Kedron Brook and Lutwyche busway station open day 16th June

[ozbob]

BCC = Brisbane Car Consortium

Wouldn't it be funny if BCC goes broke with the Legacy Way around its and ratepayers neck and Premier Newman has to appoint an administrator?

HAHAHA

[red dragin]

I don't I explained that very well.

CanDo got rid of the Lutwyche Rd bus lanes, he won't want them back. With LNP in Council he'd have control as I believe Lutwyche Rd is also theirs.

Why they didn't dig the portals for the missing piece of busway is a bigger mystery to me.

[somebody]

Didn't CanDo remove all those buslanes within weeks when he was elected Mayor? A major election promise if I remember correctly.

Busway looks good, was more interested in seeing Truro st - Lutwyche but knew it wouldn't be open.

Yes, they were removed by BCC as Coronation Drive is BCC owned.  TransLink internally were not impressed and I remember one of the Planners (who I used to work with) saying to me that it was frustrating as the State (TransLink) had no say in it's removal.  From TL's perspective at the time circa 2007, they wanted to keep the bus lanes.

There was an act which said that the state needed to approve such changes under certain conditions.  This act has no been changed to make it harder to argue that they don't need the state's approval.  I think that the standing conditions at the time should have been tested in court.  Perhaps there was legal advice that it was a losing action, or perhaps they were just soft.

I don't I explained that very well.

CanDo got rid of the Lutwyche Rd bus lanes, he won't want them back. With LNP in Council he'd have control as I believe Lutwyche Rd is also theirs.

Why they didn't dig the portals for the missing piece of busway is a bigger mystery to me.

When was there a bus lane on Lutwyche Rd?  I've only ever known an inbound only T2 lane.  Does this survive in the busway parts of the road?

[#Metro]

BCC = Brisbane Car Consortium

Wouldn't it be funny if BCC goes broke with the Legacy Way around its and ratepayers neck and Premier Newman has to appoint an administrator?

HAHAHA

They might have do do, LOL, 'utilise the proceeds of assets' on BT

[Gazza]

I think the pedestrian crossing line is a bit of a dud. If it's a traffic lighted pedestrian crossing, theres a few of those already at the Cultural Centre and at Dutton Park. If it's a non-traffic lighted crossing, there's one of those as you come off the bridge into UQ Lakes. I don't see what the issue is.

Same goes for emergency exits. If it's anything like the current busway tunnels, they have a sign every 5-10m or something pointing towards the nearest exit.

What if there is a fire and the smoke is obscuring the signs?

Because the viewing distance and luminosity in the standard already account for that.

[achiruel]

The new network map also dispenses with the Doomben railbus - the only ones left at the Helidon, Toogoolawah and Nambour ones.  I my opinion only the Nambour one belongs there now, as there is no separate rail fare product any longer and the Nambour one actually supplements operating trains instead of replacing them altogether.

Eh, the Doomben railbus also supplements operating trains?

[red dragin]

T2, your right Simon.

I am sure bus lanes are even less popular with the "general public" (faceless beauracrats).

[Gazza]

The Airport Link guy I spoke to confirmed same (even though he was at a display with a copy of the diagram which shows bus lanes in place!)

The new network map also dispenses with the Doomben railbus - the only ones left at the Helidon, Toogoolawah and Nambour ones.  I my opinion only the Nambour one belongs there now, as there is no separate rail fare product any longer and the Nambour one actually supplements operating trains instead of replacing them altogether.

Can you upload a pic?

[somebody]

T2, your right Simon.

I am sure bus lanes are even less popular with the "general public" (faceless beauracrats).

What has happened with the existing T2 lane?

[SurfRail]

Can you upload a pic?

My phone camera is practically unusable (pre-smartphone), so I only had my DSLR - won't be in a position to process/upload until probably tomorrow.

On Doomben, I take the view that there is no need for Eagle Farm and beyond to be displayed - they have clearly decided to just axe the whole thing.

Everybody's favourite weird angles on the FG line and at Varsity Lakes are still there.  They have also removed Springfield, Kippa-Ring and GCRT, which is probably a good thing.  (The map is going to need serious work when GCRT opens if they want all stations to be shown.)

[Golliwog]

Didn't CanDo remove all those buslanes within weeks when he was elected Mayor? A major election promise if I remember correctly.

Busway looks good, was more interested in seeing Truro st - Lutwyche but knew it wouldn't be open.

Yes, they were removed by BCC as Coronation Drive is BCC owned.  TransLink internally were not impressed and I remember one of the Planners (who I used to work with) saying to me that it was frustrating as the State (TransLink) had no say in it's removal.  From TL's perspective at the time circa 2007, they wanted to keep the bus lanes.

There was an act which said that the state needed to approve such changes under certain conditions.  This act has no been changed to make it harder to argue that they don't need the state's approval.  I think that the standing conditions at the time should have been tested in court.  Perhaps there was legal advice that it was a losing action, or perhaps they were just soft.

As I recall, Can Do said he was removing them, then found out he didn't have the authority to do so as because of the Act Simon mentioned. Pretty sure he chucked a bit of a tantrum, and the State let him have his way. But I've also heard that the Act has since been changed to give the State more power on the matter.

[ozbob]

[triplethree]

Who else here went to the open day today? Here's a bunch of photos I took along with my comments:
https://picasaweb.google.com/humehwy31/NorthernBuswayKedronBrookToLutwycheOpenDay

[Golliwog]

Who else here went to the open day today? Here's a bunch of photos I took along with my comments:
https://picasaweb.google.com/humehwy31/NorthernBuswayKedronBrookToLutwycheOpenDay

Cheers, I didn't get to make it down today.

Can't wait to see that low level pedestrian bridge over the Kedron Brook after the next heavy rain. Should be covered with debris...

[somebody]

I didn't make it either.

As I recall, Can Do said he was removing them, then found out he didn't have the authority to do so as because of the Act Simon mentioned. Pretty sure he chucked a bit of a tantrum, and the State let him have his way. But I've also heard that the Act has since been changed to give the State more power on the matter.

Where did the Transit lane run?  I can only gather Roblane St to Cartwright St.  Was that it?

Rather disgraceful from both Campbell and the state.  When did all this happen?  I can't find a link on google.

[ozbob]

Any one know what would be the first normal service bus through the new busway Monday morning?

[aldonius]

If you trust the JP, I tried Kedron Brook to Lutwyche... first of the day says to walk LOL. After that I get a 333 departing KB at 5:07.

[ozbob]

Thanks, yes that is what I thought it was.  333 out of Chermside A 5.00am.

[red dragin]

T2, your right Simon.

I am sure bus lanes are even less popular with the "general public" (faceless beauracrats).

What has happened with the existing T2 lane?

Gurneyed off the bitumen within weeks of CanDo becoming lord mayor IIRC.

Can't remember start point but ran up to the Royal Women's hospital (about where the busway station is?)

[somebody]

Are you sure?

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's spokesman Michael Corkill said there were no plans to scrap the transit lane, despite the removal of the T3 lane on Coronation Drive at Toowong.

The removal of the T3 lane was a one-off, Mr Corkill said.

I can't find any decent link on the removal of the Lutwyche Rd bus lane.  Surely that would have reached the news.

[O_128]

totally pathetic really. It as if everything is being done to get buses off the roads and not inconvenience one soccer mum in her 4wd. Where are the bus lanes to Chermside !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If there is such demand that a driven tunnel and full blown "busway" stations must be built to chermside then surely there is demand to put in bus lanes ASAP

[Golliwog]

I didn't make it either.

As I recall, Can Do said he was removing them, then found out he didn't have the authority to do so as because of the Act Simon mentioned. Pretty sure he chucked a bit of a tantrum, and the State let him have his way. But I've also heard that the Act has since been changed to give the State more power on the matter.

Where did the Transit lane run?  I can only gather Roblane St to Cartwright St.  Was that it?

Rather disgraceful from both Campbell and the state.  When did all this happen?  I can't find a link on google.

Sorry, I was talking about the Coro Drive one, same as you. I don't know anything about the Lutwyche Rd one.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Drivers back on the buses for Northern Busway opening as boycott called off

Drivers back on the buses for Northern Busway opening as boycott called off

    by: Anthony Gough
    From: The Courier-Mail
    June 16, 2012 6:58PM

THE wheels on the buses will go round and round after all on Monday, with drivers calling off their boycott of Brisbane's newly completed Northern Busway.

The boycott was planned after drivers were denied the chance to drive through the busway to familiarise themselves with the key piece of public transport infrastructure prior to its opening.

But Rail, Bus and Tram Union bus division secretary David Matters said the boycott had been called off after the Government had agreed to a range of safety measures on the $444 million busway.

"There was a number of measures to enable drivers to get through the busway," he said.

"There's been a few safety issues that have been fixed, and that's certainly a step forward."

He said the union would continue to push for drivers to receive practical training rather than virtual training using videos, but drivers would work through the busway when it began operations on Monday.

The Northern Busway was officially opened by Premier Campbell Newman today with a public walkthrough.

[SurfRail]

^ What. A. Surprise.

[somebody]

Sorry, I was talking about the Coro Drive one, same as you. I don't know anything about the Lutwyche Rd one.

Glad I queried it then, I thought you were talking about Lutwyche Rd!

[somebody]

The QUT study into the Lutwyche Rd transit lane showed 35 buses/hour a few years back.  From Monday there is to be in the busiest 1 hour:
321 2
330 6
331 6
332 6
333 6
340 6
341 4
370 4
375 5
376 3
379 5

Total: 53!

[#Metro]

Where are the bus lanes in the central section? The thing goes from class A ROW to class C ROW!
Did anyone see bus lanes in the central section? Because I didn't.

http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/northern-busway/100217-alignment.jpg

[red dragin]

Are you sure?

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's spokesman Michael Corkill said there were no plans to scrap the transit lane, despite the removal of the T3 lane on Coronation Drive at Toowong.

The removal of the T3 lane was a one-off, Mr Corkill said.

I can't find any decent link on the removal of the Lutwyche Rd bus lane.  Surely that would have reached the news.

http://www.racq.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/51243/Transit_Lane_Survey-_1996.pdf

The bit that was removed was the extension mentioned in that article. More of that lane has gone now that Truro st no longer goes through (new bustop).

The bypass of the federation st bustop (for southbound buses?) was built, but the gutter on lutwyche rd cuts it off making it useless/pointless concrete???

My point is, that if CanDo got rid of Coro dr bus lane & the Lutwyche Rd extension, what chance do we have of bus lanes being installed. CNI would like them installed I am sure, might force people to use the tunnel more.

It is a T3 lane, 7am-9am only.

[SurfRail]

Where are the bus lanes in the central section? The thing goes from class A ROW to class C ROW!
Did anyone see bus lanes in the central section? Because I didn't.

They confirmed with me yesterday that they are not happening (despite that diagram).

This is worth a media release I think.  Somebody has quietly killed these off.

[Mr X]

With the former head of BCC, a notorious pro-car council, now the head of the state government, I'm not surprised.

[O_128]

Where are the bus lanes in the central section? The thing goes from class A ROW to class C ROW!
Did anyone see bus lanes in the central section? Because I didn't.

They confirmed with me yesterday that they are not happening (despite that diagram).

This is worth a media release I think.  Somebody has quietly killed these off.

Totally agree IMO makes the entire thing useless

[HappyTrainGuy]

Personally I think the whole thing is useless because of how they designed buses to enter it. Albion Road is going to be a joke during outbound peak hour. Same for Kedrons bus only entrance lane during morning peak hour especially if they leave it unpainted. It will be a couple (if that) minutes faster during peak hour but at night I'd wager that buses are slower using the busway. All the times I used the 330/340 at night trips took about 8-10 mins to get to Chermside from the RBWH.

[Fares_Fair]

I heard that private bus charter companies are not allowed to use the busways, that they are for BCC and TransLink services only.
Is this the case?

[somebody]

I heard that private bus charter companies are not allowed to use the busways, that they are for BCC and TransLink services only.
Is this the case?

I believe so, the reason would be the same as the threatened industrial action - needs to be an induction about emergency procedures.  I don't think the arguments about smoke evacuation hold up.  There should be a layered defence, where if the fans fail people can still get out.  The only issue is that this training should be available to other operators at a reasonable charge.  Who would want to use it anyway?

[SurfRail]

I heard that private bus charter companies are not allowed to use the busways, that they are for BCC and TransLink services only.
Is this the case?

You need to be checked out as an operator, and buses need to be approved.  (Some non TransLink contract operators are permitted to use the busway to assist with special events eg Red and White from Sandgate, because they are checked out on it for that purpose.)

[Golliwog]

I heard that private bus charter companies are not allowed to use the busways, that they are for BCC and TransLink services only.
Is this the case?

I believe so, the reason would be the same as the threatened industrial action - needs to be an induction about emergency procedures.  I don't think the arguments about smoke evacuation hold up.  There should be a layered defence, where if the fans fail people can still get out.  The only issue is that this training should be available to other operators at a reasonable charge.  Who would want to use it anyway?

Pre-upgrade I know that there were a few school excursions to UQ that used the Green Bridge/busway. Whether they were authorised or not, I don't know. BT drivers loved them though, they were doing the pick up/drop off where they used to sit to layover.

[SurfRail]

Pre-upgrade I know that there were a few school excursions to UQ that used the Green Bridge/busway. Whether they were authorised or not, I don't know. BT drivers loved them though, they were doing the pick up/drop off where they used to sit to layover.

I have this suspicion that the bit after the tunnel mouth isn't actually "busway" for the purposes of the legislation and isn't under TransLink's direct control - it may just be BCC.

[Fares_Fair]

I am just amazed that publicly paid for infrastructure would be limited to disadvantage bus charter companies.
Isn't it advantageous to get ALL buses using the busways?
Not just selected ones.

That's crazy if it is true.

Also told another impediment is the height of them.

[Mr X]

Can someone confirm that they built a two-way tunnel under Gympie Rd but it has been built so that only northbound buses can use it? 

Also  @ the gutter preventing access to the Federation St bus stop bypass.. only in QLD!

[HappyTrainGuy]

I don't know if its a two way tunnel but pretty sure that's the case from what I've seen. To enter the busway from the north the bus has to que with traffic (it has its own lane but still relies on the green light for cars for right of way before entering the busway) but instead of contuning to Stafford the bus enters the busway under the airport link overpass. Heading north to Chermside the bus enters the tunnel and pops out into a buslane futher north along Gympie Road near the bowling alley. Expect a few drag races off the lights.

Basically the whole busway got rid of about 4 traffic lights. 1 for the Gym, 2 for the shops (which should be counted as 1) and 1 for the pub 

I bet Simon is going to hate having to use that bus stop as you have to walk to the far end to cross the road then back to the other end to catch the bus