Ekka 2012 9-18 August

[Golliwog]

Plus the sensible Ekka goers won't be paying a normal fare anyway and would be getting the Ekka special return ticket.

[Mr X]

Actually it's cheaper for those who travel 2 zones to the Ekka to use their go card

[ozbob]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/translink-ekka-rip-off.html
TransLink charging peak fares on a Brisbane public holiday again. 

Briz, we are in Queensland cobber.

Queensland is different, we have holidays and gazetted public holidays.  Exhibition Wednesday is a holiday but not a gazetted public holiday.

The gazetted public holidays are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Australia#Queensland

Queensland

The days are set in the "Holidays Act 1983" as:

    Good Friday
    Day after Good Friday (Easter Saturday)
    Easter Monday
    Second Monday in June (Birthday of the Sovereign)
    1 January (new Year's Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 April (Anzac Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 December (Christmas Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 December (Boxing Day) if this day falls on a Monday, the following day is substituted.
    1 May (Labour Day) if not a Monday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 January (Australia Day) if on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.

The minister of the state may proclaim and adjustments or additions, such as the date of the Brisbane Ekka Show day holiday. Because of the variable days of Easter, Anzac day could fall on an Easter holiday.

In 2011, Queensland changed the gazetted public holidays in the Holiday Act where if a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following day will be an additional public holiday, rather than a substitute day. In addition to this, there will be a special Queen's Jubilee public holiday in June 2012 only and the Queen's Birthday public holiday will be moved to the latter part of the year to align with other states [9]. From 2012, the Queen's Birthday will be celebrated in Queensland on the first Monday in October.[25]

TransLink only give total off peak on 'gazetted public holidays', this is because only in BCC ( and some other isolated councils) it is technically a holiday.  The  Minister may proclaim a date but that does not make it gazzetted.  Only those listed.

Despite the largely off peak services etc. we don't get relief from peak fares on that day!

All I can say is .....

QUEENSLANDER!

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/translink-ekka-rip-off.html
TransLink charging peak fares on a Brisbane public holiday again. 

Briz, we are in Queensland cobber.

Queensland is different, we have holidays and gazetted public holidays.  Exhibition Wednesday is a holiday but not a gazetted public holiday.

The gazetted public holidays are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Australia#Queensland

Queensland

The days are set in the "Holidays Act 1983" as:

    Good Friday
    Day after Good Friday (Easter Saturday)
    Easter Monday
    Second Monday in June (Birthday of the Sovereign)
    1 January (new Year's Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 April (Anzac Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 December (Christmas Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 December (Boxing Day) if this day falls on a Monday, the following day is substituted.
    1 May (Labour Day) if not a Monday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 January (Australia Day) if on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.

The minister of the state may proclaim and adjustments or additions, such as the date of the Brisbane Ekka Show day holiday. Because of the variable days of Easter, Anzac day could fall on an Easter holiday.

In 2011, Queensland changed the gazetted public holidays in the Holiday Act where if a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following day will be an additional public holiday, rather than a substitute day. In addition to this, there will be a special Queen's Jubilee public holiday in June 2012 only and the Queen's Birthday public holiday will be moved to the latter part of the year to align with other states [9]. From 2012, the Queen's Birthday will be celebrated in Queensland on the first Monday in October.[25]

TransLink only give total off peak on 'gazetted public holidays', this is because only in BCC ( and some other isolated councils) it is technically a holiday.  The  Minister may proclaim a date but that does not make it gazzetted.  Only those listed.

Despite the largely off peak services etc. we don't get relief from peak fares on that day!

All I can say is .....

QUEENSLANDER!

According to Fair Work Australia (not Wikipedia), Ekka wednesday is a QLD gazetted public holiday.

[Arnz]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/translink-ekka-rip-off.html
TransLink charging peak fares on a Brisbane public holiday again. 

Briz, we are in Queensland cobber.

Queensland is different, we have holidays and gazetted public holidays.  Exhibition Wednesday is a holiday but not a gazetted public holiday.

The gazetted public holidays are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Australia#Queensland

Queensland

The days are set in the "Holidays Act 1983" as:

    Good Friday
    Day after Good Friday (Easter Saturday)
    Easter Monday
    Second Monday in June (Birthday of the Sovereign)
    1 January (new Year's Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 April (Anzac Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    25 December (Christmas Day) if on Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 December (Boxing Day) if this day falls on a Monday, the following day is substituted.
    1 May (Labour Day) if not a Monday, the next Monday is substituted.
    26 January (Australia Day) if on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is substituted.

The minister of the state may proclaim and adjustments or additions, such as the date of the Brisbane Ekka Show day holiday. Because of the variable days of Easter, Anzac day could fall on an Easter holiday.

In 2011, Queensland changed the gazetted public holidays in the Holiday Act where if a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following day will be an additional public holiday, rather than a substitute day. In addition to this, there will be a special Queen's Jubilee public holiday in June 2012 only and the Queen's Birthday public holiday will be moved to the latter part of the year to align with other states [9]. From 2012, the Queen's Birthday will be celebrated in Queensland on the first Monday in October.[25]

TransLink only give total off peak on 'gazetted public holidays', this is because only in BCC ( and some other isolated councils) it is technically a holiday.  The  Minister may proclaim a date but that does not make it gazzetted.  Only those listed.

Despite the largely off peak services etc. we don't get relief from peak fares on that day!

All I can say is .....

QUEENSLANDER!

According to Fair Work Australia (not Wikipedia), Ekka wednesday is a QLD gazetted public holiday.

Only in Brisbane and surrounding metro areas.  Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, etc and the rest of Queensland had normal working trading hours.

[WTN]

It doesn't help when the public holiday is only for Brisbane yet the Translink network extends beyond it. Hence the disconnect between service levels in different regions and the fares.

Charging off peak when travelling only within the Brisbane holiday zones is fairer, but I doubt that could be implemented.

[ozbob]

I think you will find that FWA is not correct.  TransLink cannot do what is actually not correct.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
17/08/2012

Record rides to the rides

A record number of patrons caught public transport to get to the Ekka this year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said public transport use was up 25 per cent from last year following the introduction of the special Ekka travel ticket, extra bus services and the removal of the go card surcharge this year.

"Since the Ekka kicked off last Thursday more than 343,000 journeys were taken to and from the show including more than 32,000 bus journeys," Mr Emerson said.

"People's day alone had the highest public transport usage, with nearly 69,000 journeys to and from the show.

"Bus use increased over the course of the show from just a couple of hundred on the first day to over 10,000 on people's day which was pleasing.

"I caught public transport a couple of times to the show and the feedback I received from Ekka-goers was positive indicating how well this year's public transport is operating compared to previous years.

"The Ekka travel ticket also made it more affordable, particularly for families travelling from Ipswich, and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

"Anyone with a pre-purchased Ekka ticket could purchase a $6 travel ticket or $3 for child/concession from anywhere on the TransLink network."

Mr Emerson commented on the great work of staff who provided the public transport services to the Ekka this year.

"The men and women who provide the services or are on the ground ensuring everything is working as planned are the lifeblood of keeping public transport flowing and providing a safe journey."

[ENDS] 17 August 2012

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th August 2012

Ekka

Greetings,

We are delighted too that ticketing and public transport arrangements have been better this year for the Ekka.  Goodness, it took years of angst to get there ...

Particularly pleased to see  that the Minister has acknowledged the contribution of the public transport staff!  Well done all.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
17/08/2012

Record rides to the rides

A record number of patrons caught public transport to get to the Ekka this year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said public transport use was up 25 per cent from last year following the introduction of the special Ekka travel ticket, extra bus services and the removal of the go card surcharge this year.

"Since the Ekka kicked off last Thursday more than 343,000 journeys were taken to and from the show including more than 32,000 bus journeys," Mr Emerson said.

"People's day alone had the highest public transport usage, with nearly 69,000 journeys to and from the show.

"Bus use increased over the course of the show from just a couple of hundred on the first day to over 10,000 on people's day which was pleasing.

"I caught public transport a couple of times to the show and the feedback I received from Ekka-goers was positive indicating how well this year's public transport is operating compared to previous years.

"The Ekka travel ticket also made it more affordable, particularly for families travelling from Ipswich, and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

"Anyone with a pre-purchased Ekka ticket could purchase a $6 travel ticket or $3 for child/concession from anywhere on the TransLink network."

Mr Emerson commented on the great work of staff who provided the public transport services to the Ekka this year.

"The men and women who provide the services or are on the ground ensuring everything is working as planned are the lifeblood of keeping public transport flowing and providing a safe journey."

[ENDS] 17 August 2012

[ozbob]

The bus figures are particularly disappointing, but we knew that ...

--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8930.0

[ozbob]

I think you will find that FWA is not correct.  TransLink cannot do what is actually not correct.

I have sought official confirmation.

[BrizCommuter]

I think you will find that FWA is not correct.  TransLink cannot do what is actually not correct.

I have sought official confirmation.

So what would happen to someone buying an off-peak paper ticket on Wednesday, and then running into a Transit Officer? BrizCommuter is pretty sure that there would be no problem. Yet, a go card user gets charged peak rates for an off-peak service.

TransLink need to clearly state what the rule is, otherwise they are misleading customers. 

[ozbob]

TransLink has said that as the holiday is only a regional one and extends to BCC boundary, to avoid complications with outer areas that are not in public holiday they leave normal fare arrangements in place.

Many outer locations eg. Goodna, Caboolture it is normal work day etc.

TransLink have also indicated in future they will make this point clearer on the ticketing information.

There was a statement on the Exhibition Holiday information that did say that normal peak fares would apply, but wasn't that prominent.

[#Metro]

"Bus use increased over the course of the show from just a couple of hundred on the first day to over 10,000 on people's day which was pleasing.

LOL, the busway can do that in one hour flat. Given that people going to and leaving from the venue, that's only 5000 pax or 5 trains worth, spread over the entire course of the day. Plenty of capacity on existing services.

[Golliwog]

The bus figures are particularly disappointing, but we knew that ...

--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8930.0

Wow, only 32,000? Taking that's over the 8 days, that's an average of 4000 a day, spread across the 7 different routes, means an average of 571 passengers used each route (and that's both directions) each day.

[somebody]

There were quite a number of routes in there which didn't seem to make much sense.  They had the mark of BT network planning actually - buses running against trains.

[Golliwog]

There were quite a number of routes in there which didn't seem to make much sense.  They had the mark of BT network planning actually - buses running against trains.

I really didn't get the number of Ekka specials either. Particularly the combo of Boggo Rd, Langlands Park and 8MP all together. If you wanted extra buses, maybe just up the frequency on some of the BUZ routes. Walking from Bowen Hills/Fortitude Valley/RBWH really isn't that hard or far (actually, I think one of the Ekka bus routes only went to RBWH anyway?) and you've got the Exhibition station as well. If they were to have any buses they really should have just been from the Ekka to the CBD/nearby major interchanges rather than from the Ekka to everywhere. Whats the point of having a network if you're not going to try and get people to use it?

EDIT: and on top of that, interested to know what those patronage figures are based on. If they are pax that touched on/off at the Ekka bus stop, thats fine. However going through Buranda yesterday and the Ekka bound bus dropped off a couple of pax there (I was waiting for a 77). Not convinced that would be the only time that sort of thing happened either.

[Golliwog]

I know this isn't about the Ekka, it's an event at the RNA, and hopefully is a signal that they've finally made the common sense decision: http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/633

Train it to Soundwave

Friday 22 February 2013

Music fans heading to Soundwave won't miss a beat with trains travelling directly to and from the RNA Showgrounds on Saturday (February 23).

TransLink Acting Deputy Director-General Matt Longland said special event trains would run through city stations and Exhibition Loop every 15-20 minutes from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm.

"Festival goers heading to Soundwave should catch a train to Roma Street, Central or Fortitude Valley stations and change on to one of special event services operating via the Exhibition Loop to the venue," Mr Longland said.

"Trains on the Exhibition Loop are a fast, frequent and reliable transport option for people heading to this popular, annual rock music festival."

Mr Longland said music fans could also catch regular Northern Busway services to the RBWH busway station, which is located a short walk from the RNA showgrounds across Bowen Bridge Road.

"People travelling from the Brisbane CBD can arrive at the RNA Showgrounds in less than 10 minutes thanks to the busway," Mr Longland said.

"Many regular northside bus routes stop at the RBWH station every few minutes or customers can easily transfer to high-frequency routes in the city including 66, 330, 333 or 340."

Normal TransLink fares and conditions apply. Customers using go card to travel on a train to this event should note that the Exhibition Loop station is now located in zone one and no surcharge will apply.

Train customers on the Caboolture, Sunshine Coast and Cleveland train lines should plan their journey in advance with delays up to 60 minutes expected on the journey home due to scheduled track closures for maintenance.

Buses will replace trains all weekend (23 and 24 February) on the Cleveland train line between Park Road and Cleveland stations, as well as the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines from 11.59pm on Saturday (23 February) until 6am Sunday (24 February).

Customers arriving in the CBD after 11pm should check the last service to their destination.

For more information on public transport options to Soundwave, visit the TransLink website translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

If this is how it will be for all future RNA events then: 

[ozbob]

Thanks Golli, yes it seems now that Exhibition is well and truly zone one  for ticketing purposes ...

[colinw]

I'm curious about how well these special Ekka loop services fit into the normal service pattern through the inner city.  Do they cause delays and degrade on-time running of the rest of the system?

Is there perhaps a case to run a full time anti-clockwise circle service, perhaps with reinstatement of the long vanished Normanby College Rd station (last used in the 1890s).

Although I imagine it would be difficult to schedule in the peaks and cause problems at the junctions.

Yeah, I know. Foaming, and made unnecessary by CRR if/when it gets built.  Plus you can get on the busway at Roma St and reach RBH/Herston easily enough anyway.

[somebody]

I'm curious about how well these special Ekka loop services fit into the normal service pattern through the inner city.  Do they cause delays and degrade on-time running of the rest of the system?

Is there perhaps a case to run a full time anti-clockwise circle service, perhaps with reinstatement of the long vanished Normanby College Rd station (last used in the 1890s).

Although I imagine it would be difficult to schedule in the peaks and cause problems at the junctions.

Yeah, I know. Foaming, and made unnecessary by CRR if/when it gets built.  Plus you can get on the busway at Roma St and reach RBH/Herston easily enough anyway.

Might not be foaming.  Of the Bowen Hills terminators from Ipswich/Richlands, instead redirect them to Exhibition then Roma St platform 10 where they would reverse to run back to the yard out of service.  Trains from Roma St platform 8 which are returning to the yard could instead continue to Exhibition and be cleared out of service there.  No more clearing out of service at platform 8, which would help with capacity.

No reduction in capacity in the above.

The numbers of buses on the busway is high, and you could cut operational costs if enough people got on trains instead.

The major issue is that the access to Exhibition station is owned by RNA.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Ekka loop specials cause no delays as there are allocated spaces for them in the MTP. Trains that are put onto the loop end up forming Petrie all stop services. Ekka loop services in the morning are also usually formed from terminating Bowen Hills services. The last couple years numbers were put in the cabs to tell what services ended up getting schedulled for the loop shuttle.

As far as I know platform 10 is generally out of bounds for services via the exhibition due to terminating peak hour services from Central and traveltrain movements/stabling. Anyway it would be more practical to just send them back through the CBD again to Bowen Hills and then use the baloon loop to access the western roads rather than turning back at Roma Street. Clearing of services at Roma Street is faster as they have their own schedulles when it comes to crossing movements and running along Normanby. That would also mean staff would need to be manned full time at the Exhibition stations. If you think trains continue at speed back to Mayne you'll be mistaken. I hope you like the stop start stop starts that they do

For soundwave there will be dedicated rollingstock for the loop. Richlands-Bowen Hills services will still run into the yard to turn around.

[BrizCommuter]

"Many regular northside bus routes stop at the RBWH station every few minutes or customers can easily transfer to high-frequency routes in the city including 66, 330, 333 or 340."

The 66 doesn't run on Saturdays. 

[Golliwog]

"Many regular northside bus routes stop at the RBWH station every few minutes or customers can easily transfer to high-frequency routes in the city including 66, 330, 333 or 340."

The 66 doesn't run on Saturdays. 

[BrizCommuter]

"Many regular northside bus routes stop at the RBWH station every few minutes or customers can easily transfer to high-frequency routes in the city including 66, 330, 333 or 340."

The 66 doesn't run on Saturdays. 

Have decided this needs a blog post, especially given poor advice on "10pm" train line closures last week.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/soundwave-advice.html

[#Metro]

So they made a mistake. So what.

[somebody]

Surely listing the 66 isn't the end of the world.  Another bus will be along shortly.

[Golliwog]

They run the network. They should be able to give out a correct list of bus routes.

It's like telling me I could use the 362 to get to church on a Sunday morning because it serves the bus stops near the churches in The Gap, Keperra and Mitchelton.

[BrizCommuter]

So they made a mistake. So what.

They shouldn't be making such blatant mistakes. BrizCommuter lived in London for 9 years and Transport for London very rarely got their facts wrong when giving out information. TransLink have managed to stuff up twice in two weeks, and regularly give out incorrect or misleading information. Mediocrity is not acceptable. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Remember not to long ago they published a list of delayed buses in the Brisbane CBD. It was good and all until you saw the routes. 77, the Chermside 336/337 community buses and I think a couple Gold Coast buses made it in there aswell. Must have been one hell of a delay!

[ozbob]

 "The difference between mediocrity and excellence is attention to detail."

― Sebastian J. Barbarito

[SurfRail]

Guarantee if they had access to one or more of us to proof everything there would be significantly fewer errors.  I don't think too many people with our attention to detail actually work there otherwise these kind of blunders would neither happen nor be considered acceptable.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Guarantee if they had access to one or more of us to proof everything there would be significantly fewer errors.  I don't think too many people with our attention to detail actually work there otherwise these kind of blunders would neither happen nor be considered acceptable.

They are the SEQ PT network provider. They should have people there that know the ins and outs of the network as its their job. Assign a few people to each region.

The only issue that I have with the stuff ups are the "delayed" routes that are actually uneffected routes that get added to that list. Considering a large portion (the northside of Brisbane at least) are hourly routes do you wait and make that connection or do you look at trying to get a different route there (ie getting on a scenic tour route or even going past your destination and then back tracking on inbound routes - which you can do alot on the northside either by train/bus combos eg if the 338 is cancelled or delayed while I'm at Chermside I can get the 336/340/680 to Aspley to jump on a 350 to Old Northern Road with a 359 to Eatons Hill (not ideal but it only adds about ~30 mins extra to get home). There's also the 680 to Strathpine and 338 inbound. 330 to Zillmere to connect with the train to Strathpine with the inbound 338 to Eatons Hil. There's even the 335/325 to Carseldine/Geebung with the train to Strathpine and inbound 338). North Lakes/Redcliffe/Lawnton/Petrie/Warner/Bray Park/Strathpine/Sandgate/Boondall/Deagon etc are all in a similar boat too. If there are delays on Gympie Road you can overshoot Bray Park and get on the new reverse services at Lawnton. That all can change again if its during peak hour as you get the advantage of better frequencies to get ahead.

[#Metro]

It's not TransLink IMHO, it's the contractor behind the call centre if my assumptions are correct.

[BrizCommuter]

It's not TransLink IMHO, it's the contractor behind the call centre if my assumptions are correct.

This particular statement was in a press release from one of TransLinks top bods.

[HappyTrainGuy]

It's not TransLink IMHO, it's the contractor behind the call centre if my assumptions are correct.

If it is heaven forbid what information the call centre is providing when people ring them 

[Golliwog]

In my opinion, whether it's Translink themselves, or the call center contractor is irrelevant. It's a problem that needs to be sorted.

The only thing worse than giving out no information, is giving out the wrong information.