BrizCommuter Blog

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/10/rfid-cards-compete-for-supremacy.html
go card vs Visa PayWave vs MasterCard PayPass.

I already have two alternate "wallets".  Although I'm not sure why this will rise.  Everything in my wallet I have to remove from it to use.

Give it a few years and there probably be more RFID cards - driving licence, medicare, health insurance, library cards, etc. Or maybe Big Brother will just allow us all one card for everything?

All of your examples require being removed from the wallet to use.  As do RFID credit cards.

Yes, but that rather defeats one of the objects of RFID cards in that they do not need to be removed from the wallet (or in some cases a bag). BrizCommuter has seen passengers in Hong Kong with the the RFID card in their handbag just waving the handbag over the reader at the gate - how convenient! However, BrizCommuter has also seen a passenger in London with an Oyster Card in a jacket potato.

[ozbob]

I always keep my go card in the orange holder, separate and use it that way.  Suggested that in our Smart GO CARD User guide as well.  No inconvenience for me, Mrs Ozbob does the same, just takes the go card in a holder out of her purse/handbag when touching the go card.  Over time, probably minimises interference and the odd dud reading.

[#Metro]

I like the wand!

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/10/anatomy-of-station-refurbishment.html
Review of a station refurbishment.

[Golliwog]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/10/anatomy-of-station-refurbishment.html
Review of a station refurbishment.

But would you be able to raise the platform without shutting the station down?

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/10/anatomy-of-station-refurbishment.html
Review of a station refurbishment.

But would you be able to raise the platform without shutting the station down?

It should be possible within a weekend closure. The new drainage and platform re-profiling (i.e. lowered in the centre for the drainage) was done in just one weekend closure.

[HappyTrainGuy]

What about existing structures and buildings being modified with the height change?

[BrizCommuter]

What about existing structures and buildings being modified with the height change?

That didn't seem to be an issue with the platform lowering. The are no significant headroom restrictions for a platform raising of about 1 foot.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/10/bus-changes-you-might-not-notice.html
Bus changes commentary.

[Golliwog]

What about existing structures and buildings being modified with the height change?

That didn't seem to be an issue with the platform lowering. The are no significant headroom restrictions for a platform raising of about 1 foot.

But the height change for the drainage would have been small. Off the top of my head, a slope for drainage like that would be somewhere around 1 in 100?

[BrizCommuter]

What about existing structures and buildings being modified with the height change?

That didn't seem to be an issue with the platform lowering. The are no significant headroom restrictions for a platform raising of about 1 foot.

But the height change for the drainage would have been small. Off the top of my head, a slope for drainage like that would be somewhere around 1 in 100?

Not too sure about the angle, but the platform appeared to be lowered by approx. 15cm at the edge of ticket office.

[#Metro]

These issues are also in addition to a previous quote by Mr Wilson in the NorthWest News that the Keperra to Ferny Grove duplication was going to result in 4 extra trains per day. That's a rather pathetic claim isn't it? This news also knocked the expectation of a 15 minute off-peak timetable on the head.

BrizCommuter suggests that before any more Queensland Government ministers write a letter to QR asking them to "get on with the job", that maybe they should consider how much their own Government is failing public transport users.

Pfft! I totally agree with Brizcommuter. 4 extra trains per day! Bah! They may as well rip up the Ferny Grove line and replace it with busway, it would be more frequent! Maybe rip up Shorncliffe and Doomben lines as well!!! {/sarcasm}

[Golliwog]

I would have liked a follow up on that article. I'm still not convinced that what he was talking about wasn't just the temporary timetable that could be put in place until the major redo next year. The express services could quite easily be shifted to leave FG 5 minutes earlier (the 7.06am service is there usually by 6.50am) and the Mitchie starters extended (IIRC theres 3 of those, so all it would take would be adding 1 more in somewhere, which could just easily be tacked onto the end of peak)

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/less-doomben-gloom-and-more-busway-zoom.html
Less Doomben Gloom, and more Busway Zoom.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/better-advertising-from-translink.html
Two fairly positive blog posts in a row. BrizCommuter needs to stop taking the valium!

[#Metro]

Yes but what is with that train in the logo? It looks like a bus on the railway track... hmm.... a freudian slip perhaps?

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/minor-delay-or-just-normal.html
Did anyone else notice this mornings "Minor" problem status for a normal service on all rail lines?

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/phase-2-timetables-metro-not-retro.html
Let the consultation mediocre survey begin!

[#Metro]

My feedback:

Services MUST BE MORE FREQUENT
PERTH RUNS TRAINS EVERY 15 MINUTES, ALL LINES, ALL STATIONS, ALL DAY.

PERTH IS SMALLER THAN BRISBANE!!!

Seriously. Think about "customer service".

If you go to a restaurant and the restaurant is clean, the menu is prim, you are in the "quiet buffet section", the waiter speaks 7 different languages, uniforms are world class,
staff are everywhere, the seats are nice and ergonomically designed, the restaurant has brand new everything and then... it takes 30 minutes and they serve up a rotten apple pie... is that good customer service?

The best customer service is a FREQUENT TRAIN SERVICE.

[#Metro]

Monsignor Brizcommuter,

I LOVE this graphic! The starting of a Train Upgrade Zone campaign perhaps?


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9xPWdDZt9w/TpkK62855zI/AAAAAAAAAIg/qkmShCfITdQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-10-15+at+2.23.16+PM.png

LOL

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/adelaide-vs-brisbane.html
It's quite disturbing when Adelaide is about to get a better off-peak frequency than Brisbane!

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/12/inner-northern-busway-misery-continues.html
Still a basket case.

[#Metro]

I disagree with you! The most useless bus in Brisbane just has to be route 198!!!
He he!!

Sorry to hear that FG just got a whole heap of cash thrown at upgrading facilities et al and you are going to be stuck with neanderthal frequencies. LOL! I moved house to be near a busway!

Loving my service every 30 seconds!!!

[Golliwog]

The CRG wasn't all bad news though, they did say they wanted to simplify the timetables in peak, and mentioned how the IPS-CAB timetable has an even peak frequency. I'll be happy in the peak hours if they straighten out the jumble that currently exists where depending on when you travel you can be waiting as little as 5 minutes, or as much as 21.

Not saying I'm not irritated by probably not receiving a 15 minute frequency off-peak, but to me, I think getting the even peak frequency, then fixing the FG feeders, then the off-peak frequency is the order of importance.

[ozbob]

The major limitation is rollingstock according to my sources.  As new rolling stock is obtained these can be slotted in to the new timetables without major rewrites.

Don't expect too much in terms of frequency increases per se right now with the sector 2 re-write, rather than restructuring and positioning for later additions ..

[ozbob]

Also the view that coal trains on the western line means that 15 minute out of peak train frequency is not achievable on the Ipswich line is a falsehood IMHO.

I regularly see coal trains in peaks! 

[O_128]

I disagree with you! The most useless bus in Brisbane just has to be route 198!!!
He he!!

Sorry to hear that FG just got a whole heap of cash thrown at upgrading facilities et al and you are going to be stuck with neanderthal frequencies. LOL! I moved house to be near a busway!

Loving my service every 30 seconds!!!

Once again you have to ponder what the point in spending tens of millions of dollars is for zero service improvement.

[Mr X]

I disagree with you! The most useless bus in Brisbane just has to be route 198!!!

Excuse you. It's not useless per se (provides a nifty and relatively quick link between where I live and local hospitals and the SE busway) but the one way nature of it AND the crap frequencies AND the illogical route through West End (the segment I rarely use) reduce it's effectiveness.

[#Metro]

Excuse you. It's not useless per se (provides a nifty and relatively quick link between where I live and local hospitals and the SE busway) but the one way nature of it AND the crap frequencies AND the illogical route through West End (the segment I rarely use) reduce it's effectiveness.

Its not useless, it's *just* (roll out reasons as to why is it so useless).

Route 198 should be fed to the shredder. TL can come up with something with more utility to replace it.
Almost every single part of that route is covered either by a busway or a high frequency BUZ.

[STB]

Excuse you. It's not useless per se (provides a nifty and relatively quick link between where I live and local hospitals and the SE busway) but the one way nature of it AND the crap frequencies AND the illogical route through West End (the segment I rarely use) reduce it's effectiveness.

Its not useless, it's *just* (roll out reasons as to why is it so useless).

Route 198 should be fed to the shredder. TL can come up with something with more utility to replace it.
Almost every single part of that route is covered either by a busway or a high frequency BUZ.

If I may, route 198 has actually become quite handy for myself.  As I need to reach the Cornwall St end of the hospital (not the main part) for my appointments and possible future treatment which will knock me about (hopefully won't come to that), it gives me quick access to West End if I need to head to work, and it gives me access to Mater Hill busway station to get the bus home!  It stops right outside the ARTS building, which contains Dialysis patients and I can tell you from personal experience, those who have dialysis struggle with walking up and down hills, it can really knock you about, do it 3 times a week and to have a bus stop right outside the building is heaven sent (no pun intended to those who believe in life after death).  Many years ago when I had a serious problem with my transplanted kidney (yes I do have to get a bit personal now), I could barley walk up the first 5 steps at Hemmant station where I used to work.  Walking up and down the hill to Dutton Park station would be difficult enough, add on top of that walking up and down the ramp!  It seriously does take that much out of you!

My trips on it in recent times, there are actually users who are using it to get to places such as Southbank railway station, Mater Hill busway station, there was also a couple who used it to get to West End.  Go figure!

I'm assuming you've never had a serious kidney problem or have had dialysis, or have known someone who has had dialysis?  If so, then I'd wait for you to experience that and then reconsider your position on route 198!

Okay, it isn't the highest patronized route in Brisbane, nor do I ever think that they had expectations that it would be, but it has its use.

[#Metro]

I'm assuming you've never had a serious kidney problem or have had dialysis, or have known someone who has had dialysis?  If so, then I'd wait for you to experience that and then reconsider your position on route 198!

Disagree.  My position on route 198 remains the same.

Cheaper to abolish that route and spend the money on vouchers for people who can get medical transport taxi direct to their door. No walking required, and a much larger catchment area!

http://www.yellowcab.com.au/fleet-services/content.cfm/South_West_Brisbane_Medical_Transport/35/

[STB]

I'm assuming you've never had a serious kidney problem or have had dialysis, or have known someone who has had dialysis?  If so, then I'd wait for you to experience that and then reconsider your position on route 198!

Disagree.  My position on route 198 remains the same.

Cheaper to abolish that route and spend the money on vouchers for people who can get medical transport taxi direct to their door. No walking required, and a much larger catchment area!

http://www.yellowcab.com.au/fleet-services/content.cfm/South_West_Brisbane_Medical_Transport/35/

Well that's all well and dandy but from the suburbs covered in that list on that website, that doesn't help me.  Just will have to agree to disagree.  Keep your fascination with 'steamironing' (really starting to hate that term - it's kinda insulting to the real planners, former and current).

EDIT: Also is more expensive than using public transport ie: $4 each way for HACC eligible patients, $10 for the non-eligible.  Dialysis patients go 3 times a week for what could be years.  It also doesn't operate on Saturdays.  The shifts tend to be either, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for patients.  I don't think you can guarantee which shift you get.

[#Metro]

Well that's all well and dandy but from the suburbs covered in that list on that website, that doesn't help me.  Just will have to agree to disagree.  Keep your fascination with 'steamironing' (really starting to hate that term - it's kinda insulting to the real planners, former and current).

If you don't like it, suggest a better term.

EDIT: Also is more expensive than using public transport ie: $4 each way for HACC eligible patients, $10 for the non-eligible.  Dialysis patients go 3 times a week for what could be years.  It also doesn't operate on Saturdays.  The shifts tend to be either, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday for patients.  I don't think you can guarantee which shift you get.

I think one of the roles for TransLink in the future should be to take on medical transport- certainly in North America there is a lot of paratransit type options. Clearly one of the second goals apart from patronage is coverage and community welfare. Although I argue that an infrequent, one way fixed bus route service serving a limited area is the wrong mode for this purpose.

The catchment area for that taxi service is much wider than route 198 and it is direct door to door so it has a much greater coverage area than a fixed route bus. That is a huge disadvantage for this a fixed route bus service. Yes there are limitations in terms of cost (taxi is more expensive, doesn't run on saturday etc) but you're seeing the service as it is now that's what it always will be.

Abolishing 198 and handing over the role of medical transport to TransLink (it can contract out these agencies, as there are other ones such as LANDS Community Transport) would not only free up money for better direct medical taxi and like services, and area expansion, but could also overall be cheaper too than running a half hourly one way loop bus that is 198.

STB, you and I will probably never agree on this point above and that's fine, we have different views about the public good. You see the service as good because you benefit from it. I see the service as not as good as the alternative because it is expensive to run something like that (money can be spent on expanding the taxi alternative) and it is geographically limited in scope and thus isn't as good for public welfare from my perspective. So although the service has a high value to you personally, I still don't agree that is a reason to keep route 198 in its current form, particularly when there are BUZ or busways on almost all sides of that route and door-to-door alternatives which can reach more people who don't live near a fixed route bus could be expanded.

[#Metro]

Hey BrizCommuter, I like this post. Media release material perhaps! Nice analysis too

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/11/adelaide-vs-brisbane.html

Adelaide's 30km Noarlunga Line currently runs a 2 pattern service which has extra trains before 11am and 2pm. In this period 8 stations receive a 4tph or better service. Between 11am and 2pm just 3 stations have a 4tph or better service, shared with Brighton starting/terminating services, and Tonsley Line services. The Noarlunga Line is currently being extended to Seaford (36km total length) with an opening planned for late 2013. It has been stated that a 4tph / 15 minute off-peak service will then be run on this line, serving all 17 stations between Seaford and Woodlands Park. So unlike Brisbane when huge sums of money are spent on rail infrastructure (Richlands Line and Ferny Grove Line duplication) with only a 30 minute frequency, Adelaide actually plans to considerably improve train services on it's new infrastructure. It should be noted that Brisbane's population is also nearly double that of Adelaide's.

If (as expected) no 15 minute off-peak services materialise in QR's 2012 phase 2 timetables, then within a year, Brisbane will have the worst weekday daytime off-peak train service of all mainland Australian state capitals! The Queensland Government, TransLink, and QR should be very embarrassed that Adelaide will have a 4tph / 15 minute off-peak peak service to many stations up to the 30-40km range from the CBD, whilst Brisbane can only provide a 2tph / 30 minute off-peak service at stations beyond the 16km range from the CBD (with the exception of an irregular 4tph service at Loganlea and Beenleigh).

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-london-overground.html
Another case study from a city that gets it right.

[#Metro]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-london-overground.html
Another case study from a city that gets it right.

Nice! This is MR material IMHO.

[somebody]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/12/case-study-london-overground.html
Another case study from a city that gets it right.

Or perhaps, less wrong.  I particularly haven't been impressed with what I've heard about fares in London.

[#Metro]

Overground network has increased from 0.6m journeys in 2007 to 2m journeys in 2011.

I think it is 0.6 million PER WEEK, not per year. 0.6 million would be like 10x worse than Adelaide, and I don't think
that would be the case for London.

Everything in London is expensive.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2012/01/brisbane-inner-city-metro-what-are.html
Options for Brisbane's mythical Inner City Metro.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/is-se-queenslands-rail-system-accident.html
Sharp bends, dead end termini, flat junctions, and no ATP!