G20 Brisbane November 2014

[dancingmongoose]

That means no, they can't be bothered. Although I wonder if the reason they don't adjust it for track maintenance is because of 'anticipated unscheduled last minute changes' as well, it's not like they aren't informed 12 months in advanced... This is why we need real time data. Now.

[James]

I got a reply from the Translink Team on my query about updating the GTFS data for the G20 interruptions to the network.

Not sure if this means their trip planner will or will not account for the changes, but I doubt it will.

It won't, which is incredibly disappointing given the scale of disruptions. JP still says I can get to New Farm (for example) by catching a 411 to the City and a 199 to New Farm. It is going to be hell getting anywhere around Brisbane, it'd be nice if they could at least program the journey planner to reflect this (somewhat).

[ozbob]

G20 Leaders' Summit Traffic and Transport Changes --> https://www.g20.org/news/video_gallery

[Derwan]

I got a reply from the Translink Team on my query about updating the GTFS data for the G20 interruptions to the network.

That's really poor!  Even if it doesn't run to schedule, having the disrupted timetables would be better than having the standard PEAK options for the Friday (and usual options for the Saturday and Sunday).  Instead, anyone unsure of what to expect and checking TransLink or an app - assuming that it will show them the disrupted timetable - will be rather disappointed.

Of course on the flipside, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know that public transport will be severely disrupted for the long weekend.

[dancingmongoose]

Of course on the flipside, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know that public transport will be severely disrupted for the long weekend.

Maybe not, perhaps someone doesn't work in the city and just thinks to themselves "I'm not affected, it's ok".

[darthcaligula666]

a lot of retailers are already being affected, a lot of office workers are already taking time off and so are not in the city working/spending money in their lunch breaks, and foot traffic is significantly reduced and only going to get worse. i chatted to some of the girls collecting donations for breast cancer near post office square the other day and they were pretty disheartened by the lack of people passing through. it obviously impacted on their takings, and they were surprised that the effects of g20 were already being felt this far out from the event. last night we noticed a flashing sign in adelaide street across from post office square denoting a road closure coming up from november 11th. it will be interesting to see how that further impacts customer flow.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> South Bank business 'wary and nervous' as G20 nears

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Residents locked out of South Bank Cultural Precinct during G20

[ozbob]

LM Quirk has just announced on 612 ABC Brisbane that there will be free parking in some of their CBD car parks.

This is further proof we are being governed by idiots.  Please don't drive, use PT or walk they say.

Free PT?  No way ... free parking of course!  IDIOTS!!

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane G20: 1000 free CBD parking spaces to prevent 'ghost town'

[ozbob]

News Talk 4BC 1116 interview on Breakfast re free fares for G20

Click-->  here  MP3

Thanks Ian and Loretta and 4BC!   

[ozbob]

Twitter

News Talk 4BC 1116 ‏@NewsTalk4BC

Lord Mayor @Team_Quirk, "The last thing we want is a ghost town". #G20Brisbane

======================

Hypocrites!  Would not support the free PT motion by opposition in Council, but happy to roll out free parking.

Polyticks at it again!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Shane Doherty @ShaneDoherty9

@theqldpremier again refuses free public transport for G20 #9News #qldpol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Chris O'Brien ‏@COBrienBris

Labor's @jackietrad calls for free public transport in Bris during #G20 @abcnews #qldpol

[darthcaligula666]

LM Quirk has just announced on 612 ABC Brisbane that there will be free parking in some of their CBD car parks.

This is further proof we are being governed by idiots.  Please don't drive, use PT or walk they say.

Free PT?  No way ... free parking of course!  IDIOTS!!

are you kidding!? wow, that is beyond a joke! isnt the idea to keep people out of the city? has the world gone mad? ive had hold of on releasing two of my blogs because of security fears with g20 (september entry in particular) and when i read something like this it makes me wonder about the collective intelligence of those involved in this operation. i wonder if they will be checking all vehicles for security breeches as they arrive at these car parks, otherwise this completely defeats the purpose of the entire operation.

[ozbob]

The Deputy Lord Mayor has called me an ' ALP stooge ' this morning for having the temerity to query why the Council would give free parking but not support the Council opposition's motion for free public transport.

Well I have been called a ' LNP stooge ' in the past was well. 

Good to know that someone is listening ... lol

IDIOTS!

[dancingmongoose]

I think we know who the real stooges are

[#Metro]

Hey Adrian, how's your bus patronage going? What's that? Sounding like the Coles TV ad... 'Down, Down, Patronage is Down...'

[SurfRail]

I wouldn't take anything those hacks say seriously.

Brisbane Transport is in its death throes at the moment.  Good riddance.

[red dragin]

Premier Larry, Lord Mayor Curly and Deputy Lord Mayor Moe?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> CityCat No. 20 a floating tribute to leaders' summit

[ozbob]

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Free tolls for G20

Tolls will be free for all motorists travelling on the Go Between Bridge and Gateway Bridges during the G20 Summit weekend.

Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said providing free tolls will help motorists get in and around the city during the summit.

"The G20 is attracting world leaders, 4000 delegates and 3000 media, and Queenslanders should also enjoy this international spectacle," Mr Newman said.

"The G20 will provide about $100 million worth of direct economic benefits for Brisbane, however we acknowledge there will also be some disruptions which is why we decided to waive the tolls on these bridges.

"Saturday will see the largest number of motorcade and vehicle movements occur and providing free tolls on these key bridges will help the travelling public get to where they need to go."

Mr Emerson said waiving the tolls would provide even more options for Queenslanders to enjoy the G20 celebrations and help minimise disruptions for those travelling around the CBD.

"From Friday 14 November to midnight Sunday 16 November motorists will travel free on the Go Between Bridge," Mr Emerson said.

"We are also funding free tolls on the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges (Gateway) on Saturday 15 November from 6.00am to midnight.

"Making the Gateway Bridges toll free on the Saturday will provide a free river crossing for those travelling between the north and south of the city and help reduce the inconvenience for motorists."

The Australian Government will fund the suspension period for the Go Between Bridge and the State Government will fund the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges (Gateway) at a total cost of $523,000.

For all information about G20 transport changes and road closures visit g20.org.au

[ENDS] 4 November 2014

[ozbob]

^

Catch public transport they said, or walk they said ...

[#Metro]

IS THIS FOR REAL? FREE TOLLS AND PARKING?!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Shane Doherty ‏@ShaneDoherty9 20m

Go Between and Gateway bridges toll free for G20. But not public transport (unless you're a delegate) #9News #qldpol

[bcasey]

Any sensible government would try to get people to take public transport for an event like this, since its more controllable from a security point of view, but not here in Brisbane. This just gets worse and worse. Sounds to me like some money has exchanged hands behind closed doors or something.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Public transport G20 holiday - full peak fares

Greetings,

Friday the 14th although a public holiday in Brisbane, full peak fares will continue to apply on the public transport network for SEQ, even though holiday/weekend timetables.

See --> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/24626/details

... As Friday 14 November is not a state-wide gazetted public holiday, regular fares will be charged throughout the day ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Any sensible government would try to get people to take public transport for an event like this, since its more controllable from a security point of view, but not here in Brisbane. This just gets worse and worse. Sounds to me like some money has exchanged hands behind closed doors or something.

Key word ' sensible '  not here hey?   

[red dragin]

Do we get public holiday fares on People's Day (Ekka?)?

[Arnz]

Do we get public holiday fares on People's Day (Ekka?)?

No.  Due to Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast PT operating on weekday timetables.

[James]

Any sensible government would try to get people to take public transport for an event like this, since its more controllable from a security point of view, but not here in Brisbane. This just gets worse and worse. Sounds to me like some money has exchanged hands behind closed doors or something.

I don't think it is that bad on the state level. Not putting a toll on either the GBB or Gateway is a no-brainer, given the Victoria Bridge is closed and that they want people to avoid the CBD. Emerson just doing the smart thing...

A sensible council would fund free PT in the Brisbane area, or at the very least, make the shuttles free. But BCC has very little in terms of brains, that's why they're opening the car parks for free instead. Rail is going to be proceeding mostly unhindered, aside from Beenleigh/Cleveland commuters. Bus on the other hand, is going to be an absolute nightmare.

I think the only upside is that all the buses heading to the Boggo Road hub will be terminating at UQ Lakes. At least the southside will be a little easier to access...

[SurfRail]

I'm tempted more and more to suggest that the Gold Coast should just have its own fare system for south of Beenleigh.

Our cost recovery is probably light years beyond the regional average because so little of the system relies on the rail network, which takes up about 60% of the total cost of the network for SEQ at large.

That would solve this public holiday nonsense and maybe allow us to get some decent fare relief.

[/rant]

[bcasey]

Any sensible government would try to get people to take public transport for an event like this, since its more controllable from a security point of view, but not here in Brisbane. This just gets worse and worse. Sounds to me like some money has exchanged hands behind closed doors or something.

I don't think it is that bad on the state level. Not putting a toll on either the GBB or Gateway is a no-brainer, given the Victoria Bridge is closed and that they want people to avoid the CBD. Emerson just doing the smart thing...

A sensible council would fund free PT in the Brisbane area, or at the very least, make the shuttles free. But BCC has very little in terms of brains, that's why they're opening the car parks for free instead. Rail is going to be proceeding mostly unhindered, aside from Beenleigh/Cleveland commuters. Bus on the other hand, is going to be an absolute nightmare.

I think the only upside is that all the buses heading to the Boggo Road hub will be terminating at UQ Lakes. At least the southside will be a little easier to access...

Yeah, I guess removing the tolls for the few days of the G20 make some sense, particularly the gateway bridge, which will allow people to avoid the city altogether. Still, making parking in the city free makes absolutely no sense at all, especially since its only a relatively small number of free parking spots available.

[bcasey]

Do we know if the shuttle buses will cost money to ride on?

Maybe instead of trying to convince the government to make all public transport free on these days, should we try and see if they will make travel on the shuttles free.

[ozbob]

Do we know if the shuttle buses will cost money to ride on?

Maybe instead of trying to convince the government to make all public transport free on these days, should we try and see if they will make travel on the shuttles free.

TransLink's web site says people have to touch on and off the shuttles, so no go paper will be required ...

Please remember to touch on and off all services as normal (including shuttles).

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/24626/details

[ozbob]

[dancingmongoose]

It's better than nothing, but frankly it's not good enough

[ozbob]

It is all too hard I guess.

If trains are disrupted through CBD core they will be running via Exhibition ad hoc.

Bus is just a mess.  Expecting folks to pay for uncertainty and delays is a all a bit rich in the end.

[BrizCommuter]

Another BrizCommuter special on the G20 transport fail.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/brizcommuter-special-g20-transport-fail.html

[James]

It's better than nothing, but frankly it's not good enough

Bus is going to be a total mess. If I try and travel from UQ Chancellors Place to Eight Mile Plains, these are two of the options which get spat out at me:



No mention at all that 111s will run UQ Lakes - Eight Mile Plains, and apparently I can still catch a 444 into the City and connect to a 111 at the Cultural Centre.

Some people I've talked to have no idea where their BUZ will be truncated, nor the alternative arrangements (e.g. when the f*** does a 111 leave UQ Lakes?). Without a timetable, people are going to have no idea when to catch their service. And this is the primary problem with the current set-up. How can you expect passengers to catch a bus (especially one running once every hour or less) without any idea on when services will run? This is the reason why I will be out of town for the majority of G20.

Thankfully Airtrain has released a special G20 timetable, which unfortunately due to the additional time taken being made up on the Gold Coast leg of the Airport - GC trip, is going to result in a lot of missed bus - rail connections. Props to AirTrain for going the extra mile here, a shame TransLink can't do the same. I think there are going to be a lot of pax come Friday the 14th who have no idea where they're going or how fast they're going to get there.