Bus delays, cancellations ...

[achiruel]

Last updated: 4.52pm Friday 23 October 2015

All buses travelling into the William Street bus tunnel and surrounding areas in the CBD will experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to traffic lights on flash on William Street in the City.

Technicians are currently on site.

Affected services
Buses
40 - Brisbane City loop
60 - Blue CityGlider
61 - Maroon CityGlider
66
100
105
107
110
111
112
114
116
P119
120
124
125
130
135
P137
140
P141
150
P151
155
P157
160
161
170
172
P173
174
175
P176
P179
180
184
185
192
195
196
199
200
P201
202
203
204
P205
P208
210
P211
212
214
215
P217
P221
222
227
230
P231
235
P236
243
250
251
261
265
267
273
275
276
281
299
300
301
305
306
320
322
325
330
P331
P332
333
334
340
P341
P343
P344
345
346
350
351
352
353
357
359
360
370
372
373
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
P384
385
390
411
415
416
417
425
P426
433
435
P443
444
445
453
454
P455
P456
P457
P458
P459
460
471
475
476
P546
551
555
561
566
P569
571
573
575
577
579
P581

[achiruel]

3.55pm route 545 inbound bus is cancelled

Last update: 4.49pm Friday 23 October 2015

The 3.55pm rout 545 inbound bus is cancelled due to a mechanical issue.

The next inbound route 545 bus departed Browns Plains station, stop 2A at 4.25pm.

Affected services
Buses
545

[Fattious]

Sorry I posted in the rail delays thread 're William St portal intersection. QPS to take over intersection.

Traffic signals resumed operation around 10 minutes ago, inbound buses queued back to the Melbourne St portal. Heard on the radio they are going to do something about it. Network reform would be good, let's see if they can arrange police to direct traffic. Only 3 buses exit QSBS on a green signal.

Last updated: 4.52pm Friday 23 October 2015
All buses travelling into the William Street bus tunnel and surrounding areas in the CBD will experience delays of up to 20 minutes due to traffic lights on flash on William Street in the City.
Technicians are currently on site.

[ozbob]

Multiple flow on bus cancellations now  ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

No delays once again on the 77 through the city.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/62676/details

9.02am route 524 inbound bus is delayed 20 mins

Last updated: 9.08am Saturday 24 October 2015

The 9.02am route 524 inbound bus is delayed 20 minutes due to a mechanical issue. The next inbound route 524 departs Redbank Plains Shopping Village, Bellbird Park at 10.02am.

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

Better late than pulled ...   

[achiruel]

No delays once again on the 77 through the city.

It's a pity the 77 is more utilised/publicised, it's one of the routes where travel time is very competitive with private car, not to mention quite a bit cheaper once you factor in the tolls from CLEM7 (4.85) and Airport Link ($4.92).

[James]

It's a pity the 77 is more utilised/publicised, it's one of the routes where travel time is very competitive with private car, not to mention quite a bit cheaper once you factor in the tolls from CLEM7 (4.85) and Airport Link ($4.92).

It only uses CLEM7. However, there are still massive time savings to be made.

[achiruel]

It only uses CLEM7. However, there are still massive time savings to be made.

I realise that, however if you were going to do the trip the quickest way by car, you'd use Airport Link (the 77 uses the Northern Busway, which largely parallels it IIRC).

[HappyTrainGuy]

The 77 is a fantastic route but its one that has been set up to fail with the lack of a proper public transport network in Brisbane. As James said it only uses the Clem7 but a few modifications to the route running around Chermside can speed it up by a few minutes for the Chermside bound trips. Just shove it into the same stop that the 330, 335, 340 use. I'm sure there is still room to spare there rather than that combined bay that the 333 uses 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25th October 2015

Missed the bus, join the crowd ...

Greetings,

There does appear to be a lot of bus cancellations of late.  It is difficult to be absolutely objective because of ' state secrecy ' of bus data - both reliability (turnout of services) and on time performance, but feedback and social media observations suggest there is an issue.

When a bus service is cancelled people are stranded at bus stops.  If it is a frequent bus service, such as a BUZ or high frequency glider service,  this is not as severe in terms of the individual passenger impact when say an hourly frequency bus service is cancelled.  In this case, worst case could mean a wait of up to 2 hours if the previous service was just missed.  Missed connections can further compound the delays.

There is no compensation for passengers stranded.  This then acts as a real disincentive for people to use public transport.

It might be time to consider what can be done for people left stranded on low frequency bus routes (and rail services).  Is it reasonable for them to claim some reimbursement for taxi fares minus the normal bus/train fare?

Can some action be taken to stop bus cancellations please? Particularly on low frequency routes.  Can consideration be given to some form of compensation for passengers?

The public is getting tired of mediocrity.

Best wishes

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/62791/details

Delays: Cultural Centre station

Last updated: 12.00pm Monday 26 October 2015

Buses travelling outbound from Cultural Centre will experience delays of up to 15 minutes due to a broken down bus.

There are no delays expected for buses travelling inbound from Cultural Centre.

[achiruel]

Can some action be taken to stop bus cancellations please? Particularly on low frequency routes.  Can consideration be given to some form of compensation for passengers?

I'm actually wondering if on a lot of low frequency/welfare type routes that have consistently low patronage data if TL should just send out a maxi taxi somehow? Obviously it would need some indication that it's a bus replacement service; maybe a magnetic TransLink sign on the front of it?

[ozbob]

No, need the buses too many pax.  The problem is say when an hourly 524 or similar is pulled.  Folks are stuck.  Some might be able to get lifts etc. some cannot and many simply cannot afford a cab.  So they wait for another hour or so .. the next service might actually be overloaded which can further compound the mess. 

Flexilink still operates in parts of Ipswich and Goodna, only really works in very low density ... lessons learned from the past.

[SurfRail]

Remember the Gold Coast trialled YourBus around Pacific Pines with Merc minibuses not long ago.  Now a "full" service bus route in large part with some of the more penetrating sections of the route straightened out.

Anything that involves a despatch type system jacks the cost up.

The cost differential between a cabbie and a bloke driving a 12.5m bus on a fixed route isn't really that big, and the cab gives you zero flexibility to deal with variable loadings.

[achiruel]

I wasn't meaning it as a full time service, more for when a bus breaks down and there's no replacement available.  Even if they hand to send 2 or 3 maxis, surely that's cheaper than having to pay separate cab fares for everyone on the route?

[SurfRail]

It's still fairly expensive to just have that on standby.

[ozbob]

https://admin.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/63246/details

Stop Closed: Nerang Bicentennial Centre, Nerang

Last updated: 3.01pm Friday 30 October 2015

The Nerang Bicentennial Centre stop at Nerang has been temporarily closed due to a bus incident.

The nearest stop for inbound and outbound passengers is located at Price St at Nerang State Primary School, Nerang.

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

^

Twitter

Nine News Brisbane ‏@9NewsBrisbane 7m7 minutes ago

UPDATE: @TransLinkSEQ bus gutted by fire at Nerang, on the Gold Coast:

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/10/30/16/27/bus-gutted-by-fire-on-the-gold-coast ... #9News



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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bus catches fire at Nerang on the Gold Coast

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/63301/details

Coronation Drive, Milton delays: 30 minutes

Last updated: 5.49pm Friday 30 October 2015

Buses travelling inbound along Coronation Drive, Milton will experience delays of up to 30 minutes due to heavy traffic congestion.

Bus services travelling outbound are also delayed up to 25 minutes.

[achiruel]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/63301/details

Coronation Drive, Milton delays: 30 minutes

Last updated: 5.49pm Friday 30 October 2015

Buses travelling inbound along Coronation Drive, Milton will experience delays of up to 30 minutes due to heavy traffic congestion.

Bus services travelling outbound are also delayed up to 25 minutes.

→  (Feed Me!)

When will BCC learn?

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/63641/details

3.45pm route 524 inbound bus cancelled

Last updated: 3.22pm Tuesday 3 November 2015

The 3.45pm route 524 inbound bus is cancelled due to an operational issue. The next inbound route 524 bus departs Redbank Plains Shopping Village, Bellbird Park at 4.15pm.

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

Real handy that hey?   

[ozbob]

The 3.25pm outbound 524 was cancelled, hence the later cancellation.  Normally carries a good load that service. 

[techblitz]

another 2 this morning...522 and 463...

ozbob for the number of routes this bus company actually services....they seem to have the highest ratio of cancellations on the entire seq network...you probably need to look into it further....

[ozbob]

another 2 this morning...522 and 463...

ozbob for the number of routes this bus company actually services....they seem to have the highest ratio of cancellations on the entire seq network...you probably need to look into it further....

Thanks, have passed on to DP's office our concerns with low frequency bus cancellations ..

It really makes it hard for folks.

eg.

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 2h

Too many low frequency buses being cancelled. This causes real problems .. @jackietrad @IsuruNeel

^^

TransLink @TransLinkSEQ  7:41 AM - 4 Nov 2015

The 8.14am route 522 outbound bus is cancelled due to an operational issue. http://bit.ly/1iBn9G3  #TLAlert #TL500s

[ozbob]

5.11pm route 526 northbound bus cancelled

Last updated: 5.34pm Thursday 5 November 2015

The 5.11pm route 526 northbound bus has been cancelled due to a mechanical issue. The next northboun route 526 bus departs Orion Springfield Central at 5.41.pm.

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

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/64311/details

11.02am route 524 inbound bus delayed for 23 mins

Last updated: 11.31am Wednesday 11 November 2015

The 11.02am route 524 inbound bus is delayed for up to 23 minutes due to a mechanical issue. This bus is now due to arrive at Goodna station at 12.03pm.

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

Better to be 23 minutes late than no bus ..   

[James]

I guess that bus being late is the reason the outbound bus is cancelled....

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

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/64316/details

11.42am route 524 outbound bus cancelled

Last updated: 11.35am Wednesday 11 November 2015

The 11.42am route 524 outbound bus is cancelled due to an earlier mechanical issue. The next outbound route 524 bus departs Goodna station at 12.42pm.

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

The old 524 really doesn't fair too well does it Bob?

[ozbob]

Yes, I was just getting to the cancellation.

It is hopeless really.  When one hour frequency services are cancelled it makes it very difficult for people.

A lot of folks around here walk.  In many cases they don't have any real options.  Others just have to wait.

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 2m

Robert Dow Retweeted TransLink

. @JoAnnMillerMP Your consituents are getting screwed around with bus cancellations .. ping @jackietrad #qldpol

^^

Twitter

TransLink ‏@TransLinkSEQ 11:37 AM - 11 Nov 2015

11.42am route 524 outbound bus is cancelled. Next bus departs 12.42pm. http://bit.ly/1ljy7lw  #TLAlert #TL500s

[James]

Yes, I was just getting to the cancellation.

It is hopeless really.  When one hour frequency services are cancelled it makes it very difficult for people.

A lot of folks around here walk.  In many cases they don't have any real options.  Others just have to wait.

It seems odd that the 524 in particular seems to get cancelled so often.

I've rarely had to deal with cancellations on BT (aside from the ones resulting from congestion meltdown on Coronation Drive). Sure, delayed BT services are everywhere, but rarely cancellations. Perhaps it is just the services I use most often which don't cancel.

[ozbob]

BT services are cancelled but often goes largely unnoticed due to the higher frequencies generally.  I think they do try to make sure that low frequency services are maintained even if they have to chop some more frequent services.  Have a lot more buses/resources so can maneuver better.

Out west buses etc. are sparse.  I think there is also an attitude that Goodna folk generally will not cause that much fuss.  No, bus, sh%t, we will have to walk.  Our local Member Ms Miller is not particularly interested in buses or the rail station.  I have given up on getting any response or interest in the local issues from her.

The 522 gets pulled a bit too ..

[SurfRail]

I suspect she is flat chat trying to keep her head above water in her ministerial post.  Has not been the government's greatest asset.

[ozbob]

I suspect she is flat chat trying to keep her head above water in her ministerial post.  Has not been the government's greatest asset.

Yo.  It is not only Minister Miller struggling to keep heads above water hey?   

I have written 4 times requesting meeting re Goodna rail station since April.  It was at her request that I follow up with her btw.

Goodna is the busiest station west of Darra (at times busier than Ipswich itself).  It is a good swimmer, I guess no one wants to do much for the good citizens of Goodna. 

Back on topic, I have raised the issue of bus cancellations out this way with the authorities.  It is all too hard.  Ageing fleet does not help either I guess.  No one except ourselves (and the passengers affected) seems to care too much.  Sh%t, better put some car parks in. 

Footnote:

Just noticed this tweet SurfRail .. 

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

Twitter

Matt Wordsworth ‏@MattWordsworth 5m

LNP MP @TarnyaSmithMP says Police Min @JoAnnMillerMP said in parl yest "I am going to get you" and made a throat-slitting gesture #qldpol

^

Twitter

Matt Wordsworth ‏@MattWordsworth 5m

Speaker @pwellingtonmp asks @TarnyaSmithMP to write to him about the matter #qldpol

[ozbob]

^^

I think one factor in the ' cold shoulder ' maybe because I wrote a letter in the QT supporting Cr Tully and others, who supported retaining the police communications centre out Ipswich way when the Police Minister wanted to go ahead with the plan to centralise it.  There was a very strong local reaction against closing it.

May not matter much soon ... 

[ozbob]

For interest a BT cancellation.  There is usually a number of these each day.  I normally don't worry about them too much.

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

Twitter

TransLink ‏@TransLinkSEQ 7 minutes ago

5.20pm route P211 outbound bus is cancelled. Next outbound P211 departs Ballow St Stop 206 @ 5.35pm http://bit.ly/1MzFLCw  #TLAlert #TL200s

[HappyTrainGuy]

BT services are cancelled but often goes largely unnoticed due to the higher frequencies generally.  I think they do try to make sure that low frequency services are maintained even if they have to chop some more frequent services.  Have a lot more buses/resources so can maneuver better.

Better frequencies?? Yeah, maybe at the Cultural Centre Take out the 680, 330 and 340 and everything north, west and east of Chermside is 60 minutes or worse. Especially in the case of the 314

[ozbob]

^ key word was generally ...     Obviously BT have some low frequency routes  but they are better able to cope with issues simply due to the larger number of buses etc. at their disposal say compared to some other operators.

There might be a riot if a 314 was cancelled hey?   

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th November 2015

Bus service cancellations a growing problem

Good Morning,

There appears to be a growing trend of bus cancellations of late.  In the absence of published bus performance data in Queensland, we must rely on direct observation and feedback.  Data secrecy in Queensland is appalling, other states make this data publicly available in a form that is easy to access and understand.

None the less, bus cancellations appear to be increasing.  This is very serious when the bus route that has a cancelled service is low frequency.

For example out west, we are seeing services such as the 524 and 522 buses cancelled.  These are one hour frequency bus services out of peak, 30 minutes at peak.

Last evening a number of Brisbane Transport services were cancelled.

People are left stranded at bus stops with little recourse to remedy.

Satisfactory?

Can proper bus data be made available for all bus regions please?   Why the ongoing secrecy?  Is it to cover up poor performance?

Can steps be undertaken to reduce cancellations, and perhaps look at some way of giving passengers some recovery process.  Being marooned at isolated bus stops is not safe, and does not encourage public transport use.

Missed connections mean lengthy journey times and missed appointments.

All is not well is it?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[James]

^ key word was generally ...     Obviously BT have some low frequency routes  but they are better able to cope with issues simply due to the larger number of buses etc. at their disposal say compared to some other operators.

There might be a riot if a 314 was cancelled hey?   

I guess one additional comment I'd like to make re: BT, is most of the cancellations tend to occur in peak and are due to traffic. Fact of life, the fact a lot of services are running more frequently anyway means there isn't too much to cry over - it just leads to a very full next service.

The "operational issue" cancellations tend to be spread across a variety of routes of various frequencies in BT, meaning no route/service in particular suffers cancellations almost every week. The 524 on the other hand, it seems like a service is getting cancelled at least once or twice every week...