On the Buses

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
12/09/2008

'DO THE BUS STOP' AT VALLEY FIESTA

The volume wont be the only thing turned up at this year's Valley Fiesta with the number of NightLink bus services almost doubled to get patrons home safely and quickly.

Transport Minister John Mickel said with a massive 120,000 patrons expected in the Valley from Friday 12 September until Sunday 14 September, TransLink would step up to the challenge of moving these extra people.

"NightLink bus services will be virtually doubled and operate every 30 minutes instead of hourly from 1am until 5am on Saturday and Sunday," he said.

Mr Mickel urged revellers to avoid a 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Do the Bus Stop' instead.
"NightLink is a hassle-free and cheaper way for revellers to get home safe and sound.

"NightLink services leaving the Valley and City on Friday and Saturday nights are already very popular - you don't have to wait for a cab, or worry about parking, and they're inexpensive.

"But this weekend is special so we've doubled ou r efforts so thousands of revellers can enjoy themselves and get home easily."

Onboard security staff will be at NightLink bus stops in the Valley and CBD.

As an extra bonus, NightLink will drop you off anywhere along the route where it is safe for the driver to stop.

For further information, visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NIGHTLINK SERVICES INCLUDE :

100 Valley to Forest Lake via CBD and South Bank
111 Valley to Eight Mile Plains via CBD and South Bank
130 Valley to Algester via CBD and South Bank
184 Valley to Upper Mt Gravatt via CBD and South Bank
199 West End to New Farm via CBD and Valley
200 Woolloongabba to Valley via South Bank and CBD
200 Valley to Carindale via CBD and South Bank
226 Valley to Wynnum via CBD
250 Valley to Cleveland via CBD and South Bank
310 Valley to Sandgate via CBD
330 Normanby to Valley via CBD
330 Valley to Brac ken Ridge via CBD and Chermside
385 Valley to The Gap via CBD, South Bank, Caxton Street and Paddington
390 Valley to Ferny Grove via CBD and Normanby
412 Toowong to Valley via CBD
412 Valley to St Lucia via CBD and Toowong
464 Valley to Forest Lake via CBD, Toowong and Indooroopilly
555 Loganholme bus station to Valley via CBD and South Bank
555 Valley to Loganholme bus station via CBD and South Bank

Friday 12 September 2008

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Man threatens Brisbane buses

Man threatens Brisbane buses
Andrew Wight | September 13, 2008 - 11:57AM

Queensland Police are investigating a call made by a man to Crime Stoppers late yesterday afternoon, making threats to bus services.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter Barron said that while police do not believe this to be a credible threat, it is a timely reminder for people to be alert when in public places.

"We call on people using buses to be vigilant and to report any suspicious or criminal activity," Acting Deputy Commissioner Barron said.

This incident is similar to one in late 2005, when public transport ground to a halt after a threat was phoned in, but was later proved false.

"We ask people to be aware of their surroundings, and report any packages or luggage left unattended to the authorities," Acting Deputy Commissioner Barron said.

"With the Valley Fiesta and the Bledisloe Cup game scheduled for the weekend, many people will be using bus services, and we ask for their assistance in reporting any suspicious activity to police, Crime Stoppers, or public transport staff."

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane buses too overcrowded to pick up commuters

Brisbane buses too overcrowded to pick up commuters
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Alison Sandy

September 16, 2008 07:25pm

MORE than 2000 Brisbane City Council bus services were too full to pick up passengers last month, the latest figures have revealed.
Public transport chairwoman Jane Prentice said while 2242 buses from August 4-29 were full, they only made up 1.08 per cent of more than 200,000 scheduled trips.

Cr Prentice blamed the State Government for failing to provide more services over the Ekka public holiday, which resulted in an extra 95 full bus loads.

"We approached Translink prior to the public holiday and recommended they increase service levels to a more appropriate level given prior years' experience, however Translink were unwilling to fund the Saturday timetable," she said.

A council bus passenger survey revealed two in five passengers were left behind last year, but Cr Prentice said patronage had increased 40 per cent in the past four years and most passengers didn't wait more than 20 minutes for the next bus.

"Although we're talking about a relatively small number of full buses, there's still room for improvement and that's why we're undertaking an unprecedented investment into the city's public transport," she said.

"The Lord Mayor has committed to another 500 new buses by 2012.

"Eight super buses, which carry 1.6 times the capacity of a standard bus, have been ordered and will be on the road by the end of the financial year."

Opposition Leader Shayne Sutton said the LNP rejected a Labor proposal to allocate another $40 million towards about 80 more buses.

"Until the Lord Mayor invests more money in public transport we will continue to see these large numbers of overcrowded buses," she said.

[ozbob]

Corner Alice and Edward St, jacaranda blossom time, exams approaching  ...   

Logan Bus



Photograph R Dow 2 October 2008

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Council bus building operations move to Eagle Farm

Council bus building operations move to Eagle Farm
Tony Moore | October 6, 2008 - 4:17PM

Council buses will be built at Eagle Farm from next year after Brisbane City Council today anounced it will be shifting its Brisbane City Council's bus building facilities from Toowong to land near the Brisbane Airport.

Brisbane City Council has provided the $6 million Eagle Farm site as its share of the multi-million joint-partner agreement with bus manufacturer, Volgren Australia, which will run for 10 years.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman announced the final site this morning and promised to build 150 buses each year at the new facility.

"The commercial arrangement between Council and Volgren means that we will deliver a bus manufacturing facility equipped to produce more than 150 buses per year," Cr Newman said.

Over the last four years, passenger demand for Council buses has jumped more than 40 per cent, from 48 million passengers in 2003/04 to 67 million passengers during the last financial year.

Construction on the site will be delayed until after soil from the North South Bypass Tunnel stops being dumped on the Eagle Farm site, off Kingsford Smith Drive and between the two motorways.

Council will stop building buses at the Toowong factory by late next year.

The Toowong site will remain a bus depot and workshop, but buses will no longer be built there.

A new $5 million depot for 200 buses has already been announced for Willawong.

Workers and bus components can get to the new centre along the Gateway motorways or using the new Northern Access Road now being built through Brisbane Airport.

Volgren have been building Brisbane's buses for over eight years.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Seat belts for 'steep road' buses

Seat belts for 'steep road' buses
October 9, 2008 - 3:37PM

The Queensland government has agreed to install seatbelts in every bus used on steep roads by the end of the year, says the Transport Workers' Union (TWU).

The union met with government officials today to discuss the introduction of seatbelts on buses throughout the state.

The meeting followed the death of a 67-year-old woman in hospital three days after she was injured in a bus crash at Redcliffe, north of Brisbane.

In a statement, the TWU said the Queensland Transport Department had agreed to install seatbelts and roll-over frames in every bus working in steep, hilly areas by the end of the year.

Also, an extra 90 security cameras will be installed in regional buses, following an increase in assaults on bus drivers.

AAP

[ozbob]

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
14/10/2008

Bligh announces winning busway designer

The State Government's congestion-busting Eastern Busway moved a step closer today with the Premier Anna Bligh announcing the winning bid to design the Buranda to Main Avenue section.

Opening the 2008 Major Project Conference in Brisbane this morning, Ms Bligh said that Sinclair Knight Merz/Maunsell AECOM had been selected as the project designer for the busway stage.

"The Eastern Busway is another example of how committed my government is to getting on with the job of building the infrastructure needed to keep Queensland moving," Ms Bligh said.

Ms Bligh said following the appointment of the successful designers, design work on the project would start immediately, with construction to start mid next year, for completion by early 2012.

"The Queensland Government is also calling for proposals from construction companies interested in joining Queensland Transport and SKM/Maunsell AECOM, in an alliance to deliver this section of the busway," Ms Bli gh said.

"Proposals from construction companies close on 6 November 2008 and we expect to have a constructor appointed by Christmas.

"This is one of the Queensland Government's newest congestion-busting projects, and once completed this section of busway will slash up to eight minutes off trips between Coorparoo and the city.

"The Buranda to Main Avenue section will carry 7,000 passengers in the morning peak - the same as two extra traffic lanes along Old Cleveland Road."

"The 18km Eastern Busway is being built and opened in stages, with the highest-priority sections being delivered first."

Last week, Cabinet approved a $465.8 million investment in the Buranda to Cavendish Road section of the Eastern Busway. This will fund construction of the 1.05km section between Buranda and Main Avenue, and purchase required property all the way to Cavendish Road, at Coorparoo.

"The government has also committed $138 million for the Princess Alexandra Hospital to South East Busway section of the Eastern Busway," she said.

The Buranda to Main Avenue section of the Eastern Busway will connect the existing South East Busway at Buranda with Coorparoo via Stones Corner in a combination of tunnel, bridge and at-surface busway.

A state-of-the-art busway station will be built at Stones Corner with a high-quality bus stop at Langlands Park that allows for a future busway station.

"As the Southeast Busway did for the southern suburbs, the Eastern Busway will revolutionise public transport for Brisbane's eastern suburbs," Ms Bligh said.

"It will provide communities with access to fast, frequent and reliable public transport connecting across Brisbane.

"The Government is committed to Brisbane's busway network and committed to improving public transport services for the growing eastern suburbs and Redlands communities.

"Further stages of the Eastern Busway are ready for immediate delivery, should funding become available under the Commonwealth Government's Building Australia Fund," she said.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Bus driver saves girl from choking on dollar coin

Bus driver saves girl from choking on dollar coin
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Leanne Edmistone

October 17, 2008 10:20am

A FAST-ACTING bus driver has saved the life of a six-year-old schoolgirl who collapsed and turned blue after she choked on a dollar coin while on her journey home.
Debbie Smith pulled over in the middle of a Springfield roundabout, while students carried a pale and blue-lipped Abbie Von Schie to the front of the bus.

The girl was choking, gasping and panicking in front of her two older sisters and brother, and other students, on their way home from St Augustine's College.

Mrs Smith, a mother and grandmother, tapped between the little girl's shoulders and squeezed her chest to dislodge the coin.

Mother Debbie Von Schie this morning tearfully presented Mrs Smith with chocolates, flowers and her everlasting gratitude.

"Words cannot express how thankful I am," Mrs Von Schie said.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

New free bus for Brisbane CBD

New free bus for Brisbane CBD
Tony Moore | October 21, 2008 - 12:49PM

Pensioners Clem Kington and Iris Green are among those to welcome a free Spring Hill bus service linking bus travellers with medical facilities on the CBD's fringe.

"It sounds pretty good," Mr Kington, of Redcliffe, told brisbanetimes.com.au following an announcement by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman earlier today.

"I just heard about it and it sounds very useful."

After all, it is pretty hilly up there, both agreed.

A $200,000 a year, five-year partnership between Brisbane City Council and the Spring Hill-based St Andrews War Memorial Hospital has allowed the free commuter bus service to go ahead.

A similar St Andrews Hospital's bus service folded in late 2007 and the hospital has until now been unable to find other partners to keep the previous privately-run bus service running.

Painted in bright yellow with "Spring Hill Loop" on the front, back and sides, the bus service will run in a continuous circuit from 8.10am to 6.05pm, Monday to Friday, and will begin next week.

It will stop in Queen Street, near Post Office Square, before taking in St Andrews War Memorial Hospital and the Brisbane Private Hospital on Wickham Terrace, and on to other specialist's centres in Spring Hill.

"Basically this new yellow bus will provide a much-needed public transport option for people who need to access the medical facilities along Wickham Terrace; the practitioners and the specialists, but also the St Andrews War Memorial and Brisbane Private hospitals," Cr Newman said.

The existing 323 bus service will remain, but commuters will have to pay for it.

The Spring Hill Loop can be used by anyone wanting a free trip downtown - or back up the hill - courtesy of the council and St Andrews.

The hospital will contribute $20,000 a year, while Brisbane City Council will put in $180,000 each year for the next five years to keep it running.

[Sunbus610]

TTA's link to the Coast Connect project on the Sunshine Coast HERE

[size=100]Coast Connect leaves business out of pocket[/size]
(Sunshine Coast Daily, newspaper)
18 October 2008
| By Bill Hoffman

Ken Sinclair, Owner Manager of Maroochy Gas and Solar is angry at the proposed 6 lane upgrade of Aerodrome Road.
A group of businesses on the northern side of Aerodrome Road will be forced to close without compensation if their shop fronts are claimed as part of the construction of the Coast Connect bus way.

Angry Maroochy Solar and Gas owner Ken Sinclair, who set up a retail outlet on Aerodrome Road after signing a three-year lease only in April, said he and neighbouring businesses owners would be left with huge costs to re-establish elsewhere if the project goes ahead.

The 61-year-old plumber, who has worked on the Sunshine Coast since 1976, had set up the business to transition away from his trade tools, signing contracts with major suppliers as part of that process.

Mr Sinclair said the government needed to listen to the community.

The Coast Connect plans require at least a metre from shopfronts between Sixth Avenue and where Baldy?s Cars are located.

?The shops will be knocked down,?? Mr Sinclair said.

?I?m 61-years-old and I?m stuffed. I?ve been told that as a tenant I?ll get no compensation.??

Mr Sinclair went to former town planner and architect Jim Birrell, with who he has been friends for 30 years, to devise an alternative to the route suggested by Queensland Transport.

?He has produced a plan that works,?? he said. (See main story).

Mr Sinclair said he had spoken to Sunbus drivers who have told him they picked up only an average of three passengers from the top of Alexandra Headland to the Plaza in the middle of peak hour.

?The existing routes are inefficient and a waste of money,?? he said.

?The drivers tell me the bus lane along Alex will save only 30 seconds. It?s not where the hold ups are.??

Mr Sinclair said it would make sense to put a bus terminal on council land opposite the Millwell Road community centre, taking passengers commuting between Caloundra and Kawana and Maroochydore on a direct route via the Maroochy Boulevade that is only being used by one bus per hour.

Alex Beach ?highway? plan
> Long-time local says six lanes inevitable
> Councillor flooded with complaints over highway
> Beach strip could become six lanes
> Fury over six-lane Alex Beach highway
> Highway plan not yet set in stone
 

Other related articles from the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper:-
Coast Connect leaves business out of pocket
Long-time local says six lanes inevitable
Councillor flooded with complaints over 'highway'
Beach strip could become six lanes
Fury over six-lane Alex beach highway
Alex highway plan not yet set in stone

[ozbob]

From Brisbane mX 27 October 2008 page 2

Bus boost worth wait

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
28/10/2008

CCTV for Queensland's regional urban buses

Transport Minister John Mickel has announced that a State Government program fitting CCTV cameras to 90 regional buses will be finished this week.

Minister Mickel said the government had funding closed circuit television (CCTV) systems on 90 buses in regional Queensland at a cost of $716,000.

"In Cairns alone the Government is installing CCTV systems on 24 Marlin Coast Sunbus vehicles and providing associated software and equipment for downloads," said the Minister.

The installation program began on buses that provide scheduled urban services in 13 regional centres at the beginning of October.

Services in Cairns, Ingham, Magnetic Island, Townsville, Bowen, Whitsundays, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Maryborough, Glasshouse Mountains, Toowoomba and Warwick were upgraded in the programme.

"The last of the cameras will have been fitted by Friday this week making public transport in these regional areas safer and more attractive to use," said the Minister.

"People are entitled to travel without being confronted by louts or having to put up with the work of small minded vandals such as abuse, graffiti, scratched windows and slashed seats.

"The technology provided in Cairns and the other centres enables high speed wireless downloads of the CCTV system from each bus as it enters the depot.

"The cameras will make it easier to identify vandals and to bring charges against people misbehaving on buses - it means a safer, more secure bus service for drivers and passengers."

Minister Mickel said warning notices as passengers enter the bus and in a prominent place inside the vehicle warn passengers that CCTV is in use and that image and audio downloads are managed by the bus operators.

"The cameras cover the bus entry and driver, forward interior, exit and rear interior.

"There are four cameras on buses up to a 30 seat capacity, while five cameras have been be fitted in the larger buses," Mr Mickel said.

"Each bus is fitted with a forward facing camera and an on-board recorder, and the CCTV system is supported by secure technology.

"There is a standard CCTV system for smaller vehicles and advanced WiFi and 3G systems designed for use in larger vehicles.

"Marlin Coast Sunbus in Cairns is one of the centres where buses are fitted with the advanced system.

"The program doesn't include school buses or long distance coaches, although operators of those buses are free to install their own systems and many already have," he said.

Mr Mickel said WiFi and 3G enhanced systems will also be available in Townsville Sunbus, Capricorn Sunbus in Rockhampton and Garden City Sunbus in Toowoomba.

Mr Mickel said most buses manufactured in the past five years have CCTV systems fitted as standard equipment, and there are 58 of those already in service on regional urban routes.

"These cameras will ensure that people who behave that way, are highly likely to end up explaining themselves to a magistrate," he said.

"Law abiding travellers have absolutely nothing to fear from the cameras because the use of images is very tightly controlled."

The CCTV system complies with Queensland Transport's Code of Practice for Operation of CCTV on Buses, which is available on the website www.transport.qld.gov.au.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From Brisbane mX via Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane's bus security boosted with CCTV cameras

Brisbane's bus security boosted with CCTV cameras
Article from: MX

Ursula Heger

October 28, 2008 12:45pm

MOST of Brisbane's bus network will be fitted with CCTV cameras within the next two years to boost safety, TransLink has announced.
A TransLink spokesman said that a further 485 buses would be fitted with the equipment in the next two years.

"Brisbane Transport (will be) retrofitting CCTV into 485 vehicles in its fleet over the next two years, including 200 vehicles this year," he said.

Of the 725 urban buses in TransLink's private operators' fleet, just under half (358 buses) now use the technology.

All new buses and those built after 2004 have been equipped with the monitoring technology.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the cameras, which were able to transfer data using wireless technology when the bus returned to the depot, made buses safer.

"People (should) travel without being confronted by louts or having to put up with the work of vandals, such as abuse, graffiti and slashed seats," he said.

Commuter group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the CCTV cameras were a good way to crack down on misbehaviour on the buses.

Mr Mickel also announced that the program to equip 90 regional buses with the cameras would be finished this week, at a total cost of $716,000.

The buses will service regional centres including Cairns, Townsville, Bowen, the Whitsundays, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Maryborough.

[Sunbus610]

I noticed this arvo that Brisbane Transport bus T637 has had the TRANSLink decal removed off the front. Is BT possibly trying to seperate themselves as far as possible from TTA (TRANSLink)?

[ozbob]

I am not sure if BT and QR always see eye to eye with the TTA (formerly TransLink).  Be interesting to see if any more go ...

Citytrain seems to be born again ...     

(and so it should! LOL)

[ozbob]

from the Brisbane Bus News ONBOARD Update Winter Issue 2008

[Derwan]

I don't catch buses so don't usually post here - but I was sitting behind a BT bus in traffic the other day.  There was a large advertising sticker on the back window - which is nothing new.  The problem with it was that it covered the last digit of the bus number.  This was rather dumb!   

[Sunbus610]

It looks like a few brand new Bustech MDi (midi) buses are gradually being delivered to the Sunshine Coast Sunbus depot at Marcoola. I'd say these new buses will gradually be replacing many of the older and smaller Custom Coaches Mercedes Benz LO812 and Mercedes Benz LO814 (also referred to as Pie Carts) many of which have been in service since Sunbus (Transit Australia Pty Ltd) won the PT contract for the Sunshine Coast region back in 1995. Have heard rumours that many of these older Custom Coaches (Pie Cart) buses are currently sitting in the yard at Bustech's factory on the Gold Coast waiting for refurbs etc and to have major rust repairs done.

[ozbob]

http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/media_alert081120


King George Square busway station

King George Square busway station has been temporarily closed to commuters due to allow cleanup after last night?s storm.

Buses are able to pass through the station but passengers will be dropped at Roma, Queen Street and the Cultural Centre busway stations.

Outbound services will depart from either Roma Street busway station (for northern and western services) or Cultural Centre (for southern services) busway station:

[ozbob]

http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/media_alert081120 2.45pm 20th November

King George Square busway station

King George Square busway station storm cleanup is complete and has now re-opened.

The following services have been temporarily re-located:

    * route 444 to Moggill will depart from platform 1F
    * route 111 to Roma Street station will depart from platform 1E.

[Sunbus610]

I heard from someone today who'd been speaking to a bus driver for Sunshine Coast Sunbus and it is anticipated that up to 20 new Bustech MDi's buses will eventually be delivered to Sunbus' depot at Marcoola. These will gradually be replacing the older (and smaller) style Piecarts    .

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Bus defects put children at risk, transport union says

Bus defects put children at risk, transport union says
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Kay Dibben

December 07, 2008 12:00am

AN IPSWICH bus company running school and other passenger services has had 14 defective buses taken off the road by Queensland Transport in the past two weeks.

The Transport Workers Union has urged the Transport Minister to ensure all school buses are safe and roadworthy, after its own investigations uncovered defects.

As a result of a TWU investigation, Queensland Transport inspected buses at Westside Bus Company late last month, ordering six buses off the road.

More .... here!

[ozbob]

Article from Courier Mail 9th December 2008 page 14

Demand for bus drivers

[ozbob]

Article from Brisbane mX via Courier Mail click here!

Seeds of doubt over energy solution growing on trees

Seeds of doubt over energy solution growing on trees
Article from: MX

Alex Dickinson

December 11, 2008 11:00pm

DOUBTS have emerged over a bold green initiative to fuel Brisbane's bus and ferry fleet with biodiesel made from the seeds of a common roadside tree.
Brisbane City Council's sustainability chairman Peter Matic boasted this week that "council has an estimated 20,000 pongamia trees across the city, which might hold the key to Brisbane's future fuel requirements".

"This project could see council become a long-term partner in the development of a self-sustainable fuel supply," Cr Matic said.

But calculations suggest that harvesting the seeds from every one of those 20,000 pongamias could produce only about 340,000 litres of biodiesel each year, a fraction of the 15 million litres of diesel used last year on the council's bus and ferry fleet.

Brisbane would need another 862,000 trees - 44 times what is currently planted - to fulfil the biodiesel requirements, or a pongamia plantation 400 times the size of the Suncorp Stadium precinct.

When he was told these calculations, Cr Matic said the joint University of Queensland and council research would simply determine the age and genetics of the seeds that would produce the best biodiesel for the fleet.

He said the council would then look at becoming involved in planting hectares of the trees, but he wouldn't say where.

The pongamia, a native of South-East Asia, has prospered in Brisbane because of its tenacity in tough conditions and its ability to provide shade.

Scientists will harvest pods from pongamias in Mt Gravatt, Camp Hill, Windsor and Graceville for research.

[ozbob]

Article from the Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane bus drivers quit because of pressure, says union

Brisbane bus drivers quit because of pressure, says union
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Alison Sandy

December 14, 2008 11:00pm

BUS drivers are being driven out of Brisbane City Council almost as quickly as they're being driven in, causing a shortfall of 400.
While 500 were recruited in the past year, about 300 quit.

The council has blamed low unemployment, commuter demand and extra buses, but the Queensland Rail, Tram and Bus Union said there was too much pressure on drivers.

"The most complained-about issues are rostering and timetables, meaning 'you're asking me to go too fast' and ... they work people exceedingly long hours," assistant secretary David Matters said.

"A number of women were bursting into tears because they couldn't keep to the timetable."

Latest figures show almost 1500 buses were too full to pick up passengers last month and about another 2000 respectively for the two months prior.

Despite provisions for drivers to have lunch breaks of 50 minutes after five-hour shifts, Mr Matters said they were pressured to have less.

"They're trying to get people to drive longer and cut meal breaks back to 30 minutes.

"We're running at about 17 per cent turnover of casuals and a fairly high rate of trainees leaving as well. Part of that is (because of) the money and the advertisement doesn't portray the reality of what it is."

Mr Matters said another concern was there wasn't a canteen at the new Willawong depot.

The council currently has 1750 bus drivers and another 500 buses will have been added to the fleet by 2012.

In a statement, council transport chairwoman Jane Prentice said the drivers were the highest paid of any council in Australia.

"It is natural during the recent phase of economic prosperity and high employment that people would leave a job to seek greener pastures," she said.

"It's no secret when other employers are downsizing, council is actively recruiting to meet the demands of Brisbane's booming population. By our estimates, we need another 400 new drivers again next year to keep pace with the massive Brisbane City Council bus procurement program planned."

Applicants undergo an interview, maths test, map-reading assessment, memory test and driving assessment, followed by six weeks of training in areas such as customer service.

My blog comment:

I would like to thank all our bus drivers for the job you do.  It is very difficult coping with the traffic, a ticketing system in transition, ignorant customers.  Please be patient folks and say thank you to our drivers.  I travel mainly by rail but when I do travel by bus I have found the drivers courteous and professional. Well done!

[ozbob]

Latest Onboard Newsletter from BCC  Brisbane Bus News  Summer Issue 2008

-->  http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/lib261/onboard_newsletter_summer2008.pdf

[ozbob]

From Brisbane mX 18th December 2008 page 2

Numbers booming on buses

[ozbob]

For information.

From --> Security cameras on Queensland buses

Feedback is now open for a discussion paper about proposed amendments to legislation and some service contracts to include requirements for using Closed Circuit Television systems in Queensland buses.

Queensland Transport has recently funded the supply and installation of Closed Circuit Television systems in approximately 120 buses that are used to provide general route services for service contract areas or routes in regional Queensland. The primary purpose of the system is to address safety and security issues.

In addition to these Closed Circuit Television systems, there are a number of buses that have been fitted with Closed Circuit Television systems through other Queensland Government funding arrangements (TransLink and School Bus Upgrade Scheme) and independently by the operator ...

[Otto]

Major Problems on the Buses today. Over half the fleet was unable to sell tickets today resulting in free rides for a very large percentage of passengers..
Possibly an update gone wrong overnight..

[Mozz]

I wonder what it will take for someone to step up and try to stem the "lost revenue" from the buses and ferries with systemic problems from the gocard and now it seems the paper ticketing solution has a big hiccup?

Riding on public transport without a valid ticket is promoted as stealing, which is a crime under the Qld criminal code - then what applies to those responsible for managing what appears to be a significant reduction in revenue from public transport commuters, particularly those on buses and ferries.

The accountant gene in me would love to crunch some figures for the past few years to see where the dollars are at, particularly remembering that the introduction of the gocard solution cost somewhere between $50.0M and $150.0M and someone has to pay for it on top of keeping the trains, buses, ferries running.

[ozbob]

I assume the go card was down too Otto?   The loss of revenue impacts on general fare revenue for TransLink.  BT etc. get their contract money regardless.  The continuing bleeding of revenue is of concern I agree Mozz, and may impact as fare increases down the track ...

[Otto]

I assume the go card was down too Otto?   

Correct.. Drivers were not able to sign on to the DCUs , however, some DCUs were not affected although they were in the minority rather than the majority.

[Otto]

Free rides for my passengers yesterday due to DCU fault

ps.. Sig updated to show my stats for 2009 !

[ozbob]

PN009 with a goods train approaching South Bank station, as viewed from a 172 Bus.



Photograph R Dow 17th February 2009

[Sunbus610]

Please show your support for Southern Cross Transit's - CityLink bus service (Ipswich to Indooroopilly via Karara Downs/Anstead) if you can:-

This service has now been operating since 2nd Dec 2007 and has proved invaluable to the community. Unfortunately this service is completely UN-funded by any level of government and our efforts to secure funding have to date been unsuccessful. Regretfully, if the service does not receive the funding it deserves from government it will cease to operate at the end June 2009. What can you do to stop this from Happening? contact Premier Anna Bligh, and/or the Minister for Transport, John Mickel, and voice your concerns in writing and hopefully they will listen to you!

http://www.southerncrosstransit.com.au/newservices.htm

[Sunbus610]

G1463 - MAN 18.310 CNG [Volgren] was delivered to BT's Garden City depot today sporting a nice 1000th bus of the BT fleet AoA. She is likely to be moving from G to the Willawong depot though when it comes fully online on Monday, 27th April 2009.

[Arnz]

Its rumoured that GC may be going from MAN to Scania with the all their MANs going over to W (including rumours that L might stay open as a diesel only) but its more of a wait and see when W opens.

[Sunbus610]

Have heard the bus fleet at BT's Larapinta depot (currently 151 buses) will be reduced to about 50-60 buses when Willawong depot opens in less than a week.

[Otto]

I have been informed that approx 250 buses will be reallocated to new depots this weekend..

[Arnz]

First day of the new "W" depot in service.  They've received a lot of the 1400 series MAN CNG buses from G and T depots, and assumably should be getting the remainder of the MAN (CNG rigids) deliveries to their depot.  On another note Bowen Hills will be getting the next lot of new MANs (Diesel rigids) to their depot, it's been 9 years since Bowen Hills got a new bus.

Garden City depot seem to be the biggest losers out of the recent swap.  Getting older Butterboxes and Metroliners in return for losing most of the MANs (the CNG rigids).