Ekka 2013 8-17 August

[ozbob]

http://www.ekka.com.au/

[ozbob]

Getting to the Ekka --> http://www.ekka.com.au/essential-information/getting-to-ekka.aspx

[ozbob]

Ekka 2013  Queensland Rail Long Distance special fares

-->    http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/TrainHolidays/Pages/HolidaySpecialDetails.aspx?hps=263   

[longboi]

Get ready to see BT conquering LCBS territory 

[#Metro]

Let's hope that idea of running buses IN PARALLEL to train lines last year or the year before does not make another re-appearance.

[minbrisbane]

Of course it will.  You and I know it will.

[#Metro]

http://www.ekka.com.au/essential-information/getting-to-ekka.aspx

Exhibition Shuttle Buses:
Dedicated express bus services will run direct to the show grounds from:
Northgate - (Ridge St Temporary Stop outside train station), Nundah Temporary Stop (On Station St near Nundah St) - Toombul Bus Interchange Stop "F" I/B Service only, then express to O'Connell Tce via Grace St, Sandgate Rd, Airport Link M7, to Bowen Bridge Rd, Campbell St, Sneyd St to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition).
Eight Mile Plains - (All stops on South East Busway & then all stops on Inner Northern Busway to (Exhibition)
Boggo Rd - (Dutton Park Busway Station - Platform 5, I/B), PAH Busway Station, Mater Hill Busway Station, Southbank Busway Station, Cultural Centre Busway Station, King George Square Busway Station (Platform 1F), Roma Street Busway Station, Normanby Busway Station, QUT Busway Station (Kelvin Grove), RCH Busway Station (Herston), to O'Connell Tce, via Ernie's Round-about, Butterfield St, Bowen Bridge Rd, Campbell St, to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition)
Carindale - (Carindale Bus Interchange - Platform "G") Depart via Carindale St, Old Cleveland Road, to Carina City Express Stop, Camp Hill City Express Stop, Coorparoo City Express Stop, Langland's Park Busway Station, Stones Corner Busway Station, Buranda Busway Station, Woolloongabba Busway Station (Platform "1" I/B), Mater Hill Busway Station, Southbank Busway Station, Cultural Centre Busway Station, King George Square Busway Station (Platform 1F), Roma Street Busway Station, Normanby Busway Station, QUT Busway Station (Kelvin Grove), RCH Busway Station (Herston), to O'Connell Tce, via Ernie's Round-about, Butterfield St, Bowen Bridge Rd, Campbell St, to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition).
Chermside - (Chermside Bus Interchange - Platform "D") & Chermside "G" on Gympie Rd (inbound only) - Kedron North Stop 31(City Express stop near Edinburgh Castle Rd) & Kedron Brook Busway Station - Lutwyche Busway Station & Truro Street Busway Stop - Windsor (Rail Stop 13 on Lutwyche Rd) - then express to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition)
Eagle Junction - (pick up in Junction Rd Stop 28), Wooloowin Rail Station Temporary Stop (Dickson St), Albion Rail Station Temporary Stop, (on Mawarra St) - then express to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition)
Shorncliffe - (Rail Station Temporary Stop) Railway Parade, Sandgate - (Sandgate bus interchange Stop "5" @ Sandgate rail station) then express O'Connell Tce via Rainbow St, Board St, M1 Motorway, East-West Arterial Rd, M7 Airport Link, to Bowen Bridge Rd, Campbell St, Snyed St to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition).
Beenleigh - (Beenleigh Bus Interchange Countrylink Bus Stop outside train station), then to the Logan Hyperdome Bus Interchange Stop "D", then express to O'Connell Tce (Exhibition)
Shuttle bus services will not operate from Northey Street at Windsor.
Bus shuttle services will run on a 30 minute frequency from the above locations

[James]

Let's hope that idea of running buses IN PARALLEL to train lines last year or the year before does not make another re-appearance.

Oh yes, that idea is back too.
Northgate, Nundah and Toombul stations (then EXP to Ekka)
Eagle Junction, Wooloowin and Albion (then EXP to Ekka)
Beenleigh station to Ekka via Logan Hyperdome
And my personal favourite:
Shorncliffe station, Sandgate station (then EXP to Ekka).

Why the f**k do people from Shorncliffe/Sandgate get a bullet bus to the Ekka operating every half hour? I personally think even if this madness of having buses run parallel to rail lines has to happen, it should go to high-use stations (Ferny Grove, Indooroopilly) rather than this mess. Maybe we should encourage people from places like Garden City to catch a ride to the show. Come one, come all, to the 172 roller coaster! Dive, twist and turn through the suburbs. You will get to the end... tomorrow morning. 

Edit: Looks like Lapdog beat me to it.

[#Metro]

I don't understand this. The buses are express but you have to wait up to 30 minutes for them, which cancels out any gain from skipping stops.

And look, there are rocket buses from Beenleigh train station, Shorncliffe, etc.

All they need to do is provide extra 111, 222, 333, 444 services and let people use the train. And maybe a CBD loop shuttle to Cultural Centre and CBD train stations if they want.

[#Metro]

I hope the state is not paying for this. If the RNA wants to run buses this way and is 100% paying for that, fine. But it we're pitching in, no way!!

All you need is a bus that does RNA, Herston busway, Valley, CBD, Cultural Centre END. That's it.

James you may want to fix up the link for the last one (shorncliffe) - link points to the wrong map.

[petey3801]

No doubt the buses will leave the rail stations at the same time as the train as well...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Agree with LP. If the RNA is paying for those buses then that's their problem but if translink/state/normal everyday passengers have to help pay for them then get f**ked.... again 

[ozbob]

Rail is not mentioned directly on the Ekka page either.  That might be added later.

However, I expect there will be the normal extras on main lines, and Exhibition loop trains which may be steam hauled on certain days as well.

Jebus, I am p%ssed off now,  I want a  steam rocket too, from Goodna RSL to the Ekka !   

The buses are of not much overall capacity, but do take a little bit of the pax load off rail and in some cases do allow better access for some.  Although there many Brisbane residents who are terrified of transferring, we need to understand that <>. 
The great LM has spoken ...

[ozbob]

There would be more spare buses around now too following some of the recent changes. 

So helps keep the wheels turning as well.

When I was in regular employ, Ekka time was pretty tough with heavy pax congestion at times on the Ippy.  I used to try to avoid the peak times particularly PM.  The Beenleigh line as well has the same issues.  I expect that the Shorncliffe line doesn't have much tolerance for big crowds as well.

[techblitz]

the priority should have been for suburbs with no/minimal access to public transport at all....run buses to transfer them into rail.
Will be interesting to see if any of the private operators are putting on extra services.e
g: hornibrook for north lakes region....

[ozbob]

the priority should have been for suburbs with no/minimal access to public transport at all....run buses to transfer them into rail.
Will be interesting to see if any of the private operators are putting on extra services.e
g: hornibrook for north lakes region....

Good point!  They seem to stick to the same paradigm sadly.

[longboi]

Rail is not mentioned directly on the Ekka page either.  That might be added later.

However, I expect there will be the normal extras on main lines, and Exhibition loop trains which may be steam hauled on certain days as well.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/event-transport/details/980

Rail services are on the page and were there when I looked on Friday night.

Half hourly frequency on the Doomben line also makes an appearance on Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Wednesday 14 and Saturday 17 August.

[ozbob]

Yes thanks.  I was referring to the Ekka page --> http://www.ekka.com.au/essential-information/getting-to-ekka.aspx

[ozbob]

PT for the Ekka is a lot better these days ..

A few blasts from the past for those not around here then, was bit of a battle over the years, not really TransLink's fault either but a rather stubborn RNA in the main, except for the great ticket meltdown of 2011 ...

Ekka 2007 --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=179.msg420#msg420

Ekka 2009 --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2573.msg12597#msg12597

Ekka 2011 --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6548.0  the great 'ticket' meltdown ...

It was always going to happen but no one seem too concerned ..  --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5867.msg65183#msg65183


Took years to get it to the stage it is now ... anywhere else would be easy, but hey we are Queenslanders! 

[ozbob]

Plenty of rail services to the Ekka, and there are the regular loops as well.  Some days there will be steam as well hopefully.

Most people seem to use the train or walk in.  Road congestion is bit of an issue however there are many who drive and pay for it.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/network-information/event-transport/details/980

... Additional trains and Exhibition line loop services will run from Exhibition station during the Ekka. Exhibition station is located in the middle of the RNA showgrounds.

The Exhibition loop service runs between Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Exhibition stations approximately every 15 minutes from 9am to 10pm (8pm on Thursday 8 August).The train ride to Exhibition station takes about 15 minutes from Central station ...

But the fact it took years to sort is just a reflection of the mediocre attitude that prevails transport bureaucracies IMHO ...

Some of them would find it difficult to deliver a birthday party successfully at the ' golden arches ' ... 

[ozbob]

2013 Ekka - Royal Queensland Show Ekka travel ticket --> http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/get-to-the-ekka

[ozbob]

Even worse bus frequency this year as response not good last year ..   

Media release 11 August 2012

SEQ: Ekka Services highlight flaws in bus network direct service dogma

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 highlights how this year's Ekka bus services illustrate the problem with direct services in the general Brisbane bus network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Unlike previous years, TransLink has decided to run extra bus services direct to the Ekka, in direct competition to train services and duplicating existing busway services.

"While we understand that there will always be a need for direct services, this year's Ekka services serve as a useful parable illustrating why our current 'everything to the city' bus network philosophy is problematic, costly and why connections are so important."

Backgrounder ---> http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

"With connections, passengers can get the next busway service and connect to the Ekka train at Roma Street. Given that there are buses every 2-5 minutes on the busways, existing bus services combined with an Ekka train connection outperform all dedicated Ekka services which only appear every 20 minutes."

Lesson: Overall travel times are significantly faster with a connection, rather than direct services, because waiting time is significantly reduced.

"Many of our members have observed empty Ekka Buses. When people catch usual TransLink services, the bus can pool passengers going to many destinations - it is more versatile and useful for a range of trips through one connection. When people catch an Ekka bus, the bus is SOLELY for those going to the Ekka, and nowhere else - a limited market, hence empty buses."

Lesson: Dedicated services will have limited patronage because they have a limited market. With connections, multi-destinational trips are possible, and the one bus trip can be used to get anywhere, with a connection. Dedicated services are very costly, connected services are cheaper overall because they can be used for many different kinds of versatile trips.

"These two lessons are just some of the reasons why we are so against the Maroon CityGlider, which should be scrapped in favour of BUZ services to Bulimba, Centenary and the Northwest!"

"We thank TransLink and the Minister for Transport for sorting out the ticket mess with a simple $6 Ekka paper ticket. It had taken many, many years of inertia and excuses and a major public overcrowding incident to get to this point, so we are glad indeed."

"We suggest that next year that no special direct buses are put on at all, just augment existing routes and simply signs go up at busway stations advising passengers to catch the next bus to the city and get a train at either Roma Street or Central. It will be both cheaper and faster for everyone concerned."

"We also look forward to the bus network review."

References:

1. '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

2. Ekka services http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/ekka-services-more-translink-mediocrity.html

Contact:

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

[BrizCommuter]

The BrizCommuter word on the Ekka bus waste.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/ekka-va-waste.html

[#Metro]

I think all that is required is perhaps some extra 111, 444, 222 and 333 services during peak load times.

[SurfRail]

The only good thing I have taken from this is that the Eisernes Kreuz bus route maps are all based on proper cartography, not cartoon squiggles.

One can only hope this will be rolled out in new bus timetables shortly.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I think all that is required is perhaps some extra 111, 444, 222 and 333 services during peak load times.

Surely the 330, 331, 332, 333, 335, 340, 341, 370 would be enough RBWH-Chermside considering the 340/341 are well known to run higher capacity buses from the Bowen Hills depot during peak hour? Heck, even the 77 could take up some slack if they caught a 321, 334, 374, 375, 379 etc to Windsor rail stop (frequency of a bus every 1-2 minutes during peak hour). At the very height of peak it would suffer but that's what the height of peak hour is. Already during peak hour buses such as the 333/340 can be half empty into Chermside during peak hour usually as a result of too many buses causing routes to steal patronage from others ie 340 stealing 333 patronage Chermside-RBWH.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/8/6/ride-to-the-rides-for-less

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Ride to the rides for less

The Newman Government's Ekka special public transport ticket is back for TransLink passengers.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said passengers who pre-purchased their Ekka entry ticket could access discount travel on all TransLink trains, buses and ferries.

"Anyone with a pre-purchased Ekka ticket can travel from anywhere on the TransLink network to the RNA Showgrounds and home again for just $6 for adults and $3 for concessions," Mr Emerson said.

"A passenger travelling to the show from Morningside could save $1.70, while someone travelling from the Gold Coast could save up to $25.

"That leaves more money for Dagwood Dogs, Fairy Floss, Ekka Strawberry Sundaes, showbags or Sideshow Alley."

Mr Emerson said the special Ekka travel ticket was introduced last year for the first time, increasing public transport use by more than 50 per cent – 297,000 trips taken compared with 196,000 in 2011.

"Tickets can be purchased from any attended Queensland Rail station or on board any bus or ferry by presenting a valid Ekka entry ticket," he said.

"Normal fares will apply for trips taken using go cards and single paper tickets, which can still be used for travel to and from the Ekka."

Hundreds of additional bus and train services have been scheduled for the show, including 15-minute frequency, loop train services running to and from the Exhibition station and Roma Street.

Visit www.ekka.com.au (external site) to purchase entry tickets prior to purchasing travel tickets.

[ENDS] 6 August 2013

[red dragin]

Any word on the steam trains this year?

The little bloke is old enough to enjoy it this year, would love to take him for a ride. Hoping to do one of the Grandchester trips later this year too.

[ozbob]

Any word on the steam trains this year?

The little bloke is old enough to enjoy it this year, would love to take him for a ride. Hoping to do one of the Grandchester trips later this year too.

Still to be announced but I think weekends (Sats) and Ekka Wednesday  - to be confirmed though.

[techblitz]

The 555 is going to get hammered on the ekka weekends & show day

[SurfRail]

The 555 is going to get hammered on the ekka weekends & show day

And the Ekka service to Beenleigh and the Hyperdome will probably run half-empty all day.

[nathandavid88]

Any word on the steam trains this year?

The little bloke is old enough to enjoy it this year, would love to take him for a ride. Hoping to do one of the Grandchester trips later this year too.

Still to be announced but I think weekends (Sats) and Ekka Wednesday  - to be confirmed though.

My inside source has told me that 1079 is currently sitting at Mayne, and so is 1620. 

[petey3801]

Any word on the steam trains this year?

The little bloke is old enough to enjoy it this year, would love to take him for a ride. Hoping to do one of the Grandchester trips later this year too.

Still to be announced but I think weekends (Sats) and Ekka Wednesday  - to be confirmed though.

My inside source has told me that 1079 is currently sitting at Mayne, and so is 1620. 

Close! 1089 is in the ELP and will be running this weekend (both Sat and Sun), Ekka Wednesday and the last day (2nd Sat) of the Ekka, hauling the normal SX set as usual for Ekka services.

[BrizCommuter]

Observed 4 EKx bus services today within 1km of the Ekka. All 4 buses had zero passengers!

[red dragin]

Any word on the steam trains this year?

The little bloke is old enough to enjoy it this year, would love to take him for a ride. Hoping to do one of the Grandchester trips later this year too.

Still to be announced but I think weekends (Sats) and Ekka Wednesday  - to be confirmed though.

My inside source has told me that 1079 is currently sitting at Mayne, and so is 1620. 

Close! 1089 is in the ELP and will be running this weekend (both Sat and Sun), Ekka Wednesday and the last day (2nd Sat) of the Ekka, hauling the normal SX set as usual for Ekka services.

Thank you both.

Wonder how many laps I can do before they kick us off 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Observed 4 EKx bus services today within 1km of the Ekka. All 4 buses had zero passengers!

Saw a Northgate bus on Sandgate road during peak hour.... I've seen more people onboard a 328

[#Metro]

Photos if you can!

[James]

Considering going on a trip of the Ekka buses to look at the sheer waste - EK8 from Beenleigh then EK7 to Shorncliffe. See if I can beat the train. 

[#Metro]

Air on film, Air on film! 

[STB]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the longer version the more adult version?  (feel like I want to You Tube this now just to find out and enjoy ).