Bay Islands Transit

[ozbob]

http://www.transitsystems.com.au/bay-islands-timetables

Sources suggest there might be moves finally to integrate these services into the TransLink network for ticketing purposes.

More to come ..

[ozbob]

Bayside Bulletin --> Council special meeting on public transport

[achiruel]

I must say I'm a little suprised with all the slashing that Newman & co have been doing that they would want to increase the cost of TransLink even further.

[ozbob]

More to come ... MARK TIME!   

[Stillwater]

Maybe Redlands Council has finally decided to introduce a transport levy.

[ozbob]

From the Bayside Bulletin click here

Council strikes landmark Translink deal for bay island residents

Council strikes landmark Translink deal for bay island residents
By Judith Kerr
Dec. 17, 2012, 6 p.m

Lamb, Karragarra, Macleay and Russell islands will become part of the state government Translink public transport system as of July 1.
See your ad here

Redland City Council ratified a deal with the state government to extend the service to the bay islands on a trial basis at a special meeting this afternoon.

The deal, which allows bay island residents to travel on local ferries using a gocard, comes after more than seven months of high-level negotiations between Redland mayor Karen Williams and Transport Minister Scott Emerson.

Under the gocard deal, an adult will pay $6.55 to get from Russell Island to Weinam Creek, compared with the current $8.80 one-way ferry fare.

Children, students and seniors will pay $3.28, compared with the current one-way concession fare of $4.40.

In off-peak times, between 9am and 3pm and on weekends, the one-way fare to Weinam Creek will drop to $5.24.

A trip from Russell Island into Brisbane city on a 250 bus will cost $10.53 compared with the current $18.40 fare.

It will cost $8.43 for off-peak travel into Brisbane, which equates to a 20 per cent discount on the full fare.

Gocard ticket holders will also benefit from Translink's free ride deal after nine journeys and all intra-island trips will be free.

Under the deal, the state government will pay $500,000 to install the gocard swipe machines and card reading equipment for ferry passengers.

In return, Redland City Council will subsidise ferry operator Bay Island Transport for the lower fare returns by charging southern bay island residents $88 on their annual rates bill for 2013-14.

Cr Williams said she had negotiated the best deal possible for all Redland ratepayers and said she knew it would benefit island residents.

"For this very small investment, residents will get not just savings on travel costs but better employment opportunities and access to facilities and services on the mainland or other islands," Cr Williams said.

"Based on 2013 fares, the annual savings on a variety of travel options for SMBI residents will potentially range from over $200 for a single student to up to $6000 for a family of four.

"The extension of gocard for travel to and from the islands is long overdue and deserved recognition that island residents should be able to access the same public transport concessions as the rest of South-East Queensland."

Division 2 councillor Craig Ogilvie, whose electorate extends to North Stradbroke Island, was the only councillor to oppose the deal.

"I can't understand why southern bay islanders have to pay for a service that mainlanders get for free," he said.

"I don't know why we are paying for state government responsibilities and I can't believe SMBI has been prioritised over Straddie.

"We've put in submission after submission arguing the case for Straddie and we've been ignored again."

Public transport lobbyist Robert Dow, from Rail Back on Track, said extending Translink services to the bay islands was an "excellent move" that had been long overdue.

"Bay island residents will soon have all the benefits of integrated ticketing, which include travelling for free after nine journeys," Mr Dow said.

"Residents can expect considerable savings in fares under the Translink system but it's a little difficult to determine how much until we know what zoning the islands will be."

Translink said the islands would have their own zone, which was not an extension of zone 7, which included Redland Bay.

Redlands MP Peter Dowling said he was "delighted" with the deal.

"It is the best thing that will ever happen for residents on the SMBIs!" he said in a press release.

The gocard service will be tested for two-and-a-half years on the islands, which are home to nearly 7000 people, from 1 July 2013 until January 2016.

An estimated 100,000 SMBI passenger ferry trips are taken each month, including 1750 return trips a day.

In addition, there are a total of 10,000 bus trips through Weinam Creek each month using Translink.

Assistant Public Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said gocard equipment and technology will be installed for Bay Island Ferries passengers.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bay islands added to Translink network


http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2012/12/17/3897302/ferry_729-620x349.jpg

[Gazza]

Division 2 councillor Craig Ogilvie, whose electorate extends to North Stradbroke Island, was the only councillor to oppose the deal.

"I can't understand why southern bay islanders have to pay for a service that mainlanders get for free," he said.

Because mainlanders dont choose to live on an isolated island that is difficult to provide with essential services.

[SurfRail]

^ Careful, they might come around and come after you (if the ferries are running).

[haakon]

oh how I wished for this when I lived on the islands 4-5 years ago. Glad to see they have finally achieved it.

[Gazza]

^Out of interest, what is the draw of living on the islands?

^ Careful, they might come around and come after you (if the ferries are running).

In which case, I would escape on one of the multitude of mainland PT services, made possible by higher density and more ideal urban form 

[triplethree]

^Out of interest, what is the draw of living on the islands?

I used to have a good friend who lived there. I spent a weekend a few years ago at his son's place on Macleay Island and have been back on a brief visit.

The biggest draw ... cheap land. The land there is by far the cheapest residential land within a 50km radius of Brisbane GPO.

The islands draw a mix of people. My friend's son described it as a place for "the newly wed and the nearly dead". Retirees who have lived in rental housing all their life but just got their super in a lump sum and received only enough for a little fibro shack with a septic tank on the Bay Islands. Young families priced out of the mainland housing market who want a nice, peaceful life with a strong sense of community where the father can easily commute to his work on the mainland somewhere in the City of Redland.

It's not a bad place to live if you're into those typical Queensland outdoor hobbies such as camping, fishing and boating. It's a very relaxed and friendly place to be. I couldn't live there, there's no mental stimulation and few cultural facilities and few opportunities for hobbies that don't involve outboard motors or fish hooks. There's also a bit of crime on the islands ... teenagers + not a lot to do + a single part-time police station on Russell Island + no jobs on the islands = recipe for a minor crime problem. Nothing major, just young people looking for cheap thrills.

One strange thing about the islands ... all the islands share the same telephone prefix (3409) so everybody gives their telephone numbers as just the last four digits. Almost reminds me of the pre-STD days when rural phone numbers were like "Bringabongalong 48" or "Upper Kumbacta West 124".

BTW it seems like the Bay Islands are being placed in their own sui generis zone with free inter-island trips. They obviously didn't take up my eminently sensible suggestion:

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2877.msg98083#msg98083

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2012/12/18/cheaper-travel-on-smbi-ferries?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Media Statements
Assistant Minister for Public Transport
Mr Steve Minnikin
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Cheaper travel on SMBI ferries

Southern Moreton Bay Island residents will have cheaper travel with local passenger ferry services to be integrated into TransLink network on July 1, 2013.

Assistant Minister for Public Transport Steve Minnikin said go card equipment and technology will now be available for passengers on Bay Island Ferries integrating the islands into south-east Queensland public transport for the first time.

"From July 1 next year, customers who travel from Russell Island to Weinam Creek by ferry will pay $6.55 or $5.24 off-peak using go card, rather than the current $8.80," Mr Minnikin said.

"A trip to Brisbane, currently $18.40, will cost $10.53 using go card or $8.43 off-peak, from 1 July next year.

"Visitors and residents can take advantage of go card discounts, including free travel after nine weekly journeys. This means many regular commuters from Brisbane will also be able to access the island for free."

The Newman Government will be investing almost $500,000 to expand the go card network and the Redlands Council will introduce a SMBI ratepayer's contribution of around $88.

Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams said the the new ticketing arrangements would also allow island residents to transfer between the four southern Moreton Bay islands for free.

"The extension of go card for travel to the islands is long overdue and deserved recognition that island residents should be able to access the same public transport concessions as the rest of South East Queensland  " Cr Williams said.

"With over 1 million trips taken a year, the saving and benefits from this agreement will be in the millions."

Member for Redlands Peter Dowling said he was delighted the State and local governments have been able to reach an agreement for the residents and visitors of Redlands.

"A further win for the Redlands area is the refurbishment of the Weinam Creek bus interchange which will provide a seamless connection for anyone travelling to shops and services at Redland Bay, Victoria Point and Cleveland," Mr Dowling said.

"Bus route 250 from Redland Bay to Brisbane via Victoria Point, Cleveland, Capalaba and Carindale will connect with all ferry services at Weinam Creek making it even easier to get across to the Islands or across to the mainland for work."

[ENDS] 18 December 2012

[ozbob]

Effectively zone 12  http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2013

[nathandavid88]

Great to see what was a transport black hole finally connected with the rest of SEQ!

[SurfRail]

Still nothing on Coochiemudlo or North Stradbroke I assume.  (North Stradbroke in particular is probably too expensive.)

[Stillwater]

Interviewed on ABC radio this morning, the Redlands Mayor gave as the reason why North Stradbroke not included as being the fact there were two ferry operators to the island and Translink normally only contracted with one operator to provide a Translink service to a region.

In relation to Coochie, she said that a levy and subsidised service for Coochiemudloites was not nearly as attractive costwise.  Maybe this has to do with the relatively short crossing to Coochie relative to the SMBIs.

Interesting that travel between the SMBIs islands will be free for island residents, allowing people on Macleay, Lamb and Karra to travel to the IGA on Russell Island to shop, or to go to the pool there.

Mainlanders taking advantage of the nine journeys then free go-card offer will find a free ferry crossing a highly attractive (and cheap) day out.  The Mayor said that, while SMBI ratepayers would be subsidising these free-loaders, their visitation to the islands would improve the local economy.

Think Great Keppell island experience without the trip to the airport, or the airfare.

[HappyTrainGuy]

^ Careful, they might come around and come after you (if the ferries are running).

In which case, I would escape on one of the multitude of mainland PT services, made possible by higher density and more ideal urban form 

Hopefully they don't get you as sit waiting for the bus to turn up at your stop 

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane

Breakfast with Spencer Howson

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2012/12/southern-moreton-bay-islands-join-the-translink-go-card-network.html?site=brisbane&program=612_breakfast

Southern Moreton Bay Islands join the Translink Go Card network

18 December 2012 , 8:35 AM by Anne O'Keeffe

From July next year, the southern Moreton Bay Islands will be part of the Translink Go Card network.

It'll make it easier for you to travel from Brisbane or the coasts to the bay islands.

Easier for island residents as well. And also cheaper that it is currently, but at what price?

Karen Williams is Mayor of Redland City:

Click --> here!

Interviewed on ABC radio this morning, the Redlands Mayor gave as the reason why North Stradbroke not included as being the fact there were two ferry operators to the island and Translink normally only contracted with one operator to provide a Translink service to a region.

In relation to Coochie, she said that a levy and subsidised service for Coochiemudloites was not nearly as attractive costwise.  Maybe this has to do with the relatively short crossing to Coochie relative to the SMBIs.

Interesting that travel between the SMBIs islands will be free for island residents, allowing people on Macleay, Lamb and Karra to travel to the IGA on Russell Island to shop, or to go to the pool there.

Mainlanders taking advantage of the nine journeys then free go-card offer will find a free ferry crossing a highly attractive (and cheap) day out.  The Mayor said that, while SMBI ratepayers would be subsidising these free-loaders, their visitation to the islands would improve the local economy.

Think Great Keppell island experience without the trip to the airport, or the airfare.

[STB]

This is good news, and it seems fair due to just how expensive it is to provide the ferry service to a low population base.

BTW it seems like the Bay Islands are being placed in their own sui generis zone with free inter-island trips. They obviously didn't take up my eminently sensible suggestion:

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2877.msg98083#msg98083

That would've required a higher levy to offset the loss, so I'm comfortable with the decision.  Now lets hope all those pensioners (prisoners..?) living there will use the Go Card system correctly, and for goodness sakes, will they stop whining about how long it takes to get to to the city when they all decide they want a one bus journey and take route 250, take route 280 for goodness sakes, and transfer, that's what it's there for! Blarrrrrg!

[haakon]

^Out of interest, what is the draw of living on the islands?

At the time getting a mainland rental with a pet cat + 2 kids was nigh on impossible and we were running out of time as our current landlord was not going to renew the lease. On Macleay we had our choice of dozens of homes and no issue with having a cat.

My fiancée being a stay at home mum loved it, were as I was working in the brisbane cbd and the commute was wearing me down. We lasted 18 months, before I called it quits and moved us back to the mainland.

By that point the vacancy rate had climbed back up to reasonable levels and our cat had died of old age, opening up a lot more options for us.

The cheaper rents out there were offset by the increased transport costs. Loved the community feel, everyone knows everyone etc.

[#Metro]

WOW! This is the best idea EVER!!

While Brisbane City Council puts on Maroon CityGlider (ha!), Redlands City Council opens up the Bay Islands to huge tourism! I can't wait to do a day trip there. Would be lots of fun and not a huge hassle to get back home.

[somebody]

Thrown in jail for not paying rent?  There's more to that story, surely!

[SurfRail]

[Set in train]

Still no translink fares for North Stradbroke Island. That island will remain under potential for visitors while this continues. Majority of those living in the greater Brisbane area find it much easier to drive to the Gold or Sunshine Coast than park and work out the cost of a passenger ferry.

I don't think the deal for the SMBIs is that great anyway, inequality of zone spacing compared to geography as it is.

[ozbob]

SMBI network integration

--> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/southern-moreton-bay-island

What's happening?

On 1 July 2013, we will be integrating passenger ferry services for SMBI residents into the TransLink network. This means SMBI ferry passengers will now be able to use go card when travelling between the Bay Islands and the mainland, and receive the many benefits of travelling using go card, including discounts and savings.

Which islands are included in the integration?

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands to be integrated into the TransLink network include Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay and Russell Islands. These islands were chosen because of their large volumes of passengers who currently already commute between the islands and the mainland for work.

What can I expect to pay?

From 1 July 2013, customers who travel using go card from Russell Island to the Redland Bay Ferry terminal will pay $6.55 during peak or $5.24 during off-peak periods, rather than the current $8.80.

Concession fares on go card are 50 per cent cheaper than adult fares. Customers who travel using a senior, pensioner or child concessional go card will pay $3.28 or $2.62 during off-peak periods. Single paper tickets will also be available and valid for two hours only at any time, with adults expecting to pay $9.50 and $4.80 for concession.

Will I need to pay extra when I transfer onto a connecting bus or train service?

No. You can use your go card to travel on all TransLink buses, train and ferries in South East Queensland. Your go card will automatically calculate one overall fare for your whole journey when you transfer correctly. Your fare is based on the number of zones your travel through during your entire journey.

What zone will the SMBI ferries fall under?

The SMBI (Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay and Russell) will fall under zone 12.

How do I calculate my fare?

To calculate your fare, look at the zones that you will travel through during your journey. Subtract the lowest zone you will be travelling in from the highest zone, then add one.

For example, if you are travelling from Russell Island to the Redland Bay Ferry terminal, you can expect to pay $6.55 for an adult go card.

You can calculate your fare by visiting our fare page.

Using the fare table, you will be able to find that travelling across 6 zones will cost $6.55 for an adult go card. You can also use our journey planner to calculate the fare for your journey. Further discounts apply when you travel during off-peak times and for concessional go card holders.

Where can I buy go card?

You can purchase go cards at any of the below retailers near you:

    Russell Island News
    Redland Heights News
    Redland Bay News

We are exploring options with third-party retialers on the islands for the convenience of local residents. Find other go card locations or buy go card online.

Can I still travel between the islands?

Yes. As part of the integration, you will be able to use a free paper ticket to travel between the islands and the $3 single fare will be removed. You will not need to use your go card for these trips.

Will the free trips between the islands count towards my nine and free journeys on my go card?

No, journeys between the islands will not require your go card and will therefore not be counted.

Will there be more ferry and bus services for the Redlands?

Not at this stage, however we are continuing to assess passenger demands and make appropriate changes to services where necessary. Some changes to local bus routes and services may occur as part of the SEQ Bus Network review, which is currently underway.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Island residents attack ferry levy

[#Metro]

Not fair? Of course it is fair. They decided to live in an island in the middle of the sea!

[haakon]

ugh, I'm sure they would whinge if the levy to maintain the canals in Raby Bay was extended to cover all properties in Redland shire rather than just those in Raby Bay itself.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/southern-moreton-bay-island

SMBI network integration

Information sessions

To find out more about the integration and how go card can benefit you, come and visit us at any of the below information sessions.
Where    When

Russell Island
Recreation Hall
1 Alison Crescent, Russell Island    Monday 22 April
10am - 2pm

Macleay Island
Macleay Island Progress Hall
2 Russell Terrace, Macleay Island    Tuesday 23 April
10am - 2pm

Lamb Island
Lamb Island Bowls and Recreation Club
Lucas Drive, Lamb Island    Wednesday 24 April
10am - 2pm

Karragarra Island
Karragarra Island Foreshore Park Near the jetty
Karragarra Island    Friday 26 April
11am - 1pm

Macleay Island
Macleay Island Progress Hall
2 Russell Terrace, Macleay Island    Saturday 27 April
10am - 12pm

Russell Island
Recreation Hall
1 Alison Crescent, Russell Island    Saturday 27 April
2pm - 4pm

[ozbob]

Bayside Bulletin --> Amnesty for bay island ferry ticket holders

[SurfRail]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/southern-moreton-bay-island

More detail now available.

The journeys are all loaded into the journey planner too by the look of it.

May have to go for a weekend excursion.  Not sure of what is actually on any of the islands having never been.  Take a meat tray and pray for a working BBQ perhaps?

[Set in train]

May have to go for a weekend excursion.  Not sure of what is actually on any of the islands having never been.  Take a meat tray and pray for a working BBQ perhaps?

You could always ask this guy to make sure the BBQs are working:
http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/AboutCouncil/MayorCouncillors/Pages/Division5.aspx

Love to see a photo of you two standing together, if only Mark wasn't going bald!

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/7/1/smbi-touches-on-with-translink

Assistant Minister for Public Transport
Mr Steve Minnikin

SMBI touches on with TransLink

At 4.20am this morning the first go card customer 'touched on' at Russell Island as the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) ferry services moves onto the TransLink network.

Assistant Minister for Public Transport Steve Minnikin and Member for Redlands Peter Dowling said from today anyone travelling to the Bay Islands can use their go card.

"To celebrate this exciting milestone, myself and the Member for Redlands will be among the first to travel across to Russell Island using our go card today," Mr Minnikin said.

"Moving SMBI onto the TransLink network means better coordination with other bus and train services in Redlands.

"It is also the first major extension of the integrated transport network since it was formed in 2004.

"From today Island residents will be able to use their new go card to transfer between the four southern Moreton Bay islands for free.

"Each year more than one million passenger trips are taken in SMBI and now you can travel seamlessly across all modes with one ticket – the go card­.

"I would like to pay tribute to Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams, Member for Redlands Peter Dowling and the TransLink team for their tireless work on getting this partnership up and running."

Mr Dowling said this was a historic day and would see a more affordable transport network for the Bay Islands.

"I have been strongly advocating for ferry services to be a part of the network for a long time and it is so exciting to finally see it happen under an LNP government," Mr Dowling said.

"I believe that this is the most significant outcome ever delivered by any government in the history of the bay islands and will see major savings for residents.

"Customers who travel from Russell Island to Weinam Creek by ferry will pay $6.55 or $5.24 off-peak using go card, rather than the current $8.80.

"Visitors and residents can also take advantage of go card discounts, including free travel after nine weekly journeys."

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands – consisting of Lamb, Karragarra, Russell and Macleay islands – are home to more than 4500 residents and are located about 50 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.

[ENDS] 1 July 2013       

[SurfRail]

Anybody interested in going for a trip on the weekend?

[ozbob]

Anybody interested in going for a trip on the weekend?

Can't make it this weekend, maybe in three weeks or so I might be able to head out there ..   

[STB]

Anybody interested in going for a trip on the weekend?

I'm heading out this coming weekend to see some friends.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 2nd July 2013 page 13

Go card for Bay islands

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 2nd July 2013 page 13

Go card for Bay islands

Online --> http://www.news.com.au/national-news/queensland/translink-extends-go-card-network-to-include-southern-moreton-bay-islands/story-fnii5v6w-1226672748913

[STB]

Just come back from Russell Island after being there overnight.

First trip as follows:

05 Jul 2013
05:25 PM    Redland Bay Marina    06:00 PM    Russell Island Ferry Terminal    $ 1.63

Had a full seated load out of Redland Bay.  Out of that full seated load, it was about a 90% uptake of Go Card users.  On the way there, they did a head count and hole punched two people who still had the old periodical tickets, they then made announcements asking people to come forward to buy a paper ticket if they did not have a Go Card, which several did.  Halfway there they then stopped the boat in the middle of the bay and forced four young guys to come forward to buy a ticket, which they did.

On the return journey this afternoon:

06 Jul 2013
02:49 PM    Russell Island Ferry Terminal    03:19 PM    Redland Bay Marina    $ 2.62

It was about a half load heading back to Redland Bay (via Macleay).  And there was about a 60% Go Card uptake.

Overall, on the ferry itself, the TransLink Go Card 'How to use/register/top up' video (from the TL website) was running on the on board televisions (after the safety announcement).  Tickets in the old system would be purchased and/or hole punched while between Redland Bay and the SMBI, this time they did it while in transit between the islands (and on the way to the islands on my trip there yesterday).  A head count was also included, which has always been done.  There was also announcements to remind people to touch off when they left the ferry.  TransLink advertising was also on both ferries, including the conditions of travel poster.

At the ticket office itself, there was the mini Go Card flags hanging across the ticket office and shelter, with the 'Buy/Top Up' flags (two of them), hanging from the ticket office itself.

Overall, the chatter seemed that most people were quite happy with the changes, there were a handful (mostly retirees and pensioners who were obviously not up to speed on how to use it), but most had no problems with it.

Also a lot cheaper.  For me it used to cost $4.40 return concession ($8.80 return adult), on top of the TransLink fares, now it not only cost less but also I didn't have to worry about having to hold onto my money to buy a return ticket, on top of getting the taxi on the island to where I was staying ($14 return for the taxi).