Brisbane BCC Bus Network Review

[HappyTrainGuy]

Going to be interesting to see if the BCC review supports any of the TL review proposals.  Clearly the number of buses running to and from the CBD needs to be reduced and optimised.  I wonder if they will achieve that with increased transfers?

They might just leave the mess as it is, tinker with a few routes and hope to build a case for a bus tunnel, which is not going to do much really.

Bring it on!

If the 336/337 is retained you just know this potential great feeder service is going to continue its tradition of poor frequency, poor span of hours and resulting poor patronage. Would also be interesting to see how to feed the Geebung Station area once the new overpass goes through.

[Golliwog]

BCC is a total conflict of interest and is acting like a private profit-seeking company which ALSO has the taxation and planning powers of a government. A combination of the worst aspects of private and public ownership right there. Of course it supports a bus tunnel, doesn't want to look at rail, too busy focused on it's navel!

Cynical me is convinced that the bus tunnel is part of why they were so opposed to the Translink Review. It'd reduce the number of buses through the core CBD corridor, thus reduce the need for the bus tunnel, so funding from other levels of Government would go elsewhere.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th April 2013

Bus Network Delays - Not broken?

Greetings,

Another bus network meltdown yesterday .. and the Lord Mayor reckons it's not broken ----> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg124066#msg124066

Bus volumes to double in 8 years under the present failing direct service model, wonder how the system might look then!

Not broken?

Going to be interesting to see if the BCC bus review supports any of the TransLink bus review proposals.  Clearly the number of buses running to and from the CBD needs to be reduced and optimised.  I wonder if they will achieve that with increased transfers?

They might just leave the mess as it is, tinker with a few routes and hope to build a case for a bus tunnel, which is not going to do much at all really.

More failure on the way?

Enjoy the bus-jam ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th April 2013

Will BCC's bus review actually achieve anything significant?

Greetings,

A week or so out from the community feedback phase of the BCC bus review --> http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/

Will be interesting to see if BCC is going to stand up and recognise the fact that they are meant to be part of an integrated public transport network, or are they going to continue along the lines of the present  failing high cost direct service bus model that collapsed with long bus delays again last week. (See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2695.msg123882#msg123882 )

The Minister and his staff are keen to put the slipper into rail, but reward bus failure with political favour.   Hardly balanced is it?

Worth noting again ..

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

In recent years bus operating expenditure has grown rapidly, from $475 million in 2009/10 to $580 million in 2011/12. Service priorities have typically built on top of existing networks with new routes added and frequencies increased, rather than addressing any historic network inefficiencies associated with the way services have been planned in the past. This is typified by the South East Busway, where a high number of parallel bus routes operate on the busway from Mt Gravatt to the Brisbane CBD while many other on-road routes also operate in parallel corridors and/or following indirect routes. In summary the operating costs have increased in Brisbane by 35.5% with 2.9% more passengers and in the whole of SEQ by 22.1% with 1.6% more passengers.

These cost increases are partially proportional to service increases, with total in-service kms up 17% in Brisbane and 9% in the rest of SEQ. The remaining cost increase is attributable to the increasing cost of providing the same services i.e. with no increase in input resources.
This results from price rises (for example in fuel and labour costs), step costs (of depots and fleet maintenance) and also the cost of traffic congestion, whereby the same service costs more to provide due to slower average speeds.

This review is about efficiency of resource allocation but also fundamentally about effectiveness of investment i.e. attracting more passengers with the same resources.

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review/seq-network-review-part1-introduction.pdf

Infrastructure constraints

Inner city capacity issues are emerging in Brisbane as more and more buses try to access the CBD. While new infrastructure will be required eventually, there is a need to make the most of existing infrastructure.
Under the 'business as usual' scenario, the number of buses entering the CBD in the AM peak hour could increase from about 600 (2011) to over 1070 in 2021. Adelaide Street currently carries about 220 buses per hour in the peak and is a significant constraint resulting in delays. To assume Adelaide Street could handle almost double the number of buses as currently operating is not sustainable.

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review/seq-network-review-part1-introduction.pdf

Capacity Utilisation

Capacity Utilisation measures the average load compared to the number of seats provided in the bus
network. Essentially, it is a measure of how full the buses are. The bus network capacity in SEQ is well
utilised during the peak periods on weekdays, but less so in the off-peak periods and weekends.
Currently, 50.3 % of bus services have an average load less than 7 passengers (where average load is
measured over the entire length of the route). 83.8 % of bus services have an average load less than 14
passengers. Given issues related to costs of vehicles and congestion along key corridors, the review aims
to increase capacity utilisation, particularly along key corridors and between key centres.

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/seq-bus-network-review/seq-network-review-part2-current-network.pdf

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

Public transport in SEQ is a basket case.  Who is actually in charge?

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Jonno]

No doubt it will highlight how well the BCC routes do an outstanding unparalleled unbeatable job in helping move less than 8% of trips and that nothing needs to change except more selff congratulations on doing a world leading job!!!!! 

[frereOP]

Services to griffith university - Nathan Campus

Translink services are so bad that I can wait for up to 25 minutes for a bus to Nathan from the busway in the morning.  GU have their own free shuttle service (every 15 mins during term and 30 mins outside term) between Nathan and Mt Gravatt campuses via the GU Busway station.  Why GU should do this is unbelievable but it makes sense for Translink to take over the route and charge for it, returning the operating costs of the free service to the university for use in education!

Another change worth thinking about would be extending the 444 from the Cultural Centre to Griffith University (via the busway) to provide a high frequency service to Nathan campus from the western suburbs, and extending the P88 from Indooroopilly to Riverhills replacing the 454 and providing a high frequency service to Centenary suburbs.

[#Metro]

So the BCC review comes out Monday?

No, but a whole wheelbarrow load of cr*p does...

Another change worth thinking about would be extending the 444 from the Cultural Centre to Griffith University (via the busway) to provide a high frequency service to Nathan campus

Are.you.serious? May as well hire BT bus drivers to drive my car for me...

[HappyTrainGuy]

So the BCC review comes out Monday?

I know what my blinkers will be doing when I got past the Chermside Library.... Staying on Gympie Road 

[somebody]

Another change worth thinking about would be extending the 444 from the Cultural Centre to Griffith University (via the busway) to provide a high frequency service to Nathan campus from the western suburbs,

Ignoring that the 444 has already been extended to GoMA, I completely agree with Lapdog.  Revamp the 135 rather than these changes.  And why doesn't the 134/135/155 serve Buranda especially?  That would allow interchange with the 120/170/180/209/222 services.

extending the P88 from Indooroopilly to Riverhills replacing the 454 and providing a high frequency service to Centenary suburbs.

Perhaps superior to the present situation.  It's a partial fix though, what is needed is a full fix.

[nathandavid88]

Regarding bus services to Griffith, in addition to the multitude of high frequency services that run between the Cultural Centre and the Griffith Uni Busway stop (more than I can care to remember), the uni operates it's own intercampus bus that runs between the two. It's every 15 minutes from 7:30am (Nathan)/7:45am (Mt G) until 6:00pm (Nathan)/6:15pm (Mt G), and then half hourly until 9:30pm (Nathan)/9:45pm (Mt G) and I'm pretty certain that it stops at the Griffith Busway Station. For most people, I think that service would perfectly suffice.

[somebody]

Regarding bus services to Griffith, in addition to the multitude of high frequency services that run between the Cultural Centre and the Griffith Uni Busway stop (more than I can care to remember), the uni operates it's own intercampus bus that runs between the two. It's every 15 minutes from 7:30am (Nathan)/7:45am (Mt G) until 6:00pm (Nathan)/6:15pm (Mt G), and then half hourly until 9:30pm (Nathan)/9:45pm (Mt G) and I'm pretty certain that it stops at the Griffith Busway Station. For most people, I think that service would perfectly suffice.

I'd expect it's about a 20 minute walk from Nathan Campus to Griffith Busway.  Makes a 30 minute frequency service not particularly useful.

[achiruel]

When you consider university lectures tend to start/finish at uniform times, I don't think 30 minutes frequency is a huge issue. Provided the bus is synchronised to those times of course

[Gazza]

When you consider university lectures tend to start/finish at uniform times, I don't think 30 minutes frequency is a huge issue. Provided the bus is synchronised to those times of course

What if I told you....Students dont just go to uni for lectures.

[Mr X]

a lot of people also don't go straight to the bus stop after a lecture. some might get something to eat etc. sucks big time missing the bus and having to wait 29 mins for the next one!

[BrizCommuter]

When you consider university lectures tend to start/finish at uniform times, I don't think 30 minutes frequency is a huge issue. Provided the bus is synchronised to those times of course

What if I told you....Students dont just go to uni for lectures.

Do students even turn up for lectures? 

[ozbob]

Students generally turned up for my lectures, if only for the jokes ... 

Meanwhile, tomorrow morning on 612 ABC Radio Brisbane ..

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

Twitter

Spencer Howson ‏@SpencerHowson

BCC bus review released tomorrow. @Team_Quirk at 7.15am.

[somebody]

So does that mean the review is released at 7:15am or that there will be a segment on 612 at 7:15?  Perhaps I'm slow.

[ozbob]

SH is just highlighting the fact that the Bus review is released tomorrow and he will be interviewing LM Quirk at 7.15am.

I expect the details would probably be made available later in the day, after the interview ..  anyone who has signed up for the email notification hopefully will be advised as well.

[ozbob]

Twitter

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane 35m

In Seven News at Six: Our exclusive insight into the City Council's review of Brisbane's bus system.

==========

Missed this, anyone see it?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Missed this, anyone see it?

It was so good no one knew about it.

[Fattious]

Twitter

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane 35m

In Seven News at Six: Our exclusive insight into the City Council's review of Brisbane's bus system.

==========

Missed this, anyone see it?

The main take away was Quirk indicating Buz routes will stay.

[ozbob]

Thanks.

[Arnz]

Quirk had also indicated that buses carrying 5 or less people on busy corridors are a complete waste of resources, and that some routes will be "merged" with the busier counterpart. 

So basically some routes are going to be "absorbed" by busier secondary routes.   No idea how they will do that without turning routes into a complete "winding milk run into everyones street" to service the few that may miss out.

[somebody]

So basically some routes are going to be "absorbed" by busier secondary routes.   No idea how they will do that without turning routes into a complete "winding milk run into everyones street" to service the few that may miss out.

It's called walking.  Did they say they'd vary the "busier" secondary routes?

Any nominations for routes which might go?  113, 138, 156, 435 (city-Indro bit), 436 seem like they might be in their sights.  We'll see.

[frereOP]

Another change worth thinking about would be extending the 444 from the Cultural Centre to Griffith University (via the busway) to provide a high frequency service to Nathan campus

Are.you.serious? May as well hire BT bus drivers to drive my car for me...

Of course I'm (expletive deleted) serious.  You're obviously not so what's your problem?  I don't see any problem extending the 444 to Nathan Campus.  It could easily  replace the 134 and 135 with options for the GU Shuttle to be included in other options.

The fact is, buses to GU Nathan are irregular and uncoordinated (especially in peak times) and something needs to be done including removing the burdon on GU of providing free public transport that should be provided by Translink.

[Gazza]

Why cant there be a simple 402 style shuttle from the busway station to nathan campus, to replace the Griffith run shuttle.....
It's a lot of extra service kilometers to extend the 444 all the way down.

[#Metro]

Of course I'm (expletive deleted) serious.  You're obviously not so what's your problem?  I don't see any problem extending the 444 to Nathan Campus.  It could easily  replace the 134 and 135 with options for the GU Shuttle to be included in other options.

The fact is, buses to GU Nathan are irregular and uncoordinated (especially in peak times) and something needs to be done including removing the burdon on GU of providing free public transport that should be provided by Translink.

I was thinking of a Rocket from my house to the Hilton Hotel in the CBD... oh wait, already have it 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22 April 2013

Community feedback phase of the BCC bus review

Greetings

The community feedback phase of the BCC bus review is planned to commence from today (April 22). Minister Emerson hand-balled the TransLink bus review for Brisbane to Brisbane City Council (BCC) at the first sign of political hysteria, leaving the Assistant Minister for Public Transport, the project director, left behind at the bus stop. Minister Emerson is keen to put the slipper into rail, but rewards bus failure with political favour.   Hardly balanced is it?

Will be interesting to see if BCC is going to stand up and recognise the fact that they are meant to be part of an integrated public transport network, or are they going to continue along the lines of the present failing high cost direct service bus model that collapsed with long bus delays again last week?

Bus operation costs in Brisbane have increased in Brisbane by a whopping 35.5% over three years with only a gain of 2.9% in passengers. Inner city capacity issues are now causing daily bus congestion, further compounding costs. There are massive bus route duplications and multiplicity, and competition with other modes.  Rather than support an integrated network, BCC views the bus network as a carrot for the next election rather than as a proper efficient, sustainable, high capacity, high frequency, mode integrated network.

The TransLink bus review was the right thing to do, and still was to undergo some further development based on feedback.  Will the BCC bus review continue to drive a failed network model or will there actually be moves to sort out the network?  Time will tell ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Some notes while listening to LM Quirk, interview will be up on the blog later hopefully ..

. Review looked at BT routes only

. Report back after consultation, will need to be figured into TL review

. 235 routes reviewed  BUZ Glider routes remain in place

. Will be changes, some millions of dollars in savings

. Some routes low patronage

. Convenience, have abandoned transfer concept but not quite, some blended.  Fewer buses into the City across Victoria Bridge and Captain Cook bridge.  Acknowledged that some efficiencies had to be gained.

. Question confusion re role of TransLink?   LM comment this is a one off. 

. Review should be available by this afternoon

[ozbob]

I get the feeling no major changes.  No new routes eg. HF25, rail continues to be ignored by the looks of things ..

Poor service areas remain.

Hope to be proved wrong but not hopeful ...

[ozbob]

4BC News have already followed up ...

[#Metro]

Bridge city council will always step in to prevent transfer. Sell it off

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast with Spencer Howson

--> here!

Brisbane Transport's own bus review released today

22 April 2013 , 8:56 AM by Spencer Howson

Brisbane City Council today announces the results of ITS review of Brisbane bus routes.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson handed the review to Brisbane City after Translink's own reworking of routes raised the ire of Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

You now have till May 20th to comment on the bus network, before any changes take place on June 21st.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk:

[ozbob]

4BC conducted an interview on the Bus reviews and public transport generally.  Thanks for the interest Kim and Sally.

BCC Bus Review should be available around 1.30pm on BCC web site I understand ..

[nathandavid88]

Nothing up yet, so to waste some time...

Regarding bus services to Griffith, in addition to the multitude of high frequency services that run between the Cultural Centre and the Griffith Uni Busway stop (more than I can care to remember), the uni operates it's own intercampus bus that runs between the two. It's every 15 minutes from 7:30am (Nathan)/7:45am (Mt G) until 6:00pm (Nathan)/6:15pm (Mt G), and then half hourly until 9:30pm (Nathan)/9:45pm (Mt G) and I'm pretty certain that it stops at the Griffith Busway Station. For most people, I think that service would perfectly suffice.

I'd expect it's about a 20 minute walk from Nathan Campus to Griffith Busway.  Makes a 30 minute frequency service not particularly useful.

I'll grant you that, but it's not the only show in town to get from Mt G to Nathan. Get a bus from Griffith Busway down to Garden City, then transfer to the 120 BUZ. Possibly less time consuming than waiting for the Shuttle after it's gone down to 30min frequency, if the transfer timing matches up well.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robyn Ironside ‏@ironsider 4m

Brisbane City Council bus review recommends 9 routes removed and 34 routes changed. Down from State Govt's 111 route cuts.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robyn Ironside ‏@ironsider 32s

Lord Mayor unveiling bus review. Nine routes to go, 80 facing some changes. 146 unchanged. http://t.co/WSuXEQeDzX

[HappyTrainGuy]

F**king sfa done to the network.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/bus-network-review/index.htm

Useless bloody BCC!

[Mr X]

Keeping the 314 says it all. WTF.

[ozbob]

LOL  There was a big clue in LM Quirk's interview this morning as to their mind set.  He said inter alia that BCC had done bus reviews before, the last being in 2004, and infact the same staff are still there.  They are locked into a very old transit paradigm, they are really struggling to come to terms with the need to move to a more functional network design.  They think tinkering with the odd routes, without changing the structure from direct service to connected, is fine.   Brisbane,  more bus jam on the way ...

PS.  I was all fired up for a '314 petition' ... phew!

462 goes, as expected but will still have a rudimentary bus service via 103 doing some loops ... a win of sorts ...