16 Mar 2010: SEQ: Clem7 tunnel opens, more opportunities ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 March 2010

SEQ:  Clem7 tunnel opens, more opportunities for improved mass transit

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 said the Clem7 tunnel provides an opportunity to improve bus rapid transit in Brisbane.  Besides the introduction of the route 77 bus, there are logical flow on improvements that can be made for bus priority.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Clem7 tunnel provides opportunities to improve bus transit in and out of the CBD."

"Currently, more people travel over the Captain Cook Bridge in a bus in peak hour than cars (1).  This means that the many bus passengers are being slowed down by the lesser number of car users who are mostly single drivers.  With the traffic that will be taken off this road by the Clem7 tunnel, it is time that the bus passengers were given priority over single drivers. Reclaim a lane on the Captain Cook Bridge in each direction for a bus lane."

"Now that the overpass for the Go Between Bridge is open, there is no reason for any further delay to re-instituting at least an inbound transit lane on Coronation Drive, as was reported to be council policy (2).  A bus lane would be better for at least the AM peak, of course."

"RAIL Back On Track members have suggested that other routes should also be afforded bus priority for example Kelvin Grove Rd, Mains Rd and Coopers Camp Rd to Caxton St."

"One would also question converting to back to a general traffic bus lanes off peak: if the road handles the traffic in two or more other lanes, why not give buses the priority off peak.  This is especially true inbound on Coronation Drive which is a traffic bottleneck for most of the day."

References:

1. http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/about_council/documents/sept07_final_report_brisbane_mass_transit_investigation_lmt.pdf
Council's 2007 report showed 156 buses/hour in peak, assuming average patronage of 50 per bus, and figures usually used for a freeway lane which are 1500 vehicles/hour carrying an average of 1.2 people

2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/06/2412629.htm

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org