Ferry System Re-build

[#Metro]

  CityCat system is a mess
:-(

I've heard that the boats themselves are safe.

[O_128]

well it looks like those in bulimba really dont have a choice if they are getting a new terminal or nor  , regatta went right under but should be right except will need new lighting

[#Metro]

I hope they make all citycat terminals standard citycat terminals. Maybe this could be an opportunity to think about having a better citycat network, phase out the cross river ferries, citycat to all stops.

[somebody]

I hope they make all citycat terminals standard citycat terminals. Maybe this could be an opportunity to think about having a better citycat network, phase out the cross river ferries, citycat to all stops.

I'd keep the Teneriffe-Bulimba and Thornton St-Eagle St-Holman St Ferries.  Dockside probably justifies a service also.  Not so sure about River Plaza, South Bank 3 or New Farm Park.

I remember in 2005 they tried to get rid of the North Quay - Sydney St ferry.  Obviously not successfully.

CityCat to all stops would be mighty slow.

[ozbob]

Yes,  I think the cross river ferries do take a bit of pressure off the CityCats and allow for faster services for them.

[somebody]

Thinking some more about this, New Farm-Norman Park may be justified for cross town trips.  It certainly isn't justified for CBD trips.  Unless we know that no one uses it, why would we seek to get rid of it?

There may be some grounds for rationalisation of the Thornton St ferries.  Why two routes?  Why bother with serving Sydney St when the CityCat does so much better?  Similarly with River Plaza and South Bank 3.  These areas are much better served by the busway, and in the latter case also the train.  I'd suggest just one route Thornton St/Eagle St/Holman St/Dockside with increased frequency.  Sydney St I guess could be justified for Kangaroo Point trips, but is that really a destination?  I doubt it, and there's also the CityCat to Mowbray Park.

[O_128]

kangaroo point really needs a city cat stop, my parents and lots of people on there street use the norman park-tenneriffe service alot to travel to the powerhouse

[somebody]

kangaroo point really needs a city cat stop, my parents and lots of people on there street use the norman park-tenneriffe service alot to travel to the powerhouse

?

There is no norman park-Tenneriffe service.

What's wrong with the existing Kangaroo Pt service?  Why's this need to provided by the city cat?

[aldonius]

It seems to me that a (new) stop at Davies Pk (West End) would be handy.

Unnecessary with subway as currently envisioned or CRR2 of course.

Edit re Somebody: I'm thinking in terms of the Toowong connection.

[somebody]

It seems to me that a (new) stop at Davies Pk (West End) would be handy.

Unnecessary with subway as currently envisioned or CRR2 of course.

Would also compete with CityGlider.  Not that that means you can't do it.

[SteelPan]

I hope they make all citycat terminals standard citycat terminals. Maybe this could be an opportunity to think about having a better citycat network, phase out the cross river ferries, citycat to all stops.

 Wouldn't that defeat one of the primary purposes of Citycats - speed - Citycats patronage has already declined - some say because the ferries are stopping too much as is.  Cross river ferries appeal to a totally different market segment and perform an important inner city transit function!

I certainly support taking this opportunity to improve overall Citycat stop standards.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

I wonder if they'll rebuild most of the ferry terminals with two gangways? Single-gangway terminals are akin to a double-track railway that reduces to single track at each station.

[O_128]

kangaroo point really needs a city cat stop, my parents and lots of people on there street use the norman park-tenneriffe service alot to travel to the powerhouse

?

There is no norman park-Tenneriffe service.

What's wrong with the existing Kangaroo Pt service?  Why's this need to provided by the city cat?

Sorry meant new farm,

[somebody]

Perhaps I could have worked that out based on where the powerhouse is!

Still don't understand why the CityCat needs to stop at Kangaroo Point.

I wonder if they'll rebuild most of the ferry terminals with two gangways? Single-gangway terminals are akin to a double-track railway that reduces to single track at each station.

If the Ferry System is re-organised, where this is required would need to be reassessed.

[#Metro]

Just make two separate lines. Problem solved.
The older cross river ferries are extremely slow, if the citycat frequency is good, they would be competitive.

[somebody]

Just make two separate lines. Problem solved.
The older cross river ferries are extremely slow, if the citycat frequency is good, they would be competitive.

Would it make a noticeable difference on a route like Thornton St/Eagle St/Holman St/Dockside/Sydney St?

[#Metro]

Absolutely
CityCat would win hands down on that one.

[Otto]

Had a good look at the Apollo Road CityCat terminal, and it looks to be in surprisingly good condition as do the older jettys next to the Pontoon.. No obvious damage can be seen.. 

[ozbob]

 

[Peter J]

Most people seem to be forgetting that the CityCats are more designed and set up for express style service similar to express buses, not for stopping very frequently like a normal all stops bus route.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here

CityCat service set for fast return

CityCat service set for fast return
Tony Moore
February 1, 2011 - 2:11PM

The flooded Mowbray Park CityCat terminal, pictured as the Brisbane River level rose on January 12, escaped major damage.

CityCat services will resume in Brisbane within a month, but the city's students may have to wait a further 18 months for river transport.

Brisbane City Council today said downstream CityCats and ferry terminals would be operating by the end of February.

However, terminals at West End, St Lucia and the Regatta - near University of Queensland - could be out of action for 18 months.

Queensland University of Technology's CityCat terminal, located near George Street, needs major work.

The terminals set to reopen include Apollo Road, Bretts Wharf, Oxford Street at Bulimba, Teneriffe, Hawthorne, Norman Park, Dockside, Eagle Street Pier, South Bank's number 3 and number 2 terminals.

"By the end of this month we will have most of the terminals downstream of the city up and running," Cr Newman said.

"Some of our terminals have suffered enormous damage and will be out of action for longer," he said.

Cr Newman said about six terminals were "complete write-offs".

"This is where the whole thing has been essentially demolished and we need to remove the existing piles, drive new piles, create new pontoons and create new gangways," he said.

Cr Newman said much of the damage came from private pontoons and boats hitting the terminals during the flood. Tougher guidelines for private pontoons are being considered.

Major repairs are also needed at the Queensland University of Technology, Holman Street, Sydney Street at New Farm and North Quay stops.

Moderate works are still required at Riverside, Thornton Street, New Farm Park, Mowbray Park, South Bank's number 1 terminal and Guyatt Park at St Lucia.

While the floods caused between $70 million and $100 million damage to the CityCat and City ferry terminals, the boats themselves were untouched.

"Council and our operator TransDev were able to save the entire CityCat fleet by evacuating them to Manly Harbour and to Rivergate Marina Complex," Cr Newman said.

Cr Newman said Brisbane City Council intended to rebuild the RiverWalk along New Farm, despite it costing $500,000 in maintenance each year.

"RiverWalk has been a great asset to the people of Brisbane and I think everybody appreciates what a great drawcard it has been," he said.

"But we do need to make sure it is not a financial burden to ratepayers. I mean in the last four to five years it has cost about $500,000 every year."

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Terminal upgrades scrapped as council counts cost

Terminal upgrades scrapped as council counts cost
Tony Moore
February 1, 2011 - 2:11PM

Planned ferry terminal upgrades at Bulimba and Hawthorne are the first two council projects to be axed to fund Brisbane's flood recovery.

Brisbane City Council will tomorrow begin a two day mini-budget review to reprioritise its budget funding in the wake of last month's devastating floods.

Further project changes will be announced by the end of February, although decisions may have to be debated at the first full council meeting of 2011 next Tuesday.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said the shelving of the two ferry terminal upgrades, which were due to begin shortly, would save up to $12 million.

"They were going to be be converted from single CityCat berths to double-headers," he said.

"We are cancelling those projects and diverting them to rebuild [destroyed] terminals like West End."

However the City Council has already flagged losses of between $70 million and $100 million to repair the CityCat and ferry terminals.

Opposition Leader Shayne Sutton said the council should not go ahead with the $1.7 billion Legacy Way tunnel from Toowong to Bowen Hills.

The council's upfront cost to the project, formerly known as Northern Link, would be $470 million.

"I'm sure Brisbane residents would rather have their services restored and infrastructure repaired than another unpopular toll tunnel, especially those in badly-affected areas," Cr Sutton said.

However Cr Newman said Legacy Way would go ahead and this morning announced six sub-committees to help guide Brisbane's flood recovery.

They are:

    * Community Recovery Coordination Subcommittee chaired by Geraldine Knapp;
    * Finance and Economic Recovery Subcommittee chaired by Adrian Schrinner;
    * Infrastructure Recovery Subcommittee chaired by Graham Quirk;
    * Environmental Recovery Subcommittee chaired by Peter Matic;
    * Ward Recovery Subcommittee chaired by Margaret de Wit; and
    * Planning for Recovery Subcommittee chaired by Amanda Cooper.

A Flood Response Review Board has also been set up and will report back to the council in May 2011.

When the Brisbane River peaked at 4.46 metres, 14,972 homes and businesses were completely swamped and 18,025 were partially flooded.

[Jonno]

How stubborn is the Lord Mayor and despite the reality that the Northern Link will only increase congestion.  Stubborn!!!!!

[ozbob]

Courier Mail --> CityCats back on track soon after Brisbane floods

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1294689251

Limited ferry services to resume this month

Limited CityCat and CityFerry services are expected to resume operating later this month.

The following terminals are expected to resume services:

   * Apollo Road
   * Bretts Wharf
   * Bulimba
   * Teneriffe
   * Hawthorne
   * Norman Park
   * Mowbray Park
   * Dockside
   * Eagle Street Pier
   * South Bank terminals 2 and 3

All other ferry terminals are offline until further notice. This includes The University of Queensland, West End, Guyatt Park, Regatta, North Quay, South Bank terminal 1, QUT, New Farm Park, Holman Street and Sydney Street ferry terminals.

Customers for these terminals will still need to make alternative travel arrangements using buses that connect with river services (see below). TransLink has also introduced two new bus services (233 and 234) to replace ferry services and provided additional services on other routes..


Map of new bus routes 233 and 234, click to enlarge.



http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/service-updates/110131-new-ferry-replacement-buses.jpg

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

CityCats to return to service

CityCats to return to service
Courtney Trenwith
February 9, 2011 - 8:28AM

Some CityCat and ferry services will resume next week, a month after the Brisbane River flooded.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is due to announce the boats' return at 10.30am this morning, when he is expected to provide more details about which terminals and services will be back up and running.

Some CityCats that had been held in Manly Harbour since the floods were moved to Rivergate Marina yesterday ahead of the service recommencement.

However, not all services will return next week, with terminals at West End, St Lucia and the Regatta - near University of Queensland - out of action for up to 18 months.

Cr Newman said last week about six terminals were "complete write-offs".

The floods caused between $70 million and $100 million damage to the CityCat and ferry terminals, although the boats were spared because they had been moved to a safer location.

More to come after Cr Newman's announcement at 10.30am.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1294689251

Limited ferry services resume Monday 14 Feb

Limited CityCat and CityFerry services will resume operating on Monday 14 February.

The following terminals will resume services:

    * Apollo Road
    * Bretts Wharf
    * Bulimba
    * Teneriffe
    * Hawthorne
    * New Farm Park
    * Norman Park
    * Mowbray Park
    * Dockside
    * Riverside
    * Eagle Street Pier
    * Thornton Street
    * South Bank 3
    * South Bank 1 and 2
    * Guyatt Park.

CityCats travelling from Guyatt Park towards Apollo Road will operate approximately every 12 to 13 minutes for most of the day, accessing the terminals listed above.

CityCats travelling from Apollo Road to Riverside in the morning peak will operate every six or seven minutes.

All off-peak services will operate every 25 minutes.

Cross-river services will operate between Bulimba and Teneriffe, Norman Park and New Farm Park and between Thornton Street and Eagle Street Pier at similar frequencies prior to the floods (approximately every 10 to 15 mintues).

A partial inner-city service will operate between South Bank 3, Eagle Street Pier, Dockside and Mowbray Park every 30 minutes.

All other ferry terminals remain closed until further notice. This includes The University of Queensland, West End, Regatta, North Quay, QUT, Holman Street and Sydney Street ferry terminals.

Customers for these terminals will still need to make alternative travel arrangements using buses that connect with river services (see below). TransLink has also introduced two new bus services (233 and 234) to replace ferry services and provided additional services on other routes.

[Golliwog]

Theres now a link to the new timetable for the ferries and CityCats, but it's broken. Hope it gets fixed soon.

[ozbob]

CityCats on the Brisbane River today --> http://twitpic.com/3z7hjo

[Golliwog]

CityCats on the Brisbane River today --> http://twitpic.com/3z7hjo

Whoa! Thats a bunch of Citycats.

[mufreight]

Perhaps a litter of Citycats   

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1297736896

Removal of bus routes 233 and 234

From Monday 21 February, temporary bus routes 233 and 234 will be discontinued.

As CityCats and CityFerries are again servicing most terminals east of the city, these services are no longer required.

TransLink apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks passengers for their understanding.

Affected Services

    * Route 233
    * Route 234

[Jonno]

If these buses and drivers are spare then add them to surrounding routes to increase frequency!!

[Golliwog]

If these buses and drivers are spare then add them to surrounding routes to increase frequency!!

I was assuming it was these buses that were now heading over to the 192 to up its frequency for the return to uni?

[ozbob]

UQ City Cat Terminal and the river  22 Feb 2011















Photographs R Dow 22nd February 2011

[Otto]

.
I took these pics on the 1st day that services recommenced to UQ Lakes after the flood.  Excuse the quality as I did not have my good camera with me.

What was left of UQ CityCat terminal. The river was still quite turbulent.



The remains of the mooring just upstream of UQ terminal.. 2 CityCats would usually be moored here at night..



Damage to the riverbank, before the big riverbank collapse the following day.



The roadway being cleared next to the UQ terminal.





Dutton Park Ferry pontoon destroyed.

[ozbob]

--> http://yfrog.com/h2ko4rej

Extraordinary scene in New Farm atm - Syd St CityCat stop being dismantled (rebuilt?). Giant machines.

[Golliwog]

I've noticed a few platforms popping up near the now destroyed ferry terminals. From the looks atm they are just going to be using that crane to pull out the old piles. Not sure how they put piles in in the river. I know for normal ground they using a piling rig like what you could see if you drove past the Airport Link construction sites a while ago (I don't think they're doing piling anymore). I would assume it would be something similar though.

[Golliwog]

With almost all of the Ferry network back up and running, and the free ferry travel for ANZAC Day, I've spent the morning mucking around on the boats. It's a beautiful way to explore the city, with some magnificent views of the sights up and down the river. Theres still some signs on the flood around, like the pontoon ramps scattered on the opposite bank to the UQ ferry terminal, and the land slip thats occured on the West End side of the river between Regatta and Guyatt Park, but on the whole its been a great excursion.

Had a little chat with the ferry man (deck hand I think may be his official title) who's told me since the flood patronage has dropped off a lot. He seemed to be implying that even since the re-openning of the closed terminals they still haven't really come back. It may not be as fast as the bus routes that it competes with in places, but its certainly a much more relaxing and scenic trip. And with that, we're about to pull into North Quay so I need to pack up my laptop.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

South Brisbane ferry terminal to reopen following floods

South Brisbane ferry terminal to reopen following floods

    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 19, 2011 4:41PM

ONE of Brisbane's last remaining ferry terminals which closed following the January flood will be reopened by the end of July.

Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk said work would soon begin on constructing a temporary terminal at the River Plaza CityFerry stop at South Brisbane.

Its reconstruction and reopening will follow the West End ferry terminal, which is also expected to be operational in July.

"Once we got confirmation that the Federal Government would fund flood damaged ferry terminals, we looked at when we could get River Plaza up and running," Cr Quirk said.

"Our priority was getting the busy CityCat terminals up and running within three months after the network was wiped out by the devastating flood.

"While River Plaza will fill a missing link, the reality is that it is only serviced by the smaller CityFerry service and attracts less than one customer per journey."

Cr Quirk said figures showed there was an average of 68 passengers per day from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2010.

Off-site repairs will commence on the interim terminal this month and it was expected to be operational on July 31

Gabba Ward Councillor Helen Abrahams hailed the announcement as a win for the South Brisbane community.

Residents had been planning a rally on Saturday fearing council was never going to reinstate the terminal.

While it is not as popular as others along the river, Cr Abrahams said it was a tourist attraction and would grow in popularity as the city grows.

The South Brisbane area is one of several earmarked for more high-density development as council moves to accommodate Brisbane's growing population.