Ekka 2013 8-17 August

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

[BrizCommuter]

Photos if you can!

You cannot really get good shots through the bus windows to show how empty the buses are in bright sunlight.

Anyway, saw 2 more EKx buses today. Both empty of course.

[#Metro]

If one is sitting inside up the back you can.

[ozbob]

Anyone been out to the Ekka yet?

[STB]

I have heard from the bus nuts on another forum that the Ekka buses are actually getting heavy patronage.  EK8 (Beenleigh to Ekka) reported to have a decent load onboard.

[STB]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

Huzzah it was too, muchly enjoyed! 

[HappyTrainGuy]

I have heard from the bus nuts on another forum that the Ekka buses are actually getting heavy patronage.  EK8 (Beenleigh to Ekka) reported to have a decent load onboard.

I guess it would also depend on the day/timing and other route options eg North Brisbane routes such as the Northgate and Chermside buses. Trains and buses trumping the frequency of the ekka specials.

[ozbob]

Arrived at Goodna rail around 8.15am this morning in the horseless carriage, Mrs Ozbob heading off to town.

Noted a good crowd on the platform as the direct Ekka special arrived.  Mrs Ozbob thought it was her train until I explained it was a special to the Ekka.  Had the direct Exhibition desto going.  Train was very well loaded with excited Ekka patrons.  Timetabled down is due at Goodna at 8.27am.  So it is good move running 10 minutes or so ahead of the normal train.  Keeps pax overload off the normal train, and gives those who inadvertently board the special the option to detrain before the train leaves Milton ..

[HappyTrainGuy]

Ekka special is on a anti clockwise loop today IIRC so it should be going via BS and then through the hole in the wall to the Exhibition stop.

[red dragin]

Problems with the doors not opening, then track fault between Valley & Bowen Hills.

we are going to try to catch the afternoon session 

[minbrisbane]

Off to the show!

[minbrisbane]

Fully loaded 111.  Already showing bus full signs at Holland Park west.

[longboi]

Fully loaded 111.  Already showing bus full signs at Holland Park west.

Where did the majority of Ekka-bound pax. transfer?

[minbrisbane]

Roma Street, all onto the train.

[minbrisbane]

1089 performing loop duties.

[ozbob]

    Thanks!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Fully loaded 111.  Already showing bus full signs at Holland Park west.

Where did the majority of Ekka-bound pax. transfer?

I'd imagine some were going to the footy game aswell?

[longboi]

Fully loaded 111.  Already showing bus full signs at Holland Park west.

Where did the majority of Ekka-bound pax. transfer?

I'd imagine some were going to the footy game aswell?

Yeah there are usually early birds who turn up before footy shuttles start.

I think the Ekka bus shuttles probably need a bit more promotion. People just assume Ekka transport = train. Although it's understandable more people might want to go by train with 1089 performing loop services.

Speaking of Ekka bus shuttles, check out the BT invasion of Logan City: http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=74667

[James]

Yeah there are usually early birds who turn up before footy shuttles start.

I think the Ekka bus shuttles probably need a bit more promotion. People just assume Ekka transport = train. Although it's understandable more people might want to go by train with 1089 performing loop services.

Speaking of Ekka bus shuttles, check out the BT invasion of Logan City: http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=74667

I think a lot of it is due to the lack of Ekka shuttle buses (or maybe their inherent slow-running nature without the INB) up until recently. I agree with them needing promotion - but I think they'd be better served by putting them on a corridor and making them frequent routes for the duration of the Ekka. SE Busway, Gympie Road and the inner busway (Boggo Road - RBWH) are the big-ticket ones.

All the others should be introduced on weekends/public holidays only. Of course patronage will be down significantly on a Tuesday vs. Saturday/Sunday.

[longboi]

Yeah there are usually early birds who turn up before footy shuttles start.

I think the Ekka bus shuttles probably need a bit more promotion. People just assume Ekka transport = train. Although it's understandable more people might want to go by train with 1089 performing loop services.

Speaking of Ekka bus shuttles, check out the BT invasion of Logan City: http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=74667

I think a lot of it is due to the lack of Ekka shuttle buses (or maybe their inherent slow-running nature without the INB) up until recently. I agree with them needing promotion - but I think they'd be better served by putting them on a corridor and making them frequent routes for the duration of the Ekka. SE Busway, Gympie Road and the inner busway (Boggo Road - RBWH) are the big-ticket ones.

All the others should be introduced on weekends/public holidays only. Of course patronage will be down significantly on a Tuesday vs. Saturday/Sunday.

Yes that is probably of greater consideration. Unless pax. have checked the specific times firs (which is counter-intuitive for most busway services) then they will just go for whatever arrives first which is going to get them underway to their destination.

I suspect that like last year, drivers will be pretty lax in terms of picking up and setting down so demand is still managed with the EK routes taking anyone left behind by full buses.

[Golliwog]

I'm still not convinced there's a real need for all the Ekka shuttles they've put on. Sure, there's an argument for a corridor like the SE Busway having a direct connection, but I don't see why you can't just encourage an interchange at Roma St, or alternatively, for the duration of the Ekka, extend the 111 from RS to either the RBH, or to the Ekka stop. I'm sure similar things could be done for other corridors as well.

[#Metro]

If they ran buses from say Ekka-RBWH-Nth Busway-KGS-Cultural Centre-W'Gabba that would be enough I would think. As the routes are much shorter now you can run them at ultra high frequency (5 mins?) for the same or less cost.

[SurfRail]

Direct buses from Northgate and Eagle Junction are an obscene waste of money.  If there is really that much need to shuttle people to the front gate by bus, it could be done with an interchange at Bowen Hills station.  Pick-up and set-down on the same side as the station (Abbotsford Rd northbound).

[HappyTrainGuy]

Can't agree more SF. Apparently the Southside routes are doing better than the northside routes but I still put that down to duplication and better frequency of services available in the existing corridors. Chermside has the 330, 333, 340, 370 each running every 15 mins dropping them off 200m away from the Entrance. Northgate services have the railway line running nearly every 15 minutes and then there is the 300, 306, 310, 315, 322 services. Those are the two ekka special buses that I've seen more than twice with low patronage numbers.

[James]

Direct buses from Northgate and Eagle Junction are an obscene waste of money.  If there is really that much need to shuttle people to the front gate by bus, it could be done with an interchange at Bowen Hills station.  Pick-up and set-down on the same side as the station (Abbotsford Rd northbound).

Don't forget the one from Shorncliffe. That has to be the epitome of waste.

[Golliwog]

If they ran buses from say Ekka-RBWH-Nth Busway-KGS-Cultural Centre-W'Gabba that would be enough I would think. As the routes are much shorter now you can run them at ultra high frequency (5 mins?) for the same or less cost.

Exactly, just run the 66 on weekends and extend it from RBWH. Give that a temporary expanded Ekka timetable, rather than the waste we're getting now.

[ozbob]

Getting to the Ekka by Train

--> http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/selections/getting-to-the-ekka-by-train-4656691.html

[ozbob]

Twitter

WorkshopsRailMuseum ‏@RailMuseum_Qld 7m

#picoftheweek: Arriving at #Ekka, 60s style. Caption at http://on.fb.me/148VWx2  http://t.co/5SIikjI48W

[ozbob]

Ekka Steam Train 2013

[James]

Rode on EK8 to the Ekka today. Bus was completely empty leaving Beenleigh, but 12 pax got on at Loganholme. Passed a mostly empty EK2 at Greenslopes, and strangely EK8 went via Cultural Centre. I have to say that's a new level of stupidity, and just made sure that our bus ran 10 minutes late, missing a potential connection to all the other Ekka shuttles (I had planned to go out to Sandgate).

I think a big issue with on-time running is people buying paper tickets. Especially when mum, dad and the 2-4 kids are in tow,  buying paper tickets can be a real delayer. We sat around Loganholme for about 5 minutes. Traffic on the M1 didn't help things either.

[red dragin]

EK's passing the RCH busway city bound stop at about 8.30 pm tonight, all seats taken and a few standing

4 buses never showed whilst we waited for one we could catch.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ekka dates to change from next year

... Next year's Ekka will take in two full weekends, starting on Friday, August 8 and run until Sunday, August 17 ...

[BrizCommuter]

EK's passing the RCH busway city bound stop at about 8.30 pm tonight, all seats taken and a few standing

4 buses never showed whilst we waited for one we could catch.

Why didn't you just get on a normal bus then?

[BrizCommuter]

Brisbanetimes --> Ekka dates to change from next year

... Next year's Ekka will take in two full weekends, starting on Friday, August 8 and run until Sunday, August 17 ...

A very sensible move!

[red dragin]

EK's passing the RCH busway city bound stop at about 8.30 pm tonight, all seats taken and a few standing

4 buses never showed whilst we waited for one we could catch.

Why didn't you just get on a normal bus then?

4 normal buses didn't show. Couldn't get the EK busses.

[ozbob]

BB18 ¼ 1089 - Ekka Steam Train Services - August 2013

During the 2013 Brisbane "Ekka", Queensland Rail ran special steam train services to and from the Ekka utilizing BB18 ¼ 1089 and a set of 7 stainless steel "SX" carriages. These steam train services were run over 4 days and proved to be very popular.

Filmed on Saturday 10th August and Saturday 17th August 2013.

Filming by Stephen Shepherd.

Edited together by Paul Shepherd.