Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

I was sitting on the up end of platform one at Oxley, waiting for an Ippy service.  I heard a train approaching and thought that sounds different (not real quiet, bit whiny) so I turned around to have a look.  And what do you know, there it was NGR 701 heading into town! A sighting in the wild! 

[Stillwater]

What's this all about then?

http://www.ctcqld.com.au/jobs/track-workers/?gclid=CNCz4O3-qtICFYFjvAodWpQOrQ

[ozbob]

Daughter #2 and grand daughter reported seeing NGR train at Graceville this morning (Sunday) as they headed into town on an all stopper.

[ozbob]

Some of the things I spotted today including NGR 702 and BB18 1089 at Bowen Hills. pic.twitter.com/fN4AELWuQG

— QRtrains (@QRtrains) March 5, 2017

[Cazza]

Just something I noticed on the way to school today.

I was travelling outbound along Waterworks Rd this morning just before 8am and noticed that there were about 15-20 people at both West Ashgrove (Coopers Camp Rd- 382/3/5) and The Gap Village (380/2/4/5) inbounds stops. According to Translink, no 385 services were cancelled this morning (which would have been the service they were wanting to catch). I know across the network there are stops like this where it is given to have about 15 people on regular occasions but in The Gap, I haven't seen that happen before.

[ezekial]

The key piece of information here is, as you stated:

According to Translink, no 385 services were cancelled this morning (which would have been the service they were wanting to catch).

I assume when you say 'according to TransLink' this means you checked TransLink's website and/or Facebook page and/or twitter feed - as anybody would reasonably think to be the source of accurate information --  I'm not having a go at you at all....

As far as I have worked out, TransLink only provides the public with the information it receives from its providers (Brisbane Transport, QR etc).
If Brisbane Transport (BT) didn't notify TransLink that there was a problem with a service, like a cancellation, then TransLink will not advise the public of anything 
It is my understanding that, even though most vehicles are equipped with GPS technology, TransLink does not take a proactive approach to monitoring the services it it paying for and whether they arrive or not, instead, they expect to be advised by the providers (in this instance BT).

TransLink is basically an ineffective liaison point between the operators (BT, QR, Logan Bus etc) and the public.
The TransLink facebook page, website and twitter feed - as far as I understand - are handled by Serco, the company contracted to operate the TransLink contact centre.

There is no incentive for BT to advise TransLink of late running services, cancellations etc as this reflects poorly on them - so they don't report them. Likewise there is no incentive for TransLink's contracted contact centre to actively monitor whether services are arriving to schedule, as they don't have any 'skin in the game' - they are just abiding by the terms of their contract with TMR-TransLink.

It reflects the silo mentality with public transport in SEQ that ozbob is often referring to and the only solution seems to be rolling BT, QR and TransLink into a new, independent statutory authority Public Transport for Queensland (PTQ). I wish the current situation were better, but it isn't.

[#Metro]

It reflects the silo mentality with public transport in SEQ that ozbob is often referring to and the only solution seems to be rolling BT, QR and TransLink into a new, independent statutory authority Public Transport for Queensland (PTQ). I wish the current situation were better, but it isn't.

Groan. Can't even enforce its own contracts and service standards because "it doesn't know".

Meanwhile over in Perth:

WA spends $17m on real-time bus tracking
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/wa-spends-17m-on-real-time-bus-tracking-383122

Installation of the new system will mean the GPS data previously used primarily on board to measure passenger trips will now be fed back to the central PTA monitoring hub via 3G and 4G networks, and will enable continuous monitoring of bus locations.

...

Nalder said his government would use the data to try to improve bus performance in the city.

[tazzer9]

Just something I noticed on the way to school today.

I was travelling outbound along Waterworks Rd this morning just before 8am and noticed that there were about 15-20 people at both West Ashgrove (Coopers Camp Rd- 382/3/5) and The Gap Village (380/2/4/5) inbounds stops. According to Translink, no 385 services were cancelled this morning (which would have been the service they were wanting to catch). I know across the network there are stops like this where it is given to have about 15 people on regular occasions but in The Gap, I haven't seen that happen before.

People in the gap do not know about the 383 and 382.   I love my 382 as its a pretty direct bus for me, and 80% of the people who use it get off at the same stop as me.   But the 382 often followed a packed out 385 and no one knows to get on it.  Depending on what time there is occasionally people left behind from west ashgrove.   

[SurfRail]

I don't know why there needs to be any more than 2 buses from The Gap period.  One for Waterworks Road, one for Latrobe Tce etc.  You wouldn't see any loading issues if every bus went the same way and people could just get on anything.  The idea of having multiple separate routes just to take you to sections of the CBD that are less than 500m away from each other is demented.

[STB]

The key piece of information here is, as you stated:

According to Translink, no 385 services were cancelled this morning (which would have been the service they were wanting to catch).

I assume when you say 'according to TransLink' this means you checked TransLink's website and/or Facebook page and/or twitter feed - as anybody would reasonably think to be the source of accurate information --  I'm not having a go at you at all....

As far as I have worked out, TransLink only provides the public with the information it receives from its providers (Brisbane Transport, QR etc).
If Brisbane Transport (BT) didn't notify TransLink that there was a problem with a service, like a cancellation, then TransLink will not advise the public of anything 
It is my understanding that, even though most vehicles are equipped with GPS technology, TransLink does not take a proactive approach to monitoring the services it it paying for and whether they arrive or not, instead, they expect to be advised by the providers (in this instance BT).

TransLink is basically an ineffective liaison point between the operators (BT, QR, Logan Bus etc) and the public.
The TransLink facebook page, website and twitter feed - as far as I understand - are handled by Serco, the company contracted to operate the TransLink contact centre.

There is no incentive for BT to advise TransLink of late running services, cancellations etc as this reflects poorly on them - so they don't report them. Likewise there is no incentive for TransLink's contracted contact centre to actively monitor whether services are arriving to schedule, as they don't have any 'skin in the game' - they are just abiding by the terms of their contract with TMR-TransLink.

It reflects the silo mentality with public transport in SEQ that ozbob is often referring to and the only solution seems to be rolling BT, QR and TransLink into a new, independent statutory authority Public Transport for Queensland (PTQ). I wish the current situation were better, but it isn't.

It used to be Serco, but is now handled by another company, Stellar Asia Pacific (I think that's the name of it).  TransLink has always from the start had a hands off dealing with the call centre stuff except sending information over so the call centre could update their database, and in turn the call centre operators would then work off that database.  Was handled by a section during my time at TransLink that was linked in between the various sections of TransLink, notably Network Planning and Marketing.  I'm not sure what the current set up is now though, been years since I worked in there.

I kind of laugh when they say that they are TransLink, when you know full well that they aren't, and are just contractors.  Little does the public actually realise .

[aldonius]

Suburban lines were out of use through the city today (i.e. Platforms 1-4 at Central).

Usual delays heading into Bowen Hills.

[tazzer9]

I don't know why there needs to be any more than 2 buses from The Gap period.  One for Waterworks Road, one for Latrobe Tce etc.  You wouldn't see any loading issues if every bus went the same way and people could just get on anything.  The idea of having multiple separate routes just to take you to sections of the CBD that are less than 500m away from each other is demented.

I think 5/7 of the current ones are good.  (380,381,384,385,362) They do all service different areas.   The gap is pretty big and most people already don't use PT because bus stops are too far away from their home.   385 stop is 1.5km from my house.   Closest bus stop for a bus to the cbd is 800m.  Unless you are fit and able bodied, you are stuffed even with the current system.

[SurfRail]

^ Which is why you have a local service to connect people to stops on Waterworks Road.  That way the local and the 2 citybound routes can all run at high frequencies, instead of having multiple services which have crap frequencies.

If only Emerson had kept his bloody nose out of things instead of issuing a guarantee that the 381 would never change.

[SurfRail]

Continuing reports of overcrowding on Route 709 (Helensvale to GCUH/Griffith Uni via Harbour Town).

I expect this route is going to be cancelled altogether when the tram extension opens, at which point the single-seat headway and capacity from Helensvale to GCUH will more than double and trip time will come down.  It will probably also settle down once people stop attending uni as stringently (for various reasons).

[#Metro]

Scott Emerson caused so much damage when he was Transport Minister.

He was more than happy to cut Gold Coast bus services so that they could become light rail feeders, and praised this.

BUT when it came to buses in his own electorate, we got the exact reverse reasoning given. He didn't want to touch ANY of them.

It just so happens that the place that would really benefit from feederisation happens to be Indooroopilly.

In the end it got all too hard and he lost control of the bus review to his LNP counterpart LM Graham Quirk at City Hall.

[aldonius]

19:45 and 20:00 66s packed to the gills leaving UQ Lakes tonight. Final five pax unable to board.
(20:00 is a dual-rear-axle rigid, forget the exact spec).

Almost all standees on the 20:00 off at Boggo Rd.

Down to under half seats taken leaving Cultural Centre.

[Cazza]

Re. The Gap services, as I travel outbound from Ashgrove to The Gap in the morning (vice versa in the afternoon) I can see the patronage on the inbound routes.
379: Picks up a couple of people per stop from St John's Wood to Elimatta Drive then from there picks up about 5 or so per stop along Waterworks Rd.
380: Not too bad along the stretch from Hilder Rd to West Ashgrove as most will get on the 382 but along Waterworks Rd from West Ash, it does considerably well.
381: Generally same as 380. For patronage along Musgrave Rd through Red Hill, I'm not too sure about as I don't travel from there but am assuming it is quite high as the housing density increases.
382: Does pretty well considering there are only 3 in am peak and 3 in pm. Nice boarding rates along Hilder Rd etc. and has standing passengers (sometimes) through Paddington.
383: Generally same as 382.
P384: Every second bus has good patronage. Will touch on why below.
385: Has consistently solid loadings, common to find it running full (or close to capacity at least) from Bardon from about 7:30-8 or so.

Most of The Gap services has inconsistent patronage loads. Why? Timetabling. For example, the 385 leaves The Gap P'n'R on 09,19 etc. from 6:39-8:19 but the P384 leaves 00,15,30,45. This means that every 00 and 30 bus will be most likely empty. What should happen is 385 operates every 10 mins from about 6:30  or so till just before 9 (on the 00,10,20 etc.) and the P384 runs every 10 mins from about 6:45 till 8:25 (on the 05,15,25 etc. Another service at 8:45 may be required) so there is a consistent boarding across both these services. By running the 384 at 10mins instead of 15 will only require and extra 2 buses per hour.

With routes 380/1/2/3, they should run every 20 mins so there is a bus every 10 mins (e.g. 380 departing Hilder Rd at 6:21, 6:41, 7:01 etc, 382 at  6:31, 6:51, 7:11) and the same for 381/3. Not only will it provide a 10min frequency between Hilder Rd terminus and Waterworks Rd @ Payne Rd, the 380/1 can be timetabled for a 10 min frequency between Payne Rd and the city and same with the 382/3. The 379 can run as a gap filler (maybe every 10 mins) so a bus along Waterworks Rd through Ashgrove every 5 mins.

Also, in regards to routes 382/3, there needs to be more than 3 services in am and pm peaks. There should be 5 or 6 running from about 6:30 to 8:15/30.

One other thing, the Settlement Rd P'n'R needs to be upgraded immensely. It fills up by 7 and then the cars coming from across the mountain from Keppera and sometimes Ferny and Samford have to drive along Waterworks Rd into the city. I do believe there isn't too much of a problem building an extra story or 2 except for the locations of the ramps.

This are just ideas and something to think about. I know the routes proposed in the bus network reform for The Gap is much simpler, but for now, these are just some small issues/improvements I have noticed that could be fixed. And yes, I am aware this is the case for the whole BCC bus network, but I just wanted to get these ideas out of my head

[#Metro]

One other thing, the Settlement Rd P'n'R needs to be upgraded immensely. It fills up by 7 and then the cars coming from across the mountain from Keppera and sometimes Ferny and Samford have to drive along Waterworks Rd into the city. I do believe there isn't too much of a problem building an extra story or 2 except for the locations of the ramps.

Construction of that was something like $70 000 per parking space.

They just need to slap a $2 flat fee charge on it.

[Cazza]

One other thing, the Settlement Rd P'n'R needs to be upgraded immensely. It fills up by 7 and then the cars coming from across the mountain from Keppera and sometimes Ferny and Samford have to drive along Waterworks Rd into the city. I do believe there isn't too much of a problem building an extra story or 2 except for the locations of the ramps.

Construction of that was something like $70 000 per parking space.

They just need to slap a $2 flat fee charge on it.

Having a $2 fee would be discouraging people for using the PnR, my idea was to encourage the PnR. As I said earlier, these are just thoughts/ideas to play off

[#Metro]

Having a $2 fee would be discouraging people for using the PnR, my idea was to encourage the PnR. As I said earlier, these are just thoughts/ideas to play off

Point taken. Though discouraging people is what you want if there are too many people and limited parking space.

Charges are there to stop people overusing things.

Larger buses and restructuring the network in that area would be a good idea. Have you had a chance to see the RBOT New

Bus Network Proposal yet? It contains restructuring for The Gap as well. http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

[HappyTrainGuy]

Having a $2 fee would be discouraging people for using the PnR, my idea was to encourage the PnR. As I said earlier, these are just thoughts/ideas to play off

Point taken. Though discouraging people is what you want if there are too many people and limited parking space.

Charges are there to stop people overusing things.

Larger buses and restructuring the network in that area would be a good idea. Have you had a chance to see the RBOT New

Bus Network Proposal yet? It contains restructuring for The Gap as well. http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Or it moves everyone to park along waterworks road like we have seen already with people parking at the bus stops before Mt Nebo despite there being a massive park and ride 200m down the road. The amount of times I have gone over that crest on the bike to see some wanker doing a uturn/9 point turn after getting off the bus is beyond stupid. Although it never gets old seeing blue/yellow panel marks on cars who have parked too close to the stops We were coming back from a Fernvale ride earlier this year? late last year only to see a bus removing the front bumper of a car parked on the yellow line infront of the Hilder Street stop. Looked like the driver didn't stop after the passenger got off haha.

[Cazza]

Having a $2 fee would be discouraging people for using the PnR, my idea was to encourage the PnR. As I said earlier, these are just thoughts/ideas to play off

Point taken. Though discouraging people is what you want if there are too many people and limited parking space.

Charges are there to stop people overusing things.

Larger buses and restructuring the network in that area would be a good idea. Have you had a chance to see the RBOT New

Bus Network Proposal yet? It contains restructuring for The Gap as well. http://tiny.cc/newnetwork

Yeah I have, my only criticism is that there is no direct link between The Gap Village and Ashgrove Central- two major shopping hubs (and Ashgrove is a major interchange between services). It will also greatly affect students (like myself) travelling from Ashgrove to The Gap daily.

I think route 77 (Ashgrove to UQ Lakes) should be extended to Waterworks Rd @ Settlement Rd stop on Waterworks Rd. This will allow a direct connection between Ashgrove Central and The Gap Village. I hope this can be fixed as it would link both suburbs quite nicely.

[Arnz]

The 5:16pm Rosewood flyer scored twin IMUs 169/170 this afternoon.

[ozbob]

The 5:16pm Rosewood flyer scored twin IMUs 169/170 this afternoon.

[jesse]

Emu 64 running around solo this morning through the Tennyson Loop displaying "TEST TRAIN"
can only presume QR are testing her out after having repairs done in the past day(s) or so. 

[Cazza]

I was just looking around TransLinks website and realised that they must have failed the 'Spelling and Language Conventions' paper in NAPLAN. Last time I checked, the station located east of Enoggera station, north west of Newmarket station, located in a suburb with 5,679 people living there (in the 2011 Census), about 75m east of South Pine Rd near Railway St, opposite the new Coles that opened 1 month and 1 day ago, that is receiving an accessibility upgrade as we speak, with a very dangerous level crossing not 150m away where a bus got hit by a train in September last year, that has a car park with only 86 spaces, is spelt Alderley, NOT Alderly.

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/rail-replacement-bus-stops

Alderly   Inbound: Bus stop 26 outside the Red Cross shop, on the corner of Railway Parade and South Pine Road
                Outbound: Bus stop 27 opposite the station, around 50m from the pedestrian crossing lights on South Pine Road

[Cazza]

V2276 just passed west Ashgrove on a 385 to the city (assuming it was a 385 because it had a blanked out desto). It was already full so no pax could board at here. Not sure wen it was full by.

[Cazza]

"The 6.00am route 600 northbound bus is delayed 12 minutes due to mechanical issues. Bus isdue to arrive at Noosa Heads station platform 1, Noosa Heads at 7.12am.

The next northbound route 600 departs Maroochydore station at 6.30am."

According to the timetable, there is no 6:00am OR 6:30am services, not even heading in the other direction. Translink really need to up their game!

https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/600/north/2017-03-24?pageDirection=Before&pageTo=0725

[SurfRail]

^ More fundamental problem is the 600 doesn't go to Noosa...

[techblitz]

I'm guessing they were supposed to say 620 not 600....

[Cazza]

Hahaha that would probably be why, I'm surprised I didn't pick up on that. Definitely not the first time Translink have put a service update under the wrong route. Once, there was a 4:25pm route 453 cancelled (that's what the update said) but they put it under route 425 on the website instead of 453.

[SurfRail]

It's a quality control thing.

The weekend free travel shows up as a flag for many, many routes which don't run on weekends, including school bus routes.  There are also weird little historical relics, like a Route 64 that keeps showing up (I think that was one of the G20 special routes).  Then you have the Tweed bus routes and the SC hinterland bus routes which aren't on the same ticketing system which show up as well.

There isn't anybody who cares enough to get these little things right, whether due to lack of staff or indifference.  It's just sloppiness all round.

[Cazza]

"9.25pm route 705 inbound bus cancelled

The 9.25pm route 705 inbound bus is canceled due to a mechanical issue. The next inbound route 705 bus departed Broadbeach South station at 7.40pm."

Ok, this is just plain stupid. Translink are officially a joke. How on Earth are you supposed to manage a transport network for over 2 million people yet you are unable to put correct information up on your website. It really shouldn't be this hard to display correct information. Yeah, sure, typos happen, but if you read over the sentence after you have written it, you can pick up on these mistakes.

Quickly pack your bags and get to their airport before the free transport day ends. Oh wait, my bad, track closures. Sorry, please try again later...

[SurfRail]

What does "inbound" even mean on the Gold Coast?  Without checking, I couldn't tell you which direction they mean.

[Stillwater]

It could be worse.  TransLink could outsource its information service to a call centre in Bombay.  The Newman Government would have done it because it would have been cheaper. 

[tazzer9]

Around 7pm on saturday april 1st I noticed a train speeding across the Merivale bridge heading southbound.   I have been over it too many times and know it was certainly above the limit, going at least 80km/h.   Even the rest of my family noticed how fast it was going.

[ozbob]

^ is this legit? (if so needs reporting).

[tazzer9]

I was on coro drive at the time.   But it definitely was over the limit. (pretty sure its 60).    I have been on trains which I would presume are really pressing that 60(or over) but I know this is faster.   I would presume it was making up time due to delay and the TSR at the junction with the mainline.

[ozbob]

Thanks.  The question has been asked.

[Cazza]

Just an observation as to why the 220 should have a least 30 mins frequency during the day on weekdays.

I caught the 10:19am inbound route 220 today. 24 passengers leaving Cannon Hill Shopping Centre and 32 pax at Morningside. Lucky no one got on between here and the city because it was just about at standing room only (the only seats available were next to people who you would not want to sit next to-believe me ).

Also, the Wynnum end of the route could be more efficient (like in the bus network proposal) because it winds back and forth (east and west) about 3 times and took quite some time. I also think that stop spacing could be a bit closer in some parts (particularly Richmond and Rashford Rds).

I'm open to opinions if anyone contradicts this or has any other comments