Slacks Creek park'n'ride

[ClintonL94]

Information on this project:
http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/slacks-creek-park-n-ride

It will help reduce congestion on the Pacific Motorway by providing a safe, high-quality environment that encourages more commuters to park their cars and transfer to a bus.

Why is it needed?
A park 'n' ride at Slacks Creek is needed to improve access to public transport for commuters and reduce traffic congestion across Brisbane's busy road network.

Services
The location is well serviced by local bus routes 553 (Beenleigh to Trinder Park), 560 (Loganholme bus station to Browns Plains) and 562 (Loganholme bus station to Beenleigh).

If service changes are planned for the new park 'n' ride, passengers will be informed at least two weeks prior.

My opinion on this - These routes do not go in the direction of the city where the targeted commuters to get off the M1 want to go. My suggestion is to make a express service that starts directly from this park'n'ride to stop at Springwood Bus Station(pick people up here and change for local suburb routes) and continue to the city as a express service during morning peak and same thing for afternoon peak. It would also help Springwood station for commuters that park at Springwood with limited parking..

Route 556 which goes from Griffith Uni Busway to Griffith Uni at Loganlea(stops at springwood too) operates on a school day and takes the Loganlea Road entrance and exit at the M1. Perhaps changing this route slightly to allow it to service the Park'n'ride?

What do you think?

[techblitz]

one only has to take a look at the success of the greenbank rsl park and ride to see that quality direct express services with minimal stops attract commuters. eg: p142,p546 (majority of passengers board/deboard at the park and ride)
If the bus route genuinely saves time (as opposed to using a car)then people will eagerly use the service and the park and ride.

[longboi]

It's an 8 min trip to Loganholme via the 560 however I would be focusing on the line "If service changes are planned for the new park 'n' ride, passengers will be informed at least two weeks prior."

Of course thanks to Can-Do a direct service or increased frequency for 560 during peak is still unlikely.

[nathandavid88]

I'm keeping a close eye on this park n ride, as I go past it ever day on the way to work! 

Regarding a direct bus connection to the city, I don't think it's really needed here...You have the very good 560, a half hourly service that (shock horror) actually provides a good connection between the Hyperdome and the trains (10 mins between the 560 arriving and the inbound train departing generally, and 12 mins between the outbound train arriving and the 560 to Hyperdome arriving). Also, the 560 connects pretty well with the 555's at the Hyperdome (5 mins between 560 arriving and 555 leaving) when it's running on time. That said, if a CBD bus connection is required, the easiest option would be to just have the 555 run down Nujooloo Road  and get on the highway at Loganlea Road – they already do this when the highway is clogged.

As for services that will use it, obviously the 560, 562 and 553. However, I personally think it would be good to have the 552 and 556 (preferably with the latter turned into a full time service with weekend operation) service the stop as well. Both services literally travel right past the stop down Loganlea Road, so the deviation required would be minimal. While both the 552 and 553 service Logan Central and Woodridge, the 553 services only the southern part of the suburb, the 552 captures the northern end, passing 3 schools in the process. Meanwhile a full time 556 would provide a permanent connection to Springwood and would link it to the SE Busway, which wouldn't be a bad thing (although redundant if they re-route the 555 past it permanently).

[ClintonL94]

I'm keeping a close eye on this park n ride, as I go past it ever day on the way to work! 

That said, if a CBD bus connection is required, the easiest option would be to just have the 555 run down Nujooloo Road  and get on the highway at Loganlea Road – they already do this when the highway is clogged.

Where do you work if you don't mind me asking? I travel on the 553 to Logan Central for work. I work at the Logan City Council Admin building. Sometimes I get a 550 from Springwood..

The 555s get on at Murray's road entrance if the highway is clogged(next entrance past the entrance at Pintu Drive). They are not allowed to continue any further along the service road at this stage - I'm not sure if allowing the 555s to go to the Slacks Creek park'n'ride is a good idea..

[nathandavid88]

I work out at Crestmead, so the 560 is my main route (and occasionally the 562 + 550 if I'm having one of those mornings! )

As for the 555,  again I don't think a dedicated city service from there is really needed as long as decent links to places where city bound services can be gotten from. Links to the Hyperdome (560, 562, and 553), Loganlea Station (560 for a train connection), Logan Central (553) and Springwood are the essential locations to be serviced from Slacks Creek, in my opinion. Springwood is the only one not fully catered for, and there are three options to fix that: Make the 556 run full time (and add a couple of morning and evening services), route the 555 past it (overkill really) or consider a new route of some sort... Loganlea Station to Kuruby Station via Slacks Creek and Springwood maybe? Or Slacks Creek to Upper Mt Gravatt via Springwood and SEB? Something similar that connects to Springwood at any rate.

[nathandavid88]

As it is now November, and the Slacks Creek Park 'n' Ride is approaching completion, I thought I'd give an update as to what it's looking like and what I think we'll see happening here in terms of services (which is not much from what I can tell).

Firstly the sole bus shelter is on the South-bound side of Nujooloo Road (same side as the parking) with none on the opposite side of the road at this stage. To me, this means that the idea Translink are pursuing is using it solely as a way of addressing the lack of commuter parking at the Hyperdome – you park here and buses will shuttle commuters up to the Hyperdome to catch city services there. Not as the mini, regional interchange (a la Logan Central + Park 'n' Ride) I was hoping for.

Now, this idea has one big issue which, if it isn't addressed,  will make the Park 'n' Ride will fail abysmally. Before 7:30am only one route travels between Slacks Creek and the Hyperdome in that direction: the 560 with only two services to the Hyperdome during that early peak: one that arrives at the Hyperdome at 6:55am, and then at 7:25am. The first 562 doesn't hit the Hyperdome until after 8am, the first 553 not until 7:40am, both of which are too late for commuters who need to be at work by 8:30am.

If Translink leave this status quo in place, I predict that Slacks Creek will be a ghost car park, and most people will drive up the road to the Hyperdome as they currently do. But really, it would be an easy fix because to get from the depot to the Hyperdome, all Clarks buses go past Slack Creek. So it would be incredibly easy to have the peak hour 555s and 569s start at Slacks Creek before hitting the Hyperdome (outside of peak, the 560, 562 and 553 will be sufficient). Personally, I would have liked to see it more positioned to work both ways, funnelling commuters down to Loganlea Station as well as the Hyperdome, seeing as the 560 is one of few proper bus–train connections!

[techblitz]

thanks for the update

[ClintonL94]

I sent in a feedback form to Translink back in September - Sent: Thursday, 20 September 2012:

"Hello Translink, I have a suggestion for the peak service P581 - Springwood to City express and 556 - Griffth Uni Busway - Loganlea. With the Slacks Creek Park'n'ride opening soon and the current bus routes that operate there are 553, 560 and 562 - neither of these routes travel in the direction of the city. To my understanding, this park'n'ride is created to take cars off the M1 to ease congestion during peak. If this is the case the current bus routes that are in the area would not be benefitial for the targetted commuters as they dont go to the city. So why not extend the P581 from Springwood and make that service start at the Slacks Creek park'n'ride with a decent frequency to attract commuters and possibly allow the 556 to stop at the park'n'ride as well and turn around at the new round-a-bout as it is a service that heads directly to springwood..if extending P581 is too difficult, then make a new peak service?"

Translink's response - sent Tue, Sep 25, 2012:
"Dear Clinton,

Thank you for contacting TransLink with suggestions for the P581 and 556 routes.

I wish to thank you for providing us with your feedback and advise you that your comments have been formally registered and forwarded to our Network Planning Group for their consideration.

TransLink Network Planning Group will consider your comments regarding routes P581 and 556 in the network review.

Customer feedback is very important to TransLink and although a further response may not be possible, you can be assured that your concerns have been sent to the appropriate area within TransLink for consideration.

Should you require further information, please visit the TTA website at http://www.translink.com.au/ . Alternatively, the TransLink Contact Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 12 30.

Kind regards"

[pangwen]

I suspect the reason most 546 passengers get on and off at the park and ride is because it only stops at the greenbank and park ridge pnrs (hard to get on elsewhere).

As for the 142, it doesn't stop at grand plaza in the morning iirc, and in the evening,  grand plaza passengers get off after the bus goes to greenbank (almost eliminating the time benefit compared to the 141), and it costs an extra zone (6 on the 142 v 5 on the 141) to boot.

[techblitz]

I suspect the reason most 546 passengers get on and off at the park and ride is because it only stops at the greenbank and park ridge pnrs (hard to get on elsewhere).

As for the 142, it doesn't stop at grand plaza in the morning iirc, and in the evening,  grand plaza passengers get off after the bus goes to greenbank (almost eliminating the time benefit compared to the 141), and it costs an extra zone (6 on the 142 v 5 on the 141) to boot.

That is an intersting observation on the 5/6 zone difference between routes
p142 finishes up at grand plaza after the RSL PR and only has a handful of pax after leaving the rsl (so majority are park and ride users and yet p141`s finish up at the rsl pr after grand plaza & are almost always empty by the time it gets to the rsl....which means minimal park & ride users on the 141`s. Elegant proof that ultra fast rockets can work well with well placed park and rides no matter what the zone charge!
Very interesting the way these 2 routes work in with each other.
P546 has overcrowding issues with standees constantly by the time it gets to the RSL and your exactly right...its hard to get a seat on the 546 @ buranda or griffith uni.

Anyone know if the jindalee park and ride is gaining traction or is it another melon like klummp?
(mind you i saw a rare thing last week where the kluump rd was about 30-40 percent full
I think its also time translink started advertising the park and rides a bit more via the front LED signs.eg: 186 wishart exp via klummp rd park & ride

[nathandavid88]

The Slacks Creek Park and Ride opens on Monday the 17th Dec and it's bringing with it a surprise new route! Route 582 which goes between Springwood and Slacks Creek apparently. the P581 will also be extended down to service Slacks Creek during peak.

Slacks Creek park 'n' ride opening soon

Last updated: 8.54am Wednesday 5 December 2012

On Monday 17 December, the new Slacks Creek park 'n' ride, located on the corner of Loganlea and Nujooloo Road at Slacks Creek, will be open.

Passengers will have access to parking for over 200 cars, including seven disabled parking spaces located close to the bus stop and seven motorcycle parking spaces.

The Slacks Creek park 'n' ride will also feature indented bus bays with sheltered waiting platforms and comfortable seating, a kiss 'n' ride, bicycle storage and a signalised pedestrian crossing for safe access across Nujooloo Road.

Connect to your local buses

TransLink is currently undertaking a review of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Bus Network in light of the region's strong population growth.
Until this review is finalised, the following services will operate from the new park 'n' ride:

Route P581 will be extended to operate from Slacks Creek park 'n' ride to Brisbane's CBD during morning and afternoon peak hours only

In off-peak times, route 582 will operate hourly between the Slacks Creek park 'n' ride and Springwood station, where passengers can transfer onto connecting services.

Following the outcomes of the SEQ Bus Network Review, there may be some changes to these services.

We will ensure you are informed in advance of any changes to these services.

There are updated timetables linked to the article, but all of them currently go to a "Page Not Found" page. Classic Translink I guess!

[SurfRail]

I don't expect the 582 will last.

Brisbane Transport has run a few of these park'n'ride shuttle type routes before, and they tended to flop.  One example was the 143, which ran from the Greenbank RSL to Grand Plaza.

[nathandavid88]

I know what you're saying, but I'm not so sure of that happening in this case for the simple fact that any buses travelling from/to the depot to/from Springwood Station are driving empty along this route anyway. I'm thinking that instead of empty running to/from Springwood, they could do the 582 route on the way for practically no added cost and only an extra few minutes travel time for them.

Alternatively, the bus network review said that they're investigating giving the P581 additional offpeak services, so if that does eventuate I think that they would continue to start/finish from Slacks Creek like they propose the peak hour one one to. It's obviously not going to be a big location outside of peak.

Ideally, I'd love to see a Springwood to Loganlea Station via Slacks Creek, Griffith Uni and TAFE/Logan Hospital route considered (if demand is there of course).

[SurfRail]

Ideally, I'd love to see a Springwood to Loganlea Station via Slacks Creek, Griffith Uni and TAFE/Logan Hospital route considered (if demand is there of course).

Isn't that what the 556 is?  It would just be an even less useful version of it.

[nathandavid88]

^^ Yeah, fair point (although part of the 556's problems probably relate to it being an infrequent uni-shuttle that only runs during the semester.) As the 556 looks like it's on the chopping block, I guess there wouldn't be demand. I'd just like to see better busway/train line integration rather than their largely ignoring each other.

[ClintonL94]

^^ Yeah, fair point (although part of the 556's problems probably relate to it being an infrequent uni-shuttle that only runs during the semester.) As the 556 looks like it's on the chopping block, I guess there wouldn't be demand. I'd just like to see better busway/train line integration rather than their largely ignoring each other.

Translink is considering removing route 556 all together - says their bus review.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review?utm_source=translink-website&utm_medium=link&utm_content=newsfeed&utm_campaign=seq-review-phase2-newsfeed

"Removal of this weekday route is being considered with often less than seven people using each service. Passengers may be able to use routes 560 and 555. The service operates during university semesters only."

Have your say if you would like this route to stay, even suggest that it could be handy for this route to stay to send customers from Slacks Creek Park'n'Ride to Loganlea.

[nathandavid88]

^^ I know, that's why I said "As the 556 looks like it's on the chopping block, I guess there wouldn't be demand." 

As much as I would love to see the route, SurfRail and also Translink themselves are probably right in that there's just not demand for that sort of service. I think the best thing to hope for is that the 582 service (and possibly an all day P581 if it eventuates) will connect well with the 560. The 560 provides a really good train connection as it is as well as servicing all the vital areas out that way, so just connect well with it and job done.

[nathandavid88]

Almost finished now! They're were planting the gardens and filling gaps in the concrete underfoot as I went past this morning! It will be interesting to see what the impact of the PnR will have on the availability of parking at Loganholme, and also to see if there's any cannibalisation of commuters from the nearby Loganlea Station. There have been a couple of A-frames set up at Loganholme this week, and I think there was one at Loganlea Station too (spotted from the bus as it went past, couldn't see it in detail to be sure.)

Today's local rag (Albert & Logan News), which had a whole page devoted to public transport in Logan (as in the part of the page that isn't covered in ads of course), including this little write up.

Park 'n' ride to open up public transport
14 Dec 2012 | Albert and Logan News

THE new Slacks Creek Park 'n' Ride will open on Monday providing easier access for residents wanting to use public transport.

The new facility will provide parking for more than 200 cars including seven disabled parking spaces close to the bus stop and motorcycle spaces.

Indented bus bays with a sheltered waiting platform and comfortable seating will also feature as well as a passenger pick-up and dropoff ''kiss 'n' ride'' area, a pedestrian crossing, bicycle, seven pedestrian and disabled access, bicycle storage facilities, and lighting and security cameras with 24- hour video recording.

Services operating from the new park 'n' ride will include Route P581 to Brisbane's CBD during morning and afternoon peak hours only and Route 582 between the park ' n' ride and Springwood station where passengers can transfer to connecting services. Visit translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30 for information

[ozbob]

http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/details/1354238838

Slacks Creek park 'n' ride now open

[nathandavid88]

When I went past at 7am this morning, I counted around 20 cars in the P'n'R. Given the time of year with a lot of people on holidays and the fact that it's only the second day of operation, it isn't too bad a result in my opinion.  I don't think we'll get a true representation of use until probably mid to late January.

[achiruel]

No weekend/PH services on Route 582.

Bit of an oversight there IMO.

I guess passengers could take a 553 or 560 to Hyperdome and then transfer to a 555, but it seems a roundabout way of doing things.

[nathandavid88]

The problem with running the a weekend 582 is that I'm sure it would prove to be a bus full of empty seats. It's not a walk-up station, and while it makes sense as a commuter station during the week because of the parking, no one on the weekend would drive to Slacks Creek on the weekend to get a bus anywhere when the Hyperdome is less than 10 mins away in one direction, and Springwood in the other.

[nathandavid88]

Exactly. The 582 is just too limited a route to bother with on weekends

[techblitz]

When I went past at 7am this morning, I counted around 20 cars in the P'n'R. Given the time of year with a lot of people on holidays and the fact that it's only the second day of operation, it isn't too bad a result in my opinion.  I don't think we'll get a true representation of use until probably mid to late January.

Thanks for the update.
Remember to post if this gets near to parked out as this will show it was a smart decision to build it and services are adequate.
Im going to predict the gap pnr will do well.Anyone know how well the jindallee pnr is doing? Klummp rd pnr has seen a slight increase but still a long way to go.

[nathandavid88]

I think usage is starting to rise. Yesterday morning when I passed at about 7:10am, there were about a 10–12 cars parked there (no change from before Christmas) but when I went past at 5:15pm in the afternoon that had increased to 20–25 cars. Looks like word is getting out there.

[techblitz]

Just noted a 4.15pmish outbound p581 with "sorry bus full" on the front before buranda station.
This park and ride seems to be a real success story.
I remember a bus driver also commenting on how well it is doing.