1 March 2010: SEQ: It is raining buses, where are the trains?

[ozbob]

Media Release 1 March 2010

SEQ:  It is raining buses, where are the trains?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has welcomed the route 77 bus announced today by the Minister for Transport.  Since the fare increases on the 4th January there has been around 38,000 extra weekly bus seats introduced but no new rail services.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The 77 bus route from Eight Mile Plains to Chermside via the Clem7 tunnel is an innovative route that avoids the central business district of Brisbane. For those who can access the route it will be of much benefit. Cross suburban bus routes are generally a good move."

"Why is it though that long standing gaps in rail timetables, for example on the Ipswich to Rosewood line, and the Sunshine coast line have been ignored for years, but even as the paint dries on the Clem7 tunnel buses are rolled out.  Why are rail commuters treated in such an off hand manner?"

"It would appear that some public transport commuters are more equal than others ... "

References:

1.  7 Feb 2010: SEQ: Public transport rail frequency needs radical improvement
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3410.0

2.  4 Feb 2010: SEQ: Where are the additional 301,000 weekly public transport seats
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3394.msg20763#msg20763

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Jon Bryant]

Was the redirection of a bus route or 2 part of the secret deal with the tunnel operator?  or is it just a coincidence?

[ozbob]

It is a novel bus route, but certainly has a bit of PR stunt ring about it,  the 77 on in the Clem7?  LOL

The State Government doesn't want to be outshone by Can Do either ...

Might have to see if I can go for a ride on the first day, when ever that may be ..

[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]

Any new tunnels should be considered for running a BUZ or BUZ like service in.
North Link Tunnel especially.

[Otto]

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

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

Has someone let the cat out of the bag?

Route 77 effective 29th March, meaning the Clem 7 opens about the 20th/22nd March .. 

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Another Clem7 opening clue?

Another Clem7 opening clue?
TONY MOORE
March 2, 2010 - 5:24AM

Fresh clues on the Clem7 opening date may have been revealed, with the announcement of a mass bike ride through the tunnel on Sunday, March 21 and the start of a new Brisbane bus route.

About 7000 cyclists are expected to take part in Bicycle Queensland's equivalent of Big Day Out, which would see them ride through the Clem7 and up to Mt Coot-tha.

Meanwhile, transport lobby group Rail Back on Track says TransLink "let it slip" yesterday, during the announcement of route 77 bus service, which is scheduled to begin operating through the tunnel from March 29. TransLink says the service will kick off one week after the Clem7 opening.

"So that possibly means the opening is the weekend of 20-22 March," spokesman Robert Dow said this morning.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has refused to reveal the tunnel's exact opening date to avoid a major traffic jam caused by curious motorists.

He told reporters at a public walk-through on Sunday Brisbane commuters would simply wake to find the river crossing open to traffic as a surprise.

While the bike ride may be another hint, Bicycle Queensland manager Ben Wilson said he had not been given one of Brisbane's best-kept secrets.

"I don't know," he said with a laugh. "All I know is that it will be right for us on the 21st."

Mr Wilson did not miss the opportunity to promote Bicycle Queensland's big event for Bike Week 2010, the 'Taste of the Tunnel'.

"The keen ones will go from the lowest point in Brisbane - that's 60 metres below the Brisbane River inside the tunnel and they will end up 330 metres above ground which is up on Mt Coot-tha," he said.

"Whereas others will just do it easy and do the tunnel and the Inner City Bypass and head back to South Bank."

Mr Wilson said Bicycle Queensland had asked for permission for cyclists to ride through the tunnel before it opened, which indicated an opening before March 21 was unlikely.

But Clem7 spokesman Anthony Havers said they would be prepared to clear the tunnel for cyclists for a few hours, even if the tunnel was already open to traffic.

"I think you have a good theory, but we're still going through our day-to-day testing and commissioning and once that's done we have to give the stock market five days' notice," he said.

Sunday's open day drew about 55,000 people who were keen to have look through the 4.8-kilometre Bowen Hills to Woolloongabba tunnel before the final checks were completed.

It is understood the tunnel will open in about three weeks.

The traditional "Ride to Work" Day will be held on Wednesday, March 17. Full Bike Week program details was available at www.bq.org.au

[Jon Bryant]

Letting cyclist ride through tunnel is the ultimate insult.  The tunnels had made cycling at either end dangeous and neigh on impossible plus will pollute the air the cyclist will breath everyday.  Only a miniscule % of the tunnels cost has been spent on bike paths so this is really rubbing the cyclists noses in it.  Worse any improvement to above ground streets for pedestrians or cyclists will be stopped as it will be politically attacked as funnelling.  No win all round.  Cyclists boycott this ride in protest.  Send a message to the governments that they are investing in the wrong infrastructure. 

[#Metro]

Could there have been a cycling tunnel?

[ozbob]

Interview on radio 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson

Clem 7 to open March 20th/21st?  click here!

[Otto]

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

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

Has someone let the cat out of the bag?

Route 77 effective 29th March, meaning the Clem 7 opens about the 20th/22nd March .. 

Due to the cycling event, I have revised my predicted opening date to either the 22nd or 23rd of March.