4 Dec 2012: SEQ: Bus network review Stage 2

[ozbob]

Media release 4th December 2012

SEQ: Bus network review Stage 2

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 welcomed the next stage of the Bus Review (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The bus network in south-east Queensland is long overdue for an overhaul."

"RAIL Back On Track has argued that the fastest, cheapest way to boost public transport is to introduce frequent and rapid services along main arterial road corridors, and increase rail and ferry services in existing corridors. This would require little or no new infrastructure, be rapid and quick to implement."

"Stage 2 of the bus review presents some suggested changes along these lines.  These changes are designed to provide the starting framework for a core very high frequency bus network along the major corridors, with local access services to the core very high frequency routes, as well providing the necessary local coverage bus routes. "

"As the core very high frequency bus network is established, more connections (transfers) will need to be made on some journeys.  This is necessary to reduce travel times overall, make the network more frequent generally, improve efficiency and make it simpler to use (2)."

"It is important to improve feeder bus frequency and span of hours to rail stations as well.  Not enough attention has been given to this in stage 2 of the review and needs to be addressed."

"All citizens are encouraged to give their viewpoints on the proposed changes. By doing this a better integrated network can be achieved. For every bus route that changes are proposed for there is the opportunity to provide feedback via the web site. The consultation process finishes on the 16th of December at midnight, so don't delay or you might miss the bus!"

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review

2. "transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9045.msg114171#msg114171

[somebody]

In general I think their proposed changes are too timid.

[ozbob]

In general I think their proposed changes are too timid.

Fair point, but I think they want to do things progressively rather than all at once ...  that's how I see it.

[somebody]

In general I think their proposed changes are too timid.

Fair point, but I think they want to do things progressively rather than all at once ...  that's how I see it.

What's the point of having a review and then not making the changes?  It would have been better to carve out certain areas and just review that, if that's the way they see it.

[ozbob]

You need to take that up with TransLink.

They are working to establish the very high frequency corridors, and the supporting feeder and local access services.  Just too complex to do all at once.  At least the process is under way.  It is not a perfect world.

[SurfRail]

I suspect there will be some more simplification as a result of the corridor reviews with a bunch of rockets being decommissioned.  They've only carved out the really obvious ones only (eg 136, 436 etc).

I tend to agree with Simon though.  Too much timidity and reticence to actually look at what could work better and whether in some cases they could start again from scratch.

[Golliwog]

I'm mixed. I'm a bit irritated that this review hasn't removed some of the duplications between bus and rail (390 being the most obvious). However, I think reviewing the entire SEQ bus network is a big task, so letting that go for now could be ok. I'm hoping once this review is implemented they then start doing a finer review of each area (which the corridor review (the next step in this review) does to some degree) to review all the routes in an area and how they operate together, but then including rail services as well.

[ozbob]

This is only a interim step and they will be modifying stage 2 suggestions ... this is not the end point by a long shot ..

Give them direct feedback ...

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review

This stage is not the final recommendation.

[SurfRail]

^ The thing is they tend to junk some of their proposed changes over the consultation period so they can coddle the public.  I expected them to go further and massage it back. 

If a service change doesn't appear initially, it isn't likely to pop up unless a lot of people call for it to be axed or varied, which would be a bit abnormal.

[Golliwog]

^ The thing is they tend to junk some of their proposed changes over the consultation period so they can coddle the public.  I expected them to go further and massage it back. 

If a service change doesn't appear initially, it isn't likely to pop up unless a lot of people call for it to be axed or varied, which would be a bit abnormal.

Well I just gave feedback on route 360 stating I support cutting it back from the city because it really doesn't need to go that far, but also asking that during the corridor review stage that they include the Ferny Grove line corridor and look at how they can use routes 360, 361, 362, 367, 390, 396, 397, 398 and 399 to get more people on the train. Whether or not they do, who knows, but you can only hope.

[somebody]

^ The thing is they tend to junk some of their proposed changes over the consultation period so they can coddle the public.  I expected them to go further and massage it back. 

If a service change doesn't appear initially, it isn't likely to pop up unless a lot of people call for it to be axed or varied, which would be a bit abnormal.

Indeed, they specifically state if there is no proposed change, there is no opportunity for feedback.

[Golliwog]

^ The thing is they tend to junk some of their proposed changes over the consultation period so they can coddle the public.  I expected them to go further and massage it back. 

If a service change doesn't appear initially, it isn't likely to pop up unless a lot of people call for it to be axed or varied, which would be a bit abnormal.

Indeed, they specifically state if there is no proposed change, there is no opportunity for feedback.

Through the new survey. They say you can still give them feedback through their general feedback form.

[somebody]

Good luck with that.  If they've just been through the review and it wasn't deemed worthy of change, it ain't changing now.

[Golliwog]

Good luck with that.  If they've just been through the review and it wasn't deemed worthy of change, it ain't changing now.

Haha, yeah. I think it was just to try and avoid people clogging up the feedback they actually want with what someone called a review of one route when they give points about another.

[#Metro]

If people want to design their own CFN or network of routes, this capability is already possible by using the CFN KML file from this forum, uploading it to Google Maps (need registration) and altering the routes in there.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=Core+Frequent+Network+KML

Good Luck.