G20 Brisbane November 2014

[HappyTrainGuy]

F***ing great. How worse can this route get!

[dancingmongoose]

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.

That AirTrain timetable is a freaking Godsend. Thanks for that link, I'm sure plenty of people are going to find it useful.

[Otto]

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...

Wrong...
Boggo Road terminators will then proceed up to Peter Doherty Way outside the  Eco Science Centre to travel around the block to allow travel back to the Boggo Road Terminus.

Route 209 is the only service that will continue to service UQ Lakes according to the latest Staff Notice.

2 Shuttle services will be operating from Boggo Road, 1 express to Stephens Rd for the Mater Hospital + stop 5 Sth Brisbane, and the other shuttle express to Herschel Street.

[James]

Wrong...
Boggo Road terminators will then proceed up to Peter Doherty Way outside the  Eco Science Centre to travel around the block to allow travel back to the Boggo Road Terminus.

Route 209 is the only service that will continue to service UQ Lakes according to the latest Staff Notice.

2 Shuttle services will be operating from Boggo Road, 1 express to Stephens Rd for the Mater Hospital + stop 5 Sth Brisbane, and the other shuttle express to Herschel Street.

The TransLink website/Facebook explicitly states that the 111, 130 and 140 (at a minimum) are all continuing to UQ Lakes to turn around, and really it would make the most sense for any buses using the busway to travel that way - it is Class A ROW, has a specialised bus turnaround, serves a major trip generator and won't get held up in traffic.

I know the shuttles turnaround off the busway network, but any routes using the busway should continue to UQ Lakes. It is what the RailBuses do and the 111, 130 and 140 are already going to do it, no reason why it shouldn't occur for the other routes. But hey, this is BT we are talking about...

[Otto]

Arrr, love it !!! So typical. Left and Right hands not talking to each other AGAIN !!!

[ozbob]

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

Thanks!   

[ozbob]

It is a great example of what the LNP actually thinks about public transport all this.  They hate it, and the users of public transport, clearly.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> G20 Brisbane: tolls dropped during summit for motorists but no free public transport

The State Government has waivered tolls on the Go Between Bridge and the Gateway Bridge for the G20 summit weekend, but public transport will remain ticketed.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson announced that from midnight Friday November 14 through to the Sunday vehicles on the Go Between Bridge will travel free.

The Gateway Bridge tolls will be waived on Saturday November 15 from 6.00am to midnight.

Mr Emerson told 612 ABC Brisbane's Terri Begley that the changes will help motorists.

"There will be some inconveniences at South Bank but we are trying to make it as convenient as possible, there will still be barricades in place, but these free tolls will make a difference," he said.

Public transport fares will be reduced by 20 per cent on Saturday and Sunday but there will be no drop for the public holiday on Friday.

"We are providing transport into the city and there will be discounted transport on the Saturday and Sunday to make sure people can get into the city," he said.

"Friday will not be discounted as it is only a public holiday for a certain part of the network."

G20 delegates will be supplied with free Go Cards for the duration of the event but the Government is holding strong on not providing free public transport.

"There will be traffic hubs and changes to public transport over the weekend so there will be differences, but there will be no free fares," said Mr Emerson.

[ozbob]

^

I suggested during an interview on 4BC that free transport for zones 1- 2 or 3 would be sensible.  Would not be difficult to do at all via go card system.

This would have kept punters on side and encouraged folks into the CBD.

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times published 5th November 2014 page 17

Regular fares will apply on Brisbane's day off

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Red Zone activated for Brisbane G20 summit with 70 items banned

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th November 2014

Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Good Morning,

Concerns that Brisbane CBD will be a desert during the G20.  People are being encouraged to use ' public transport, cycle or walk '.

Normal fares for the G20 weekend, and peak fares also apply on the public transport system on the G20 public holiday on the 14th of November.

More mixed messages however, free tolls and parking?  Crazy huh?  All this is really saying is public transport users be damned, just drive!!

There will be considerable disruption to public transport services particularly buses.  At a minimum fares should be done away with for the inner zones on the system, say zones 1 and 2 (possibly 3 as well) at a minimum.

This would be easy to implement, paper tickets simply not required for those zones and go card adjustments could easily be done by the system.  It would also speed up loading of the shuttle buses etc. from and to the transport hubs.

The G20 is a oncer and great opportunity for Brisbane.  It is very sad that the Government cannot grasp the moment and continues to punish public transport users.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Interview on free fares for G20  R Dow 4BC --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg148120#msg148120

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



Media release 26th October 2014 re-released 8th November 2014

SEQ: Call for free public transport for all during G20

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 again called for free public transport to be made available for all during the G20 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 (2).  A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor.

"This would also help create a good community spirit towards the G20, as well as business multiplier effects.

"Other jurisdictions can see the value of encouraging people onto public transport.  For example in Perth (3), apart from a fare cut on 1st November 2014, they  also rolled out a day of free travel on Monday the 3rd November 2014!

"Here in SEQ, because the declared public holiday on the 14th November 2014 is not gazetted, passengers will pay full peak fares for the disrupted services on the public holiday.  Hardly the way to promote Brisbane is it?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg147825#msg147825

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

3. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

Contact:

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

[SurfRail]

The cynic in me believes this is to keep the feral population in the CBD area limited to make security easier and property damage less likely.

[ozbob]

The cynic in me believes this is to keep the feral population in the CBD area limited to make security easier and property damage less likely.

The public rhetoric by Quirk et al is they want folks to come to the CBD.  It is just more spin ...

If they wanted folks there they would enable it.

Fare evasion is going to be rife I reckon anyway, ticketing & enforcement is just going waste resources ... the smart thing to do would be free PT for reasons stated above.  Protesters etc are not going to care one way or the other.  Getting citizens into the CBD for business etc. is sensible.  I think there are real risks with free car parking ...  but that is for others to worry about ...

Emerson et al have been pushing the line that there are discounted fares on Saturday and Sunday!  Of course there are - off peak on go card.  They must think the public are fools ... 

This line suggests they do want folks around ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> G20 Brisbane: Compensation for G20 protest 'victims'

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times published 10th November 2014 page 21

No incentives to get people on public transport during G20



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

^ I just heard on 4BC Breakfast the Asst Police Commissioner in charge of security etc. for the G20 encouraging folks to use public transport and not drive during the G20.

[ozbob]

 

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter exclusive - the free travel G20 go card!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/brizcommuter-almost-exclusive-g20-go.html

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter exclusive - the free travel G20 go card!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/brizcommuter-almost-exclusive-g20-go.html

Nice!   

[ozbob]

The Minister for Transport Mr Emerson has again come under pressure this morning on the weekly radio segment on 4BC with Patrick Condren to roll out free travel for the G20 weekend - CBD is already looking lean of people.  Opposition Ms Trad and callers said it was a sensible thing to do.

I tweeted etc.  I reckon it would cost around $2-3 million in foregone revenue but I have pointed out that I believe that cost would be recovered post #G20 with increased patronage that would flow from the sensible and positive initiative.

Sent to all outlets:

8th November 2014

Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Good Morning,

Concerns that Brisbane CBD will be a desert during the G20.  People are being encouraged to use ' public transport, cycle or walk '.

Normal fares for the G20 weekend, and peak fares also apply on the public transport system on the G20 public holiday on the 14th of November.

More mixed messages however, free tolls and parking?  Crazy huh?  All this is really saying is public transport users be damned, just drive!!

There will be considerable disruption to public transport services particularly buses.  At a minimum fares should be done away with for the inner zones on the system, say zones 1 and 2 (possibly 3 as well) at a minimum.

This would be easy to implement, paper tickets simply not required for those zones and go card adjustments could easily be done by the system.  It would also speed up loading of the shuttle buses etc. from and to the transport hubs.

The G20 is a oncer and great opportunity for Brisbane.  It is very sad that the Government cannot grasp the moment and continues to punish public transport users.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Interview on free fares for G20  R Dow 4BC --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg148120#msg148120

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



Media release 26th October 2014 re-released 8th November 2014

SEQ: Call for free public transport for all during G20

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 again called for free public transport to be made available for all during the G20 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 (2).  A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor.

"This would also help create a good community spirit towards the G20, as well as business multiplier effects.

"Other jurisdictions can see the value of encouraging people onto public transport.  For example in Perth (3), apart from a fare cut on 1st November 2014, they  also rolled out a day of free travel on Monday the 3rd November 2014!

"Here in SEQ, because the declared public holiday on the 14th November 2014 is not gazetted, passengers will pay full peak fares for the disrupted services on the public holiday.  Hardly the way to promote Brisbane is it?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg147825#msg147825

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

3. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

Contact:

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

[red dragin]

Noticing considerably less traffic just on Anzac Ave between Kallangur & Petrie on both peaks - looks like a lot of people have taken the week off.

I personally think people would avoid the city due to expected violence caused by the small minority of rouge protesters. That reason alone is enough for me to stay out of the CBD during G20.

Edit:
Made it sound less like I wouldn't head into the city to be a rouge protester   

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not the only corridor. Sandgate road in peak hour the afternoon looked like it was a Sunday morning. I couldn't believe how fast it took me to get from Albion to Robinson Road.

[dancingmongoose]

17 Mile Rocks Road is a lot quieter too, and AM Springfield to Nambour is much emptier to the point where we had ticket officers yesterday, normally there isn't any room to move let alone inspect tickets

[ozbob]

ABC News --> G20: Impact on CBD retail and hospitality may be as bad as during Qld floods, business group says

... The impact of the G20 on businesses in the Brisbane CBD will potentially be as bad that experienced during the 2011 floods, Queensland's Chamber of Commerce says.

State and civic leaders have previously raised concerns the inner city would be deserted over the coming weekend, with Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk urging residents not to let the city become a "ghost town".

Nick Behrens, from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, said it was already slow enough that some city businesses would be closing their doors before most world leaders even arrived in Brisbane.

"They are doing it tough, it [has] potentially major implications for them," he told the ABC.

"For those businesses that are choosing to close, it's essentially likened to the 2011 floods, where they lost electricity and they weren't able to open ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane G20: University of Queensland's St Lucia campus declared G20 zone as Barack Obama set to deliver speech

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> G20 handling of the homeless appalling

[aldonius]

rouge

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th November 2014

Re: Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Greetings,

This morning on 4BC Mornings with Patrick Condren, the question was put to the Minister for Transport that perhaps free public transport for the G20 might help populate Brisbane CBD.  The Minister seemed unable to answer and simply dropped back into the usual rhetoric.

More enlightened jurisdictions would acknowledge the significance for Brisbane of the G20, and get everyone on board.

It is a great tragedy, that years of planning are coming undone as the public abandon Brisbane and its businesses.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

8th November 2014

Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Good Morning,

Concerns that Brisbane CBD will be a desert during the G20.  People are being encouraged to use ' public transport, cycle or walk '.

Normal fares for the G20 weekend, and peak fares also apply on the public transport system on the G20 public holiday on the 14th of November.

More mixed messages however, free tolls and parking?  Crazy huh?  All this is really saying is public transport users be damned, just drive!!

There will be considerable disruption to public transport services particularly buses.  At a minimum fares should be done away with for the inner zones on the system, say zones 1 and 2 (possibly 3 as well) at a minimum.

This would be easy to implement, paper tickets simply not required for those zones and go card adjustments could easily be done by the system.  It would also speed up loading of the shuttle buses etc. from and to the transport hubs.

The G20 is a oncer and great opportunity for Brisbane.  It is very sad that the Government cannot grasp the moment and continues to punish public transport users.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Interview on free fares for G20  R Dow 4BC --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg148120#msg148120

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



Media release 26th October 2014 re-released 8th November 2014

SEQ: Call for free public transport for all during G20

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 again called for free public transport to be made available for all during the G20 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 (2).  A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor.

"This would also help create a good community spirit towards the G20, as well as business multiplier effects.

"Other jurisdictions can see the value of encouraging people onto public transport.  For example in Perth (3), apart from a fare cut on 1st November 2014, they  also rolled out a day of free travel on Monday the 3rd November 2014!

"Here in SEQ, because the declared public holiday on the 14th November 2014 is not gazetted, passengers will pay full peak fares for the disrupted services on the public holiday.  Hardly the way to promote Brisbane is it?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg147825#msg147825

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

3. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

Contact:

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

[BrizCommuter]

Using the G20 go card gives a red light on both touch on "Pass Use, Expires Soon" and touch off "$0.00 =, $0.00 remaining". The user guide in the pack mentions to look for a green light. Oh dear TransLink. 

[ozbob]

Using the G20 go card gives a red light on both touch on "Pass Use, Expires Soon" and touch off "$0.00 =, $0.00 remaining". The user guide in the pack mentions to look for a green light. Oh dear TransLink. 

Welcome to 1971 G20 delegates!

[dancingmongoose]

Maybe it's red cause it's not the weekend yet?

[ozbob]

Maybe it's red cause it's not the weekend yet?

The free travel week on the G20 go card is this week according to earlier post by Briz ...

[STB]

Using the G20 go card gives a red light on both touch on "Pass Use, Expires Soon" and touch off "$0.00 =, $0.00 remaining". The user guide in the pack mentions to look for a green light. Oh dear TransLink. 

Oh my goodness, can this state get anything right for once?  Just once!?!? 

[red dragin]

Had a lady call today (I'm a property manager) asking if our rental on Bribie Island was available for one week as she needs a place but all accommodation on the island is booked out this week.

I hope the last person to leave Brisbane tomorrow remembers to turn the lights off 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th November 2014

Re: Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Greetings,

This morning on 4BC Mornings with Patrick Condren, the question was put to the Minister for Transport that perhaps free public transport for the G20 might help populate Brisbane CBD.  The Minister seemed unable to answer and simply dropped back into the usual rhetoric.

More enlightened jurisdictions would acknowledge the significance for Brisbane of the G20, and get everyone on board.

It is a great tragedy, that years of planning are coming undone as the public abandon Brisbane and its businesses.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

8th November 2014

Fare commonsense for PT during G20?

Good Morning,

Concerns that Brisbane CBD will be a desert during the G20.  People are being encouraged to use ' public transport, cycle or walk '.

Normal fares for the G20 weekend, and peak fares also apply on the public transport system on the G20 public holiday on the 14th of November.

More mixed messages however, free tolls and parking?  Crazy huh?  All this is really saying is public transport users be damned, just drive!!

There will be considerable disruption to public transport services particularly buses.  At a minimum fares should be done away with for the inner zones on the system, say zones 1 and 2 (possibly 3 as well) at a minimum.

This would be easy to implement, paper tickets simply not required for those zones and go card adjustments could easily be done by the system.  It would also speed up loading of the shuttle buses etc. from and to the transport hubs.

The G20 is a oncer and great opportunity for Brisbane.  It is very sad that the Government cannot grasp the moment and continues to punish public transport users.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Interview on free fares for G20  R Dow 4BC --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg148120#msg148120

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



Media release 26th October 2014 re-released 8th November 2014

SEQ: Call for free public transport for all during G20

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 again called for free public transport to be made available for all during the G20 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 (2).  A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor.

"This would also help create a good community spirit towards the G20, as well as business multiplier effects.

"Other jurisdictions can see the value of encouraging people onto public transport.  For example in Perth (3), apart from a fare cut on 1st November 2014, they  also rolled out a day of free travel on Monday the 3rd November 2014!

"Here in SEQ, because the declared public holiday on the 14th November 2014 is not gazetted, passengers will pay full peak fares for the disrupted services on the public holiday.  Hardly the way to promote Brisbane is it?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg147825#msg147825

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

3. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Using the G20 go card gives a red light on both touch on "Pass Use, Expires Soon" and touch off "$0.00 =, $0.00 remaining". The user guide in the pack mentions to look for a green light. Oh dear TransLink. 

Oh my goodness, can this state get anything right for once?  Just once!?!? 

It is all about bananas hey?

[BrizCommuter]

Maybe it's red cause it's not the weekend yet?

It is valid Mon 10th to Mon 17th Nov.

[SurfRail]

Using the G20 go card gives a red light on both touch on "Pass Use, Expires Soon" and touch off "$0.00 =, $0.00 remaining". The user guide in the pack mentions to look for a green light. Oh dear TransLink. 

Oh my goodness, can this state get anything right for once?  Just once!?!? 

Overwhelmingly it seems to be a Brisbane thing, not a Queensland thing.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane resembles ghost town ahead of G20 summit