Bus route 77

[ozbob]

Minister Nolan has today announced bus route 77 will  be using the Clem7 tunnel. Article in today's mX (on train at the moment).  Eight Mile Plains to Chermside.  South east busway Eight Mile Plains, Garden City, Griffith Uni, Holland Park West, Greenslopes, Burunda bus way station before entering the tunnel.  Surface on Bowen Bridge Rd and travel to Chermside, with the first stop at Windsor rail, then Lutwyche, Kedron and Kedron North stops.

Welcome the route but most commuters will still continue to need transport options that can get them to the CBD and major transit points.  But for those who can, it will speed up the journey.  Estimated journey time 39 minutes Eight Mile Plains to Chermside.  Good move.

[#Metro]

Absolutely unbelievably good
Excellent move Rachel Nolan! 

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 1st March 2010 page 5

Secret: Clem 7 Opening

[somebody]

I think this route is a good move and well worth trying.  One thing that I actually applaud Translink for.  Whether or not it will be well utilised remains to be seen, but I expect somewhat better than the current 393.

[O_128]

Even better when the northern busway opens

[stephenk]

I think this route is a good move and well worth trying.  One thing that I actually applaud Translink for.  Whether or not it will be well utilised remains to be seen, but I expect somewhat better than the current 393.

More people would use the 393 if it actually went somewhere useful, like Roma Street & KGBS, and had a bus stop located closer to Bowen Hills station (as opposed to down an alley and across two road crossings).

I think the 77 is a bold and brave move. It may fail, it work well. How frequently will it run?

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
01/03/2010

77 in Clem 7 crosses north-south divide

Brisbane bus commuters will soon be able to travel under Brisbane with the touch of a go card.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today announced that route 77, the first bus route in the CLEM7 tunnel, was expected to shave about 20 minutes off a 30km cross-city journey between the northside and southside of Brisbane from next month.

Ms Nolan said it would provide a same-seat journey across town linking Eight Mile Plains to Chermside in 39 minutes compared to a journey via the CBD of up to 55 minutes.

The Minister said the $1.6 million route 77 would provide an additional 18,615 seats a week and run every 15 minutes in peak times and every 30 minutes in off-peak, Monday to Friday.

"Buses on route 77 will run along the South East Busway servicing Eight Mile plains, Garden City, Griffith University Holland Park West, Greenslopes and Buranda Busway stations before entering the tunnel," Ms Nolan said.

"Buses will surface on Bowen Bridge Road and travel to Chermside with the first stop at Windsor rail then at Lutwyche, Kedron and Kedron North stops.

"Currently, commuters travelling from Eight Mile Plains to Chermside have to catch a 111 bus to the Cultural Centre and transfer to a 333 that runs through the city.

"Students will be easily able to access Griffith University Busway station and access The University of Queensland at Buranda Busway station onto routes 139 and 169," Ms Nolan said.

"Route 77 will also benefit cross-city commuters who work around Garden City, Chermside, Lutwyche Shopping Centre, Kedron Emergency Services and Griffith University.

"In the future, Route 77 will also provide an important connection at Buranda for the Eastern Busway and also for the Northern Busway and its expansion to Kedron."

Ms Nolan said seven new air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible, environmentally friendly buses would be used on the toll-exempt 77 route.

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

[Jon Bryant]

Great idea. What happens though when the Clem 7 comes to a stand still with congested traffic.  Just another bus stick in traffic.  Bus lane in Clem 7? Now that would be bold

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=477

Route 77 - a new service via the CLEM7 tunnel - effective 29 March 2010

Route 77 (Chermside to Eight Mile Plains) will be the first bus route to use the CLEM7 tunnel, providing an easy single-seat journey across town in less than 40 minutes.

It will begin one week after the CLEM7 tunnel opens to general traffic and operate Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm.  Services will run every 15 minutes in the peak and 30 minutes in off-peak times, following the South East Busway and the Lutwyche/Gympie Road corridor.

It will service the following stops:

    * Eight Mile Plains busway station
    * Upper Mount Gravatt busway station
    * Griffith University busway station
    * Holland Park West busway station
    * Greenslopes busway station
    * Buranda busway station
    * Windsor rail
    * Lutwyche
    * Kedron
    * Kedron North
    * Chermside

A full timetable will be available closer to the start date.

[#Metro]

This is absolutely and completely one of the best initiatives I have seen come out of the Minister's department/TransLink in ... ever.

I hope it is well patronised. Who knows, maybe people on the North side will get a direct link to UQ if demand permits.

It is amazing what you can do with the funds from a fare increase...

[ButFli]

I personally think it's just a gimmick to promote the Clem7. I hope the operators of the tunnel are covering some of the cost.

[O_128]

This is absolutely and completely one of the best initiatives I have seen come out of the Minister's department/TransLink in ... ever.

I hope it is well patronised. Who knows, maybe people on the North side will get a direct link to UQ if demand permits.

It is amazing what you can do with the funds from a fare increase...

That would make great sense the 177

[WTN]

Translink is quite clever on this idea, but I'm starting to get concerned about buses getting stuck in traffic at either end of the tunnel.  They'll have to face traffic lights instead of bus-only portals directly linking the tunnel to busways.  That's more of a problem before the tunnel itself gets gridlocked.

[stephenk]

Hmmm, every 30mins off-peak. I think this route my need a 15min Buz frequency to become successful. If it connects well with the Ferny Grove Line at Windsor, I may consider using it for my occasional journeys to UQ. If it doesn't connect well, I might as well stay on the train and change to the 109/139/169.  

For students living on the Chermside corridor, this could be a useful route to UQ. It may take some pressure of the busy 333.

This will an interesting route to watch. Is it an excellent attempt to divert passengers around the CBD and reduce car reliance, or is a gimmick to make the Clem7 look like it has some public transport purpose?

[#Metro]

I'm just glad they put it on.
Lets see what the results are.

[Tramwayjohn]

I was stunned to read the information on the planned route 77, but also delighted that it is to happen! In the Sydney context, I thought that a through bus route from say Chatswood to Sydney Airport via the Harbor Tunnel would have been a "certainty" but it never happened!

I suggest that "Rail Back on Track" members check out the route "903" in Melbourne, which is the longest urban bus route in the world. I believe strongly that a similar concept should be developed in Brisbane. Join bus routes 100, 463 and 500, to become a Brisbane to Ipswich bus route, for example. Start the 100 from Kelvin Grove, while we are at it!

I will ride the new route 77 when it is introduced, for sure!

John Coyle

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane buses to go underground

Brisbane buses to go underground
CAMERON ATFIELD
March 2, 2010 - 5:25AM

The Clem7 tunnel will host Brisbane's newest bus route when it opens next month, connecting the city's north and south without the need to go through the CBD.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said route 77 would be the first bus route to use the Clem7 and would shave about 20 minutes off the 30 kilometre cross-city journey between Eight Mile Plains in the south to Chermside in the north.

Ms Nolan said the cross-city journey would take 39 minutes, compared to routes via the CBD that could take up to 55 minutes.

An additional 18,615 seats a week would be provided and the route would run every 15 minutes in peak times and every 30 minutes in off-peak on weekdays.

"Route 77 will also benefit cross-city commuters who work around Garden City, Chermside, Lutwyche Shopping Centre, Kedron Emergency Services and Griffith University," Ms Nolan said.

"In the future, Route 77 will also provide an important connection at Buranda for the Eastern Busway and also for the Northern Busway and its expansion to Kedron."

Ms Nolan said Route 77 would run along the South East Busway before entering the tunnel.

Buses would then surface on Bowen Bridge Road and travel to Chermside.

"Currently, commuters travelling from Eight Mile Plains to Chermside have to catch a 111 bus to the Cultural Centre and transfer to a 333 that runs through the city," Ms Nolan said.

Ms Nolan said the buses would be exempt from the Clem7's tolling.

Transport lobby group Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow welcomed the new route.

"We acknowledge that most commuters do need to transit through the CBD, but nonetheless it will be a welcome addition in terms of a non-radial bus route," he said.

"It's sensible to use new infrastructure for bus routes ... It's probably a bit of a stunt to use the Clem7, but nonetheless it will suit some people."

[Sunbus610]

I hope it is well patronised. Who knows, maybe people on the North side will get a direct link to UQ if demand permits.

That would make great sense the 177

It more than likely would be known at route 309 ~ Chermside to UQ Lakes (if it does actually happen)

[longboi]

My money is on the 309 coming about once the current stage of the Nth Busway is completed 

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=477

   
Route 77 - a new service via the CLEM7 tunnel - effective 22 March 2010

Route 77 (Chermside to Eight Mile Plains) will be the first bus route to use the CLEM7 tunnel, providing an easy single-seat journey across town in less than 40 minutes.

Route 77 will operate Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm.  Services will run every 15 minutes in the peak and 30 minutes in off-peak times, following the South East Busway and the Lutwyche/Gympie Road corridor.

It will service the following stops:

    * Eight Mile Plains busway station
    * Upper Mount Gravatt busway station
    * Griffith University busway station
    * Holland Park West busway station
    * Greenslopes busway station
    * Buranda busway station
    * Windsor rail
    * Lutwyche
    * Kedron
    * Kedron North
    * Chermside

A full timetable will be available closer to the start date.

[Otto]

Timetable has now been released for 77

Eight Mile Plains to Chermside

Eight Mile Plains Busway.................6:15am

Buranda Busway...........................6:28am

Windsor Railway Station................6:36am

Kedron North...............................6:44am

Chermside (Hamilton Rd)................6:54am

77 will run every 15 minutes till last service dep Eight Mile Plains at 6:15pm

Chermside to Eight Mile Plains

Chermside (Hamilton Rd)................7:00am

Kedron North...............................7:06am

Windsor Railway Station................7:24am

Buranda Busway..........................7:32am

Eight Mile Plains Busway...............7:47am

77 will run approx every 15 minutes with last service departing at  7:05pm

reference click here



 

[somebody]

Oops, it's only every 30 minutes off peak.

[ozbob]

See you at Buranda, 6.28am 22nd March.

First down Citytrain from Oxley, 111 to Buranda.  77 - It will be a just a continuation  on the go card ...   

[ozbob]

Which platform at Buranda Otto?  (to go to Windsor)

Got it, platform 1.

Thanks.

[Otto]

Oops, it's only every 30 minutes off peak.

lol... sorry, was in a hurry are only looked at beginning and end of day !!

  I'm catching it for a ride from 8 Mile Plains @ 6:15 to Chermside and back.. ( Will be joining up with another ATDB member at Chermside on return trip )   

[ozbob]

   see you on board.   I will be getting the 6.51am train from Windsor back to town, I have an appointment at 7.30am which limits my ride.

But it will be fun to go under the river.

[ozbob]

The 77 timetable link has been added to the TransLink bus timetables

--> http://www.translink.com.au/tt_results.php?routett=77&mode=BUS

But the link to the actual PDF  is presently broken.  I have alerted TL via twitter ...

[ozbob]

Does anyone know of any other regular commuter bus routes that use significant road tunnels?  For example in Sydney or Melbourne or other capital?

[somebody]

Does anyone know of any other regular commuter bus routes that use significant road tunnels?  For example in Sydney or Melbourne or other capital?

The Lane Cove tunnel (in Sydney) is used by numerous bus routes.  Took them a little while to wake up to the idea though.

Also, the Eastern Distributor between Moore Park and Macquarie/Bent Sts is used by several AM peak buses.  This also reduces CBD congestion, because they pass through the CBD in the reverse direction.

I don't think the M5 tunnels are used by any buses though.

[ozbob]

Thanks!

[stephenk]

Has anyone else seen the route 77 advert in MX. Very poorly written advert - have Translink got their work experience kids doing their advertising?

[ozbob]

The PDF to the new 77 timetable has been fixed!

http://download.translink.com.au/timetables/100222_77.pdf  Direct to the PDF

From  http://www.translink.com.au/tt_results.php?routett=77&mode=BUS

[somebody]

Also, the Eastern Distributor between Moore Park and Macquarie/Bent Sts is used by several AM peak buses.  This also reduces CBD congestion, because they pass through the CBD in the reverse direction.

I've sometimes wondered by this isn't done in the PM peak.  I think it's mostly because of one of my biggest grevieances with Translink: City stop locations!

[ozbob]

Inbound on EMU43,  roll on 77!

[ozbob]

Now at Buranda busway station  platform one, G1601 Roma St to Buranda ...

[ozbob]

All on time for the run through the tunnel.  A number of well known bus folk on board  , also the CEO Translink Mr Strachan.

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast Reporter Anne O'Keeffe did a live report on board the 77 bus.

XPT shortly after arrival at Roma St early this morning



77 Arriving at Buranda



Towards the tunnel







At Windsor



Photographs R Dow 22nd March 2010

[ozbob]

Another "Clem to fame" - first scheduled bus through the tunnel

22 March 2010 , 9:17 AM by Spencer Howson

612 Breakfast reporter Anne O'Keeffe and Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow this morning were amongst the passengers on the first scheduled bus through the Clem Jones Tunnel.

Anne then stayed on board and was on the first scheduled bus to traverse the "Clem7" from north to south!

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

First bus service through Clem7

First bus service through Clem7
COURTNEY TRENWITH
March 22, 2010 - 8:15AM

The first commuter bus service travelled through the Clem7 tunnel this morning.

Route 77 links Eight Mile Plains in the south to Chermside in the north, avoiding the CBD.

The 30-kilometre journey should take 39 minutes, saving commuters who travel the full distance about 20 minutes.

Previously, the trip involved two buses and passed through the city.

The Clem7 bypasses up to 24 sets of traffic lights, potentially saving even more time when traffic jams up in the CBD.

TransLink spokesman Andrew Berkman said more bus routes through the tunnel would be considered if demand was high.

Mr Berkman was on board one of the first services this morning and said it was half-full.

''That's about what we expected,'' Mr Berkman said.

''I got on at Buranda and got off at Windsor. It was 10 minutes, whereas in the past it could have been anywhere up to 45 minutes.

'It's a really good service for any students coming in from the north who can catch a service straight to Buranda Station onto the Eastern Busway, onto the University of Queensland. In the past they had to go through the city.

''It's also a good service for people wanting to get access to Chermside Shopping Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre, two of the biggest shopping centres in Brisbane.''

Mr Berkman said the $1.6 million route provided an additional 18,000 seats a week and would run every 15 minutes in peak times and every 30 minutes in off-peak, Monday to Friday.

''We'll continue to promote it and make sure that it builds up. Once the demand is there, we'll continue to look at other services,'' he said.

''It's a wait and see at the moment. Let's see how this one goes ... and if there is demand [new services are] something we'll look at.''

Route 77 is exempt from paying the toll.

[Otto]

I was on the first 77 from Eight Mile Plains to Chermside and return.. Was an excellent ride !!

Here is the first 77 service pulling into Eight Mile Plains to commence its journey to Chermside.

[Jon Bryant]

Is it just me or are the PIDs not showing the 77?