Article: New CityGlider to link stadiums with entertainment precincts

[longboi]

So with this new glider why did it not go to Enoggera interchange to link with the Rail.
Rather than clog up Stewarts Road, Ashgrove in Peak periods.
Also some of the stops worry me as the well patronised Old Paddo Cinema is not a glider Stop but the stop before inbound is which is a low patronage stop

It would still have to traverse Stewart Rd to get to Enoggera station though. I think there would need to be an analysis done of the cost/benefit of further duplicating the GCL (i.e. The demand for travel from FG line to Paddington). Otherwise it would be a waste of route km.

[longboi]

Anyone go for a ride today?

We picked up 3 pax (including myself) departing Langlands Pk. at 1400; Five on at Stones Corner (although they needed a bit of coaxing from the driver ); One on at Lewis St; No boardings between Gabba-CC (but there were pax on the platform. They'll get used to it over time); 4 off at KGS and departed with 3/4 seated; 2 off and around 4-5 on at Roma St, stopped at all Paddington stops. Two off at Jubilee and 3 (including myself) off at Stewart Rd. Interestingly two people stayed on, presumably for the round trip.

[newbris]

I did. Have to say I absolutely loved it. Improves our accessibility to paddington and southbank immensely. We will be regular off peak users. Still seems odd that Bardon missed a stop. My wife is switching to it for peak trips as it uses the busway to/from KGS so avoids the surface road gridlock coming out of town that often affects her current bus going outbound. KGS to Ashgrove 14 mins off peak today.

There was confusion with stop 8 near old paddo post office as it is listed as a stop on the website but not shown on any of the maps and from memory hasn't been given the glider treatment.

[Golliwog]

I did. Have to say I absolutely loved it. Improves our accessibility to paddington and southbank immensely. We will be regular off peak users. Still seems odd that Bardon missed a stop. My wife is switching to it for peak trips as it uses the busway to/from KGS so avoids the surface road gridlock coming out of town that often affects her current bus going outbound. KGS to Ashgrove 14 mins off peak today.

There was confusion with stop 8 near old paddo post office as it is listed as a stop on the website but not shown on any of the maps and from memory hasn't been given the glider treatment.

Out of curiosity, if instead of this new bus route they had just put a frequent shuttle on between Ashgrove and the top of Jubilee Tce (where the 385 stops), would you say your accessibility to those areas is still improved, or is it the one trip journey that does it? For arguments sake, lets say they just improved 598/599 (or part of it anyway).

[minbrisbane]

I learned today that after 0:00 it doesn't use Roma Street 1 & 2.  Is it because the station itself closes?

[HappyTrainGuy]

The transit centre closes at midnight which blocks access to the busway and railway station from the riverside. Parklands side for the station closes at 8pm.

[somebody]

The transit centre closes at midnight which blocks access to the busway and railway station from the riverside. Parklands side for the station closes at 8pm.

Aren't there trains after midnight, even Mon-Thu?

[HappyTrainGuy]

There's a few. I think the last one is from Beenleigh or Ipswich. I'm pretty sure it closes. I remember seeing the times on the doors out front. Unless it was for other parts of the building ie the food court and bus departure levels with the stairs and lifts blocked or turned off. Maybe since they are terminating trains the doors are only activated for those leaving the station?

[SurfRail]

Anyone go for a ride today?

We picked up 3 pax (including myself) departing Langlands Pk. at 1400; Five on at Stones Corner (although they needed a bit of coaxing from the driver ); One on at Lewis St; No boardings between Gabba-CC (but there were pax on the platform. They'll get used to it over time); 4 off at KGS and departed with 3/4 seated; 2 off and around 4-5 on at Roma St, stopped at all Paddington stops. Two off at Jubilee and 3 (including myself) off at Stewart Rd. Interestingly two people stayed on, presumably for the round trip.

I did (from CCtr to Ashgrove and back to Roma St).  A few people on board both ways.

My position remains that it will be well used but the way in which it has been done overcomplicates things.  If somebody actually wants to do a stopping pattern chart between Roma St and Bardon showing every single stop and which of the 374/375/385/Glider stops at which stops, it would make it even more obvious.

The Jubilee stop seems a bit isolated.  Also annoyed there is no stop at Bardon seeing that Mundo Churrasco is the only real reason I would ever travel up that way other than for the sake of it...

[HappyTrainGuy]

SR, Simon posted something similar comparing the stops served. Wasn't every stop though IIRC.

[newbris]

I did. Have to say I absolutely loved it. Improves our accessibility to paddington and southbank immensely. We will be regular off peak users. Still seems odd that Bardon missed a stop. My wife is switching to it for peak trips as it uses the busway to/from KGS so avoids the surface road gridlock coming out of town that often affects her current bus going outbound. KGS to Ashgrove 14 mins off peak today.

There was confusion with stop 8 near old paddo post office as it is listed as a stop on the website but not shown on any of the maps and from memory hasn't been given the glider treatment.

Out of curiosity, if instead of this new bus route they had just put a frequent shuttle on between Ashgrove and the top of Jubilee Tce (where the 385 stops), would you say your accessibility to those areas is still improved, or is it the one trip journey that does it? For arguments sake, lets say they just improved 598/599 (or part of it anyway).

Yes, it would still be a part improvement for some of the issues as the current situation is terrible as you probably know. People in South Brisbane had better access to Latrobe Tce than people in Ashgrove who live on the next major road across. The GCL doesn't run sunday or public holidays, finishes early, sometimes has 1.5 hour gaps etc. We never use it at all. Every attempt has led to failure.

To be honest an improved GCL might not solve all issues for us as obviously the two bus, double wait time journey becomes far less attractive over short distances (breakfast at java lounge/sassafras) when parking is available and you have two young children to cope with. The glider is perfect for this.

We might be pushed back into the car unless the GLC connected really, really well with the 385 etc as very painful to wait, go 2 stops, wait, go 2 stops. Would also be concerned about Bardon as a night transfer spot as I ended up there by mistake recently coming home from Suncorp with my young lad and it was pretty dark and deserted. When coming home from the Roar at Suncorp (we're members) we prefer to run for the bus on Petrie Terrace (it has some big gaps/early finishes so don't want to miss it - we missed the last bus recently and were totally stranded)...to my relief the glider solves all that.

Would be even more reluctant to do a long change at Bardon with the toddler on board coming back from Southbank (we often end up at Southbank having dinner with the kids after a day out)....would probably stick to the tedious night time interchange we currently do at Roma St waiting for a 379 et al to turn up (we often seem to wait an age at night - guess with tired kids it seems longer). Again the glider totally solves that and means we no longer have to worry about rushing our visit in case the buses finish and/or we miss our interchange time. We will be far more likely to go to dinner/movies with the kids up and down the whole glider route now. We love our days out Thinking of getting the glider down to the Gabba antique district more often as well as I love spending time there. Not sure what Stones Corner is like now but will give that a shot too.

As for peak, I guess a GCL interchange would offset the benefit of the KGS entry into town for my wife so she probably wouldn't use it.

Not saying our use totally justifies it (I know all the arguments about a core frequent network with interchanges and I agree with a lot of them), just trying to be accurate about our usage because you asked. For the record, nothings perfect but on balance I do think it is a good route for glider #2 as it provides a highly legible route to a lot of brisbane's remaining attractions not covered by the blue glider (without big distances between each attraction) but that is another discussion which I might lose

[Golliwog]

Cheers. You basically outlined what I thought which is that it'd still be good, but the interchange would be the issue. If they could have them timed to meet well it might not be as much of an issue, but that's harder to achieve with buses than trains. Otherwise you'd just have to go with upping the frequency so it didn't matter if you missed it, there'd be another soon, but given where the bus would travel, that's not really going to be viable, particularly late at night.

[longboi]

There's a few. I think the last one is from Beenleigh or Ipswich. I'm pretty sure it closes. I remember seeing the times on the doors out front. Unless it was for other parts of the building ie the food court and bus departure levels with the stairs and lifts blocked or turned off. Maybe since they are terminating trains the doors are only activated for those leaving the station?

I'm not sure of the exact times but that sounds about right. The Busway platforms are closed around 0000-0100 and I'd imagine the train station a bit later on. The doors to the Transit Centre on Roma St would be set to exit only until the station is completely empty.

I did (from CCtr to Ashgrove and back to Roma St).  A few people on board both ways.

My position remains that it will be well used but the way in which it has been done overcomplicates things.  If somebody actually wants to do a stopping pattern chart between Roma St and Bardon showing every single stop and which of the 374/375/385/Glider stops at which stops, it would make it even more obvious.

The Jubilee stop seems a bit isolated.  Also annoyed there is no stop at Bardon seeing that Mundo Churrasco is the only real reason I would ever travel up that way other than for the sake of it...

I agree. There was some confusion over stops with a few people on boarding having to ask the driver to stop - which he did, begrudgingly. I think it may have been the Old Paddo Post Office stop.

I have no idea on the real reason Bardon was omitted, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's because of the need to be in the right lane to access Jubilee Tce.  It may have been deemed too short of a distance/too congested in peak to be able to safely change lanes.
The same occurs with a stop near the intersection of Samford Rd and Dawson Pde in Keperra; The 362 and 398 pass the stop but because the 398 has to turn right, only the 362 services the stop. It's a shame though because Bardon itself has quite a bit going on there.

Jubilee is in an odd place but most of Jubilee Tce is like that anyway. I would have liked to have seen a stop at both Jubilee and Ithaca Creek.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Rail Back on Track renews calls for a high-frequency bus service to Bulimba following the extension of CityGlider

Rail Back on Track renews calls for a high-frequency bus service to Bulimba following the extension of CityGlider

    by: By Alex Strachan, South East Advertiser
    From: Quest Newspaper

Public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track has renewed calls for a high-frequency bus service to Bulimba after the Maroon CityGlider service started this week.

The new service links major entertainment and sporting precincts between Stones Corner and Ashgrove, but Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said resources were better spent elsewhere.

"Although these changes are an improvement, fundamentally the Maroon CityGlider does not serve any people who do not have access to a frequent bus service already,'' he said.

"Compare this to Bulimba where  frequent bus services are unheard of and car parking chaos is common.''

Mr Dow said Translink needed to carefully review the Maroon CityGlider route over the next year.

"(They need to) consider routing the southern section from Woolloongabba down to Oxford St and into Bulimba to form a Bulimba Glider,'' he said.

Councillor Shayne Sutton (Morningside) said local residents were frustrated by the lack of frequent services.

"Bulimba needs more frequent services including on weekends and late at night,'' she said.

"I also want to see a Sunday service to Carindale via Cannon Hill and a service along Lytton Rd to the Colmslie Pool.

"People are being forced to drive to the area rather than catch public transport.''

[ozbob]

Maroon Glider Stop Buranda



Photograph R Dow 20th February 2013

[somebody]

What? Is that the one on Logan Rd, "Lewis St"?

[ozbob]

What? Is that the one on Logan Rd, "Lewis St"?

Yes.

[BrizCommuter]

Maroon Glider Stop Buranda



Photograph R Dow 20th February 2013

Looks like a huge patronage generator! 

[somebody]

^ Makes Stone's Corner look like a thriving metropolis!

[longboi]

Maroon Glider Stop Buranda



Photograph R Dow 20th February 2013

Looks like a huge patronage generator! 

The area is clearly prime for development mind you. In fact, I believe there are apartments being built on the side from which Bob took the photo.

[kazzac]

Does anyone know how the first week of operation of the Maroon 'SillyGlider' went ?how many pax,etc

[SteelPan]

Maroon CG is a great idea and I have no-doubt will prove highly successful.  The only suggestion I'd make is, it should also stop at the Bardon (shopping area), just like the 375 and 385 do.  Not very helpful for people in that region, as is a considerable distance between the Paddington and Jubilee Tce stops.

[#Metro]

Possibly a contributing reason as to why the Maroon Glider goes through paddington???
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7923.0

[somebody]

Maroon CG is a great idea and I have no-doubt will prove highly successful.  The only suggestion I'd make is, it should also stop at the Bardon (shopping area), just like the 375 and 385 do.  Not very helpful for people in that region, as is a considerable distance between the Paddington and Jubilee Tce stops.

Strange comment.

So it's a great idea to exit the busway at W'Gabba only to re-enter it near Buranda?

[#Metro]

Strange comment.

Not hard to tell which posters here live near said service 

[Mr X]

Meanwhile in Bulimba... *tumbleweed*

[ozbob]

[kazzac]

Meanwhile in Bulimba... *tumbleweed*

for example today 90 minute wait for services AND no trains running  on the Cleveland line this weekend 

[SteelPan]

So it's a great idea to exit the busway at W'Gabba only to re-enter it near Buranda?
[/quote]

"WHAT the" - all I said was, that the powers that be might like to consider a Maroon CG stop at the Bardon (shops), as it some distance from the services previous and subsequent stops.  I think such innovative bus services are what the city needs, obviously some fine tuning of any new service will likely be required - those close the 'Gabba/Buranda region will speak for those parts, but it cannot make my comment "strange"!   

In the Bardon neck of the woods, we don't have anything like "busways" or "train stations"  - period - so for us, getting another bus to stop, at an already existing pole in the ground, is a worthwhile and ZERO additional co$t thing!

Ohh, what we do get in our neck of the woods, apart from a complete lack of serious PT infrastructure, is a suburban street doubling, decade in-decade out, as the inner-western Brisbane orbital road - so yeah, an additional bus stopping is rather exciting for us simple folk!         

[#Metro]

Ohh, what we do get in our neck of the woods,

Told you that you could tell who lives near it and who doesn't. 

[somebody]

SteelPan, here is what you said:

Maroon CG is a great idea and I have no-doubt will prove highly successful.  The only suggestion I'd make is, it should also stop at the Bardon (shopping area), just like the 375 and 385 do.  Not very helpful for people in that region, as is a considerable distance between the Paddington and Jubilee Tce stops.

Bolding mine.

[newbris]

Possibly a contributing reason as to why the Maroon Glider goes through paddington???
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7923.0

Don't know if the councillor would be happy with the lack of servicing Rosalie and Milton 

[newbris]

Does anyone know how the first week of operation of the Maroon 'SillyGlider' went ?how many pax,etc

Driver today said "not crowded but respectable", or something similar. Had around 15-25 on my two trips today, Sunday arvo, returning around 6pm. Quite a few, around 10, went all the way to Ashgrove. No idea about the stones corner end.

I've taken 6 trips on it already (off-peak) and my wife has been catching it to work. I just asked her how full she would say it was - yes, she rolled her eyes - she said about 80-90%...though maths was never her forte . The huge advantage it has over the 379 et al is the use of KGS and Roma St busways. It doesn't suffer from the city street gridlock the 379 can suffer from getting out of town in afternoon peak.

I'm loving it for access to paddington cafes/shopping, suncorp, city and cultural district. Son and I jumped on board today for a swim and ice cream at southbank. Wife and daughter followed on a later bus. Everywhere is so accessible now...it's really great !!!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Isn't it free for a couple weeks to use while other services you still have to pay for?

[newbris]

Isn't it free for a couple weeks to use while other services you still have to pay for?

Yeah, it's free until the end of the month I think...lots of happy people as the driver waved them through...though one driver seemed to be letting people tag on at some stops but telling people at others :conf

[Gazza]

In the Bardon neck of the woods, we don't have anything like "busways" or "train stations"  - period - so for us, getting another bus to stop, at an already existing pole in the ground, is a worthwhile and ZERO additional co$t thing!

Ohh, what we do get in our neck of the woods, apart from a complete lack of serious PT infrastructure, is a suburban street doubling, decade in-decade out, as the inner-western Brisbane orbital road - so yeah, an additional bus stopping is rather exciting for us simple folk!         

Yeah mate, along the coridoor you already had a bus every 7.5 mins, and it only takes 15 mins to get to the CBD. Doesn't matter its not a railway/busway.

In terms of PT You have it better than most of SEQ.

Stop complaining.

Your area didn't deserve the extra bus services. Other areas need it more.

[kazzac]

 Yeah stop whingeing ,how about someone whom lives in Balmoral/Bulimba who doesn"t have a car [or doesn"t live close to Citycat terminal] and wants to travel on  a bus weekends?45 minute wait for a 230/235 service Saturday and 90 minute wait on Sundays.the 232 is useless,only runs every hour and doesnt run on a Sunday anyway.

[Gazza]

No train or busway to bulimba either.

[kazzac]

Train station is at M"side ,about 3kms from Bulimba

[ozbob]

From The Satellite click here!

Bus routes neglected


http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2013/02/25/9-1723109-is210213bus1_fct1024x630x26_t460.jpg

Gavin Seipelt is wanting improved bus frequency and routes from the Centenary suburbs/ Photo: Inga Williams / The Satellite

Bus routes neglected
26th Feb 2013 9:45 AM

CENTENARY residents have questioned the introduction of Brisbane City Council's $9 million Maroon CityGlider, saying the money could be better spent improving services in their own backyard.

Seventeen Mile Rocks resident Gavin Seipelt said frequency of bus services in the Centenary suburbs needed imporvement.

He said residents signed a petition for better services in 2010 but were still awaiting delievery.

"There are a few major issues with the bus services in the Centenary suburbs," he said.

"One of the issues is that there are eight different routes which are quite indirect.

"Frequency of the services needs to be improved as people are waiting up to 30 minutes when 15 minutes is a good standard.

"Also there are no buses that run late at night on weekends."

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said Centenary families were not being put first when it came to public transport.

"Our objection to the Maroon CityGlider is that it does not serve any people who do not have access to frequent bus services already," he said.

"More concerningly, it appears that Brisbane City Council now wants to block moves to remove waste, complexity, and low frequency legacy routing from its bus network.

"These pivotal reforms from the bus network review will result in a better quality network of services using recycled funds that would see more frequent, simpler, legible bus services and bus upgrades in suburbs that don't currently have decent, frequent services."

Mr Dow called on TransLink to to report and carefully review the Maroon Glider route after 12 months.

However a TransLink spokesman said it was a Brisbane City Council issue.

Public and Active Transport Chairman Peter Matic said the Lord Mayor was investing half a billion dollars in public transport this year despite all fare revenue from buses and ferries going to the State Government.