On the Buses

[ozbob]

Outbound 524 Curnow St Goodna.



Photograph R Dow 1st May 2015

The 8.11am inbound was 4 minutes late - real time spot on, managed to make the connection at Goodna rail with the 8.27am down with 45 seconds to spare ..   

[techblitz]

still betters the very consistent 0-15 seconds that route 729 morning users have to face from the bus platform to train platform to make thier gold coast bound train
imagine consistently(90% of the time)....having to wait exactly 30 minutes for your next train.....in fact its now become so bad that they dont even bother sprinting anymore AND the bus driver never ever gets a hello or goodbye from any of them....which essentially shows thier frustration......how sad it is.....anyways ive had a yak to all of the regulars and told them they have to personally write to translink if anything is to be done about it.....

[ozbob]

^ Hey TB please send me a message with all the details etc.  I will try to follow it up. Thanks.

[SurfRail]

The reality is that there is probably not much that can be done.  Connecting to trains travelling in the outbound direction is always going to play second fiddle to getting the inbound connections right.  Same problem at most stations south of Ormeau.  The only fix is frequency - and unfortunately there is absolutely no apparent intention on the part of the government to start fixing this problem. 

Even a regular hourly service without 2-hr gaps would be something.

[techblitz]

the ironic thing is that its only that 1 morning service that adds in computer rd @ yatala (chews up an extra 2-3 minutes).....which is having the issue...all other rostered 729's which dont go through yatala make it easily to ormeau with plenty of time to spare.....

[SurfRail]

I still find it curious that was left in, but it was what the patronage was telling them.  Apparently no critical mass of people leaving work at the same time later in the day though, which is why the diversion is only there in the AM.

If it's only that particular run causing issues, then maybe the simple fix is to get it to leave Beenleigh 1-2 minutes earlier.  From the timetable it still needs to leave Beenleigh at or around the time the southbound train arrives at 6:50am.  It would be the first service of the day for that run so shouldn't be too hard.

[techblitz]

If it's only that particular run causing issues, then maybe the simple fix is to get it to leave Beenleigh 1-2 minutes earlier.

yep that would be the ideal solution...evens out the connection windows to 3 minutes 729-ormeau train platform and 3 minutes beenliegh rail -729 bus.....gets the "successful connection" hit rate up....ultimately resulting in potentially more passengers for that particular service....

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Surfside Buses launch probe into why girl, 12, was left stranded when go card failed

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Schoolgirl left off Gold Coast bus

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Schoolgirl left off Gold Coast bus

Brisbanetimes --> Bus company denies leaving girl at Gold Coast bus stop

[ozbob]

4BC --> No child left behind, is it working?

[ozbob]

BCC --> Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens open day

Free buses will run continuously throughout the day to get you to and from the event. Come to one of the following locations and get to the gardens quickly and easily:

    Roma Street Busway Station, platform 1
    King George Square Bus Station, Stop 1F
    High Street Toowong, stop 14 (outside Woolworths)
    Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Station Road bus stop D (next to the Pig 'n' Whistle)
    Corner Monier Road and Cardiff Road, Darra

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brian Lowe ‏@BrianDavidLowe 2 minutes ago

Brisbane City Council buses now all fully wheelchair accessible @NewsTalk4BC

[SurfRail]

The last Volvo B10Ms were retired yesterday.

There are 13 Volvo B10Ls left which will also shortly be vanishing.  Once these are gone, the oldest bus in the Council fleet will be a circa 2000 CNG-powered Scania, and those are already starting to being withdrawn as well.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's bus fleet 100 per cent disability compliant

[Otto]

B10M # 503 was the last to retire last night at 10:40 pm. It had done a full days work commencing at 7am.

[STB]

This is sad. I have fond memories of catching those types of buses and saw them as the 'coaches' of Brisbane Transport.  I almost had a chance of catching one of them doing a 345 last week but made a last minute decision to catch a 66 instead of a 345, had I caught the 345, I would've had the chance to do one last run on them .  I will miss them.

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

State-of-the-art audio system trial for vision impaired bus commuters

In an Australian first, the Palaszczuk Government is trialling a new generation audible information system on the bus network to improve accessibility for vision impaired persons in Brisbane.

Disability Services Minister Coralee O'Rourke said King George Square bus station had been fitted with the easy-to-use Step-Hear ® system as part of a $50,000 trial of the new technology in a busy public transport environment.

"The Step-Hear ® system provides blind and vision impaired persons with audible messages outlining bus station facilities, bus stop locations and details of which routes leave from any given stop," Mrs O'Rourke said.

"The user is alerted to the location of speakers through the Step-Hear ® app, or by a dedicated wrist band which vibrates when in proximity, and they can then activate the audio message using either of these devices.

"King George Square bus station has 30 speakers installed throughout the building, including speakers at the entry and each bus stop, which provide information on specific stop services.

"Guide Dogs Queensland have played a key role in this process, working closely with TransLink on the system and messaging to ensure it is as effective as possible.

"This is all part of our commitment to breaking down barriers and improving the lives of people with disability."

Guide Dogs Queensland CEO Barb Tasker said the installation of the new system meant greater independence and certainty for vision impaired commuters.

"Travelling to the city each day with low or no vision can be quite a daunting task, but technology like this is a great step to providing the confidence and support many need to go it alone and not have to rely on others for help," she said.

"This is the sort of independence we want to achieve. Vision impaired users of the bus station can now have reliable points of information to help guide their way to their transport links with certainty that they're on the right track.

"Users can also navigate from the station and connect with the Step-Hear ® system currently running in the Queen Street Mall, providing them greater freedom and access to shopping and cafes.

"I applaud TransLink and the Queensland Government for their involvement in this campaign to make Brisbane the most accessible city in Australia."

For full details and to plan your journey, visit www.translink.com.au (external site) or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

[techblitz]

yikes......just saw a car with p plates...drive into the qsbs from the casino end during possibly the worst time possible......lets hope they negotiate those traffic lights correctly

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

SEQ Bus 8 Mile Plains Warrigal Road Green Link - bus stop changes
--> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/50851/details

[SurfRail]

My sources indicate there is a brand new bus for Brisbane Transport currently being exhibited at the 2015 Busvic expo:

http://www.busvic.asn.au/public/events/2015-maintenance-conference-and-bus-expo/

It's a very, very welcome surprise.  Won't spoil it for now.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Transport Main Roads ‏@TMRQld 15h

The bus-only link connecting Warrigal & Logan roads at Eight Mile Plains is open. For info http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/W/Warrigal-Road-bus-solution.aspx ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLink SEQ ‏@TransLinkSEQ 4m

Have you seen one of our #StateofOrigin decorated buses in action? Check them out http://ow.ly/PjHx4 

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/7486/details

New bus stops for route 540

Last updated: 10.43am Monday 27 July 2015

From Monday 3 August, route 540 will pick up at official TransLink bus stops only.

New stops have been installed along the Mt Lindsay Highway between Beaudesert and Jimboomba and can now be used.

As a result, this section of the route will no longer operate as a hail 'n' ride service.

[red dragin]

Explains why the bus stop posts where being upgraded to full on raised stops when I was down that way a few weeks ago.

[ozbob]

Courier Mail Quest --> Brisbane residents angry they were not properly consulted about plans to relocate a Sunnybank bus stop

[James]

The announcement on the TransLink website indicates this is only a temporary move. I'm not sure why people are getting their knickers in a knot.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/52311/details

[SurfRail]

I've never encountered people more precious about their bus services and bus stops than in Brisbane, with the possible exceptions of some of the loons in Melbourne who deliberately park out their streets to make it harder / impossible for buses to navigate until they change the alignments.

[HappyTrainGuy]

My bus will be coming along soon...



Any minute now.... Any minute now...

*stretches* Arrrrrrrrr---hhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Any minute now.

*Looks at watch* Still just a few minutes away. I wonder how many buses are going along Gympie Road??

AAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR---HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. *Looks at watch*

My supervisor isn't going to be happy that I'm going to be a little late. Where is this damn bus? It has to be coming any minute now?

Oh those poor buggers. This stop could do with a little upgrade. It's starting to smell like p%ss. Anyway. My bus will be here in a few minutes.

[ozbob]

[#Metro]

What? They should NEVER leave early.

[James]

Another great example of Brisbane Transport not giving two stuffs about passengers who use services late at night. As long as the driver gets paid and he does the run while paying a bit of attention to the timetable, to hell with the passengers!

Really, late night services should run a bit late rather than a bit early. It is not like the service won't make up time in most cases, particularly on weeknights. Particularly in the CBD - there's no reason why a bus can't wait for 5 minutes at a CBD stop at that hour, its not like Adelaide St gets congested at 8:30pm.

[ozbob]

@joanmeek1985 Hi Joan, customers are encouraged to be at the bus stop 10 mins prior, as buses are allowed to depart 5mins early-S

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) September 2, 2015

[ozbob]

^ i have referred this to the Minister's Office.

Goodness, crazy stuff.

[verbatim9]

5 mins early or late does it really matter now with real time info at Stops and via Apps?

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[techblitz]

i believe this is not the first time translink has  issued that directive to complaining customers....
i can recall 2 last year relating to the 680 passing through a stop early...which can happen quite often when traffic is low along anzac ave...been stung a few times myself @ kallangur by 2-3 mins early running.....the drivers dont really see it as an issue...

there has been a spate of early departures from clarks logan buses with customers complaining and translink issuing the same statement "arrive at your stop early"

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/1183901851635878

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/1177332388959491

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/1167612573264806

Really, late night services should run a bit late rather than a bit early.

there are plenty of drivers who already do this all over the network in the off/counter/intrapeaks..
ps: your BT bias on early running just got neutered 

[ozbob]

5 mins early or late does it really matter now with real time info at Stops and via Apps?

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It does.  Many people do not have real time access for various reasons.  Low frequency bus services must run on time, or late, never early.

Most bus stops outside the inner core are often isolated, no PIDs etc.  My bus stop is a pole, a few tactile tiles, small concrete path and a graffiti-timetable.

There is also a potential security issue particularly after hours telling folk to get there 10 minutes early.

My working policy for the 524 was to arrive at the stop 5 minutes early, I have never seen a 524 early, yet   

[James]

5 mins early or late does it really matter now with real time info at Stops and via Apps?

Yes. Some people are making onward connections from one service to another (yes, some people do in fact transfer), and services running early causes people to miss connections. This being said, late running does it too, but it is a lot easier to not run early than it is to not run late.

A rule telling customers to arrive 10 minutes early is ridiculous too. I mean, why should I bother using PT at all if I can drive to most of my destinations in that time?

[verbatim9]

True last and first busses, low frequency routes would be disadvantaged. I catch busses all the time pretty rare that they leave ahead of schedule. Remeber you dont want a situation where the busses are idling mid route (because they are a few mins ahead of schedule)  full of passengers wanting to get to the end destination. Very frustrating.

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