Hale St Bridge Project - Impact on Ipswich line

[Derwan]

Oh, we have them.

http://www.greencabs.net.au/

Any takers?

Haha.  My post was actually a joke. I didn't realise we already had them!  I was also thinking of the earlier rickshaws - where the person runs with them holding the poles.

The joke was basically that we have to resort to third-world transportation methods to get people around - and that expecting people to do the running would be degrading (even below the perception of taxi drivers).

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Broken down bus causes delays on Coronation Drive

Broken down bus causes delays on Coronation Drive
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Robyn Ironside

November 02, 2009 07:35am

LATEST: A BROKEN down bus on Coronation Drive this morning has made the first morning of changed conditions on the road even more frustrating for commuters.

The bus has conked out in the left lane between Chasely Street and Lang Parade.

The reconfigured Coronation Drive is expected to add up to 50 minutes to the daily commute for drivers, while major roadworks are completed on the Hale Street link over the next four months.

A multi-vehicle crash on the Gateway Motorway at Boondall has now cleared but southbound traffic is banked back to Anzac Avenue on the Bruce Highway.

The congestion is expected to remain for what is left of the morning peak hour.

There have been fears construction work around the Hale St Bridge project will cause months of frustration for commuters.

Deputy Mayor and infrastructure committee chairman Graham Quirk said significant delays should be expected while the $370 million Hale Street Link was built.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Slow but crash-free on Coro Drive

Slow but crash-free on Coro Drive
MARISSA CALLIGEROS
November 2, 2009 - 8:34AM

Peak hour has been incident free with no crashes recorded on Coronation Drive, despite some congestion following lane closures.

A broken down bus just after 8am caused few problems, a Brisbane Traffic Management Centre spokeswoman said.

By 8.25am, all inbound traffic was moving normally, she said.

The traffic changes to allow workers to construct an overpass connecting the new $380 million Go Between Bridge to the Inner City Bypass are expected to increase travel times to and from the CBD by 50 minutes today.

Motorists travelling westbound from the Pacific Motorway and Riverside Expressway towards Toowong need to veer right, while those travelling from the Inner-City Bypass [ICB] need to veer left around lane closures.

Those travelling east along Coronation Drive must merge across two lanes, into the far right lane to avoid being forced onto the ICB.

RACQ spokesman Garry Fites said motorists from Brisbane's west and south would be worst affected by the lane closures.

"The morning rush hour may not be so rushed," he told ABC Radio this morning.

[somebody]

Is there anything stopping QR from running extra services if it doesn't require Translink funding to do so?

[ozbob]

No, as far as I am aware. 

You never know, we might still see some more services.  Particularly in view of the report by Derwan on the channel 7 news.

[dwb]

http://translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=213#shuttles

Does anyone find it odd/frustrating/confusing that the shuttles don't operate 10-2pm... what if I miss my bus at 155pm or if its' late... does it suddenly become a 400 and go from King George Square?

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/alert.php?id=217

Two new Ipswich line services - effective 4 November 2009

From Wednesday 4 November two new services will be introduced on the Ipswich line to address increased demand from delays on Coronation Drive.

The services are currently scheduled to operate in the morning and afternoon peaks until 15 December 2009.
Morning peak service

Departs (station)    Time (am)
Corinda    7.18
Sherwood    7.20
Graceville    7.22
Chelmer    7.24
Indooroopilly    7.26
Taringa    7.28
Toowong    7.31
Auchenflower    7.33
Milton    7.35
Roma Street    7.40
Central    7.44
Fortitude Valley    7.46
Bowen Hills    7.48

Afternoon peak service
Departs (station)    Time (pm)
Bowen Hills    4.35
Fortitude Valley    4.37
Central    4.42
Roma Street    4.45
Milton    4.48
Auchenflower    4.50
Toowong    4.52
Taringa    4.54
Indooroopilly    4.56
Chelmer    4.58
Graceville    5.00
Sherwood    5.02
Corinda    5.05
Oxley    5.08
Darra    5.11
Wacol    5.15
Gailes    5.17
Goodna    5.20
Redbank    5.24
Other changes

    * The inbound service departing Darra station at 7.04 am will be extended to depart Redbank. There will no impact to the current timetable from Darra station.

Departs (station)    Time (am)
Redbank    6.52
Goodna    6.55
Gailes    6.58
Wacol    7.00
Darra*    7.04

*Service continues as usual from Darra, stopping all stations to arrive at Bowen Hills at 7.39am.

    *  The inbound Ipswich line service departing Sherwood station at 7.25am will now depart from platform 4.

Customers who are willing to change their travel patterns should note there is also additional capacity on Ipswich line services arriving at Central station prior to 7am.

[#Metro]

Hooray!

Well well well, yesterday there was no capacity,
and today there is.

Funny that.

[david]

The two new services and the 7:04am extension to Redbank are certainly welcome additions. Better late than never!

I'm a bit surprised as to the extra PM peak service. Although it is welcome, I believe that it would've been more beneficial to have the service departing before the 4:35pm Ipswich at around 4:28pm as previously suggested. That way, it could turn back at Darra to form a Darra to Shorncliffe service (currently the 5:27pm Roma St-Shorncliffe service). This would also fill the large 27 minute gap between inbound services on the Darra to Roma St stretch.

Nevertheless, it's good to see Translink and QR being proactive in this situation. It really shows that community pressure can have outcomes!

[somebody]

http://translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=213#shuttles

Does anyone find it odd/frustrating/confusing that the shuttles don't operate 10-2pm... what if I miss my bus at 155pm or if its' late... does it suddenly become a 400 and go from King George Square?

Not really.  If you miss your bus at 1:55pm, then you catch a shuttle.  If it's late, it still comes.  At least that's what common sense would dictate, although if Translink are involved, anything is possible.

It seems pretty wierd that these new rail services have been announced today.  I didn't see a huge commuter backlash on news.com.au or brisbanetimes.com.au.  So what could have convinced them to bring in these services?  RailBoT?

[ozbob]

These tweets from Indro station this morning by yours truly might have done the trick ..

Next platform 2 due 7.30am this runs express Indro to Milton ...

About 200 pax waiting to board ...

Arrival SMU247/229 OVERLOAD! just left about 950 pax est.

Only joking,  but the extra morning service IS well placed  ...

I think funding of the services might have been the issue.  There will probably be some more in the media later today.

Still it is GOOD news!

[dwb]

state were probably making BCC BT sweat before putting them on, given the seeming bad blood over this since the beginning.
there is a valid point to wonder why the state should automatically pick up the bill for an action of a local govt/private construction consortium although yes it clearly was the most obvious solution improving the public benefit.

[Derwan]

Nevertheless, it's good to see Translink and QR being proactive in this situation. It really shows that community pressure can have outcomes!

I think you mean "reactive".  

This should have been decided and announced long ago... and should have started today, not Wednesday.

[#Metro]

state were probably making BCC BT sweat before putting them on, given the seeming bad blood over this since the beginning.
there is a valid point to wonder why the state should automatically pick up the bill for an action of a local govt/private construction consortium although yes it clearly was the most obvious solution improving the public benefit.

Reasons:
1. BCC is doing something the state (probably) should be doing.
2. Public benefit in the long term
3. The powers and responsibilities of BCC are really State responsibilities "on loan" from the Queensland Government through the City of Brisbane Act.

[Derwan]

there is a valid point to wonder why the state should automatically pick up the bill for an action of a local govt/private construction consortium although yes it clearly was the most obvious solution improving the public benefit.

It happens all the time - not for construction, but for sporting events and concerts.  The Government (TransLink) has an obligation to provide adequate public transport whatever the situation.  If there is an event that causes an increased demand on services, it must respond by increasing the services - otherwise the economy suffers (not to mention the people).

[somebody]

state were probably making BCC BT sweat before putting them on, given the seeming bad blood over this since the beginning.
there is a valid point to wonder why the state should automatically pick up the bill for an action of a local govt/private construction consortium although yes it clearly was the most obvious solution improving the public benefit.

Reasons:
1. BCC is doing something the state (probably) should be doing.
2. Public benefit in the long term
3. The powers and responsibilities of BCC are really State responsibilities "on loan" from the Queensland Government through the City of Brisbane Act.

No one should be building the Hale St link.  Isn't it going to be a white elephant?

Perhaps the state should fully fund QR and just cut Translink out of the loop.  What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

[dwb]

What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

Multimodality perhaps.

An integrated system.

Customer service.

Complaints resolution.

Customer information.

Forward planning.

Better planning of future network delivery such as cross river rail.

A focus on government outcomes, not corporation outcomes.


I would however agree with your criticism of the actual need for HSL.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

More trains to help with Coronation Drive gridlock

More trains to help with Coronation Drive gridlock
MARISSA CALLIGEROS
November 2, 2009 - 3:17PM


The State Government has answered calls for more train services from the western suburbs while work on the Go Between Bridge causes delays on Coronation Drive.

Motorists have been warned to expect delays of up to 50 minutes following lane closures which began yesterday.

While delays were relatively minor this morning, the traffic changes will remain in place for at least the next four months.

Despite calls to add rail services on the Ipswich line as early as June this year, Translink announced this afternoon two new services would be introduced from Wednesday to "address the increased demand from delays on Coronation Drive".

The services are currently scheduled to operate in the morning and afternoon peak hours until December 15.

An extra train will leave Corinda station at 7.18am, while the additional afternoon service will leave for Ipswich at 4.42pm from Central station.

Rail lobby group Rail: Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said commuters would have been able to plan their journeys better this morning if Translink had decided to run additional services months ago.

"It would have been better for sure if some advance notice had been given, after all we have been constructively raising this issue for some time," Mr Dow said.

He said the traffic changes on Coronation Drive were an ideal opportunity to change commuter habits.

"In the longer term increased train service frequency will attract more commuters to move from the roads onto public transport and save the community significant costs by reducing congestion, lowering environmental impacts and reduced impacts on the health care sector.

"We are grateful for today's announcement for the additional services - importantly they give commuters options other than delay and gridlock.

We believe that they will be well patronised as the delays kick in on the roads."

Translink has replaced normal bus services between the Indooroopilly exchange and the CBD with a shuttle bus taking passengers to and from King George Square bus station.

More details about the new rail services are available here!

[#Metro]

Perhaps the state should fully fund QR and just cut Translink out of the loop.  What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

The state is so big already, parliament can't keep tabs on everything, so what they have done is contracted out the duties to a corporation that is owned by the gov (TL). Translink has improved co-ordination and since its introduction has improved things (as shown by a massive spike in PT usage in 2004, while pre-2004 PT figures flatlined).

I do criticise it on many grounds (i.e. their Annual Report is late, and they tend to pepper things with self-praising QLD government marketing, they are not as transparent with the performance and efficiency figures as say WA's PTA) but they are an improvement on what was.

I don't mind HSL. Improves access for bikes (and possibly buses); The planning team sent me a PR non-answer when asked if the HSL's had the technical capacity to support future light rail vehicle loads etc.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Motorists give Coronation Drive a miss

Motorists give Coronation Drive a miss
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Sophie Elworth

November 02, 2009 03:30pm

UPDATE: MOTORISTS are going to "great lengths" to avoid traffic works and should give Coronation Drive a miss during peak hour this afternoon, the RACQ says.

Commuters should expect long delays this afternoon as they make their way home along the busy thoroughfare.

"I think judging by today's performance in the morning peak period a lot of motorists are already avoiding the area," RACQ's Gary Fites said.

"For how long they can sustain avoiding the area...we'll see this afternoon.

"I think for day one at least I think people decided to stay home...let's hope it doesn't get much worse than we've seen so far.

"One could have a reasonable expectation notwithstanding the uni holidays that there are still going to some considerable delays there."

Ipswich motorists hoping to avoid Coronation Drive will benefit from two extra train services running in the morning and afternoon peak.

The services will run from Corinda Station at 7.18am, and in the afternoon peak at 4.35pm departing from Bowen Hills Station.

The normal 7.04am service from Darra will be extended, leaving Redbank Station at 6.52am.

The reconfigured Coronation Drive is expected to add up to 50 minutes to the daily commute for drivers, while major roadworks are completed on the Hale Street link over the next four months.

There have been fears construction work around the Hale St Bridge project will cause months of frustration for commuters.

Deputy Mayor and infrastructure committee chairman Graham Quirk said significant delays should be expected while the $370 million Hale Street Link was built.

[somebody]

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest abolishing the integrated ticketting.  Just let translink pocket the money, and provide the journey planner and call centre etc, but let QR decide what services should be run and when.  The only problem is services which link to buses, but the buses should be subservient to the rail in those cases anyway.

I suppose you could get the same effect if Translink just didn't meddle.

[ButFli]

#msg15842 date=1257038729]
Going back to the plan: Notice how nothing is said about 411/412/417.  I think I might as well walk rather than use the 417.  Why don't they do the obvious thing and forget about running between Toowong and the City for all those routes?

The only routes to receive the 400 treatment are those that pass through Indooroopilly Centre. 411, 412, 415 and 417 were all running today as usual.

[Arnz]

Perhaps the state should fully fund QR and just cut Translink out of the loop.  What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

Yes, let's abolish integrated ticketing and go back to the bad old days when private bus operators competed with each other and have overall higher fares across the board.  

Whilst Translink has it's faults.  This is a bad call.

Edit: Missed your later reply.  Apart from TransLinkficating the QRPassenger network, I agree they should really stop interupting QRPassenger's timetable planners and let them do their job.

[O_128]

Perhaps the state should fully fund QR and just cut Translink out of the loop.  What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

Yes, let's abolish integrated ticketing and go back to the bad old days when private bus operators competed with each other and have overall higher fares across the board.  

Whilst Translink has it's faults.  This is a bad call.

Edit: Missed your later reply.  Apart from TransLinkficating the QRPassenger network, I agree they should really stop interupting QRPassenger's timetable planners and let them do their job.

wouldnt competetion result in lower fares?

[Arnz]

Perhaps the state should fully fund QR and just cut Translink out of the loop.  What could Translink, if they were a functional organisation, possibly add to QR?

Yes, let's abolish integrated ticketing and go back to the bad old days when private bus operators competed with each other and have overall higher fares across the board.  

Whilst Translink has it's faults.  This is a bad call.

Edit: Missed your later reply.  Apart from TransLinkficating the QRPassenger network, I agree they should really stop interupting QRPassenger's timetable planners and let them do their job.

wouldnt competetion result in lower fares?

No it wont when it comes to Public transport. overheads to operate a Public Transport service is very expensive, hence the government subsidy to nearly all operators.

Look what happened to the Indooroopilly to Ipswich via hinterland service bus service, that shut down due eventually to lack of government funding and having to go it alone (and rely on donations from others).

[#Metro]

With regards to rail services, I think QR should give TL whatever it wants, because TL pays them to do so.
Of course, there should be some space to allow extra services put on etc, and no-one should ask QR to put services on that would be technically or for some other reason unreasonable/unsafe/impossible.

That said, the whole network should get the royal upgrade. A better signalling, safety and other systems to get more capacity; Sectorisation to isolate incidents, redundancy and increased stabling. Much needed after all the track and signal faults of October.

O_128, direct competition can disrupt the network.
Examples being that passengers are less free to move between operators, no incentives for making transfers easy. Also having multiple operators do the same area can leave both worse off because that is two companies shelling out money for buses/trains which now have to share half the passengers between them.

However, in situations like this, time-block competition can work. (IIRC this is technically known as "Demsetz competition") Here the rights of monopoly over a particular network area are periodically opened to competition.
This can bring benefits (encourage innovation, improve efficiency, etc.) because the operators have to sell better service than their rivals. And I think it would work in Brisbane because we have an overarching co-coordinating body (i.e Translink).

This is what is done in Melbourne with the trams (Yarra Trams) and Trains (Connex), and they get subsidy for it. But the trick is the bidding- operators have an incentive to get the most out of their subsidy through efficiency and innovation. After 7-8 years or so, the gov does a review and if youre performance is -* ahem *- then you're fired and your competitor will get the contract. Its not only cost, but safety, experience, reputation etc that factors into the gov's decision.

Harsh, but I think Melbourne has a good system.
Can't do it here, because Ms Bligh says QR Passenger shall not be privatised.

[somebody]

With regards to rail services, I think QR should give TL whatever it wants, because TL pays them to do so.
Of course, there should be some space to allow extra services put on etc, and no-one should ask QR to put services on that would be technically or for some other reason unreasonable/unsafe/impossible.

Not always wise or professional to give your customers whatever they want.  You're the professional, customers that insist on you doing stupid things often aren't worth damaging your own reputation.

This is what is done in Melbourne with the trams (Yarra Trams) and Trains (Connex), and they get subsidy for it. But the trick is the bidding- operators have an incentive to get the most out of their subsidy through efficiency and innovation. After 7-8 years or so, the gov does a review and if youre performance is -* ahem *- then you're fired and your competitor will get the contract. Its not only cost, but safety, experience, reputation etc that factors into the gov's decision.

Not too familiar with Melbourne, but I have heard that they have a shocking shortage of trains.  Not sure if this is anything to do with the privatisation though.


What's with the plan to remove the extra services by 15 Dec though?  And are only two services + 1 extension enough?

[O_128]

QR doesnt have to be privatised completely just the operator with the assests remaining property of QLD gov.

[#Metro]

Not too familiar with Melbourne, but I have heard that they have a shocking shortage of trains.  Not sure if this is anything to do with the privatisation though.

Yes, and we in QLD have a shortage of everything, including trains and competent government

I like Melbourne's system because:

1. If the train runs late, you get a refund. Here the gov fines itself (and even the wrong QR company!)
2. If Connex or the Yarra Trams give you a bad rap, you can complain and that goes down as a black mark against their future record. Here we just get served spin.
3. Their trains are clean, you can eat/drink on the train most of them are new.
4. Free services at Christmas/New Year etc.
5. Operators have to pay a bond to the government to guarantee good service and
6. Operator can be fired.

QR doesnt have to be privatised completely just the operator with the assests remaining property of QLD gov.

Same as in Melbourne IIRC; Ms Bligh says no.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Extra trains for Coronation Drive gridlock

Extra trains for Coronation Drive gridlock
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

November 03, 2009 12:00am

RATEPAYERS will have to fork out nearly $70,000 for two extra train services to help reduce congestion on Coronation Drive during final works for the $380 million Go Between Bridge project.

Congestion on the major city arterial is expected to worsen later this week, with traffic changes in place for the next four months during the construction of an overpass from the bridge, formerly known as the Hale Street Link project.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said yesterday that two extra train services on the Ipswich line from tomorrow could be extended into next year to help reduce the number of motorists using the strip.

"We believe it will cost council $67,000 between now and Christmas; as to what will happen in the new year, we will see how it goes and take action after that," he said.

Cr Newman refused to say whether two services would be adequate.

"There are well-known constraints in our public transport system, our rail system and I'm not sure about capacity if they wanted to put on more," he said.

Council agreed to fund the extra services after Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace threatened to block overpass construction, saying the anticipated 50-minute delays were "completely unacceptable".

Mr Wallace said yesterday the council had further improved the traffic management plan and he was satisfied mitigation measures were sufficient for construction to go ahead.

"While any traffic delays are regrettable, the construction period for this part of Brisbane City Council's Hale Street Link has been reduced considerably from 15 months to four months following the State Government's request for the council to revise its project plan," he said.

"We've had some improvements around traffic incident management and public transport options, including Brisbane City Council's agreement to fund two extra train services, potentially taking up to 600 cars off the road each work day."

Yesterday, delays on Coronation Drive were better than expected, with motorists only facing up to 20-minute extra in the morning peak-hour.

But Cr Newman said he expected delays to worsen later in the week if motorists return to normal commuting hours.

"I don't think people should assume that it is all going to be hunky dory ? it probably will be worse on Wednesday or Thursday this week," he said.

Public Transport Options:

Trains:

Extra morning peak-hour service departing 7.18am Corinda Station

Extra afternoon peak-hour service departing 4.35pm Bowen Hills Station

Extension of Darra morning service, now departing Redbank Station 6.52am

Buses:

From yesterday during peak periods the following services will terminate at Indooroopilly bus interchange (at Indooroopilly shopping centre) where customers can transfer to an high-frequency route 400 shuttle service to the city

Brisbane City Council shuttle services will run from Indooroopilly to the city to replace the 425, 430, 433, 435, 444, 445, 453, 454 and 460 bus services.

Source: TransLink Transit Authority

[david]

What's with the plan to remove the extra services by 15 Dec though?  And are only two services + 1 extension enough?

This is because the BCC are funding the services, which I only just found out. I retract all statements congratulating the state government for these services, and instead pass my thanks to the BCC. I suspect however, that the Translink will eventually be forced to make these additions permanent, as they will become very popular very quickly. It's probably best that the services end on Dec 15, as they will be a waste of money during the Christmas/New Year Period, but come Jan 4 2010, hopefully we'll see the services back in operation.

Just out of interest, did anyone observe the bus situation at Indooroopilly yesterday? I decided to stay well away from the area and would like to hear reports. Any mass confusion?

[mufreight]

In response to your comments Somebody

this is a great idea. im not a regualar at indoorpilly station is there a large bus stop?

No.  The major problem with extending the buses terminating at Indooroopilly to the railway station is the lack of room for a stop.

By closing off Railway Avenue between Lambert Road and Westminister Street there is room for buses to set down or pick up for three or perhaps 4 buses at a time.

A partial solution would be to have some of the bus services that terminate or originate from Indoorpilly Bus station extend their route to Indoorpilly Railway station via Station Road then looping via Westminster Road, Clarence Street and Lambert Road into a bus stop in Railway Avenue adjacent to the station with the loop then continuing back into Westminster Street and Station Road back to the bus station,

I think Railway Av is too narrow for buses.  You would need to loop around Clarence Rd/Lambert Rd/Central Av/Ward St/Clarence Rd.  Also, the intersections of Coonan St/Westminster Rd and Westminster Rd/Clarence Rd are already reasonably congested in the PM peak with people trying to get over the Indooroopilly bridge.

Yes, Railway Avenue is narrow but I have negotiated it with a 12.2m coach with the most difficult part being negotiating the left turn out of Railway Avenue into Westminister Street to cross the bridge over the railway line hence the suggestion of a couple of traffic controllers to make a break in the traffic flow to allow the buses out in bunches of two or three at a time.

It is possible and could be made work and is an option that could well prove preferable to the operation of shuttle buses which when they get caught up in the congestion will have transit times between Indooroopilly and the CBD no better that Mr average motorist currently estimated at 50+ minutes as against and additional five minutes in the bus a change of transport mode and a 12 to 15 minute train trip.

It would seem that some, particularly those employed as planners at Translink and Queensland Transport are more interested in findind argument to do nothing rather than actively seek solutions that would porvide resolution  to or at least aleviate these problems.

When Indooroopilly station was rebuilt there could have been a rail bus interchange built over the station as part of the project but thanks to the short-sightedness of SEQUIP, Queensland Transport and the buscentric policies of Translink a solution to the present problem is a little more difficult.

"Despite TransLink's advice (2) there is some capacity on some services arriving at the CBD after 7am on the Ipswich line.

Nitpick: this is a slight misquote, they say there is capacity before 7am.  Which is tantamount to acknowledging they know there is insufficient capacity after 7am, while STILL refusing to do anything about it.

A lot of well intentioned comment but I am glad that the majority of those contributing are not running our Public Transport, but then you would have to be an improvement on the disfunctional Translink Transport? Planners? currently the brains? planning current transport coordination.   

No need for rude comments, mate.  If you have a point of disagreement, then just talk about that.

I did and you object, Translink has been the most disfunctional operation I have encounted after thirty years of working in public transport, their only success to this time has been intergrated ticketing.
They have a role as a coordinator but that should be the limit of their authority, leave the operation of the services to the operators who can do it more effectively, Translink is incapable of even coordinating bus rail connections as the Ipswich services attest.

[#Metro]

This is because the BCC are funding the services, which I only just found out. I retract all statements congratulating the state government for these services, and instead pass my thanks to the BCC.

Really!? This is unbelievable! I have always liked BCC but this is a complete surprise.
I think it is justified on the "BCC caused the traffic mess" so they should have to pay for it.
But then again, BCC is doing a job the state should be doing....

The figures quoted will help determining what the real cost to run a train is- essential information which has been obscured for too long when it comes to comparisons with other states such as WA.

[somebody]

By closing off Railway Avenue between Lambert Road and Westminister Street there is room for buses to set down or pick up for three or perhaps 4 buses at a time.

Yes, Railway Avenue is narrow but I have negotiated it with a 12.2m coach with the most difficult part being negotiating the left turn out of Railway Avenue into Westminister Street to cross the bridge over the railway line hence the suggestion of a couple of traffic controllers to make a break in the traffic flow to allow the buses out in bunches of two or three at a time.

Ok, if you have already done it, that proves that it is possible.  I don't think there are any 14.5m rigids or bendy buses on these routes.  Yes, I think you would need to close off Railway Av to all but "local" access, but I didn't see the suggestion of traffic controllers until now.  Getting out into the PM peak would require this or some other way to allow the bus into both westbound lanes, and probably the eastbound lane(s) too.

Translink has been the most disfunctional operation I have encounted after thirty years of working in public transport, their only success to this time has been intergrated ticketing.

There are other good points in SEQ's public transport:
BUZ services
Ellanor Schonell bridge
Boggo Rd busway
INB/KGSBS
Northern Busway extensions

Do all of the above have nothing to do with translink?  With the BUZ services, at least they continue to fund them.  Or are they not funded by TL?

I think it is justified on the "BCC caused the traffic mess" so they should have to pay for it.

I still can't believe that it was announced on the first day of the closure.  Seems like they wanted to see how bad it was without it.

[mufreight]

They were playing the Translink game, do nothing unless someone else pays for it, the salary being paid to Mr Branagan would pay for those additional services to be permanent inclusions in the timetable even if extended so that they operated from Ipswich.
This tells the tale and raises the question of realistic prioriities and the conclusion that many come to is that Mr Strachan, the CEO of Translink is more concerned with building a bureaucracy comprised of his nonperforming, yes man mates than providing better standards of services for commuters.
With his track record to date I would think that a change of government would see him sorting paperclips.
All of the points raised by Somebody in his post were initiated by bodies other than Translink and in the case of the Boggo Road busway it remains underutilised due to Translink's refusal to fund the services operated by BT that were intende to operate via that route, a decision made after BT had trained drivers and developed timetables for the route.

[dwb]

They were playing the Translink game, do nothing unless someone else pays for it, the salary being paid to Mr Branagan would pay for those additional services to be permanent inclusions in the timetable even if extended so that they operated from Ipswich.
This tells the tale and raises the question of realistic prioriities and the conclusion that many come to is that Mr Strachan, the CEO of Translink is more concerned with building a bureaucracy comprised of his nonperforming, yes man mates than providing better standards of services for commuters.
With his track record to date I would think that a change of government would see him sorting paperclips.
All of the points raised by Somebody in his post were initiated by bodies other than Translink and in the case of the Boggo Road busway it remains underutilised due to Translink's refusal to fund the services operated by BT that were intende to operate via that route, a decision made after BT had trained drivers and developed timetables for the route.

Sorry Mufreight but your approach here seems naive at best. Politics will never work better by leaving it up to those who say they know best. Active participation and deliberation, discussion and occasional blows are part of life.

[dwb]

@tramtrain

I like Melbourne's system because:

1. If the train runs late, you get a refund. Here the gov fines itself (and even the wrong QR company!)
2. If Connex or the Yarra Trams give you a bad rap, you can complain and that goes down as a black mark against their future record. Here we just get served spin.
3. Their trains are clean, you can eat/drink on the train most of them are new.
4. Free services at Christmas/New Year etc.
5. Operators have to pay a bond to the government to guarantee good service and
6. Operator can be fired.

Quote
QR doesnt have to be privatised completely just the operator with the assests remaining property of QLD gov.
Same as in Melbourne IIRC; Ms Bligh says no.

Perhaps passenger rail is effectively a monopoly (despite Airtrain part playing in that space) but buses aren't. If one operator isn't catching the ball I'm pretty sure there are methods to offer those particular services to other operators... perhaps a re-reading of the TOPTA would help determine how this occurs.

[stephenk]

Congratulations Ozbob on putting pressure on our incompetent transport authority to increase rail services. Such a shame that Translink had to be reactive rather than proactive.

Translink has been the most disfunctional operation I have encounted after thirty years of working in public transport, their only success to this time has been intergrated ticketing.

There are other good points in SEQ's public transport:
BUZ services
Ellanor Schonell bridge
Boggo Rd busway
INB/KGSBS
Northern Busway extensions

Do all of the above have nothing to do with translink?  With the BUZ services, at least they continue to fund them.  Or are they not funded by TL?

I would say that the Northern Busway extension to RBWH is one of Translink's disasters. Complete lack of service planning, and worsening of the chronic overcrowding at RCH. A prime chance to attract people to public transport wasted.

[somebody]

in the case of the Boggo Road busway it remains underutilised due to Translink's refusal to fund the services operated by BT that were intende to operate via that route, a decision made after BT had trained drivers and developed timetables for the route.

It would seem that way at first, but I believe it's probably correct the way it is.  To avoid going further off topic, I have posted my reasons in a more appropriate topic (thought I already had, but couldn't find it), here:
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2761.0

And do TL fund the BUZ services or not?

I would say that the Northern Busway extension to RBWH is one of Translink's disasters. Complete lack of service planning, and worsening of the chronic overcrowding at RCH. A prime chance to attract people to public transport wasted.

If they can't take any credit at all for the infrastructure itself, then yes.

[#Metro]

I would say that the Northern Busway extension to RBWH is one of Translink's disasters. Complete lack of service planning, and worsening of the chronic overcrowding at RCH. A prime chance to attract people to public transport wasted.

An interesting perspective. Actually, it could count as a disaster because here was a nice, shiny new piece of infrastructure and it couldn't be used effectively because no new services could be put on...