On the Buses

[ozbob]

Daughter #2 has just reported bus vs. pedestrian outside Central station ...

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/Transit_Hub/status/915474372835475456

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/150881

Stop Missed: Goodna Station

Due to landscape works the following stop is temporarily unavailable:

The Nearest stop for passengers travelling in both directions is located at:

Route: 463

    Brisbane Tce at Layard Street, Goodna

Route: 500

    Brisbane Tce at RJ Richardson Park, Goodna
    Brisbane Tce at Layard Street, Goodna

Route: 522

    Brisbane Tce near Layard St, Goodna
    William St at Smiths Road, Goodna

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/922146742262382592

[Cazza]

Why don't they just extend the CityGlider out to Carindale and replace the 222? It's just another route to add to the chaos on OCR. This has been brought up by so many people it's now beyond a joke.

Also, there is hardly any layover space available on the surrounding streets of Coorparoo Shops so not sure how that's gonna go...

Btw, when does it start as I haven't heard anything/seen anything on TransLink's website?

[#Metro]

As many of us on this forum have acknowledged, Brisbane needs a wholesale reset of the bus network.

Unfortunately, due to "loss aversion" reactions and other political reasons, this has not happened yet.

The safe option for politicians is to incrementally change the network - one route here, one route there - so as not to

offend anyone, even if that does cost a lot and is inefficient.

[techblitz]

Why don't they just extend the CityGlider out to Carindale and replace the 222? It's just another route to add to the chaos on OCR. This has been brought up by so many people it's now beyond a joke.

Also, there is hardly any layover space available on the surrounding streets of Coorparoo Shops so not sure how that's gonna go...

Btw, when does it start as I haven't heard anything/seen anything on TransLink's website?

yep....something will have to give.....the junction already experiences bus jam as it is without the 61 pulling in there and making it worse.
Perhaps they will make one or two of the current routes full express...bypassing the junction??

sidenote on other big plans for coorparoo:
word around locally is that the r.s.l will be torn down...replaced with a tower and the r.s.l re-built on top to give patrons/members excellent views to the city.

[#Metro]

Btw, when does it start as I haven't heard anything/seen anything on TransLink's website?

TransLink probably doesn't know about it either. That is the history of the CityGliders - they were just rammed

through and TL did their best to accommodate.

[Mr X]

Isn't route 61 just the Maroon glider.. or are they extending it to Coorparoo? why!?

[Cazza]

Isn't route 61 just the Maroon glider.. or are they extending it to Coorparoo? why!?

It's beyond any of us. No one understands their logic

[#Metro]

It's beyond any of us. No one understands their logic

Agreed. It is just like one day when RBOT members woke up to find "Rocket Zillmere to UQ Lakes Bus" posted on the TransLink website.

This is tail-wagging-the-dog stuff, stuff that a competitively contracted private operator operating under the direction of a public transit authority

would not get away with doing.

I am not saying the route is good or bad, just pointing out the complete lack of consultation, community participation, and process.



PS: As of now (Tue 24th Oct) there is nothing on the TL website, no changes to the route map (even up to the last date available in the JP

22 Nov) and "Upcoming changes - There are no upcoming changes" is displayed there. So clearly TL are in the dark about this.

[verbatim9]

^^It must of been researched then implemented from go card data Which is fair enough.

[Cazza]

^^It must of been researched then implemented from go card data Which is fair enough.

https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/stops/010185/timetable/2017-10-24

67 buses to the CBD between 6:30am and 8:30am. I don't think an extra 12 services PLUS 13 Route 209's to UQ Lakes in morning peak are needed just for one stop. That brings the total to 92 services in one direction in just 2 hours.

What is needed down OCR in the short term are bus lanes from Carindale to Langlands Park and a network review (Brisbane-wide that is).

[Mr X]

This extension is only like 1km too.

Does anyone here take buses that way regularly? what are the loads usually like?

[newbris]

Would it be to support the new Cooparoo junction development ? Is it opening soon ?

Maybe the buses will wait around the back ?

[verbatim9]

The Busway is going to be extended from Langlands Park to Coorparoo Square.

[techblitz]

This extension is only like 1km too.

Does anyone here take buses that way regularly? what are the loads usually like?

if we are talking peaks....61 still has average loadings between gabba/langlands.
Absolute air carrier out of peaks.
The 61 will gain some slight patronage from the extension.......but under the current 204/203/222/209/200 arrangements...it will be minimal.
However....run the 222 or 200 via ccb and the game changes....

[James]

The Busway is going to be extended from Langlands Park to Coorparoo Square.

This won't be opening for at least a decade IMO. Too many funds tied up in more important projects - CRR, duplication to Landsborough North, GCLRT extensions, Brisbane Metro etc.

Dearly hope this desto isn't a sign of a plan to come - at least Langlands has a bus turnaround, so it makes sense. Coorparoo already has several bus services and a train station.

[techblitz]

noted approx. 50 passengers waiting for next 222 at kgbs.
Jumped on a 61 there....10 on....more people off than on between kgbs and gabba.....16 in total leaving gabba(5.50pm)
pretty average glider patronage for peak...

[Otto]

I often get full standing loads between KGSBS and Paddington during the peaks. On the same service, it is usually very quiet between Gabba / Langlands. There is a pretty good counter peak demand from the Gabba towards the City in the afternoons.
Personally, I would have thought an extension to Enoggera would be more useful.

[Cazza]

I often get full standing loads between KGSBS and Paddington during the peaks. On the same service, it is usually very quiet between Gabba / Langlands. There is a pretty good counter peak demand from the Gabba towards the City in the afternoons.
Personally, I would have thought an extension to Enoggera would be more useful.

I definitely agree. I use the MGLD fairly regularly and it gets very decent loads on the western stretch. Ashgrove is a pretty busy stop as people from the surrounding suburbs use Coles as a P'n'R. The high density of Paddington and the nightlife along Caxton St/Given Tce also helps heaps.

I also agree on the extensions to Enoggera and Carindale. It should have replaced Route 222 in the first place.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> School community and retirement village residents have public transport victory

Residents of Stretton Gardens Retirement Estate and the students of Stretton State College have had a public transport victory.

TransLink has confirmed it will build a new bus turnaround facility to service the 130 bus in the area.

State Labor MP for Stretton Duncan Pegg said the facility would improve safety­.

"It removes the unsafe bus turnaround from school grounds,'' he said.

"It means that residents of Stretton Gardens will have a 130 bus stop right outside their estate, and it will all be done without changing the 130 route timetable.''

Stretton State College Parents and Citizens president Louise Nann welcomed the news.

"This is the best news I have heard all year,'' she said. "As our school has grown in numbers, it is no longer safe to have a bus turn around facility on school grounds."

Mr Pegg said he campaigned for the change after concerns from Ms Nann and the community.

"The residents of Stretton Gardens clearly needed the 130 route to be extended so that they didn't have to walk over 200m down Illaweena St to the end of the route," Mr Pegg said.

"At the same time it was also clear that using Stretton State College as a bus turn around was no longer viable, especially considering the traffic chaos which has been caused by the sudden decision of the Brisbane City Council to fully close Illaweena St, which makes drop-offs and pick-ups a traffic nightmare" he said.

[techblitz]

noted only 5 pax leaving Goodna on the 6pm 524 o/b....3 mins after 557 ippy train departed......good connection but poor numbers.......walked past st ives stops at 5.53pm with no-one waiting at either stop....is it always like this or have people just abandoned this route because of #railfail??

[Cazza]

^ I mean, they would. Feeder services don't work with doubt in the commuter's mind of having a no-show on a connecting service.

Plus, Route 524 does take a rather scenic tour in and around Goodna and Redbank Plains so that is uninviting for commuters also.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/d/viewer?mid=1qwbo3Rwgyuoa23rs2TFRLEB3i1A&ll=-27.634118182059503%2C152.86188659999993&z=11

Here, I have straightened out Route 524 (now 515) and made it 30 mins or better all day to make train connections at Goodna popular and hassle free.

[techblitz]

both the 463 and 524 need extra numbers.......under current arrangements they should just merge those two routes to streamline things a bit better....or start the 534 from redbank plains plaza to create an easier connection between redbank and forest lake/grand plaza......i think bus-bus transfers are turning people off in this region.......the region needs longer routes to generate more trip options....this is the key to reviving these barely used areas.
547 is another one which needs to be looked at...abysmal patronage......perhaps merge 534 and 547....to create a direct link between springfield and Beenleigh lines.
Either way something needs to be done to generate patronage on these welfare routes...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/936480394848845825

[techblitz]

tweed heads depot.......absolutely no surprise considering they have to deal with some of the most noobish drivers and pedestrians in the entire state...especially around cooloongatta....but all the way up the highway....specifically car drivers either parking illegally and/or indicating randomly with no notice or not at all......throw in all the fare evaders and excessive paper ticket purchases.....and its easy to see why surfside drivers patience is pushed the most out of all other operators.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanecityqld/status/937532700042432513

[tazzer9]

I noticed a statement put out by transperth about testing for the perth stadium station and it got me thinking how different the thinking is over in the west compared to here.  They are going to be stress testing the new stadium station, to do this they had to cancel alot of services, and make other express through certain station (some is not bustituted, which I found odd).  Qld couldn't do this because they don't have enough train drivers, but thing I found amazing is the statement said that trains would not connect with bus routes, which they listed.   In perth they apologise for not having trains connect with buses.  In brisbane, they don't need to mention it as no buses connect with trains in the brisbane area. 

[techblitz]

ffs.....whatever small amount of customers the 524 actually pulls.....they get screwed around....
13 minute late train followed by two buses that don't show up??
un-be-frickn-leavible 

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/2225734207452632

I've been waiting at Goodna Station for over an hour now. The 524 to Redbank Plains at 5:25pm didn't turn up. Nor did the 5:55pm.

I've complained about this multiple times, both on social media and over the phone. I've just tried to call again and conveniently couldn't get through. But it wouldn't matter anyway because every time I wait out the "10 day investigation" period and call back, my complaints seem to have been lost, so what's the point in providing feedback?

I've seen 4 "Out Of Service" buses whiz past (which must be working well considering each one I've seen is able to move and drive past stations and stops), along with 3 522 services, 2 463 services and 2 500 services.

What does it take to get a bit of consistency and some semi-regular bus services? I finish work at 4:00pm in Brisbane CBD, I get the 4:16pm Ipswich/Rosewood train and am usually at Goodna station in time for the 4:55pm 524 bus. Unfortunately today, I got off the train at 4:58pm after our train was held up due to TransLink ticketing officers patrolling the train and checking all tickets and go cards. You encourage people to use public transport and say that it's "quicker than waiting in peak traffic", but this afternoon (like many afternoons), it's going to be over 3 hours between when I finish work and when I walk in my front door.
A 524 bus has randomly turned up now (6:27pm), a whole 92 minutes after the last service. What kind of service am I honestly paying for?

TL

Hi Shelby. I hear you and understand your frustration completely. We did not receive any notification as to why your service did not show up. I can lodge feedback through for you, and assure you it will go through. I will even provide you with a reference number so you can track the complaint and receive a response from the service provider.

It is unfortunate that the ticketing officers held up the train, but the officers do need to be consistent with checking for fare invaders. This will not only keep people paying for the service they need, but will keep the fairness with all paying customers as we have received a lot of complaints regarding this issue (fare invaders).

Please do not loose faith in our public transport system. It is comments like yours that help us recognise issues, and work towards improving the system to ensure satisfaction for our paying customers. Let me know if you would like me to lodge the feedback for you

[ozbob]

^ thanks TB.  I will alert my local member (Jo-Ann Miller) to this situation.

  " Please do not loose faith in our public transport system. "

[James]

Even if the passenger hasn't lost faith in the public transport system, she's definitely lost faith in TransLink's ability to spell - it's 'lose', not 'loose'.

It's sad that TransLink needs to resort to begging to retain passengers.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/938529552531259397

I have emailed the Member for Bundamba as well ... 

[#Metro]

I don't understand. Is it really that difficult to run an infrequent bus service?

What is the cause?

And there seems to be a history of bus network operator problems in the Ipswich area. What is behind that?

Can the operator be fired?

[ozbob]

A combination of driver and bus issues.   They have had few ' mechanical issues ' of late too.

Often I am FORCED to use the RSL Courtesy bus or walk because of ' where in the fuk is the 524 ' ... 

The walking doesn't really hurt me but if you have shopping, a stroller or have mobility issues you generally expect and need the bus to be there.

Not at Goodna folks!   Shambles!!

PS.  we had a station beautification treatment a month ago.  It is barely noticeable.   

We do have nice blue water bubbler though.  Grouse hey?

[doggo]

Gotta get those "fare invaders"....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Cazza]

Shout out to the friendly bus drivers out there. You rock!

[Otto]

Gotta get those "fare invaders"....


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So I did a 180 from Garden City tonight. As I was just about to go, a group of 7 children and an adult just get on and say " We are not paying. Free ride to Mt Gravatt driver. ", and they all go down to the back. As far as I'm concerned, these people are just milking the paying public and taking advantage of the tragedy that claimed Daniel Morcomb's life. This disrespect disgusts me. I will always be happy to take genuine kids in need, but not those who simply use a tragic event to benefit themselves.   

[verbatim9]

I see it alot as well. Gold Coast really bad for that to and from Harbour Town and Southern Gold Coast services. So cheap for under 16. Why can't they afford $1.60 with a concession Go card? If don't have the money ride a bike to your destination or don't go to places that eat up your transport money! Like Harbour town, Pacific Fair, Garden City or SouthBank.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Personally I think PT should be free with it coming out of rates/taxation and reduced expenditure on road infrastructure. More people using PT gives more incentive to upgrade better PT services. But hey that's just me who noticed that PT patronage was crazy on the northside when it was free during the 2011 floods as it was left untouched and many businesses were running as normal - while southbank was under brown merky water.