Article: New CityGlider to link stadiums with entertainment precincts

[Golliwog]

This is the page on the BCC website that mentions the start in the 2012/13 financial year: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/cityglider/index.htm

It also contains this:

More information

For any enquiries or feedback on the CityGlider bus service:

    visit the TransLink website
    phone TransLink on 13 12 30

For more information on the CityGlider bus rapid transit system project write to:

CityGlider Service
Brisbane City Council
Transport and Traffic Branch
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001

Anyone want to write some letters to them?

[kazzac]

@ Kazza C

I guess you'd have to go online and make one or do a letterbox drop.

I'm a bit busy this week, but if you have the printing resources I'd be happy to lend a hand in distributing flyers or so. Elections are April 28th. PM me if you'd be up for it.

I dont have anything to print on, I would like to do something but most days I dont arrive home from work before 4.30pm

[Golliwog]

@ Kazza C

I guess you'd have to go online and make one or do a letterbox drop.

I'm a bit busy this week, but if you have the printing resources I'd be happy to lend a hand in distributing flyers or so. Elections are April 28th. PM me if you'd be up for it.

I dont have anything to print on, I would like to do something but most days I dont arrive home from work before 4.30pm

Not sure how much you're willing to spend on it, but POD is the UQ printshop who's prices are here: http://www.pod.uq.edu.au/index.php/pricelist but it's $0.08 for a black and white page, and they can also guillotine them for you as well if you want (i.e make A5 size leaflets or something and print 2 to a page and have them cut up. But Officeworks on Adelaide St in the city does printing as well I believe, depends whats easiest to get to really.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt


Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track has labelled the Maroon CityGlider as a political stunt. Source: Quest Newspapers

Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt

    by: Lara Lauth, City South News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 29, 2012 7:00AM

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said a new Maroon CityGlider service connecting Brisbane's "food and footy" precincts is a political stunt and should be scrapped.

The new service, set to be launched in the next few months, would run through Paddington, Caxton St, the Cultural Centre, South Bank, The Mater Hospital, Gabba stadium and Stones Corner.

Lord Mayor Quirk announced the new route in January as part of his election campaign.

Public and Active Transport Chairman Peter Matic said the new service would reduce traffic congestion on river crossings.

"The Maroon CityGlider will see key cultural and economic areas such as Suncorp Stadium, Caxton St, The Gabba and Stones Corner all linked by one direct high-frequency bus route for the first time so what are they complaining about?"Cr Matic said.

But Mr Dow said the Maroon CityGlider was an "extravagance" Brisbane residents did not need. "It parallels already existing high frequency bus routes," he said.

Mr Dow said RAIL Back on Track believed the money would be better spent improving bus services for the middle- to outer-suburbs of Brisbane.

West End Community Association president Darren Godwell said he was counting down the days until the new service started, until he realised the service would travel through areas that are already heavily congested.

"I find myself sitting in the bus-jams through the busway, at the Cultural Centre and into Adelaide St. They happen twice a day. That southern busway is at capacity. No more buses are getting in there," Mr Godwell said.

"How could this idea have made it past the sharp minds and experienced hands of BCC's/Translink transport planners without resolving the substantive limitations?"

[Golliwog]

Mr Godwell also appears to be under the impression that the route actually uses the busway!

[SurfRail]

Mr Godwell also appears to be under the impression that the route actually uses the busway!

Or that anybody at TransLink would be thick enough to suggest such a stupid idea.

[Mr X]

You know it's sad when the busway is so congested that buses have to use the main roads surrounding it for a quicker trip.

[Golliwog]

You know it's sad when the busway is so congested that buses have to use the main roads surrounding it for a quicker trip.

I don't think it's using Grey Street for a quicker trip, rather that it can't get into the busway after crossing the river on the Grey St bridge.

[ozbob]

Media release 30 May 2012

SEQ: Scrap Maroon CityGlider 'Waste on Wheels'

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 has highlighted the pending introduction of the Maroon CityGlider.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is clear from our analysis that the Maroon CityGlider has little to do with rational public transport planning. The big, hidden losers in this equation are the residents of Bulimba, the Centenary Suburbs and the Northwestern suburbs, all of which have local resident petitions for more bus services to their public transport 'no go' zones. These residents should be outraged, because funds that could have been spent in their local area are now being spent on Government waste and duplication."

"Suncorp Stadium is already served by the high frequency 385 BUZ and the Ipswich Rail line which has trains every 15 minutes. Caxton Street is directly connected to Roma Street busway and train stations with services every few minutes. During game periods, extra trains and buses are put on anyway. Meanwhile, the people of Bulimba languish with one and a half hour waits for their bus on weekends. A Bulimba-Glider would be far more appropriate."

"Woolloongabba is served by the high frequency BUZ 100 Inala and BUZ 200 Carindale services as well as other busway services. Logan Road has access to the 174, 175, 200, 203 and 204 services that combine to provide a high frequency service along this road. Meanwhile, the people of the Centenary suburbs languish with 9 different bus services that have so many variations that it is confusing and as they all come at low frequencies or are peak hour only, so none of them are useful!"

"Stones Corner has a brand new $465 million dollar busway station that is served by the high frequency BUZ 222 Carindale, 209 UQ Lakes and also has access to the 203, 204, 174 and 175 services that provide high frequency service there already. Across the road from this busway station is another busway station (Buranda) and on top of that is a train station! Can you see what we are tying to get at here? Hello? Meanwhile, the people of the Northwest put up with slow, hourly services."

"Of course the Maroon CityGlider duplicates existing high frequency bus services and doesn't fit properly and integrate into the rest of the network. That's because Brisbane City Council did the network planning for it, when it really should have been TransLink, which was set up in 2004 to do this job. No other operator has such powers to invent their own services - so why should the BCC? In all likelihood any passengers that catch this new service will be cannibalised from duplicated existing high frequency service - in other words, no significant impact or shift from cars.  Another thing is that road closures when major events are on will mean the 'Maroon Cityglider' is of limited utility and will contribute further to the road congestion mess!"

"Don't get us wrong. We like public transport, but it needs to go where it will be most useful; in suburbs such as Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest. Not on waste."

"Councillor Matic queried ' .. what are they complaining about? ... ' (1). This is what we are complaining about Councillor, stupid and wasteful transport planning when the rest of Brisbane needs improved services! Clear Councillor?"

Contact:

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

References:

1. Maroon CityGlider through South Brisbane labelled a political stunt
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8125.msg99122#msg99122

2. Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

To complete your trip in a world-class transit system, you may have to make a connection, or "transfer" as Americans say.  That is, you may have to get off one transit vehicle and onto another.  You probably don't like doing this, but if you demand no-transfer service, as many people do, you may be demanding a mediocre network for your city.

There are several reasons for this, but let's start with the most selfish one: your travel time.

Asking people to "transfer" is politically unpopular, so the Direct Service option is the politically safe solution, but if we want to maximize mobility with our fixed budget, we should prefer the Connective option.  Consider how long at typical trip takes in each scenario, from the standpoint of a person whose needs to leave or arrive at a particular time.

Attachments:

Attachments

[newbris]

This would be my perfect route. Wouldn't need any other bus to get to where I like to go

Go easy on me I'm a rank amateur 



What I like about this is:

* New north/south Paddington route rather than duplicating the east/west Caxton St routes. Benefits:

• Kills two birds with one stone as locals have long been campaigning for a cross town route through this area to allow movement between Ashgrove shops, Ithaca TAFE, Paddington Shops, Rosalie Shops, Suncorp, Park Rd Shops to connect the mountainous Milton/Paddinton/Red Hill/Ashgrove area. All routes currently travel along the ridges in an east/west direction.
• This north/south route fits in nicely as a proper network connecting grid route rather than the loop style service the local councillor (candidate?) is campaigning for. See: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7923.0
• Currently it is impossible to travel between these areas even though they are next to each other due to the massive hills.
• Currently impossible to get to southbank/west end from many of these areas without first going to town (except from latrobe which has small walk up due to hills).
• Avoids a lot of the traffic issues in the Milton/Suncorp area.

* Links in the newly announced Park Rd Citycat

• Will link Milton/Suncorp/Paddinton/Ithaca TAFE/Ashgrove (+ connecting in the northwest suburbs @ Ashgrove) to the Park Rd CityCat terminal.
• Students throughout the area will be able to travel to uni of qld without first entering the CBD like they have been requesting for a long time.
• Conversely students arriving on the citycat will be able to transfer to Ithaca TAFE and leisure users will have access to Rosalie, Suncorp, Paddington etc

* Connects to trip generators like:

• Ithaca TAFE
• Paddington
• Suncorp
• Convention Centre
• West End/South Brisbane/Southbank
• Mater
• Gabba Stadium
• Gabba Antique's District
• Bulimba

* Connects to transport hubs:

• Ashgrove for ongoing transfers to The Gap, Enoggera and beyond.
• Park Rd CityCat
• Blue CityGlider
• Cultural Centre
• East Brisbane Citycat
• Bulimba Citycat

Connect to night-time trip generators like:

• Given & Latrobe Tce Restaurants
• Caxton St Restaurants/Pubs/Nightclubs
• Barracks Restaurants/Cinemas
• Suncorp Concerts/Matches
• Rosalie Village Restaurant District
• Park Road Restaurant District
• Cultural District/Convention Centre/West End/Southbank
• Mater Hospital/Gabba Stadium
• Gabba Pubs/Restaurants
• Balmoral Restaurants/Cinemas
• Bulimba Restaurants/Cinemas

* Solves the Bulimba bus issue and frees up other services


What I don't like:

* Possibly too long for a glider

* Possibly not enough things between the Gabba and Oxford St to justify a glider - this end should possibly be a Buz going into the city with the glider terminating at Kangaroo Point?

* Lytton Rd peak traffic might slow a glider down too much.

* + 300 other flaws you experts can spot and I can't <fill in here>   

[ozbob]

Heard a whisper that the Maroon City Glider might be running from Feb 2013 ...  no idea of route etc.

Hope it could be made useful for Bulimba ..

[somebody]

 

I thought it had been quietly scrapped.

[kazzac]

Dont scrap it,send it to Bulimba!!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th December 2012

Maroon CityGlider

Greetings,

At a time when middle to outer suburbia looks like loosing bus routes and bus frequency, the flawed proposal for the Maroon City Glider appears to be going ahead.

Sources have suggested that route for the Maroon City Glider has now been varied to run from Langlands Park to Ashgrove and is to be introduced February 2013. An improvement on the original proposal, but still one that duplicates already high frequency bus services on busways. 

Many areas of middle and outer Brisbane are looking at service reductions as flagged in stage 2 of the bus review.

The planned implementation of the Maroon City Glider is an excellent demonstration of why public transport planning needs to be removed from BCC and Brisbane Transport.  Political stunts are political stunts --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7575.msg99120#msg99120

The Maroon City Glider is a waste of valuable funds, funds much better directed to bus services that would enable people to get to and from railway and bus stations away from the public transport rich inner Brisbane core.

Dumber than dumb I am afraid.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Media release 8th December 2012

SEQ: Maroon CityGlider versus BulimbaGlider?



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 has highlighted the pending introduction of the Maroon CityGlider.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A quick look at TransLink's bus review website clearly shows that despite poor frequency, span and one way service at times, the bus routes 230 Balmoral (via Riding Road) and 235 Balmoral (via Thynne Road) are listed as 'high value for money' and 'very high patronage'."

"In 2009, Bulimba residents told Brisbane City Council's neighbourhood planning team about car congestion on Wynnum Road, Hawthorne Ferry being parked out, the frequency of all bus services needing improvement and that the cars were eroding the vibrancy of Oxford Street with people parking across driveways and excluding parking for residents' visitors (1). It seems that no action has been taken on these concerns."

"It is surprising that a very built-up inner city suburb like Bulimba, with the cinema and popular late night restaurants does not have a BUZ service. Bulimba has serious parking issues and even on weeknights side streets are parked out full of cars on both sides of the road!"

"We have detailed the grounds of our objections to the Maroon CityGlider extensively (2, 3). Simply put, the Maroon CityGlider will cannibalise existing patronage from existing overlapping and adjacent routes meaning more money overall is spent to carry the same people."

"RAIL Back on Track calls for the Maroon CityGlider to be scrapped and the funds earmarked for it to be used for a BulimbaGlider, ideally replacing the 230 or 235 routes and where it is actually needed. It would also be great if both 230 and 235 could both run down Oxford Street to form a common, frequent, corridor. There isn't anybody on the Maroon CityGlider route who does not have access to a decent, high frequency bus services already."

References:

1. Bulimba District Neighbourhood Plan , Community Planning Team (CPT), Meeting 2 Minutes Date: 10 September 2009
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/2010%20Library/2009%20PDF%20and%20Docs/2.%20Planning%20and%20Building/2.2%20Local%20plans/bulimba_cpt_minutes_september09.pdf

2. Calls for BulimbaGlider rejected http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8428.0

Contact:

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

[Gazza]

Oh cr%p, worse than I thought, sorry for not realising this, but:
1) I wasn't all that familar with the 375.
2) I didn't know the 375 was at 15 minute daytime frequency
3) I didn't know it was the same routing as the 385, and hence
4) The Cityglider is going on a corridor with 7.5 min daytime frequency already 

I mean, i knew there would be other routes in the general area, just didn't know it was another actual good one with the 375.

[beauyboy]

And it just won't die. I am still interested in it's routing when it starts early next year. I bet it is not improvement over connections.

Donald

[#Metro]

Maybe if the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and Northwest all start picketing the bus with giant placards on the first day of operation and that gets splashed all over the front page of The Courier Mail will the BCC wake up...

[kazzac]

 

Maybe if the residents of Bulimba, Centenary and Northwest all start picketing the bus with giant placards on the first day of operation and that gets splashed all over the front page of The Courier Mail will the BCC wake up...

i would like to do just that on behalf of residents of Balmoral/Bulimba if I could get time off work but don"t think I can.

[Arnz]

According to BTBuses, Bus 2036 from Bowen Hills depot (not yet delivered) is the first bus to have the "Maroon Cityglider" AoA applied.  Looks like it's a given on the go ahead. 

[#Metro]

Heaven help us all

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay 

[ozbob]

Good ammo for service improvements where it matters.

At least they have been forced to improve the routing. 

The only people who think this is a good idea is BCC.  Rest of struggling suburbia will no doubt be totally under-impressed with more wrapped buses ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th December 2012

Re: SEQ: Maroon CityGlider versus BulimbaGlider?

G'day,

Sources have revealed the first bus to get the 'Maroon City Glider' wrap is bus 2036.

The Maroon City Glider is a waste of valuable service resources.  The Maroon CityGlider will cannibalise existing patronage from existing overlapping and adjacent routes meaning more money overall is spent to carry the same people. Most of middle to outer Brisbane struggles with pathetic bus frequency, and span of operations.  They can't even get home from key rail and bus stations after early evening.  This is turn leads to more congestion, and the ever worsening parking issues.

The only people who think the Maroon City Glider is a good idea is the governing elite at Brisbane City Council.  A political stunt that will ultimately backfire Team Quirk.   Fools ..  TransLink needs to be given full planning control of public transport in SEQ.  BCC has lost the plot.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 8th December 2012

SEQ: Maroon CityGlider versus BulimbaGlider?



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 has highlighted the pending introduction of the Maroon CityGlider.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A quick look at TransLink's bus review website clearly shows that despite poor frequency, span and one way service at times, the bus routes 230 Balmoral (via Riding Road) and 235 Balmoral (via Thynne Road) are listed as 'high value for money' and 'very high patronage'."

"In 2009, Bulimba residents told Brisbane City Council's neighbourhood planning team about car congestion on Wynnum Road, Hawthorne Ferry being parked out, the frequency of all bus services needing improvement and that the cars were eroding the vibrancy of Oxford Street with people parking across driveways and excluding parking for residents' visitors (1). It seems that no action has been taken on these concerns."

"It is surprising that a very built-up inner city suburb like Bulimba, with the cinema and popular late night restaurants does not have a BUZ service. Bulimba has serious parking issues and even on weeknights side streets are parked out full of cars on both sides of the road!"

"We have detailed the grounds of our objections to the Maroon CityGlider extensively (2, 3). Simply put, the Maroon CityGlider will cannibalise existing patronage from existing overlapping and adjacent routes meaning more money overall is spent to carry the same people."

"RAIL Back on Track calls for the Maroon CityGlider to be scrapped and the funds earmarked for it to be used for a BulimbaGlider, ideally replacing the 230 or 235 routes and where it is actually needed. It would also be great if both 230 and 235 could both run down Oxford Street to form a common, frequent, corridor. There isn't anybody on the Maroon CityGlider route who does not have access to a decent, high frequency bus services already."

References:

1. Bulimba District Neighbourhood Plan , Community Planning Team (CPT), Meeting 2 Minutes Date: 10 September 2009
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/2010%20Library/2009%20PDF%20and%20Docs/2.%20Planning%20and%20Building/2.2%20Local%20plans/bulimba_cpt_minutes_september09.pdf

2. Calls for BulimbaGlider rejected http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8428.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

15m Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

G'day! @Team_Quirk Maroon City Glider is disgraceful waste of resources #qldpol --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7575.msg114487#msg114487 ... @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

[kazzac]

"South East Advertiser'' this week page 5 {i think]  article about possible improved bus services for Bulimba[we hope!]

[ozbob]

"South East Advertiser'' this week page 5 {i think]  article about possible improved bus services for Bulimba[we hope!]

Thanks, here it is ..

From the Quest South East Advertiser 19th December 2012 page 5

Group asks for Bulimba BUZ link

[SurfRail]

From a Bus Australia forum member.

[achiruel]

One only needs to look at today's 230 timetable to see how woefully inadequate it is for an area such as Bulimba.

Good morning, it's random frequency day!

First 230 from Apollo Rd 6:55am, then 7:25 am (30 minutes), 8:10 (45 minutes), 8:50 (40 minutes), 9:37 (47 minutes).  At least then it settles in to a consistent 45 minute service (ugh!) give or take a minute until 6:37pm, then another service at at 7:30pm before it merges with the 235 to become a loop hourly at 8:34, 9:34 and 10:34 pm.  Absolutely atrocious weekend service that I would expect for a low density outer suburban area with no real trip generators in it, not somewhere like Bulimba filled with cinemas (in addition to Oxford St, also serves the smaller Hawthorne cinema), cafes, restaurants, pubs, unique shops, i.e. places that people are wanting to go on weekends.

[#Metro]

Behold!
Waste on Wheels!!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Looks pretty good actually. Shame a similar colour scheme can't be applied to buz corridors/areas which isn't a suprise given the fleet availability. I'd like to see the actual detailed route and any plans/modifications to other services.

[somebody]

modifications to other services.

You crack me up.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Well its staged around the bus review. Anything is possible 

[Golliwog]

Well its staged around the bus review. Anything is possible 

Is that a certainty? It wouldn't surprise me if they started sooner. NYE surprise?

[kazzac]

Behold!
Waste on Wheels!!

I agree!!!And Bulimba misses out on a decent service again on nights/weekends

[BrizCommuter]

Well its staged around the bus review. Anything is possible 

Bus review changes are not likely to occur until after mid-2013. SillyGlider is due early-2013.

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/cityglider/index.htm

New Maroon CityGlider

Brisbane's inner-western and south-eastern suburbs will be closer than ever thanks to Council's new Maroon CityGlider service, to be launched before the end of June 2013.

The route will operate from Ashgrove to Stones Corner connecting major sporting, entertainment, shopping and dining precincts. Attractions along the route include Suncorp Stadium, Caxton Street food and cultural precinct, King George Square, Southbank Parklands and Stones Corner outlet shopping.

The Maroon CityGlider will be a fully pre-paid service with dual door boarding for faster entry and exit. Services will operate for 18 hours each day from Sunday to Thursday and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Passengers will be able to catch the Maroon CityGlider every 10 minutes in peak periods and every 15 minutes in off-peak periods. Services will also operate throughout Friday and Saturday nights at 30 minute intervals after midnight.

[#Metro]

So, not dead yet!

[ozbob]

Going ahead, ads have started to appear, here is one posted over at BA ATDB --> http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=65472&p=840887#p840828

Guys over there don't seem too keen overall as well.

[Golliwog]

Going ahead, ads have started to appear, here is one posted over at BA ATDB --> http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=65472&p=840887#p840828

Guys over there don't seem too keen overall as well.

Bloody hell! If it's actually following that route it's ridiculous at the Stones Corner end. I'm sure Simon will love it *ducks*

But no really, serving Langlands and Stones Corner busway station, then dog legging back via the O'Keefe St portal (I assume the one south of Buranda) so it can run down Logan Rd, serve one bus stop somewhere along there, then running through Wooloongabba and the rest of the busway.