88 Bus Route was Rumour: 88 8 mile plains to Indro

[somebody]

.
I also really don't think you can expect a direct connection between the west and SB.  Interchange isn't that hard really.

That STILL doesn't explain why the 88 doesn't stop at SB and MH now.  I understand your points but it makes no sense not to stop at these stations.

As I said above, it is presumably to reduce peak time congestion in those places, and the Cultural Centre.

[AnonymouslyBad]

Yeah, the last thing anyone needs is more buses through the Congestion Centre in peak. And I suspect this is a large reason for the P88 in the first place, to add capacity on those south and west corridors without putting on more of the existing routes which the CC can't support.

I do think having the 88 bypass the city altogether has merit. I use this route frequently and while obviously people do catch it to the city - because it just so happens to turn up first - there's actually a higher number using it as a cross-town route, very much so in peak. And for these passengers it's very frustrating having the bus turn off the Riverside Expressway to spend 10 minutes in the city, when Coronation Drive is literally 30 seconds away by car. Is it any wonder it's full of them?? Unlike some other routes (77, I'm looking in your direction), I think the 88 would get quite respectable patronage even as a cross-town service only.

As for route, I think the only viable option is to go from Cribb St direct to Buranda. You could go Cribb St to South Bank as suggested, but I don't think the Melbourne St intersection supports that currently - so you'd probably make the congestion even worse.

[#Metro]

Why not just cut out the entire city and just go Captain Cook Bridge straight across to Coronation Drive!
There are plenty of buses to and from the City already, even rockets.

[somebody]

Or even better scrap the whole thing, move the 160 to KGSBS/Roma St (extend to QUT KG), and give the 160 some weekend frequencies.

Also move the 444 to QSBS B like the 440 before it.

88 is a route whose need was only inspired by incompetence on the opening on KGSBS, and only carries few pax I/B on the western part.  Can't really speak for the southern bit with as much authority.

[Bulimba30A]

I agree that if P88 has to continue at all, it should bypass the City altogether.

For the 160, what would be acheived by moving it to KGBS?  If you are going to to do that, why not just increase the frequency of 111?  If full 111's are the issue, why not start some 111s at Cultural Centre (outbound) and Griffith University (inbound)?

I think 160 could have a role (albeit questionable) if:

• it runs over Captain Cook Bridge; and/or
• starts in the Valley to provide a full time busway service to/from the Valley; or
• starts in the Valley/RBWH via Story Bridge/Gabba to provide a full time direct busway service to/from the Valley/RBWH.
  

I really question the merits of the 160 if it is just to supplement 111.  For a system which is so complex, every route should have a specific role to play.  I really think the current use of the route is a waste.

If the busway was used more efficient;ly (eg using stations as integral and workable connection points, each of the 111, P88, 77, 160 would be very ewffective.

[somebody]

For the 160, what would be acheived by moving it to KGBS? 

By doing that it would ease the strain on the 111.  As it is, the route is only useful heading I/B.  Virtually all intending passengers head to KGSBS rather than QSBS.