...

... Transport Minister Mark Bailey said new incentives would be announced in "coming weeks".

"We announced last year that we will freeze public transport fares for 2021 to encourage more commuters back onto the network," he said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1395569402427318273

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1409339648594255877

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1421284432053293062

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Workers stood down after CCTV shows slack cleaning of Brisbane trains

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1424197522025631747

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1426883775896592384

[achiruel]

^ I'm a little confused as to how border restrictions prevent the 777 from operating but not the 760. I suspect the real reason is that patronage has been approaching zero, but the Qld Government can't say that because they've been making a big thing about not cutting public transport to allow social distancing.

[verbatim9]

^ I'm a little confused as to how border restrictions prevent the 777 from operating but not the 760. I suspect the real reason is that patronage has been approaching zero, but the Qld Government can't say that because they've been making a big thing about not cutting public transport to allow social distancing.

Doesn't the 760 serve as a commuter route? Being the extension of the train line south. The 777 is purely for tourism purposes and sole airport commuting. No tourists and no airport commuting = no service.

[SurfRail]

There's virtually no air traffic at OOL at present and the border is closed, meaning plenty of capacity on the 700 and 760 to cover things. 

[achiruel]

I don't have any issue with the suspension of the service, what I do have an issue with is the dishonesty from TransLink about the reasons behind it (claiming it's due to border closures, when the real reason is lack of patronage).

[SurfRail]

^ Which is a direct consequence of the fact that people literally cannot fly here anymore from OOL's 2 busiest markets

[techblitz]

Doesn't the 760 serve as a commuter route?

yep....direct link to cooloongatta...nothing beats it...its the go-to route....

Speaking of numbers.....was on an 10amish o/b yesterday....2 people onboard coming into the airport....both of us jumped off after the airport.
On a normal pandemic service with borders open....usualy 5 - 6 jumping off at ool.
Pre-pandemic was usually 10-15 on average jumping off.
The 760`s majority patronage at the moment is shuffling people between robina and Elanora(the pines)

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Working from home throws spanner in works for major Brisbane transport projects $

Brisbane's new multibillion-dollar transit projects are likely to feel the financial impact of fewer people working from the CBD because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Queensland government's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail and Brisbane City Council's $1.23 billion Brisbane Metro projects included fundamental assumptions in their business cases about how, when and where commuters moved.  ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1432713967592480779

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94018

Media Statement

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Extra bus and ferry services continued

9th December 2021

An additional 40 bus services will be permanently added to the weekly timetable, improving access to and from Brisbane CBD.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the services were added in August 2020 to provide passengers returning to the public transport network with greater confidence.

"These timetable additions were originally added to help customers maintain social distancing and give workers greater flexibility on travel times," Mr Bailey said.

"We've been monitoring these services since they were introduced last year and customers have told us they value them by getting on board and using them.

"We're always striving to improve our network for customers, so it's great to have more services, more often for our Brisbane bus users."

Member for McConnel Grace Grace was pleased with the decision to retain these services permanently.

"There are more and more customers returning to the South East Queensland bus network, which we can see in the patronage figures each week," Ms Grace said.

"The 40 bus services now join the 105 additional permanent train services added to the rail timetable that we announced earlier this year – expanding the options available to customers in Brisbane.

"Knowing that all these services are now permanent gives customers reassurance in their routines and builds on our commitment to provide a better transport experience."

The 40 additional bus services are split evenly across the five business days per week, with eight per day running either just before or just after the traditional peak period.

Member for Redlands Kim Richards said there was also good news for Southern Moreton Bay Island ferry users with 102 additional ferry services to be continued until April next year.

"SeaLink are currently operating 16 additional weekday services and 11 additional weekend services per day to help customers maintain social distancing on board services," Ms Richards said.

"We understand the importance of the ferry services in the region and that's why we've worked with SeaLink to continue running these services into the start of 2022."

Head online to the TransLink website or call 13 12 30 at any time for more information on public transport or to plan your journey.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1471689553417175042

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94229  8th January 2022

... "So far, Queensland Rail and our bus and ferry service partners have continued to deliver public transport services with minimal disruptions.

"Queensland Rail and TransLink are closely monitoring the impact of COVID transmission on bus, train and ferry crew availability and is considering a range of contingency measures.

"This may include temporarily scaling back services, as is already occurring in New South Wales and on other public transport systems worldwide." ...

[verbatim9]

Wow! Common sense prevails to review frequency during Covid outbreaks.

I think trains should have a lesser frequency after 10pm. Peak services for buses, trains and ferries should be scrapped until office workers and school go back in February.

[verbatim9]

Maybe one or two extra services but not what we have now.

Empty trains buses and ferries just equate to waste and unnecessary emissions.

[Cazza]

Peak services for buses, trains and ferries should be scrapped until office workers and school go back in February.

I go back into the office this coming week, as do most...

[verbatim9]

Peak services for buses, trains and ferries should be scrapped until office workers and school go back in February.

I go back into the office this coming week, as do most...

Doesn't mean there needs to be all those extra peak services and trains half hourly after 10pm.

[verbatim9]

It would be good to save some money have that money put into improving infrastructure and buying electric buses.

Improving Public Transport for the future

[ozbob]

 

If things get out of hand, I suspect a Saturday like timetable on Citytrain with some extra services during the peaks.

Bus network, service cuts to the high frequency routes, low frequency I would suspect would be left intact.

Shift workers and others will still need to get around.

Anyone who has been paying attention would have noted a lot of cancellations bus and ferry of late due to staff availability issues.

[#Metro]

What a great time to do bus reform 

[achiruel]

It might not get as bad now with the changes to (asymptomatic) close contacts being allowed to work if their job is essential services.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Heaven forbid should Gympie road loose it's 24bph at 10-11pm.

[achiruel]

No doubt that the *13* bph on Gympie Rd late at night is wasteful. 330/340 could easily be terminated at Chermside after 9pm, maybe even 8? Someone who knows passenger loadings better than me could probably decide. There's lots of fat like this in the network than can and should be cut, so maybe now is a good time to do it?

[HappyTrainGuy]

I included both directions. No need for that many buses going to and from the city at that time of night.

330/333/340 struggled with inbound patronage after 7pm and that was before covid. They are just air parcels now and there's nothing more annoying then seeing them in a conga line due to the busway lights and poor timing. Cull them at Chermside and have passengers transfer to the 333 off peak. And introduce a stop near rode road.

[verbatim9]

Brisbanetimes---> Trains to run on 'weekend timetables', bus and ferry services reduced

Trains are set to shift to weekend-style timetables this month as patronage slumps to 40 per cent and more public transport workers are forced to stay home because of the Omicron wave.

Buses, ferries and CityCat services will also be cut, possibly in early February, as Queensland adjusts to this stage of the pandemic.

[verbatim9]

Sounds like a reasonable change in the scheme of things.

[#Metro]

Time for bus reform I think. Service and patronage has been down for more than two years now, good opportunity to refresh the network.

Lower patronage and flattened out peaks might be permanent as COVID19 rollercoaster makes it less uncertain to simply stay home and work from there.

[verbatim9]

Time for bus reform I think. Service and patronage has been down for more than two years now, good opportunity to refresh the network.

Lower patronage and flattened out peaks might be permanent as COVID19 rollercoaster makes it less uncertain to simply stay home and work from there.

BCC and TMR have stated that proper bus reform will occur coinciding with Brisbane metro services.

No doubt they will make minor adjustments where needed.

[Cazza]

https://translink.com.au/updates/77571

Reduced Logan bus services
From Wednesday 12 until Friday 14 January, the following bus services won't run due to staffing availability.

Morning services
Towards Brisbane City
Route     From                                           Services
551        Kensington Fair Shopping Centre   6.40am
554        Kuraby station                           6.50am
555        Loganholme station                   8.45am
561        Kensington Fair Shopping Centre    6.29am, 6.50am, 7.30am
566        Windaroo                                   6.24am, 6.43am, 7.15am, 7.29am
P569        Loganholme station                   6.19am, 7.40am, 8.02am, 8.20am
571        Loganholme station                   6.53am, 7.31am
573        Loganholme station                   6.35am, 6.45am, 8.05am
577        Springwood bus station                   6.55am, 7.25am
579        Springwood bus station                   6.30am, 6.45am, 7.30am
P581        Slacks Creek park 'n' ride           6.25am, 6.55am, 8.10am

Towards Logan
Route     From                                       Services
555        Elizabeth Street stop 82               9.27am


Afternoon services
Towards Logan
Route     From                                Services
551        Elizabeth Street stop 82        5.15pm
561        Elizabeth Street stop 82        4.50pm
566        Elizabeth Street stop 82        4.20pm, 5.10pm, 5.35pm
P569        Elizabeth Street stop 82        4.25pm
571        Elizabeth Street stop 82        5.25pm
573        Elizabeth Street stop 82        4.50pm, 7.10pm
575        Elizabeth Street stop 82        5.48pm
577        Elizabeth Street stop 82        5.13pm
P581        Elizabeth Street stop 82        5.15pm

We thank you for your patience during this time.

Let the games begin. The 566 has been hard done by, 4 out of the 6 inbound services culled (now only departing at 6:02am and 6:55am) and 3 out of the 5 pm services (with services only at 4:55pm and 6pm). Hopefully it will be cut indefinitely when they get a chance to properly assess things and put these resources into the 565 shuttling between Windaroo, Beenleigh Station and Logan Hyperdome instead. The first northbound 565 out of Windaroo isn't until 8:46am. Nearly 2 hours between the last 566 and the first 565! :conf

[#Metro]

BCC and TMR have stated that proper bus reform will occur coinciding with Brisbane metro services.

No doubt they will make minor adjustments where needed.

So what is going to happen to routes 111, 160 and 555? The ideal case is they all turn into 555 services and continue along the busway.

BUT Brisbane Metro will start from Eight Mile Plains. Will the 555 duplicate the 111 Brisbane Metro? Or should the 555 terminate at Eight Mile Plains?