Eastern Busway

[dwb]

Yes, it does seem like TransLink is finally being PRO-active in fully utilising new infrastructure, rather being RE-active. Perhaps they are finding it easier to add routes, rather than messing with existing ones due to commuter backlash - e.g. the Ipswich restructure.

Indeed, and one would hope (and presume) that when (if) the new routes are more popular they can then axe (clean up) the old ones.

Messy, but pragmatic approach.

[dwb]

Couldn't you just extend the hours and frequency of route 308 with a connection available onto the 590 for any passengers continuing on?

From my perspective cross town routes shouldn't require interchanges (for the cross town component) as you're already assuming pax may make one inbound or outbound interchange at either end of the cross town component, and that is the 3 transfer limit under the ticket.

[dwb]

New inner city bus route 29 (Woolloongabba busway-UQ Lakes Bus Station)

What?? Why do we need this when we have route 209

I am presuming that the 209 will go via Buranda.

I would think so too. Wouldn't it be great if the re-routed 209 was extended to either Indro or Toowong. And on that subject, do you think Translink may be using Indro rather than Toowong for connections to UQ at the moment so they can upgrade the station by just using the two platforms? Perhaps they might bring the interchange back to Toowong once the upgrade is finished?

[somebody]

I would think so too. Wouldn't it be great if the re-routed 209 was extended to either Indro or Toowong. And on that subject, do you think Translink may be using Indro rather than Toowong for connections to UQ at the moment so they can upgrade the station by just using the two platforms? Perhaps they might bring the interchange back to Toowong once the upgrade is finished?

I hadn't thought of that.  I wouldn't put it past them.  Is there an upgrade of Toowong planned which would require such a thing?

[dwb]

I would think so too. Wouldn't it be great if the re-routed 209 was extended to either Indro or Toowong. And on that subject, do you think Translink may be using Indro rather than Toowong for connections to UQ at the moment so they can upgrade the station by just using the two platforms? Perhaps they might bring the interchange back to Toowong once the upgrade is finished?

I hadn't thought of that.  I wouldn't put it past them.  Is there an upgrade of Toowong planned which would require such a thing?

I visited Toowong just to have a look yesterday and it seems like the station is part of the upgrade budget and access seemed to be closed to platforms 3+4 (I'm actually not sure on platform numbers but I think there are two central platforms, I just had a quick look but as far as I could tell lift/stair access is currently only available to the platform closest the river/ Coro Dv.

[dwb]

They seem to be re-tiling.

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/ToowongStationUpgrade.aspx

Home > Network > SEQIPRAIL Infrastructure Delivery > Current Projects > City Network Station Upgrades > City Network Station Upgrades > Toowong Station Upgrade
Toowong Station Upgrade
Toowong Station Upgrade
Project Name:   Toowong Station Upgrade
Location:   Toowong Station
Project Cost:   The upgrade of Toowong Station is part of the $200 million government funded Station Upgrade Program of works encompassing 50 stations across the network.

Project Background:   The Queensland Government, through the TransLink Transit Authority and Queensland Rail, is improving station facilities with the upgrade of around 50 of the busiest stations across the network.

The upgrade and improvement works at Toowong Station will provide customers with better station facilities and increased comfort while they complete their journey.

Key Features:   
New accessible ticket window
Toilet upgrade
Upgrade to station lighting
Minor works to improve look and feel of station facilities
Project Impacts:   Timetabled services will operate as normal. Customers will be advised in advance of any changes.

We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this important station upgrade.

Contact us:   For further information please contact the project team:

Phone: 07 3235 1516
Email:  stationupgrades@qr.com.au

[Gazza]

^It's been the slowest upgrade in history...Some of the walls have been stripped of tiles for  a year and  half. It got its old CRT PIDS replaced with LCD ones too. Not sure if they plan on doing anything with the toilets.
Yes, platform arrangement is  two island platforms, but the ones on the express track are hilariously narrow.

[somebody]

If we are upgrading the Eastern routes, how come few (if anyone) is getting access to a BUZ who doesn't already have one?

I'd be suggesting a BUZ 210 along these lines: http://bit.ly/nCLOX8
Ha! Got it to work with whereis: http://www.whereis.com/?id=D5BA0BA18AA72C

[dwb]

If we are upgrading the Eastern routes, how come few (if anyone) is getting access to a BUZ who doesn't already have one?

I'd be suggesting a BUZ 210 along these lines: http://bit.ly/nCLOX8

I'm not saying that it is a bad idea, but do you really think they are going to BUZ something off a new busway in their busway upgrade package?

[somebody]

I'm not saying that it is a bad idea, but do you really think they are going to BUZ something off a new busway in their busway upgrade package?

That's the problem.  Although at least they could have more of the existing services use this new infrastructure. *cough* 200 *cough*

And extend the 222 beyond Carindale, but that means it is to go beyond the BCC boundaries.

[Bulimba30A]

If we are upgrading the Eastern routes, how come few (if anyone) is getting access to a BUZ who doesn't already have one?

I'd be suggesting a BUZ 210 along these lines: http://bit.ly/nCLOX8

I still think if such a thing got off the ground it would have to service Fursden and Preston Roads.  Meadowlands Rd already has 204 (although its all stops, its something and reasonably frequent).  I am more concerned about serving the areas with little or no public transport before increasing the services on others.

And extend the 222 beyond Carindale, but that means it is to go beyond the BCC boundaries.

Chandler is still within BCC boundaries.

[somebody]

I still think if such a thing got off the ground it would have to service Fursden and Preston Roads. 

I don't think that is achievable while keeping the route reasonably direct.  It's bad enough that Cadogan St needs to double back to go forward.

Meadowlands Rd already has 204 (although its all stops, its something and reasonably frequent).  I am more concerned about serving the areas with little or no public transport before increasing the services on others.

The 204 sucks for Meadowlands Rd though.

Chandler is still within BCC boundaries.

Yes, ok, but I wouldn't terminate there.  You'd have to continue to Capalaba to make it worthwhile IMO.

[#Metro]

I think we need to start using the train network properly. Looking at your BUZ 210 you can see that it flies past Norman Park station.
Same thing with the previously mooted BUZ 245 which flied past Morningside.

What is with that awful dog leg? Core Frequent BUZ routes should be steam-ironed routes. Frequent local feeder services (aka the Ozbob's Orange bus) should do suburbs like that and shuttle people to the nearest interchange (in this case Carindale). So I'd send the BUZ 210 down creek road...

[O_128]

well the eastern busway was a waste of money, wasnt it supposed to save 7 min off existing routes  . Also maybe veiola should look into running frequent buses to carindale and terminating there rather than crap frequency all the way to the city.

[Mr X]

How would one extend the 209 to Toowong? UQ would have a fit with all those buses going through the campus 

[somebody]

I think we need to start using the train network properly. Looking at your BUZ 210 you can see that it flies past Norman Park station.

I don't care.  There is still a need for a service along Vulture St East/Stanley St East IMO.  Together with the poor journey times on the Cleveland line (20mins Central-Norman Park vs 16 mins for the 210 between KGS-Milsom/Adina Sts) and the nature of interchange which is sure to deter patronage.

If you want to interchange, you still can.

What is with that awful dog leg? Core Frequent BUZ routes should be steam-ironed routes. Frequent local feeder services (aka the Ozbob's Orange bus) should do suburbs like that and shuttle people to the nearest interchange (in this case Carindale). So I'd send the BUZ 210 down creek road...

It's very straight until Meadowlands/Baynes.  Are you planning to say that the people on Meadowlands Rd get a poor service?

BTW, I was actually thinking of Baynes St rather than Fooks St, I just couldn't get Google Maps to do it.

Translink have been getting even worse since the INB debacle.  Why didn't more (and more logical) routes use that infrastructure?

[#Metro]

I don't care.  There is still a need for a service along Vulture St East/Stanley St East IMO.  Together with the poor journey times on the Cleveland line (20mins Central-Norman Park vs 16 mins for the 210 between KGS-Milsom/Adina Sts) and the nature of interchange which is sure to deter patronage.

I care. It is a waste of infrastructure. I'm looking from a whole of network perspective here. We can't BUZ everything and something must be done to fix up rail and use the capacity on that. Waste not, want not. The carbon tax and price rises really highlight one thing: EFFICIENCY! Must make better use of the resources we have. A BUZ 245 could do that stretch along Vulture st.

We just can't have Public Taxi To My Front Door Everywhere. There are over 200 bus routes in Brisbane, at 2 BUZification per year you are looking at 100 years worth of wait. Even at 50% you are looking at 50 years... and that is assuming "Brisbane" is static and does not grow/expand in that time... On top of that 15% fare rises etc etc... you get the picture! Those Who Disagree may want to look at the Perth public transport plan and the role in interchange and networking... remember Perth is a smaller city than Brisbane, they are planning for where we are at now...

Are you planning to say that the people on Meadowlands Rd get a poor service?

Disagree. I'm not sure what pre-emptive powers you have - is there something specifically special about the residents of Meadowlands Road? I too would like a BUZ outside my house because I live on X road. Doesn't automatically entitle me to one though does it?

A local service oriented towards the shopping centre would be better for this purpose I think. The principles of a Core Frequent Network are that the routes should not go on a safari in the suburbs and waste time.

[Jonno]

well the eastern busway was a waste of money, wasnt it supposed to save 7 min off existing routes  . Also maybe veiola should look into running frequent buses to carindale and terminating there rather than crap frequency all the way to the city.

Is it possible they know that the existing busway cannot handle too many additional buses?

[somebody]

Are you planning to say that the people on Meadowlands Rd get a poor service?

Disagree. I'm not sure what pre-emptive powers you have - is there something specifically special about the residents of Meadowlands Road? I too would like a BUZ outside my house because I live on X road. Doesn't automatically entitle me to one though does it?

A local service oriented towards the shopping centre would be better for this purpose I think. The principles of a Core Frequent Network are that the routes should not go on a safari in the suburbs and waste time.

While I can see your point of view on Norman Park interchange, at least a little, I cannot see your thinking here.  Currently Meadowlands Rd needs to go on a "safari" on route 204.  You are resisting a straightening on the grounds of desiring straightening.

[O_128]

You would think that the 200 would be moved to the new busway and a 245 buz introduced, you would think.

[somebody]

Is it possible they know that the existing busway cannot handle too many additional buses?

Great point!  Buranda is certainly going to be interesting once this piece of infrastructure opens.  Not sure what the solution is either.

I'm not a fan of the 245 via 'Gabba as once suggested.  All City-Wynnum Rd routes should use the Storey Bridge rather than loop around.

[Jonno]

Trunk routes on busway operating like rail lines and feeder services... Oh they work for rail lines too

[STB]

Just a couple of quick points.

Route number 245 is reserved for any Eastern Region routes (Veolia).  Routes 200-239 is reserved for the Brisbane East region (BT).

These Eastern busway routes have been in the pipeline for quite a while now, a lot longer than you might think (circa 2006/07), although some of the routing has changed from what I can see.  They were indicative at the time, not at any draft or final stages.

Planners indicated years back to me that there could be a potential 244 or 245 service from the Redlands (Capalaba to the City) as an all stops service along Old Cleveland Road when the busway is fully extended to Capalaba.  Route number 259 was also reserved back then for a future potential route.  Keep in mind though what I was told years ago back in '07 was more high level long term planning and is subject to change (and probably already has).

[somebody]

Trunk routes on busway operating like rail lines and feeder services... Oh they work for rail lines too

But that only increases station dwell times, which is the problem.  And you also have issues with the lack of turnaround facilities.

They may need to become more savage with rockets non stopping Buranda, such as the 119, 171, 176, 179, 181.

[david]

There are over 200 bus routes in Brisbane, at 2 BUZification per year you are looking at 100 years worth of wait. Even at 50% you are looking at 50 years... and that is assuming "Brisbane" is static and does not grow/expand in that time...

Make that 4 BUZifications now

[#Metro]

While I can see your point of view on Norman Park interchange, at least a little, I cannot see your thinking here.  Currently Meadowlands Rd needs to go on a "safari" on route 204.  You are resisting a straightening on the grounds of desiring straightening.

I will look at the map, perhaps I have misinterpreted-- nope. Why can't it just go down creek road?

[#Metro]

Is it possible they know that the existing busway cannot handle too many additional buses?

Cultural Centre is at capacity. Repeat. Cultural Centre is at capacity. If anyone so much as sneezes, there will be a busjam all the way backing up into KGSBS/QSBS.

Route number 245 is reserved for any Eastern Region routes (Veolia).  Routes 200-239 is reserved for the Brisbane East region (BT)

. Then let Veolia run the BUZ, or should that be HFP.. LOL. Time TL got its act together and either bought out the BUZ or made up their own marketing. Come on TL! Marketing is soo much easier than pouring concrete! What is the point of not advertising services? Oh, and the secret Darra-CBD TUZ is still secret... ridiculous.

These Eastern busway routes have been in the pipeline for quite a while now, a lot longer than you might think (circa 2006/07), although some of the routing has changed from what I can see.  They were indicative at the time, not at any draft or final stages.

Planners indicated years back to me that there could be a potential 244 or 245 service from the Redlands (Capalaba to the City) as an all stops service along Old Cleveland Road when the busway is fully extended to Capalaba.  Route number 259 was also reserved back then for a future potential route.  Keep in mind though what I was told years ago back in '07 was more high level long term planning and is subject to change (and probably already has).

[dwb]

How would one extend the 209 to Toowong? UQ would have a fit with all those buses going through the campus 

Indeed 34 buses a day would spell the end of UQ... never mind the 6000 cars that access the campus daily.

[somebody]

Indeed 34 buses a day would spell the end of UQ... never mind the 6000 cars that access the campus daily.

Try convincing the UQ Senate of that.

Cultural Centre is at capacity. Repeat. Cultural Centre is at capacity. If anyone so much as sneezes, there will be a busjam all the way backing up into KGSBS/QSBS.

You're being a drama queen here.

Greater Captain Cook Bridge routes are relatively easy.

[somebody]

It's a bloody improvement on when the last section of the inner northern busway was opened!

Is it?

The major issue there for routes north of Normanby was the truncation of the 393. It was annoying about the Kelvin Grove Rd routes besides the 345 being kept out though.  This one is much worse as even the corridor's current BUZ route is being kept out.

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter thinks that a RBWH to UQ via Story Bridge, PA Hospital, Boggo Rd/Park Rd route would be rather popular.

[dwb]

More than 2000 bus services a week would stop the new Stones Corner busway station and more than 1700 bus services would stop at Langlands Park.

What is with the extra 300 services /week that service Stones Corner that don't service Langlands Park!?

[somebody]

BrizCommuter thinks that a RBWH to UQ via Story Bridge, PA Hospital, Boggo Rd/Park Rd route would be rather popular.

Why via Storey Bridge though?  That's just 66+109 really, but failing to serve RCH.

If we are making a Storey Bridge route, I much prefer Chermside-PA, to replace 370, and the eastern part of 475/6.  An argument could be made that a via Clem 7 Chermside-UQ makes some of it redundant, but I see a place for both routes.

Is that too much of a tangent?

More than 2000 bus services a week would stop the new Stones Corner busway station and more than 1700 bus services would stop at Langlands Park.

What is with the extra 300 services /week that service Stones Corner that don't service Langlands Park!?

Express services.  Thought you loved them?  250 doesn't serve the equivalent stop now I expect.

[dwb]

Express services.  Thought you loved them?  250 doesn't serve the equivalent stop now I expect.

lol, seems strange to me here.

[SurfRail]

What is with the extra 300 services /week that service Stones Corner that don't service Langlands Park!?

Possibly they are including the 174 and 175 there as adjacent routes.

[Mr X]

How would one extend the 209 to Toowong? UQ would have a fit with all those buses going through the campus 

Indeed 34 buses a day would spell the end of UQ... never mind the 6000 cars that access the campus daily.

I had forgotten..
The buses would go at 30km/h through the campus and there are always speed cameras. William McGregor Dve is too thin unless parking is removed.

:s

[SurfRail]

As it is, you need to spend some bucks on installing some sort of accessway from the bus turnaround to the local streets for any of this to work.  I am certain that any objection from UQ could be steamrollered into submission by compulsory acquisition without any serious problem.  The route to Indooroopilly though is less than ideal once you have left the uni grounds, although up to Toowong is fine.

[dwb]

As it is, you need to spend some bucks on installing some sort of accessway from the bus turnaround to the local streets for any of this to work.  I am certain that any objection from UQ could be steamrollered into submission by compulsory acquisition without any serious problem.  The route to Indooroopilly though is less than ideal once you have left the uni grounds, although up to Toowong is fine.

There is a fairly strong "gentleman's agreement" in place currently, however I do not believe that doesn't mean we shouldn't be articulating a need for change and discussing it so that if and when anyone has the balls, we can renegotiate said agreement, I'm not saying the state should steam roll UQ, but they could certainly come to a mutually beneficial agreement I'm sure. Or UQ can keep stuffing its staff and students around and keep building more and more expensive multilevel carparks to the detriment of the rest of the road network.

[Mr X]

Sir William McGregor Dve is not suitable in its current form for a big volume of buses.  The parking on the side and the very low speed limit would make the bus journey a nightmare.
I support buses going through UQ but we need to consider WHERE in UQ they go through before we start thinking of elaborate routes.

[O_128]

As it is, you need to spend some bucks on installing some sort of accessway from the bus turnaround to the local streets for any of this to work.  I am certain that any objection from UQ could be steamrollered into submission by compulsory acquisition without any serious problem.  The route to Indooroopilly though is less than ideal once you have left the uni grounds, although up to Toowong is fine.

There is a fairly strong "gentleman's agreement" in place currently, however I do not believe that doesn't mean we shouldn't be articulating a need for change and discussing it so that if and when anyone has the balls, we can renegotiate said agreement, I'm not saying the state should steam roll UQ, but they could certainly come to a mutually beneficial agreement I'm sure. Or UQ can keep stuffing its staff and students around and keep building more and more expensive multilevel carparks to the detriment of the rest of the road network.

UQ will not build anymore carparks, in fact they are trying to remove as much as possible. I had a lecture last semester by the UQ town planner and he has begged management to let buses run through but is told that it will result in people wanting to drive across. ( apparently legislation can be passed to force UQ to let buses through) The planner is also a big supporter of a a boundary street light rail bridge and extending a light rail city glider to UQ before following the cityglider route.