Article and discussion: No-buses trial could end soon (Ipswich)

[justanotheruser]

Hopefully I've got the quoting right.  

Oh great, someone trying to defend the utter and complete mediocrity of our public transport system.  Pull the other one!  

I do not expect buses or trains stopping at every door as you say, I do however expect a half decent attempt at service provision.

Ipswich Line - still half hourly offpeak, and slower than it used to be.  Wow, there's a win! Richlands - Half hourly - seriously - we built a new railway for half hourly services?  What is the sense in that?

Ipswich Buses.  If by "revamp" you mean routes cancelled and replaced with so-called Flexilink, which people absolutely hate, and now TransLink are not prepared to put sensible options on the table, then yes, it has been revamped.  I hope my local bus service doesn't get "revamped" into non-existence in the same manner.

Yes, Springfield is being brought forward.  That isn't TransLink's doing, it is a political decision at a level well above TransLink, i.e. it will be foist upon them whether they want it or not.  That, incidentally, is 2 years forward after being deferred for 4 or 5.  It was originally meant to be open all the way to Springfield by 2011, but everyone conveniently forgets that. I guess Government spin does work after all. I bet its half hourly offpeak when it opens too.

So are you saying that if people don't like something then it should be scrapped. Lets look at something else that was done without peoples consent. Reserve Bank Governor Bernie Fraser approached Bob Hawke & Paul Keating and said if we drag the recession out longer than we need to we will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to reduce interest which will take awhile before it comes in. Do you really think people wanted the recession to last longer? Of course not and in the result CPI was lower for which Howard got all the credit despite basically all the hard decisions being made by Hawke & Keating. So just because people have an opinion does not make it the right way to go.

by the way I always voted against Hawke and Keating.    

Where did I say anything about scrapping anything?  All I was saying is that if you look at what has occurred in Ipswich it is all rather mediocre.  Half hourly trains at best, and the locals clearly not happy with their bus services. Public Transport is about service delivery, if it doesn't provide a service that people need and want then it isn't meeting its objectives. I don't see that the reserve bank example you give is at all relevant.

That is exactly it.  Even the inner part of the network, directly comparable with the Perth network or the inner parts of Sydney or Melbourne, gets a fraction of the service, and for significantly higher fares in many cases.

E.g. where I live at Kuraby, which is 22km on the Beenleigh line, gets half hourly rail service and hourly bus offpeak. And that is despite having MORE infrastructure than a comparable line in Perth (triple line).  Furthermore the buses and rail don't even co-ordinate in any meaningful sense - you are as likely to have a bus leave the station just before the train arrives than just after it.  That means very few people ever use it for bus/rail interchange, even though it is one of the two rail stations closest to Springwood.

The same distance from Sydney as Kuraby is Hornsby.  It also has suburban service with an overlaid interurban service.  How many trains per hour suburban service does Hornsby get?  (Not 2tph, although one of the lines via Hornsby - the Northern line - DOES drop to that during the day).

hang on your complaining about train lines having half hourly off peak services and then quote a train line that drops to half hourly services in off peak as justification to why it could be done?  Tell me does Kuraby have 4 train lines servicing it like hornsby does or are you just making an unfair comparison?

Note entirely a fair comparison (4 tracks vs. 3 tracks, and with the ECRL in use both lines funnel into two tracks across a bridge to access the CBD, just like the Beenleigh line), but the closest equivalent distance I could quote that I am familiar with (because I used Hornsby & Pennant Hills a lot when I am in Sydney).  Hornsby gets 6TPH or better to the CBD via the Harbour Bridge full time, plus interurban & freight service which goes via the Strathfield route.

Pick a station at equivalent distance from the Brisbane CBD anywhere in Perth, Melbourne or Sydney and it will most likely have double the service frequency or better.   Even some Adelaide ones do (not many, but they are improving).

I don't know why people get so upset when it is pointed out just how 3rd rate Brisbane's public transport really is.  Are we so parochial & blind up here that we simply must "do things the Queensland way" and ignore the rest of the world?

It seems to me that the expectation of crap service has become so deeply ingrained that people actually get annoyed when it is challenged.

The reserve bank example was just an example to make the point that just because people are not happy with something does not automatically make it wrong.

When comparing hornsby to kuraby you seem to be talking about the number oftracks while I am talking about the number of routes through the station.  It is the number of routes that go through hornsby that make it a unfair comparison

[justanotheruser]

hornsby is a home for part of the suburban train fleet

Not sure why this is relevant.

therfore the north shore line provides trains that go from the city to hornsby via the mainline and also blacktown. So 4tph on the north shore line translates into 2tph on each of those other two lines. 

While this is true to a small degree, nothing would stop them reversing 2tph at North Sydney, Lindfield or Gordon.  The 4tph is definitely provided all the way to Hornsby to improve service on that line.  As to why they want to improve service, it could be for political reasons, or it could be largely a CityRail initiative.  I'm not sure how we would know.

What annoys me is the Hornsby-Chatswood via Epping shuttles.  If they don't want improve service to Epping via North Strathfield, then why not connect these trains to Richmond and have 4tph to Penrith?

The number of trains is not there for same reasons that BUZ services exist here. For the most part trains here are stored in one spot with a few trains left out in the open at the end of some lines.

See above.

So what I don't get is, if patronage in these areas is so low, why don't they just run minibuses, driven by people on minimum wage?

Surely that's going to be much cheaper to run, and a better fit for the capacity requirements of the area than full sized buses?

I've wondered about that also.  A smaller bus would be a better idea out Ipswich way IMO.

Hornsby being home to suburban fleet is relevant as trains have to go there for cleaning and maintenance so if the train is travelling along the track anyway then it may as well be stopping and picking up passengers.

Sure they could reverse the trains at north sydney just like they do with penrith trains.  it would get pretty crowded. They occasionly have delays while getting a train in or out of the north sydney yards so terminating more trains at north sydney could cause logistics problems. Seem as most of them end up in the hornsby sheds at the end of the night well we've been there already. I'm not sure if they still have trains terminating at lindfield and gordon like they used to. At both these stations there are three platforms so there is not a huge amount of space for spare trains once again causing logistics problems so not a great idea. That was before the ECRL came in. Perhaps they could make the ECRL a 4tph instead of 3tph

[#Metro]

If one was to increase the number of train services then those buses should be cut out perhaps.  Having numerous bus routes and a train gives people plenty of options. If it had no buses I could understand your point but in reality while it may only have 2tph people have way more options and flexibility because of the buses.

I don't quite understand this criticism or why the low frequency is being defended as acceptable.  Why should Brisbane continue to have 30 minute train frequency at locations so close to the CBD that you can probably view the CBD from the platform? Do I walk to the bus stop or the train station?

Places like Ipswich should be getting 15 minute train frequency. That would have the flow on effect of also increasing bus patronage as well as people use the buses to get to the train station to take advantage of the boosted rail frequency.

[justanotheruser]

If one was to increase the number of train services then those buses should be cut out perhaps.  Having numerous bus routes and a train gives people plenty of options. If it had no buses I could understand your point but in reality while it may only have 2tph people have way more options and flexibility because of the buses.

I don't quite understand this criticism or why the low frequency is being defended as acceptable.  Why should Brisbane continue to have 30 minute train frequency at locations so close to the CBD that you can probably view the CBD from the platform? Do I walk to the bus stop or the train station?

Places like Ipswich should be getting 15 minute train frequency. That would have the flow on effect of also increasing bus patronage as well as people use the buses to get to the train station to take advantage of the boosted rail frequency.

If Ipswich did have 15 minute frequency then buranda would still have a greater frequency of services to the city when bus & train are combined together as options. I am not trying to defend low frequency but rather you seem to be condemning any form of transport that is not train. 

You ask which one to walk to bus or train? I simply ask how do people manage now? Do they look at a timetable to find out if so then they can continue with that. If they look at journey planner or call translink then they can continue to do that. Living at buranda would give me a choice of buses that go along logan rd or train. Depending on where you live there are also buses going along old cleveland rd and ipswich rd or park rd station or dutton park station. Heck one could easily ride a pushbike from there. Asking how they would make a choice really is just showing they are so spoilt for choice frequncy is not an issue. Now compare that to the ipswich line. One can't choose to get a bus from ipswich into the city ao you are left with no option but the train as far as PT goes. I would suggest fixing frequency in areas where there are not options before looking at areas with options.

[#Metro]

If Ipswich did have 15 minute frequency then buranda would still have a greater frequency of services to the city when bus & train are combined together as options. I am not trying to defend low frequency but rather you seem to be condemning any form of transport that is not train.

Um, I don't know how you reach this conclusion. I think there should be basic frequency on the network, please explain how asking for more than the current 30 minute service on a train is "condemning any form of transport that is not a train". The basics are that Brisbane should have a core frequent network- the operative word there is FREQUENT. I'm on the record as supporting buses, trains and ferries and Light Rail. So I don't know how you reach this conclusion.

You ask which one to walk to bus or train? I simply ask how do people manage now? Do they look at a timetable to find out if so then they can continue with that. If they look at journey planner or call translink then they can continue to do that. Living at buranda would give me a choice of buses that go along logan rd or train. Depending on where you live there are also buses going along old cleveland rd and ipswich rd or park rd station or dutton park station. Heck one could easily ride a pushbike from there. Asking how they would make a choice really is just showing they are so spoilt for choice frequncy is not an issue. Now compare that to the ipswich line. One can't choose to get a bus from ipswich into the city ao you are left with no option but the train as far as PT goes. I would suggest fixing frequency in areas where there are not options before looking at areas with options.

The point is being missed here. Basic frequency must be supplied on the train network as principle. Sure, places with fewer options might be done first, but that doesn't invalidate the argument though, as it is only with which order in time improvements should occur.

[somebody]

Hornsby being home to suburban fleet is relevant as trains have to go there for cleaning and maintenance so if the train is travelling along the track anyway then it may as well be stopping and picking up passengers.

Sure they could reverse the trains at north sydney just like they do with penrith trains.  it would get pretty crowded. They occasionly have delays while getting a train in or out of the north sydney yards so terminating more trains at north sydney could cause logistics problems. Seem as most of them end up in the hornsby sheds at the end of the night well we've been there already. I'm not sure if they still have trains terminating at lindfield and gordon like they used to. At both these stations there are three platforms so there is not a huge amount of space for spare trains once again causing logistics problems so not a great idea. That was before the ECRL came in. Perhaps they could make the ECRL a 4tph instead of 3tph

You are assuming that after a train terminates, it has to go to a yard.  That is clearly false.  North Sydney terminators would not need to go beyond platforms 2/3.

At Buranda, I'd think no one would use the train except a train afficianado IMO.  Although the load stats do show some people using it in peak.  The train is also slower to the CBD as well as less frequent.  Why bother?  Maybe if you are going beyond the CBD to FV/BH.

[#Metro]

No, the point is being missed entirely.
Sigh...

In practice the train takes about the same time to get to the CBD.
People transfer from the Cleveland line to catch buses to UQ, Eight Mile Plains etc as well. It is a good interchange station.
That's why the trains need frequency, in addition to providing a decent basic frequent train service on core parts of the rail network.

Unfortunately with the CBD centric view of things, these points are missed entirely alongside the fact that any improved train service
would also improve train services and interchange opportunity to Cleveland line passengers and possibly connecting bus patronage further down the Cleveland line by virtue of the fact that other stations exist on that line.

Are people happy with 30 minute train frequency from Central to Manly? Is 'RAIL Back on Track' happy with low frequency in general across the entire suburban (note, not interurban) train network? Are they happy that TransPerth can send trains every 15 minutes 50 km to Clarkson on the Joondalup line and every 15 minutes to Mandurah 70km away (population is just 80 000) and Brisbane can't even get decent service at stations within the Brisbane City Council zone where you can probably see the CBD from the station platform!!!     And the proposed solution to this is build a metro at the cost of 4-25 billion??  


I'm not!

[somebody]

Re: Buranda
Bus takes 12-16mins including walk time, with only the 555 taking more than 13 minutes.

Train takes 16 mins to Central, but then with a longer walk to most locations.  Train may be useful to Roma St.

Post Boggo Rd busway (I can't abide calling it the Eastern Busway), you wouldn't interchange here to go to UQ, but you'd stay on the train until Park Rd where the frequency is higher.

[#Metro]

Do you agree or disagree that frequency increases in the off peak on that line would serve stations other than Buranda?
Buranda is simply the first station where the frequency goes to 30 minutes in the off peak. Any station after that is the same.

Let's face it- the frequency of train services within the inner part of the network in the off peak is mediocre!

Dutton Park is the other example. It is the first station where frequency goes to 30 minutes in the off peak.
Any station after that (barring places like Loganlea and Coopers Plains) stations have 30 minute frequency.
Is there some obscure benefit to the public by underutilising multi-billion dollar rail assets?

[somebody]

Of course.

[mufreight]

Do you agree or disagree that frequency increases in the off peak on that line would serve stations other than Buranda?
Buranda is simply the first station where the frequency goes to 30 minutes in the off peak. Any station after that is the same.

Let's face it- the frequency of train services within the inner part of the network in the off peak is mediocre!

Dutton Park is the other example. After that (barring places like Loganlea and Coopers Plains) stations have 30 minute frequency.
Is there some obscure benefit to the public by underutilising multi-billion dollar rail assets?

Once again we are getting totaly off topic in this thread which is supposedly about a no buses trial in Ipswich, the draging of red herrings not related to the topic accross the thread contributes little.

[mufreight]

So if it was translink who chose to put the fares up why didn't they announce it?  Why was it the government who announced the fare increases and left it for translink to implement?

I have found several bus routes which were changed are now more reliable. I also think having more services on a sunday is great in this day and age where more people are working 24/7. I have also found that like in many places the main shopping precint is well serviced.  So there are advantages as well as disadvantages. Perhaps that is why nobody is interested in listening because they just get sick and tired of people only complaining and never saying what the good things are.  There is an old saying that 9 out of 10 people who get bad service will complain while only 1 in 100 who receive good service will say anything. Over the last 30 years I have never found a saying that is more true. Yep I wouldn't be real interested in listening either. But sure you go ahead and continue to campaign to have a system that doesn't work rather than having them try different things to fix it.

Firstly the fare hike, it would seem that this 15% fare increase was recommended to the Government by Translink, the Government then implemented it under the guise of cost recovery with the intent of reducing the demand for public transport which the government is obliged to provide.

Bus routes, the routs that you suggest have become more reliable have become so because of improved more realistic timings, something that Ipswich residents were promosed would happen in November 2007.
No service is ever improved by ignoring complaints or feedback relative to the service, the Translink approach of refusing to listen and sitting back and doing nothing to rectify the problems brought to notice over an extended period of time deters usage and the fare box revenue  which Translink has then used as a justification to increase fares to improve cost recovery.  In any business such a mentality is commercial suicide.
As for campaigning to retain a system that does not work again it would seem that in the defense of the indefensible you ignore the facts of the situation that the Ipswich residents had over an extended period of years been campaigning for an improved service and practical timetables that could provide reliability of service, a low or no cost resolution to the problems, over four years of promises and no action drove down the patronage thus increasing the operating costs.
The rerouting of services away from locations and services that residents had located into because of the existing accesability to services was another example of the beancounter approach that has seen the decimation of the Queensland rail rural freight system.
Translink anr this Government have lost sight of the of the fact that affordable public transport is a social obligation of government and the costs associated with the failure to provide that service is greater than the costs overall of subsidising such a service for community benefit.
A Government that in its arrogance and intransigence fails to recognize this does so at its political peril.

[#Metro]

Firstly the fare hike, it would seem that this 15% fare increase was recommended to the Government by Translink, the Government then implemented it under the guise of cost recovery with the intent of reducing the demand for public transport which the government is obliged to provide.

Did the subsidy blow out after the fare rise? Maybe someone can confirm this.

I think the deadlock breaker will be Ipswich City Council putting up a Sunshine Coast Council style public transport levy to run a basic standard 'coverage' service in the area.

[somebody]

it would seem that this 15% fare increase was recommended to the Government by Translink, the Government then implemented it under the guise of cost recovery

What reason do you have for thinking this?  Is it just conjecture, or is there evidence?

[Golliwog]

Post Boggo Rd busway (I can't abide calling it the Eastern Busway), you wouldn't interchange here to go to UQ, but you'd stay on the train until Park Rd where the frequency is higher.

Thats debatable. Off-peak, certainly. But during peak there are quite lengthy lines at Park Rd. If I was on the Cleveland line, I would be tempted to change at Buranda, as that still has 169 and 139. To be honest though, I don't know how many, if any, do that. I do know there are a number who change at Park Rd from the Cleveland line.

[justanotheruser]

Hornsby being home to suburban fleet is relevant as trains have to go there for cleaning and maintenance so if the train is travelling along the track anyway then it may as well be stopping and picking up passengers.

Sure they could reverse the trains at north sydney just like they do with penrith trains.  it would get pretty crowded. They occasionly have delays while getting a train in or out of the north sydney yards so terminating more trains at north sydney could cause logistics problems. Seem as most of them end up in the hornsby sheds at the end of the night well we've been there already. I'm not sure if they still have trains terminating at lindfield and gordon like they used to. At both these stations there are three platforms so there is not a huge amount of space for spare trains once again causing logistics problems so not a great idea. That was before the ECRL came in. Perhaps they could make the ECRL a 4tph instead of 3tph

You are assuming that after a train terminates, it has to go to a yard.  That is clearly false.  North Sydney terminators would not need to go beyond platforms 2/3.

At Buranda, I'd think no one would use the train except a train afficianado IMO.  Although the load stats do show some people using it in peak.  The train is also slower to the CBD as well as less frequent.  Why bother?  Maybe if you are going beyond the CBD to FV/BH.

Actually I am not assuming all trains have to go to a yard. However considering they already have trains terminating at North Sydney if you made additional trains terminate there then they would have to go into the yard unless they were to store them in the tunnels but then that would mean the trains are too close for the signals. That obviously couldbe fixed by reprogramming signals but would they ignore their own safety guidelines?

[somebody]

Actually I am not assuming all trains have to go to a yard. However considering they already have trains terminating at North Sydney if you made additional trains terminate there then they would have to go into the yard unless they were to store them in the tunnels but then that would mean the trains are too close for the signals. That obviously couldbe fixed by reprogramming signals but would they ignore their own safety guidelines?

Or perhaps they could become North Sydney starters??

Sheesh.

[justanotheruser]

Actually I am not assuming all trains have to go to a yard. However considering they already have trains terminating at North Sydney if you made additional trains terminate there then they would have to go into the yard unless they were to store them in the tunnels but then that would mean the trains are too close for the signals. That obviously couldbe fixed by reprogramming signals but would they ignore their own safety guidelines?

Or perhaps they could become North Sydney starters??

Sheesh.

I understand what your saying but what I'm suggesting is that there may not actually be enough room in the timetable to do this.  Of course there is also the consideration that people come from the city or other side of the city to get to chatswood so reducing the trains to chatswood probably isn't real practical.

[somebody]

Actually I am not assuming all trains have to go to a yard. However considering they already have trains terminating at North Sydney if you made additional trains terminate there then they would have to go into the yard unless they were to store them in the tunnels but then that would mean the trains are too close for the signals. That obviously couldbe fixed by reprogramming signals but would they ignore their own safety guidelines?

Or perhaps they could become North Sydney starters??

Sheesh.

I understand what your saying but what I'm suggesting is that there may not actually be enough room in the timetable to do this.  Of course there is also the consideration that people come from the city or other side of the city to get to chatswood so reducing the trains to chatswood probably isn't real practical.

You mean in the AM peak?  Yes, but I thought we were talking about off peak.

[mufreight]

Can someone please explain how Sydney train timetabling and turnback facilities have any revelance to a thread on a No-bus trial in Ipswich.
Just a little off topic I would think.      

[colinw]

Time for a thread split I think.

[ozbob]

Facebook Stop the Ipswich Flexilink Service

[justanotheruser]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

[O_128]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

I don't get why people cant get this through there heads, local councils job is to pick up your trash and keep the roads maintained, not to build a metro not to anything like that, Campbell is constantly talking about public transport and how the STATE government needs to fund this, if lnp is elected , expect state take over of Brisbane buses, CRR to be pushed forward and busway be converted to light rail. You heard it here first.

[#Metro]

No, they will all give up and issue free tickets on the next flight to Perth. It is cheaper for them to pay to get people to leave Brisbane... LOL

[mufreight]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

I don't get why people cant get this through there heads, local councils job is to pick up your trash and keep the roads maintained, not to build a metro not to anything like that, Campbell is constantly talking about public transport and how the STATE government needs to fund this, if lnp is elected , expect state take over of Brisbane buses, CRR to be pushed forward and busway be converted to light rail. You heard it here first.

Mr Newman might be of an engineering background but he is less than smart and it would seem that the LNP policy advisers on transport are less so than Mr Newman, there must be a perception within the LNP that more can be made from the construction of a Metro system costing some $40 billion plus rather than the CRR at $8 billion.

Fortunately there are some people in the LNP such as Fiona Simpson who is politicaly astute, practical and has a high level of integrity who has her head around the transport needs of the state despite others such as Mr Seeney who like to see her sidelined because of her being outspoken and her contesting the leadership position following the withdrawl of JPL from that position.

There is no question that CRR is needed now and definately before 2016 if the entire South East Queensland transport systen is not to desend into gridlock just as there is an urgent need for rail infrastructure improvements on the NCL to absorb both freight and commuter traffic off the Bruce Highway.

The economic ramifications of the failure not just to address but to construct these infrastructure projects is incalculabe, it is time now for Mr Newman if he is to have any credibility as a potentil aspirant for the Premiership of this state to clearly enuncinate the LNP intentions on both of these projects NOW.

[#Metro]

Yes, I think Fiona Simpson understands the benefit of CRR for the entire region, rather than metro in the CBD.

[O_128]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

I don't get why people cant get this through there heads, local councils job is to pick up your trash and keep the roads maintained, not to build a metro not to anything like that, Campbell is constantly talking about public transport and how the STATE government needs to fund this, if lnp is elected , expect state take over of Brisbane buses, CRR to be pushed forward and busway be converted to light rail. You heard it here first.

Mr Newman might be of an engineering background but he is less than smart and it would seem that the LNP policy advisers on transport are less so than Mr Newman, there must be a perception within the LNP that more can be made from the construction of a Metro system costing some $40 billion plus rather than the CRR at $8 billion.

Fortunately there are some people in the LNP such as Fiona Simpson who is politicaly astute, practical and has a high level of integrity who has her head around the transport needs of the state despite others such as Mr Seeney who like to see her sidelined because of her being outspoken and her contesting the leadership position following the withdrawl of JPL from that position.

There is no question that CRR is needed now and definately before 2016 if the entire South East Queensland transport systen is not to desend into gridlock just as there is an urgent need for rail infrastructure improvements on the NCL to absorb both freight and commuter traffic off the Bruce Highway.

The economic ramifications of the failure not just to address but to construct these infrastructure projects is incalculabe, it is time now for Mr Newman if he is to have any credibility as a potentil aspirant for the Premiership of this state to clearly enuncinate the LNP intentions on both of these projects NOW.

Fiona simpson is a pathetic excuse for an MP , She is in the opposition, she pops up once every few months to have a go at someone while she has no credible alternatives

[Fares_Fair]

Fiona simpson is a pathetic excuse for an MP , She is in the opposition, she pops up once every few months to have a go at someone while she has no credible alternatives

I have dealt with Fiona Simpson MP, Member for Maroochydore, personally on a number of rail issues and she has always been helpful and supportive.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[mufreight]

Fiona simpson is a pathetic excuse for an MP , She is in the opposition, she pops up once every few months to have a go at someone while she has no credible alternatives

Having over a number of years had a number of discussions with the lady and many who are resident in her electorate I would have to disagree, ladylike and fairly serene on the surface but working like hell for those she represents below the surface.
Perhaps your encounters with her have been different hence your opinion which you are more than entitled to, but from my personal experience it it not an opinion shared by many in her electorate nor those with whom she engages with in her duties.   

[justanotheruser]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

I don't get why people cant get this through there heads, local councils job is to pick up your trash and keep the roads maintained, not to build a metro not to anything like that, Campbell is constantly talking about public transport and how the STATE government needs to fund this, if lnp is elected , expect state take over of Brisbane buses, CRR to be pushed forward and busway be converted to light rail. You heard it here first.

but what you are missing is the fact that while he still has control over PT under council he has shown anti PT leanings. So no my question is not invalid. Having BCC buses is no different to having private bus companies. Are you claiming the state will get rid of all private bus companies as well? I can't see that happening. If the state does take control of BT buses then considering his past decisions one can fairly assume Newman will continue to have the same views on PT.  So the question remains will people go with the devil they know?

[#Metro]

I hope Campbell Newman in a potential future role DOES buy out BT like he said he wanted to.

[somebody]

So with Newman's plan to join state politics and challenge for the leadership and him being a known for not giving PT priority does that change peoples view for the next election? If the claim that the devil you know is better than trying the alternative then surely people should be voting labor not LNP next state election.

I don't get why people cant get this through there heads, local councils job is to pick up your trash and keep the roads maintained, not to build a metro not to anything like that, Campbell is constantly talking about public transport and how the STATE government needs to fund this, if lnp is elected , expect state take over of Brisbane buses, CRR to be pushed forward and busway be converted to light rail. You heard it here first.

but what you are missing is the fact that while he still has control over PT under council he has shown anti PT leanings. So no my question is not invalid. Having BCC buses is no different to having private bus companies. Are you claiming the state will get rid of all private bus companies as well? I can't see that happening. If the state does take control of BT buses then considering his past decisions one can fairly assume Newman will continue to have the same views on PT.  So the question remains will people go with the devil they know?

I expect Newman will change his tune if he becomes premier.  He'd want someone else to do it and pay for it.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Buses to return in two zones

Buses to return in two zones

1st April 2011

THE heavily criticised FlexiLink taxi service has been dumped from some areas with buses set to make a return.

Buses will replace the taxis in FlexiLink zones A and B, which cover the Tivoli and Basin Pocket areas.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the timetable would be comparable to the previous bus services there but will include a Saturday service for the first time.

Three Ipswich bus routes were dumped late last year to make way for the FlexiLink service.

The buses are due to make a return on May 2.

FlexiLink services will continue to operate in Goodna, Bellbird Park, Karalee and Barellan Point (Zone C and D) as an ongoing trial for a further three months.

[ozbob]

1 April 2011

Changes to Flexilink services

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced major changes to the trial FlexiLink service following significant commuter feedback.

"It's clear from community feedback that there have been concern with the FlexiLink service in Tivoli and Basin Pocket (zones A and B)," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"As a result of this feedback, I have directed a return of regular bus services in these zones and the removal of the FlexiLink services.

"Not only will these bus services be comparable to the previous bus services, but services will now also be provided on Saturdays.

"The Ipswich community asked for changes and we have listened."

The Flexilink trial was recently shortened from 12 months to three to give residents greater certainty in relation to local public transport services.

"Not only will these bus services be comparable to the previous bus services, but extended services will now also be provided on Saturday afternoons.

"Existing route 503 will also be extended to incorporate stops at Bundamba and the Pring Street medical centre.

Ms Palaszczuk said FlexiLink services would continue to operate in Goodna, Bellbird Park, Karalee and Barellan Point (Zones C and D) as an ongoing trial for a further three months.

"There has been little community feedback in relation to Zone C. I have therefore discussed with the Member for Bundamba that further consultation will be held to engage feedback," she said.

"Zone C would now include an extended service to Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre."

Ms Palaszczuk said the booking times for remaining Flexilink services would also be brought forward from 24 hours to just two hours to make it even more convenient for passengers. 

As part of the massive bus boost announced last year the State Government is building 173 (82 new and 91 relocated) bus stops across the city before buses starting using the new routes.

"That's on top of the extra seven Queensland Rail services that have been added to the Ipswich line in the last two years," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government had increased funding for bus services in the region from less than $15 million to $16.3 million this financial year.

"Last year we announced extra buses, new routes and new bus stops to help improve bus services in the Ipswich region," Ms Palaszczuk said.

The changes will take effect from Monday 2 May 2011.

[ozbob]

 

[Mozz]

Great result

[Stillwater]

Perhaps a public transport medal should be struck.  First recipients - Ray Radunz and co.

[somebody]

Does this mean that the 505 & 510 are returning but the 523 isn't?

And that the 503 is going to serve the private hospital only?

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Buses back after FlexiLink fails

Buses back after FlexiLink fails

Zane Jackson | 2nd April 2011

THE heavily criticised FlexiLink taxi service has been dumped from some areas with buses set to make a return.

In what is being heralded as a win for people power, buses will replace the taxis in FlexiLink zones A and B, which cover Tivoli and Basin Pocket.

Residents from those suburbs, particularly pensioners, were some of the most vocal protesters against the taxi service, which was widely criticised for its unreliability and coverage.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new bus timetable would be comparable to previous bus services but would include Saturday services for the first time.

She announced the changes yesterday after a 12-month trial of the service was cut to three months earlier this month and feedback received from commuters.

"As a result of this feedback, I have directed a return of regular bus services in these zones and the removal of the FlexiLink services," Ms Palaszczuk said in a statement.

"The Ipswich community asked for changes and we have listened."

FlexiLink services will continue to operate in Goodna, Bellbird Park, Karalee and Barellan Point (Zone C and D) as an ongoing trial for a further three months.

Zone C would now include an extended service to Redbank Plaza Shopping Centre.

The existing route 503 will also be extended to incorporate stops at Bundamba and Pring St.

North Ipswich resident and bus campaigner Louise Fullarton said transport authorities had finally come to their senses.

"I think the pensioners' hard work needs to be applauded – if it wasn't for them, we might not have the bus back," she said.

Save Our Buses campaigner Dr Patricia Petersen welcomed the change but said the group would continue to campaign for other areas that lost bus services.

Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan – who introduced the trial when she was transport minister – said it was clear the service wasn't working.

"I'm pleased that Minister Palaszczuk has listened to feedback and restored the service," Ms Nolan said.

Ipswich West Wayne Wendt also welcomed the move and said FlexiLink had proven a success in Karalee.