2 Nov 2011: SEQ: Bus timetable coordination welcomed

[ozbob]

Media release 2 November 2011

SEQ: Bus timetable coordination welcomed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers welcomes the updates to the 110 and 115 bus timetables.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Previously, the inbound 110 bus used to run 10 minutes behind the inbound 115 bus on weekdays, leaving most of Acacia Ridge with 50 minute gaps in their service (1).  This has been improved to a 30 minute services in the 31 October 2011 changes (2).  This change is very much welcomed."

"RAIL Back On Track members like to see more of this.  Currently, weekdays the 454 bus is followed 2 minutes later by the 460 bus (3).  This leaves 28 minute gaps to Dandenong Rd, Mt Ommaney.  The 453 bus service isn't useful here as it is slower than waiting for the next 454 bus."

"Similarly, the 465 and 460 buses run along Forest Lake Blvd only a few minutes apart.  These services could all be better coordinated, best done with additional evening trips on the 454 and 460 bus routes, and an all day half hourly 465 bus.  This would have a 15 minute service for both Dandenong Rd and Forest Lake Blvd."

"The poor out of peak train service frequency at Richlands complicates the 465 bus timetable, especially outbound. An increased train frequency to Richlands would also allow for more express trains to and from Ipswich."

References:

1. http://web.archive.org/web/20110219131830/http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/101004_100,N100,110,115,118.pdf

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/111031-110,115.pdf

3. http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/stopsandstations/stop-timetable?stopName=Qsbs%20Stop%20B1

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[#Metro]

This is probably THE cheapest improvements! Virtually Zero cost!

I wonder where else this might work?

[Golliwog]

The only thing to be mindful of in things like this is flow on effects with what route those buses are doing next. If they're just turning around to form the next run on the same route, its probably fine as that run would also be shifted, but when they go on to form another route you need to be careful to either re-time that run or have another bus come do it instead. That's where the costs from this can become big as what may have been previously achievable with a single bus may now require two. That said, I fully support re-timing routes to have decent corridors like this.