On the Buses

[Sunbus610]

Improvements to bus services on the Sunshine Coast

TransLink will implement improvements to bus services operated by Sunbus on the Sunshine Coast from the end of June 2009.
The service improvements will provide travel benefits to the communities of Nambour, Noosa, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Caloundra. In addition, the new bus station at the University of Sunshine Coast will provide passengers with better access to the university and improved connections to other bus routes on the Sunshine Coast.

Improving public transport services in your area is a key priority for TransLink.

To find out more, view proposed route maps and draft timetables and to provide any feedback, visit TransLink staff on Thursday 28 May 2009 at one of the following locations:

Time and Locations
9am - 10am Tewantin Business Centre
11am - 12.30pm Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore
1.30pm - 3pm Kawana Shoppingworld

For more info - click HERE

[rob2144]

Re: Sunbus Sunshine Coast changes

I picked up this flyer from Kawana Shoppingworld info desk today





Rob

[ozbob]

Cultural Centre Bus Station




KBL bus I travelled on from Roma St to Darra today



Photographs R Dow 7th June 2009

[Arnz]

http://servicechanges.translink.com.au/db/servicechange.php?id=404

Sunshine Coast bus service improvements - effective 29 June 2009
From Monday 29 June, TransLink will invest $2.9 million to improve bus services operated by Sunbus on the Sunshine Coast.

The service improvements will provide travel benefits to the communities of Nambour, Noosa, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Caloundra with two new routes (routes 613 and 618) and many additional services.

In addition, the new bus station at the University of Sunshine Coast (USC) will provide passengers with better access to the university and improved connections to other bus routes on the Sunshine Coast.

[ozbob]

A very 'clean' BT bus heading over the railway at Oxley



Photograph R Dow 20th June 2009

[ozbob]

Saw my first 14.5m BT bus in town today, 1701.

[WTN]

Saw my first 14.5m BT bus in town today, 1701.

Are they the new rigid buses with six wheels?  I've seen a few around the inner city too.

[ozbob]

Yes, the 6 wheelers.  I was not able to get a photo this morning, but I am ever alert! 

[ozbob]

BBL artic in George St Brisbane on rail substitution duties Roma St to Corinda





Photographs R Dow 18th July 2009

[Otto]

Yes, the 6 wheelers.  I was not able to get a photo this morning, but I am ever alert! 

Actually, they have 9 wheels ! 

[ozbob]

Managed to grab a 'opportunity' photo of L1706 in town on my way home.



Photograph R Dow 24th July 2009

[WTN]

I travelled on one of these new buses a few days back and I was quite pleased with them.  There's a fair bit of extra space up the back, and the rear doors are much wider than their shorter cousins.  You could fit 2 lines of people through them. 

[ozbob]

Came in to the Mater on a 174 today.

Mater Hill Bus station





Photographs R Dow 11th August 2009

[#Metro]

 Bus L170- reminds me of a  stretch limousine!

[Sunbus610]

Smartcard ticketing (through QG's Qconnect) is coming soon to TAG (Sunbus) buses in central/north Queensland, here are some images of the new ticketing machines onboard one of the new buses destined for Marlin Coast Sunbus (Cairns).







And finally.......here is an (almost finished) brand spanking new Bustech XDi bound for a Sunbus depot in North Queensland.

[Arnz]

Thanks for the pictures.  That Sunbus XDI in full blue livery and decals looks good.  I see they put the Sunbus logo above the door (as per the Sunshine Coast/TransLink liveried buses).

[Sunbus610]

Isn't she nice arnz, let's just hope Go Transit (bus advertising) don't get to her too soon after she arrives in North Qld and start plastering ad's all over her along with the other new XDi's (including new MDi's destined for Sunbus CQ/NQ depots)

[Sunbus610]

The BT driver I got on my bus on the way home from work tonight got a little lost at times with the bus route he was doing and spent time trying to view the print out route map (at traffic lights generally) that they're provided with to find his way. I ended up standing up the front about half way along the journey to assist him and to have a bit of a chat. I mentioned that I don't understand why TRANSLink/BCC/BT haven't considered or implemented a future proposal to install GPS/Navigation equipment (ie Navman, Garmin, Uniden) onboard buses to assist new drivers or those unfamiliar with certain bus routes. He mentioned that there has been some mention of this actually being considered at BCC/BT. PS: I realise BT have bus route directional arrows on telegraph poles/road signage along the way but these can sometimes be difficult to see at night.

[stephenk]

The BT driver I got on my bus on the way home from work tonight got a little lost at times with the bus route he was doing and spent time trying to view the print out route map (at traffic lights generally) that they're provided with to find his way. I ended up standing up the front about half way along the journey to assist him and to have a bit of a chat. I mentioned that I don't understand why TRANSLink/BCC/BT haven't considered or implemented a future proposal to install GPS/Navigation equipment (ie Navman, Garmin, Uniden) onboard buses to assist new drivers or those unfamiliar with certain bus routes. He mentioned that there has been some mention of this actually being considered at BCC/BT. PS: I realise BT have bus route directional arrows on telegraph poles/road signage along the way but these can sometimes be difficult to see at night.

Having been on a bus where the driver followed the SatNav, took an illegal right hand turn, and ran over a cyclist, I think that there are better methods of route training!

[#Metro]

The BT driver I got on my bus on the way home from work tonight got a little lost at times with the bus route he was doing and spent time trying to view the print out route map (at traffic lights generally) that they're provided with to find his way. I ended up standing up the front about half way along the journey to assist him and to have a bit of a chat. I mentioned that I don't understand why TRANSLink/BCC/BT haven't considered or implemented a future proposal to install GPS/Navigation equipment (ie Navman, Garmin, Uniden) onboard buses to assist new drivers or those unfamiliar with certain bus routes. He mentioned that there has been some mention of this actually being considered at BCC/BT. PS: I realise BT have bus route directional arrows on telegraph poles/road signage along the way but these can sometimes be difficult to see at night.

Hmm. They might get stolen. That said, I think GPS only systems are on their way out now that you can make iPhones into GPS devices. Just give everyone an iPhone. They could load their run sheets, track the buses and give route diversions on that too.

[Sunbus610]

Bus entry denied
26 August 2009

A LEGALLY blind pensioner was denied entry to a Clarks Logan City bus because she was travelling with a guide dog.
Suzanne Brown, 57, of Daisy Hill, was travelling home from a shopping trip at Springwood?s Arndale shopping centre yesterday when she was passed by two buses while waiting at a stop, and then refused entry on a third because her guide dog, Jasper, was not allowed.

Mrs Brown, who took a bus to the shopping centre earlier that day, said she was angry and upset because she had travelled on Clarks buses for many years and her late husband, Geoff, had even been a driver with the company.

Click HERE for the full article from the Albert and Logan News (newspaper)

[Otto]

Unbeleivable !!! It has always been policy to accept aid dogs during my 27 years as a bus driver ... BrickBats to the drivers concerned 

[ozbob]

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
01/09/2009

Dog discrimination penalties increase today

Tough new penalties come into force today for anyone who refuses service to people with a disability because they have a guide, hearing or assistance dog.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said today that fines for individuals and corporations would significantly increase under the new Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009.

"Hefty fines of up to $10,000 for individuals and up to $50,000 for businesses now apply for refusing access to someone with a highly trained and certified guide, hearing or assistance dog," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"This means that everyone now has the same access to shops, restaurants, cinemas and entertainment venues, as well as transport services such as buses, taxis and ferries.

"Although there have been laws banning discrimination against people with Guide Dogs since 1972, the new Act has been broadened to also include people with a properly trained assistance or hearing dog.

"These animals can make a huge difference to the quality of life of people with a disability and open up a new world of possibilities for them - provided they don't face discrimination from those operating transport services or public places.

"While the new Act came into force in July this year, there was a two-month moratorium on the new fee structure to allow people to adjust to the changes to the law."

Ms Palaszczuk said booklets would be distributed to businesses and stakeholders in the next few weeks to ensure everyone is aware of the changes to the law.

"Fortunately, most people and businesses respect the rights of people with a disability and do the right thing - and that's to be applauded," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"However, as a safeguard, the new Act will reinforce and strengthen the rights of people with a disability who rely on a guide, hearing or assistance dog."

Ms Palaszczuk said the distressing case of Suzanne Brown and her guide dog Jasper being refused access to a bus last week in Springwood last week was an unfortunate yet timely reminder of misconceptions that exist within our community.

"I understand the bus company has counselled the bus driver concerned but it only goes to highlight the many difficulties faced by people with a disability as they try to lead a normal life," she said.

"In this day and age, these types of incidences should never happen and the Bligh Government is determined to stamp out these blatant forms of discrimination."

Mr Palaszczuk said qualified assistance dog trainers were currently being accredited and properly accredited assistance dogs would start appearing publicly in the next few months.

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

[#Metro]

Sometimes it is just the driver not knowing, and not always deliberate attempt to exclude certain groups of people from using the service. Its a bit unreasonable to think that a driver will have Acts of Parliament, Rule handbooks etc on hand while driving.

I think a warning would be sufficient in the first instance. After that, fine them.

[Sunbus610]

Transit Australia Group's new (Sunbus) City Red Bus HERE service

[SteelPan]

Waited for final inbound 475 on Sat night (I arrv'd at stop well in advance of scheduled running time).....waited....waited......wwwaaaiiteddd  NO SERVICE...called Translink....to be told (as was the case 5yrs ago) they cannot do anything, ie, talk to the operator and find out why a scheduled service has not turned up....called Brisbane City Council...the actual parent entity of the operator....aparently, they don't/can't/WON'T talk with one-another either......SO WHAT IS THE BLOODY POINT?  Ohhh wait - I can give "feedback" and in about TEN WORKING DAYS I might hear something back....SO WHAT IS THE BLOODY POINT!!!!

Thanks BCC Transport/Translink for stuffing (not for the 1st time either) my Sat night up!   

Finally got to a nearby suburb with a Buz...changed at Roma St to train to Valley...bright-sparks at QR put a 3 car unit on, to Shorncliffe, the night of the Rugby/AFL games....good insight into the life of a sardine...but with added bonus of the close up smells of beer and BO of the great unwashed....what a night in our third-world public transport city.....

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks! See here for context as well --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2722.0

I?m amused at Translink?s response, especially, ?TransLink considers providing additional services and more frequent and reliable services to be a better way of enhancing customers' travel?. The afternoon 380 service to The Gap is the only one that services Settlement Road and surrounding streets. Most afternoons, I wait at Red Hill for 25-45 minutes for a 380 ?service? that is supposed to pass the stop at about 15 minute intervals. Thus, there is no additional service, they are not more frequent and certainly not reliable!!! Translink appears to have added additional 379 services, which only go to St John?s Wood, but which help passengers wishing to alight at Red Hill or Ashgrove but is no help for passengers to The Gap. When the always late 380 ?service? arrives, it is usually jam-packed and some drivers have refused entry as they are too full (or they merely drive past) ----- another 25 minute wait!!!! I think I?ll be waiting a long time for my travel to be ?enhanced?.

[Sunbus610]

Free bus on the way (or so the local paper says):- There is a very likely chance a free bus service will be operating this coming Christmas / New Years holidays thanks to a push by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and local tourism bodies. They are wanting the free bus to operate from Caloundra to Mooloolaba via centres such as Kawana Shoppingworld and terminates at Sunshine Plaza (Maroochydore) and for it to operate with a 15 minute frequency from Boxing day through until the 3 January 2010  .

[stephenk]

Tried to catch the 10:46pm 333 from RCH Herston to Normanby last night after work. Arrived at 10:41pm to see the 333 heading through the station 5 mins early. A 22 min wait for next bus (also a 333), and missed my connection at Normanby. Not amused! 2nd complaint sent to Translink in one week.

[somebody]

Tried to catch the 10:46pm 333 from RCH Herston to Normanby last night after work. Arrived at 10:41pm to see the 333 heading through the station 5 mins early. A 22 min wait for next bus (also a 333), and missed my connection at Normanby. Not amused! 2nd complaint sent to Translink in one week.

Did you miss the last bus?

The timetable has every stop for the 333 being a timing point.  This is unreasonable, so I do have some sympathy for the bus drivers in this situation.

[stephenk]

The timetable has every stop for the 333 being a timing point.  This is unreasonable, so I do have some sympathy for the bus drivers in this situation.

Really. It's not complicated. Stop at stop, check time, if it isn't that time yet, don't leave.

It's better than passengers missing connections with hourly buses due to running 5 mins early!

[somebody]

So..., stop at EVERY stop check the time, then leave.  Even if you are only stopping if running early, you couldn't be missing more than two or three consecutive stops.

[longboi]

Or what about leave terminus on time, drive at the speed limit and check your watch every few minutes. If you are ahead, pull over at the next stop.

[somebody]

Or what about leave terminus on time, drive at the speed limit and check your watch every few minutes. If you are ahead, pull over at the next stop.

If no-one gets on for a few stops in a row you would be ahead of schedule pretty quickly.

[longboi]

Or what about leave terminus on time, drive at the speed limit and check your watch every few minutes. If you are ahead, pull over at the next stop.

If no-one gets on for a few stops in a row you would be ahead of schedule pretty quickly.

True, but stopping at every stop is a bit extreme.

[WTN]

The Christmas period might be the reason why some buses leave way ahead of schedule.  They're nowhere to be seen when expected.

[STB]

The timetables are scheduled to work with the maximum forecasted number of passengers to board/de-board the service.  When the service is timed, the bus will stop at every second or third stop for about a minute or so to simulate a run and provide the run time to be inputted into the timetable (at least with the privates, Brisbane Transport, I'm not so sure if this is how it's done).

The timetable is also built to last about 12 months, so early running tends to occur for the first few months then as traffic and patronage builds the timetable starts to prove itself.

[somebody]

The timetables are scheduled to work with the maximum forecasted number of passengers to board/de-board the service.  When the service is timed, the bus will stop at every second or third stop for about a minute or so to simulate a run and provide the run time to be inputted into the timetable (at least with the privates, Brisbane Transport, I'm not so sure if this is how it's done).

The timetable is also built to last about 12 months, so early running tends to occur for the first few months then as traffic and patronage builds the timetable starts to prove itself.

That target sounds a little on the fat side.  Maybe the average number of forecasted passengers?

There's definitely a lot of fat in late night inbound services, but I'm not completely sure what the solution is.  If you squeezed it out, you couldn't have a clockface service anymore except at one of the timing points.

Regarding the 333, I think they should just get rid of all the timing points except for the origin and RB&WH.

[STB]

There is fat in it yes, but it's needed, especially when there is a large amount of passengers around the traditional busy period of Late Feb to Mid March (Uni students, TAFE students, School Students, Commuters etc).  Route 250 for example, generally runs about 5 to 7 mins early during the quiet times, but come Late Feb to Mid March, the drivers will need to work hard to stay on time.  Out my way it currently has about a 98% on time running (and I've lived out here for about 20 years and travel on route 250 very regularly during peak and off peak, with peak times being able to arrive at Capalaba after coming from the City smack bang on time).

The timetable could probably be trimmed down as the Go Card becomes standard and the average time it takes to board the maximum forecasted number of passengers, eg: you could take about 5 mins off a 55 minute journey, depending also if it travels along roads that are normally busy.

[somebody]

I would bias the timetable a bit more in favour of journey times than on time running than what you are talking about.  You could have almost perfect on time running if you scheduled a 5 minute dwell at every timing point.  That's obviously ridiculous, but I also think that (as someone on another forum put it) "slow timetable = delayed train 365 days a year".  Who cares if the bus is 2 minutes late to it's terminus 50% of the time, if the alternative is a 3 minute slower timetable?