UQ Lakes bus congestion

[ozbob]

There seems to be a temporary solution to congestion that I don't think anyone's mentioned: boarding at both doors

Good point FC.  We have had a number of long discussions on the merits of rear door boarding here before.  Works fine on the 88 and CityGlider.  Personally I would like to see it on all buses.

[#Metro]

I would like to see pre-paid boarding at all busway stations. This can be done.
Just refuse to accept cash at busway stations- people can buy tickets at the ticket machine.

Busways and buses could get red signs/stickers that say "pre-paid at busway stations".

This might seem mean but nobody pays for tickets when they board a train do they?

[somebody]

I would like to see pre-paid boarding at all busway stations. This can be done.

It is done in the PM peak from Mater Hill to Roma St, except QSBS last I checked. Why not UQ Lakes?

[FrequencyCrusader]

I have to point out the difference between pre-paid boarding and rear-door boarding: at UQ lakes I doubt there would be many passengers who don't already have a go-card (it's significantly cheaper and students are tight!) and therefore pre-paid boarding wouldn't speed things up. Rear-door boarding would.

But I do agree with you TT- pre-paid all busway stations would be a good start.

[#Metro]

Thanks for your point.
Yes. All busway stations should be pre-paid AND allow rear door boarding.

[dwb]

Is it a layover issue or are the problems caused by something else? There seems to be a temporary solution to congestion that I don't think anyone's mentioned: boarding at both doors... Surely if every bus ran on time leaving UQ there would be fewer layover issues

I think you'll find that has been mentioned by several people on several threads several times before. But yes, it should definitely be done!

I've also previously said they need artics with wider aisles to allow better internal flow... that has always been a problem at QUT Kelvin Grove for instance.

[AnonymouslyBad]

There seems to be a temporary solution to congestion that I don't think anyone's mentioned: boarding at both doors

Good point FC.  We have had a number of long discussions on the merits of rear door boarding here before.  Works fine on the 88 and CityGlider.  Personally I would like to see it on all buses.

In practice I think this would only work on pre-paid routes for the moment. I expect TL would start taking issue with their honour system once casual commuters needing a ticket get on at the back and then have to wander up to the front confused. That said, all busway stations (and anywhere else with a ticket machine) should be pre-paid only so all door boarding would also apply at those locations.

The only problem with rear door boarding is that it can be hard for drivers to know when all the passengers have actually finished getting on. I've had the door shut in my face trying to board the CityGlider from the back. I've also been on the bus and seen it pull away from stops with passengers lined up at the rear door before.

I've also found all-door boarding is not too useful when the rear door is narrow. Unfortunately I think this is universally the case with the CityGlider.
If the door is too narrow to allow two-way traffic and everyone gets on at the back (most people tend to follow whoever gets on the bus first) - it's actually slower than if people got on at the front.

[somebody]

Good point FC.  We have had a number of long discussions on the merits of rear door boarding here before.  Works fine on the 88 and CityGlider.  Personally I would like to see it on all buses.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone get on at the rear door on the 88.

[ozbob]

Good point FC.  We have had a number of long discussions on the merits of rear door boarding here before.  Works fine on the 88 and CityGlider.  Personally I would like to see it on all buses.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone get on at the rear door on the 88.

I have, and done it myself.  But agree not many know ...

[ozbob]

The only problem with rear door boarding is that it can be hard for drivers to know when all the passengers have actually finished getting on. I've had the door shut in my face trying to board the CityGlider from the back. I've also been on the bus and seen it pull away from stops with passengers lined up at the rear door before.

That being the case, then why have they allowed rear door loading??

[Gazza]

I dont think bus driver incompetence should be an excuse to not have rear door boarding.

[O_128]

I would like to see pre-paid boarding at all busway stations. This can be done.
Just refuse to accept cash at busway stations- people can buy tickets at the ticket machine.

Busways and buses could get red signs/stickers that say "pre-paid at busway stations".

This might seem mean but nobody pays for tickets when they board a train do they?

I agree but you can add all BUZ buses to it aswell

[Gazza]

Why cant suburban bus stops on major routes just use modified versions of these to issue tickets?

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/12/2009/08/504x_Smart_Parking_Meter.jpg

They're small enough and cheap enough to have one at each stop....After all, they are used in their hundreds for parking enforcement.

Exact coin or credit card only. Its got a keypad...Type in the low zone, then Type in the high zone. Away you go. Each bus stop pole has an 'extra paper holder' put on it with the fare plan. I'm sure the design could be modified with  a smart card reader, and you'd just type in the go card reload value like on an ATM.

You'd roll these things out on BUZ routes etc....I think 'coverage' routes are too lowly patronised for there to be a significant number paying cash anyway....

[somebody]

I don't think we need to encourage paper tickets.

[dwb]

I don't think we need to encourage paper tickets.

+1.

And what about when they want to interchange? say at a railway station... we shouldn't be promoting paper at all. It needs to go, the only real question that remains is how to do that economically with short term or single use tickets.

[Gazza]

And what about when they want to interchange? say at a railway station

Paper tickets can be used for interchange cant they?

[dwb]

And what about when they want to interchange? say at a railway station

Paper tickets can be used for interchange cant they?

Yes but they can't open closed gates.

[somebody]

Yes but they can't open closed gates.

That may be, but there is no point closing gates if they aren't staffed.  It's about keeping the numbers of non-go card pax to a minimum to keep the staffing requirements down.

[Mr X]

I was at UQ Lakes shortly before Christmas, no progress has been made on upgrade so far.

edit: I thought it was due to start in December, apparently it's now starting in January. I will be taking a close eye on this one, I live close to it.

[ozbob]

I was at UQ Lakes shortly before Christmas, no progress has been made on upgrade so far.

edit: I thought it was due to start in December, apparently it's now starting in January. I will be taking a close eye on this one, I live close to it.

Thanks, very interested in what's happening ...

[longboi]

I was at UQ Lakes shortly before Christmas, no progress has been made on upgrade so far.

edit: I thought it was due to start in December, apparently it's now starting in January. I will be taking a close eye on this one, I live close to it.

Thanks, very interested in what's happening ...

It's now scheduled for a mid/late Jan start.

[ozbob]

I was at UQ Lakes shortly before Christmas, no progress has been made on upgrade so far.

edit: I thought it was due to start in December, apparently it's now starting in January. I will be taking a close eye on this one, I live close to it.

Thanks, very interested in what's happening ...

It's now scheduled for a mid/late Jan start.

Thanks nikko

[Otto]

LOL !!
The barricades have been set up for the works..
Very interesting situation around 2pm today... Buses had to be stopped from entering UQ Lakes to try and sort out the buses literally jammed in the station area. Intervention was required to sort it out..
Hate to see what happens when full service is resumed after Uni Vacation if the works have not been completed !!

[somebody]

LOL !!
The barricades have been set up for the works..
Very interesting situation around 2pm today... Buses had to be stopped from entering UQ Lakes to try and sort out the buses literally jammed in the station area. Intervention was required to sort it out..
Hate to see what happens when full service is resumed after Uni Vacation if the works have not been completed !!

Hopefully they are getting the more disruptive works out of the way now.

[Mr X]

Update from tonight
Existing platform has been demolished and temporary ones located where the 192 once was

Gonna be fun seeing them pull it off by the start of uni semester in three weeks time 

Pictures are a little dodgy as they are from iphone at nighttime @ 8:30, sorry!




- HBU

[somebody]

Looks like the 139 is running from 20 Feb, so it seems that the semester timetable applies in O week.

[Otto]

Looks like the 139 is running from 20 Feb, so it seems that the semester timetable applies in O week.

All services inc 139, 169, 109, 209, 29 will be full on from 20th Feb.. Also coincides with the opening of the new Sherwood bus depot and a roster change for all depots.

Lets hope there is enough room for all these services to fit in 13 days time.

[verbatim9]

I guess an upgrade at UQ is better than nothing. A more
Long term solution would be cut and cover as well as driven tunnels from UQ to Chapel Hill via Indooroopilly. This would provide through services as well as an alternative route to the city to aliviate traffic on Moggill Road. Eventually it could be used as a shared busway light rail system from Kenmore to the city via UQ lakes.

[somebody]

I guess an upgrade at UQ is better than nothing. A more
Long term solution would be cut and cover as well as driven tunnels from UQ to Chapel Hill via Indooroopilly. This would provide through services as well as an alternative route to the city to aliviate traffic on Moggill Road. Eventually it could be used as a shared busway light rail system from Kenmore to the city via UQ lakes.

Doesn't seem very likely.  It would be over the UQ Senate's grave for such a thing to be done I think.

[Golliwog]

Not to mention that tunneling through hard rock is quite difficult.

I believe there is a notice up on the TL website about the UQ Lakes changes. I went down there the other day, I don't think they will have any issue getting the new platform ready in time.

[verbatim9]

This is why and alternative route to the city from Indooroopilly and UQ lakes is needed as described in a couple of previous posts. @translinkSEQ says buses may be delayed up to 10 minutes due to a traffic crash at Moggill Road at Taringa Parade at Taringa #bnestorm https://twitter.com/612brisbane/status/168950637793513472

[somebody]

This is why and alternative route to the city from Indooroopilly and UQ lakes is needed as described in a couple of previous posts. @translinkSEQ says buses may be delayed up to 10 minutes due to a traffic crash at Moggill Road at Taringa Parade at Taringa #bnestorm https://twitter.com/612brisbane/status/168950637793513472

There is the train.  And the Milton Rd/Freeway services.

So not really in this case.

[Golliwog]

Not to mention that tunneling through hard rock is quite difficult.

I believe there is a notice up on the TL website about the UQ Lakes changes. I went down there the other day, I don't think they will have any issue getting the new platform ready in time.

As it turns out, I was wrong. Fairly sure the rain didn't help at all.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1329354046
Until early March 2012 (weather permitting), there will be temporary changes to access at UQ Lakes bus station due to important upgrade works. The southern platform at UQ Lakes will be temporarily closed while works are underway. During this time, services will not be operating from the southern platform and there will also be changes to pedestrian access.

Temporary stop changes

Routes 109, 192, 139, 169 and 209

These services will use stop D. Please follow the signs to the marshalling area and queue for your service. A TransLink staff member will direct you to your service.

Route 29

Please follow the signs and queue at temporary stop E.

Ticketing information

Please make sure you have your go card topped up prior to lining up for your service. To ensure services operate efficiently during works, customers must have a vaild ticket or go card ready prior to boarding a service.

Top up locations

You can top up your go card online or at nearby locations including Campus News, St Lucia News or UQ (Chancellor Place) bus stop.

[SurfRail]

I'm very surprised UQ Lakes does not have a ticket machine whereas Chancellors Place does.

[Golliwog]

It did and will again. They put up a notice that they were temporarily pulling it out for the construction period a while ago. Not sure when as the notice has since been removed.

[Golliwog]

Found it: http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/uq-lakes-station-upgrade
Temporary removal of UQ Lakes fare machine during construction

During the week commencing Monday 16 January, the fare machine located at UQ Lakes station will be temporarily removed to allow important upgrade works to occur. You can purchase or top up your go card at the following nearby locations: Campus News St Lucia News Chancellor's Place fare machine *Co-op Bookshop *St Lucia Supermarket *UQ Campus Pharmacy *For purchasing go card only - no top up facility available at this outlet. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we complete these important upgrade works.

[Mr X]

I have been told that there hasn't been much progress at all since I took the photos. Why didn't they start construction the week after university semester ended in November 2011?

[Golliwog]

I have been told that there hasn't been much progress at all since I took the photos. Why didn't they start construction the week after university semester ended in November 2011?

That I don't know. But I really would like to know!

[O_128]

I have been told that there hasn't been much progress at all since I took the photos. Why didn't they start construction the week after university semester ended in November 2011?

That I don't know. But I really would like to know!

Because there idiots, that is the only explanation, how freaking hard is it to build a bus stop.

[somebody]

There has been money for this upgrade for some time, but I believe that BCC wouldn't give planning approval, or something like that.