Passenger loading and congestion reports

[somebody]

Used that Sat 10:26am 598 ex-Indro shops twice.  Standing loads.  Probably around 10 once and 15 the other time.

Also, used an I/B 125 (IIRC) shortly after which was a bendy.  Most seats taken, and some standees.  Shouldn't these runs upgrade the frequency rather than the bus size?

Honestly, standing loads on services coming hourly or worse is unnacceptable.

[#Metro]

Used that Sat 10:26am 598 ex-Indro shops twice.  Standing loads.  Probably around 10 once and 15 the other time.

On a Saturday?

That bus route needs a complete overhaul. Put giant shopping bag images on the side and market it as a shopping bus.

IRRC it goes to DFO too doesn't it?

[somebody]

Most people got on at Indro shops and off at Sherwood markets.  It wasn't heavily loaded after that.  Seems strange, but that seems to be what people are using it for.

[#Metro]

Most people got on at Indro shops and off at Sherwood markets.  It wasn't heavily loaded after that.  Seems strange, but that seems to be what people are using it for.

A rare glimpse at cross-town travel.

[O_128]

got a 412 buz today around 1pm from UQ to toowong , Hardly any standing room. This goes to show that if frequency is upped people will come. The 412 and 402 operate all day with high loadings

[longboi]

Most people got on at Indro shops and off at Sherwood markets.  It wasn't heavily loaded after that.  Seems strange, but that seems to be what people are using it for.

A rare glimpse at cross-town travel.

I've actually found heavy loadings (standing room only) are actually pretty common for the Carindale-Indro leg.

[Derwan]

Caught the 7:17 from Boondall this morning (7:09 from Shorncliffe).  It was already a 2 when it got to Boondall.  I squeezed past the people in the doorway and wandered down the aisle.  It remained a 3 for the rest of the way, although I was too busy playing Bookworm to notice if anyone did any door-hopping at Northgate or Eagle Junction.  This service runs express thought the other stations from Northgate to Bowen Hills.

The driver was terrible.  I ended up with a sore arm from holding on as he came to a stop at every station.  Lots of people almost falling over.  I've seriously considered keeping a track of experiences with "bad drivers" and sending the details to QR.

[Derwan]

Jumped on a South Bank train mid-morning yesterday (Sunday) at Eagle Junction.  (EJ is my new preferred drive-to station for weekend travel into the city or South Bank.  More services to choose from.)  It was a 3-car service that was about 1 on the DS (seats were close to full - a couple of people standing).  Surely it's time to upgrade ALL 3-car services to 6 cars on the weekend!

Add to this the confusion with the Quiet Car, which I will post about in that thread.

[skippy]

Jumped on a South Bank train mid-morning yesterday (Sunday) at Eagle Junction.  (EJ is my new preferred drive-to station for weekend travel into the city or South Bank.  More services to choose from.)  It was a 3-car service that was about 1 on the DS (seats were close to full - a couple of people standing).  Surely it's time to upgrade ALL 3-car services to 6 cars on the weekend!

I'd much prefer they keep the 3-car services on the weekend (except when major events are scheduled) and double the frequency.

[somebody]

I'd much prefer they keep the 3-car services on the weekend (except when major events are scheduled) and double the frequency.

Who wouldn't.

The problem is that the number of cars has little to do with the number of services.

[mufreight]

Skippy is on the money with his post, the rollingstock is there why not use it, the problem being of course convincing Translink to fund the services and foot the bill for the crews if there are sufficent crews avaliable.   

[somebody]

Saw one person on a 88 leaving Indro yesterday.  Most times it is completely empty.

Do Translink really believe that stop locations aren't important?

[somebody]

~50 people waiting to get on a bus inbound at Indooroopilly shops at 11:38am today (Saturday).  The 444 turned up and left with standing loads.  Fortunately, a 445 also turned up (scheduled 2 mins before the 444) before the 444 left and took a lot of these passengers.  Seems that few are takers of the option to walk down to the train station or use the P88.  Perhaps the train is explained by a lack of advertising.

The P88 is useful heading outbound though.

[#Metro]

P88 is hidden behind bushes, so no surprise there.
Train frequency on weekends is awful (is it still 30 minutes now richlands is open?) and you have to walk all the way down to the station.

400-800 meters is generally considered an acceptable walk by the planning profession. I wonder what they base this upon though?
People who use the system?

What I really want to know is how far people who don't use the system, are prepared to walk. I suspect it is much lesser distance!
Hence train station and shopping centre really should be as close as possible, and if not, there should be a bus!

[somebody]

No, it's a 14-16 minute frequency until 11pm outbound from Central Mon-Fri and until 10pm on weekends.  Although not continued at counter peak times.

I don't really know how realistic it is to expect people using the buses to/from Indro shops to switch to trains.  And it isn't going to be happening at a 4tph frequency.

[Golliwog]

No, it's a 14-16 minute frequency until 11pm outbound from Central Mon-Fri and until 10pm on weekends.  Although not continued at counter peak times.

I don't really know how realistic it is to expect people using the buses to/from Indro shops to switch to trains.  And it isn't going to be happening at a 4tph frequency.

Given the location of the bus interchange, and how the shopping center isn't set up for people to get from it to the train station, I'm going to agree that at this stage it's not going to happen easily. If the shopping center expansion goes ahead as planned (from what TT put up in that thread) then there would be some parts close to the station, but I think to get any large amount people using the train you would need to shift the bus interchange down to the Moggil Rd end of the shopping center, and split people that way. Either that or change the interchange so its like what was mentioned later on in the thread on the Indro shopping center expansion, where it was busway-esque and had a 2nd turnaround/through stop at the station as well as on near where the current stop is.

[#Metro]

http://www.translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/rosewood-ipswich-line-draft-timetable.pdf

GOODIE!!!

[#Metro]

I don't really know how realistic it is to expect people using the buses to/from Indro shops to switch to trains.  And it isn't going to be happening at a 4tph frequency.

I don't know either. All I know is that it is even less realistic to make them walk the distance themselves! And then send them down Stagnation Drive for a delay of 15 minutes to 1 hour.

We have 15 minute train frequency, and on the weekend!
Timed transfer solves the problem. Get the bus there 5-7 minutes before the train. Needs an interchange.
Didn't Gazza post something before on solving this issue.

[somebody]

http://www.translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/rosewood-ipswich-line-draft-timetable.pdf

GOODIE!!!

We don't need that timetable.  We have: http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110124_richlands.pdf operational now.

[#Metro]

That only shows the richlands services, no?
I'm interested in all the trains that will pass by the stations

[somebody]

Just like at Albion, only the journey planner gives you that.

[#Metro]

I don't believe this, this is so frequent! It's still running 15 minutes even now!!!!

[somebody]

15 minutes is a lot better than 30 minute frequency, but it doesn't really qualify as a turn up and go service.  And then needing to stop at all stations to Ipswich in the off peak is a bit mediocre.  But a whole lot better than the previous situation.

I may be called a "negative nancy" for that.

[#Metro]

Um, so a BUZ running every 15 minutes in the off peak (is that mediocre frequency too?) and 10 minutes peak hour qualifies as turn up and go, but a train service running every 15 minutes weekdays and weekends and with a 4 minute metro frequency at Indooroopilly doesn't qualify as turn-up-and-go???

I think it is turn up and go!
I only realized this now, but we have a HUGE upgrade to frequency on that line. Why is it under wraps?

[somebody]

Um, so a BUZ running every 15 minutes in the off peak (is that mediocre frequency too?) and 10 minutes peak hour qualifies as turn up and go, but a train service running every 15 minutes weekdays and weekends and with a 4 minute metro frequency at Indooroopilly doesn't qualify as turn-up-and-go???

I think it is turn up and go!
I only realized this now, but we have a HUGE upgrade to frequency on that line. Why is it under wraps?

BUZ is *NOT* turn up and go IMO.  Perhaps in peak, but reliability is likely to be poor.  What is turn up and go is open to interpretation, I guess.

[#Metro]

The train is likely to be more reliable, because BUZ runs on roads, trains run on tracks, 100% separated from roads.
If frequency is the problem, boost it. Problem solved.

I know that there are other places that have more frequency etc, etc, but we must be grateful for the little mercies we get.

I would agree with you that I would like BUZ frequency to also increase to a standard 10 minute blanket service, all day, all evening, all week and all weekend.
However, I also feel that there are other BUZ routes that should exist (e.g. BUZ 100, BUZ 450, etc) and that getting service up to 15 minutes or better would
be priority over further frequency upgrades on existing BUZ routes.

Most, but not all (e.g. 345) services are located along a corridor where there are a bundle of other routes which also serve that area. So 444 is boosted
by the presence of 433, 454, 450, 435, etc, so someone waiting for the BUZ may just catch the first bus that comes along, even if it is not BUZ.

I use BUZ, and I really like it. I think there should be more of them. In fact, I like BUZ so much that I think we should extend the concept to rail operations
and also to Feeder BUZzes to stations. When you're on a good thing, stick to it!!!

[Gazza]

My description would be that its not quite good enough a frequency to eliminate timed transfers, but it is a good enough frequency that people will respond to it and up their usage accordingly.
Or, in other words, good enough that you cant complain much.

Didn't Gazza post something before on solving this issue.

Indeed. Station Rd is due for some changes under the neighbourhood plan anyway to be less car dominated, and a bit of an eat street. You could turn it into a transit mall, and as mentioned previously, turn buses around at Croydon St to get rid of that hike up and down the hill for people transferring.

[Golliwog]

So first day back at UQ and already I've noticed some over crowding issues. Heading home I got to UQ Lakes just past 1pm (I believe that bus came but I'm not sure). By 1.10pm there was a line of some 70-odd passengers waiting for the 109 (I did a quick head count but I know more turned up after I did that) once that bus came and filled up, we left with a packed bus (there was even a guy sitting in the bag rack above the front wheel arch) there was still at least 30-odd people still lined up for the 109, the next of which wouldn't be leaving for another 10 minutes. My main argument here is that around the 2pm lecture finish time the buses change to a 5 minute frequency to help cope with that crush load, but this doesn't happen at 1pm. This could be a 1st week back only occurance (as tutorials and practicals aren't running yet) but is still worth looking into I would think.

There also seemed to be a bit of a crowd waiting at the PA Hospital, some of which our bus again turned away as while some had gotten off at Park Rd, the bus was still quite full (standing room only).

[#Metro]

All 109s should be arctics if not already IMHO. Increased frequency as well IMHO. 

[Golliwog]

So today I was once again leaving UQ Lakes just after 1pm. The 1.10pm standard bus came through and again left about 20-30 people at UQ Lakes, this time I was one of those. When the 1.20pm bus came, it was an artic. We filled it and left about 15 people behind.

Also I was at Roma St trying to catch a 385 outbound just after 4pm. I had to wait for the 4th service to come before there was capacity for more than 2 or so people which was at around 4.30pm. Got a great driver though, very cheerful and helpful. As it turned out the last 3 services ended up at the lights leaving the busway onto Roma St together and so all 3 buses travelled in convoy heading out. On a positive, I think the 4th bus that I was on was actually an extra bus added to take the extra demand as there had only been 2 385s on the screens when they came.

[somebody]

So today I was once again leaving UQ Lakes just after 1pm. The 1.10pm standard bus came through and again left about 20-30 people at UQ Lakes, this time I was one of those. When the 1.20pm bus came, it was an artic. We filled it and left about 15 people behind.

Also I was at Roma St trying to catch a 385 outbound just after 4pm. I had to wait for the 4th service to come before there was capacity for more than 2 or so people which was at around 4.30pm. Got a great driver though, very cheerful and helpful. As it turned out the last 3 services ended up at the lights leaving the busway onto Roma St together and so all 3 buses travelled in convoy heading out. On a positive, I think the 4th bus that I was on was actually an extra bus added to take the extra demand as there had only been 2 385s on the screens when they came.

Doesn't mean that I would favour extra 385s.  Best solution IMO:
P374 to serve the Bardon stop, and in the AM QSBS.
382, 383 to not serve the Bardon stop
P374, 375 to serve Roma St Bus Station westbound
Improved inbound 382, 383 routing
extra 382, 383 trips.
(382 Rocket turns off Waterworks Rd at Settlement Rd, 383 Rocket at Payne Rd and both go via Coopers Camp Rd)

Provides an alternative service to almost everyone.

[somebody]

Used the 6:08pm All to Ipswich train from Roma St on Wednesday.

DS "Door Hopping".  What is with that?  Was the previous train cancelled?  If not, then the proposed timetable doesn't add enough services at this time.

[Golliwog]

I meant to post this the other day when it happened. Catching a 109 to the city at around 4pm. The line for the bus was back to (I can't access nearmap from UQ as I need a license, but will mark the location when I get home this evening) but needless to say, the line was more than 2 full buses long and was growing pretty much as fast as you could load into the buses. I was one of the last to fit into the second bus that turned up after I got there. The line did look a bit better when I was leaving but it was hard to tell from my position and there was still a constant stream of students coming down. Anecdotally, I have heard of people from the Boggo Rd Ecosciences precinct having problems with full buses coming from the university.

[somebody]

I meant to post this the other day when it happened. Catching a 109 to the city at around 4pm. The line for the bus was back to (I can't access nearmap from UQ as I need a license, but will mark the location when I get home this evening) but needless to say, the line was more than 2 full buses long and was growing pretty much as fast as you could load into the buses. I was one of the last to fit into the second bus that turned up after I got there. The line did look a bit better when I was leaving but it was hard to tell from my position and there was still a constant stream of students coming down. Anecdotally, I have heard of people from the Boggo Rd Ecosciences precinct having problems with full buses coming from the university.

I wonder where all the people on the 109 are actually going?  The 139/169/209 pretty much cover the south side, at least from Old Cleveland Rd/south.  You'd have to think that they are heading to the north side, but if heading to a train then wouldn't Toowong interchange work out better?

[#Metro]

There is an interchange at Park road where people transfer to rail services to the Gold Coast, Beenleigh lines and Cleveland lines. There are also the logan busway services. I would think a lot of people get on in the CBD from Northside and Paddington/Gap buses, but I cannot confirm this, if you were doing bus-bus transfer from these routes (such as the Gap, Ashgrove, Northside bus routes) then IMHO Toowong wouldn't really serve that.

I think it highlights how un-central our 'central' railway station is located.

And then there are those people who avoid Coronation Drive like the plague. Even sometimes the 411, 402 and 412 can be held up if Coronation Drive has a particularly bad afternoon and traffic banks back up into Sir Fred Schonell Drive.

[somebody]

I was more thinking of people who stay on the bus between Mater Hill and UQ.

[Golliwog]

From my experience, some do take advantage of the interchange at Park Rd, but heading home its less attractive (as I see it anyway) as you could be waiting a while for your train, and its usually quite hot there, where as Central is shaded. Theres also a number of people who get off at the PA Hospital. I believe the uni has a training facility or something within the hospital for medical students. But I would say the large majority get off at either the Cultural Center or Adelaide Street (I would guess about a 50/50 split of remaining passengers).

[Golliwog]

Now that I can get to nearmap, the line was to HERE via HERE (there are 2 paths around the big tree in the middle and I wanted to be clear)

Its harder to tell the size of the 209/139/169 lines as they are at the 2nd and 3rd bus stops and so form a crowd rather than a line. Also as some who line up for the 109 are just going to Park Rd (109 is most frequent I think?) if one of the other routes turn up first and the crowd isn't too big, then some will switch lines.

[#Metro]

Was the 109 an arctic Golliwog? Maybe they need to use arctics.

UQ Lakes will be stretched to bursting point in a year or so if this keeps up- mind you, is there any benefit for moving the CityCat closer to UQ Lakes station? (it has to be re-built anyway).

[Golliwog]

No, neither of them was. But they do try to put artics or the new tri-axled buses on the UQ Lakes routes when they can. I wouldn't think theres much point in shifting the UQ ferry terminal. It serves a slightly different section of the campus, and I don't think they have the same target crowd.

I do however expect passenger numbers at UQ Lakes to drop a bit soon though. Its a known fact that as the semester continues, more and more students stop attending classes. Although, it'll be interesting to see what changes happen with the use of this route now that the Ecosciences precinct is functioning.