On the Buses

[ozbob]

Park Ridge bus on 534 service approaching Carole Park

This bus route runs from Browns Plains to Springfield via Ellen Grove and Carole Park.  A cross suburban bus.



Photograph R Dow 18th June 2011

[O_128]

how long does it take, would there be a possibility in the future to feed the browns plain BUZes into springfield?

[ozbob]

CityGlider buses Adelaide Street





Photographs R Dow 19th June 2011

[SurfRail]

how long does it take, would there be a possibility in the future to feed the browns plain BUZes into springfield?

Its a bit too far I'd say.  The 534 is a reasonable enough route, just not terribly frequent.

Need that "rocket" route to Richlands to get up an running.

[Golliwog]

TL11/92
•Application number: TL11/92
•Date of release: 4 May 2011
•Topic/information requested: Documents held by TransLink Transit Authority concerning the on-time running performance of buses:
•For each of the 16 bus operators separately, please supply for each of the four quarters since January 2009 the reported average on-time running performance, that is, Quarter 3, 2008-09, Quarter 4, 2008-09. Then Quarter 1, 209-10, Quarter 2, 2009-10 and Quarter 3, 2009-10, Quarter 4, 2009-10. Then Quarter 1, 2010-11, Quarter 2, 2010-11.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please supply for each of the quarters since January 1, 2009 the worst daily on-time running performance and the best on-time running performance in the quarterly period.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please list where the operator has been penalised for missing reliability performance targets or incentives have been offered for good performance.
•Attachments:

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/right-to-information/TL1192-on-time-running-performance-of-buses.pdf

Thanks go to Channel 9 for doing the RTI. Now we know why OTP stats for buses were always so dodgey. They only audit 1.2% of services, and from the looks of it when they do an audit, they only audit for a certain type of failure (3 categories: Late Arrival, Early Departure and for some bus companies Missed Connections). Still, it does explain a bit.

[dwb]

TL11/92
•Application number: TL11/92
•Date of release: 4 May 2011
•Topic/information requested: Documents held by TransLink Transit Authority concerning the on-time running performance of buses:
•For each of the 16 bus operators separately, please supply for each of the four quarters since January 2009 the reported average on-time running performance, that is, Quarter 3, 2008-09, Quarter 4, 2008-09. Then Quarter 1, 209-10, Quarter 2, 2009-10 and Quarter 3, 2009-10, Quarter 4, 2009-10. Then Quarter 1, 2010-11, Quarter 2, 2010-11.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please supply for each of the quarters since January 1, 2009 the worst daily on-time running performance and the best on-time running performance in the quarterly period.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please list where the operator has been penalised for missing reliability performance targets or incentives have been offered for good performance.
•Attachments:

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/right-to-information/TL1192-on-time-running-performance-of-buses.pdf

Thanks go to Channel 9 for doing the RTI. Now we know why OTP stats for buses were always so dodgey. They only audit 1.2% of services, and from the looks of it when they do an audit, they only audit for a certain type of failure (3 categories: Late Arrival, Early Departure and for some bus companies Missed Connections). Still, it does explain a bit.

Can they get realtime up and running so this is ALL services please... and enforce things through the contracts... and importantly differentiate between peak and non peak services please!!

[dwb]

Also, the RTI states:

The On Time Running  averages provided above by Operator by month and by quarter are post application of Force Majuere for factors
beyond the control of the Operator which affect its ability to adhere to timetabl

Does traffic congestion fit force majuere?!?! BT really needs an incentive to provide bus priority on its roads!!

[ozbob]

TL11/92
•Application number: TL11/92
•Date of release: 4 May 2011
•Topic/information requested: Documents held by TransLink Transit Authority concerning the on-time running performance of buses:
•For each of the 16 bus operators separately, please supply for each of the four quarters since January 2009 the reported average on-time running performance, that is, Quarter 3, 2008-09, Quarter 4, 2008-09. Then Quarter 1, 209-10, Quarter 2, 2009-10 and Quarter 3, 2009-10, Quarter 4, 2009-10. Then Quarter 1, 2010-11, Quarter 2, 2010-11.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please supply for each of the quarters since January 1, 2009 the worst daily on-time running performance and the best on-time running performance in the quarterly period.
•For each of the 16 bus operators individually, please list where the operator has been penalised for missing reliability performance targets or incentives have been offered for good performance.
•Attachments:

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/right-to-information/TL1192-on-time-running-performance-of-buses.pdf

Thanks go to Channel 9 for doing the RTI. Now we know why OTP stats for buses were always so dodgey. They only audit 1.2% of services, and from the looks of it when they do an audit, they only audit for a certain type of failure (3 categories: Late Arrival, Early Departure and for some bus companies Missed Connections). Still, it does explain a bit.

Thanks Golli,  good find.   

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter used the newly Buz'ified 196 to get to his exams today. With the bus stopping every 10mins at the convenient stop 207 in the Valley, he managed to get to Oxlade Drive a whole 20 mins faster than last time he made this journey. One happy 196 customer!

[Golliwog]

BrizCommuter used the newly Buz'ified 196 to get to his exams today. With the bus stopping every 10mins at the convenient stop 207 in the Valley, he managed to get to Oxlade Drive a whole 20 mins faster than last time he made this journey. One happy 196 customer!

I made use of it the other day as well. It was 7.30pm on The Queens B'day so all the UQ Lakes routes cut out at 7.00pm, irritating situation, but the walk and use of 196 was better than the walk and 412 seeing as I was going for a 385 after that.

[Golliwog]

Thanks Golli,  good find.   

The things I do to avoid studying 

[Mr X]

Happy Bus User used the 196 two weeks ago to do some shopping at Fairfield Gardens from H. Hill and is happy to report there were a grand total of three (yes, 3!! omgwtfbbq so many people  ) people on the bus all the way to Fairfield.

Though coming back the bus got filled up a fair bit by the skater kids finishing their stuff at the skate park on Fairfield Rd 

[dwb]

Happy Bus User used the 196 two weeks ago to do some shopping at Fairfield Gardens from H. Hill and is happy to report there were a grand total of three (yes, 3!! omgwtfbbq so many people  ) people on the bus all the way to Fairfield.

Though coming back the bus got filled up a fair bit by the skater kids finishing their stuff at the skate park on Fairfield Rd 

I'm confused, maybe its the acronyms, what's your point?

[Mr X]

I get the feeling having a BUZ might be an overservicing of the area 

The extra Sunday services are good though 

[dwb]

I get the feeling having a BUZ might be an overservicing of the area 

The extra Sunday services are good though 

You think this bc one service you boarded had 3 passengers for the outbound final leg of the route?? Come on!

[Mr X]

yws yes i know  

196 is my main city route and yes the upgrade is needed   just an interesting observation, that's all. Much better than the good old (bad) days of 191/193 where you see full buses at sunday midday..

[dwb]

yws yes i know  

196 is my main city route and yes the upgrade is needed   just an interesting observation, that's all. Much better than the good old (bad) days of 191/193 where you see full buses at sunday midday..

phew! lol

[Golliwog]

I went out and about on the 362 again today. I was one of 7 people who used it between Keperra and Brookside on the 12.30ish run, and one of the 9 who used it coming from Brookside back the other way on the 4.07pm run.

[somebody]

Bay 3 at the Cultural Centre outbound platform was barricaded off this morning.  Was it usable by the PM peak?

Also noticed that the 197 still shows on the electronic timetable.

[ozbob]

Bay 3 at the Cultural Centre outbound platform was barricaded off this morning.  Was it usable by the PM peak?

Also noticed that the 197 still shows on the electronic timetable.

There was a general TransLink alert on radio to the effect that buses at CC will be delayed up to 15 minutes due to works ...

[somebody]

Split off topic re: PM peak city stop locations here: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6337.0

Bay 3 at the Cultural Centre outbound platform was barricaded off this morning.  Was it usable by the PM peak?

Still barricaded this morning!  Doh!

[WTN]

Bay 3 at the Cultural Centre outbound platform was barricaded off this morning.  Was it usable by the PM peak?

Still barricaded this morning!  Doh!

And this early evening. Saw minor delays during both periods. Could be worse in the midst of peak.

[ozbob]

Bus at Ipswich



Photograph R Dow 12th July 2011

[Stillwater]

The Bell Street bus station is to get a makeover, correct?

[somebody]

Bay 3 open.

Saw a 444 driver refuse to convey passengers beyond the Cultural Centre to GoMA

[colinw]

School holidays over. Moderate loading on the 554 between Kuraby & Garden City has now become heavy loading with the return of Macgregor High students.

I nearly caught the wrong bus this morning.  Both inbound & outbound 554 services run the same direction around a loop in Kuraby.  A late running outbound 554 arrived at the precise time the inbound service was due, and muggins here boarded without bothering to read the desto.  The driver recognised me as a regular and asked if I really wanted to go to Springwood or Woodridge!

[dwb]

Bay 3 open.

Saw a 444 driver refuse to convey passengers beyond the Cultural Centre to GoMA

They were doing something with the drainage right? Seems like they installed a new type of gutter grate...

[ozbob]

Track closure Sherwood <-> Rosewood, rail bus at Oxley.





Photographs R Dow 16th July 2011

[O_128]

Went for a ride on the 150 today, 10 mins late and was full at QSBS. ha anyone else noticed how lazy people are,  3 people got on at QSBS press the button to get off at cultural centre, Bit lazy lol

[SurfRail]

Went for a ride on the 150 today, 10 mins late and was full at QSBS. ha anyone else noticed how lazy people are,  3 people got on at QSBS press the button to get off at cultural centre, Bit lazy lol

Laziness is good.  It encourages people to pay more than their "fair" share of the system's revenue by making short discretionary trips by PT that is already going the same way as them.  The main complaint from most people seems to be that this takes up a seat - too bad.  You are paying for travel, not a seat - which is why the "all seats please" some of the rusted on QR station staff announce occasionally amuses me.  If you are that eager for a seat, you can jump in it after the bus clears the Victoria Bridge.

I frequently make that trip (standing or seated), or travel only a few stops along Adelaide St during lunch because I couldn't be bothered walking, or because time is sensitive. (It is also part of my elaborate scheme as a longer-distance commuter to get access to the FUD by Thursday each week...)

[ozbob]

Heading inbound in a 'horseless carriage' earlier today on the Ipswich 'car park' noted a Rail Bus - BBL bus (BBL26) in a spot of bother between Goodna and Gailes. Must have been problem with gears or something as bus was travelling on road at around 50/55 km hour (engine flat out by the sound of it), hazard lights flashing (pax on board) heading for Wacol exit I suspect. I think the bus may have come up from  Goodna and then had the problem as entered the highway. Due to the road works etc. the driver would not have had much choice but to hazard and push on and get off at the first exit.  It was in the 80 km/h zone, which the changes to 90 km/h just past Gailes.  It would appear though that the speed limits on the Ipswich car park are 'advisory' many seem to do a lot faster than the limits ...

[somebody]

Went for a ride on the 150 today, 10 mins late and was full at QSBS. ha anyone else noticed how lazy people are,  3 people got on at QSBS press the button to get off at cultural centre, Bit lazy lol

Now, now.  They could easily be planning to interchange to another route.  It's not surprising with the baffling reluctance to have reasonable city stop locations.

[ozbob]

Some random photographs around the City and Roma St earlier this week.









Photographs R Dow 1st August 2011

[ozbob]

Top of Queen St, a nice photogenic location for the built environment ..



Photograph R Dow 7th August 2011

[ozbob]

The old bus stop A Darra is now known as Darra Shops  (this is opposite the station, corner Railway Pde and Rowe Tce).





Photographs R Dow 7th August 2011

[Otto]

Route 205...

Please note the 'Talavera' stop has been withdrawn before it has even been serviced !! ( new bus stops cost the ratepayers approx $6000 each.. Now wasted money )

Local residents have protested    about having a stop near them and now the politics have begun.... Gotta love our pollies..  

[somebody]

Route 205...

Please note the 'Talavera' stop has been withdrawn before it has even been serviced !! ( new bus stops cost the ratepayers approx $6000 each.. Now wasted money )

Local residents have protested    about having a stop near them and now the politics have begun.... Gotta love our pollies..  

$6000 for a pole, a sign and a timetable?  Maybe a seat.  Or perhaps about $500-$1000 for those things and $5000-$5500 for paper shuffling?

Where was Talavera?

[SurfRail]

As it is, it should follow the 200 route between Cribb/Scrub and the Carindale shops roundabout.  No need to make the network even more complicated.

[Otto]

Where was Talavera?

[STB]

Route 205...

Please note the 'Talavera' stop has been withdrawn before it has even been serviced !! ( new bus stops cost the ratepayers approx $6000 each.. Now wasted money )

Local residents have protested    about having a stop near them and now the politics have begun.... Gotta love our pollies..  

That happens quite often on the network with new bus stops.  Residents want a bus route but don't want the bus stops that come with it.  Gotta love Nimbys who want it both ways.