13 September 2013

Your thoughts wanted for Network14

| johnboy
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Shane Rattenbury has announced he’s kicking off the consultation on next year’s bus network.

Highlights include:

    — a new service linking Molonglo to Woden and Cooleman Court with a peak hour Xpresso to the City – these services will support increased residential development in the Molonglo Valley

    — a new Rapid service between Gungahlin and Belconnen

    — a new service for Hume

    — improved services between Erindale and Woden

    — improved services to the airport and surrounding business park precinct

    — increased Xpresso services between Weston Creek and the City, including an Xpresso direct to the City from Cooleman Court.

    — improved services into the Parliamentary Triangle, including two new dedicated morning peak services from Woden and services from Gungahlin which now extend into the Triangle rather than terminate in Civic.

No word on whether the new Rapid service will come with an abusive Twitter account.

Meanwhile the Liberals’ Alistair Coe wants to know how this will join up with light rail?

Shadow Minister for Transport Alistair Coe claims the proposed changes to the bus network, in particular Gungahlin bus services, undermine the ACT Government’s light rail strategy.

“Rather than treating Gungahlin Town Centre as a hub, which would be required for light rail, ACTION will now run continuous services to the City, Barton and Russell from numerous Gungahlin suburbs,” Mr Coe said today.

“Whilst this is probably a positive for commuters, it further undermines the Government’s case for light rail.

One would imagine that the bus services can change should the light rail ever arrive?

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I’m in Wanniassa on the (pre Network 2014) 61 route, and near enough the 785 and 787 express routes.

For me the changes are:
No more turning up to work on an express bus at 9am; last 7xx (now 718, 719) arrives in Civic at half past 8. Annoying, since I like sleeping in.
Route changes put me on the new 64 route which doesn’t have a 164, so no easy peak services for when I miss the 40 minute earlier 7xx. However the 64 follows a slightly shorter route to Woden than the current 61 so a slight time saving there.
The late busses to Wanniassa are no more. I’ll now have to finish my beers before 10 if I want to take a bus home (as opposed to half past 11).

All in all no huge changes for me, just some annoyances with an earlier morning and earlier night.

Is it just Wanniassa, or are all the late suburban services gone?

joingler said :

young_gun said :

Hi all, Happy 2014! I was on Action website earlier today to see how this is progressing, but I can’t seem to find anything. 🙁

Anyone in the know as to when the new routes/timetables will be finalised?

Someone asked this on their facebook page a few weeks back and the answer was first half of 2014. Not much more info than that

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye on their Facebook page.

young_gun said :

Hi all, Happy 2014! I was on Action website earlier today to see how this is progressing, but I can’t seem to find anything. 🙁

Anyone in the know as to when the new routes/timetables will be finalised?

Someone asked this on their facebook page a few weeks back and the answer was first half of 2014. Not much more info than that

Hi all, Happy 2014! I was on Action website earlier today to see how this is progressing, but I can’t seem to find anything. 🙁

Anyone in the know as to when the new routes/timetables will be finalised?

lilliashanne said :

As a regular 788 expresso traveller, the bus is never less than 1/2 full. As a Barton worker living in Gordon (yes, North Tharwa), without this service it would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get to work by bus. It takes 25-30mins – in peak – to drive. What do you think I will (be forced) to do? I would like to understand how this suggested change is an improvement to anything; perhaps the decision makers would like to park their cars at my house and test the route they are proposing – I would be more than happy to accompany them on the 3-4 hour daily round trip. They will certainly have plenty of time to plan more new ‘streamlined’ routes on the journey.

Use this website to send in your concerns: http://timetotalk.act.gov.au/community-engagements/?engagement=proposed-bus-services-for-2014

Remember, unless they actually hear from people, they will go ahead and make the changes as proposed. This is why they have been released for consultation.

Ms_Grumpy said :

So, instead of catching one bus to work (the 788), Mr Rattenbury’s proposed ‘improvements’ mean that I will now have to catch two buses – either the 718 or 719 into the city and then another bus to work in Barton.

Other (better) option is 318/318 to Woden then 791 or 792 to Barton. But see above: send in your concerns.

lilliashanne9:42 am 16 Sep 13

As a regular 788 expresso traveller, the bus is never less than 1/2 full. As a Barton worker living in Gordon (yes, North Tharwa), without this service it would take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get to work by bus. It takes 25-30mins – in peak – to drive. What do you think I will (be forced) to do? I would like to understand how this suggested change is an improvement to anything; perhaps the decision makers would like to park their cars at my house and test the route they are proposing – I would be more than happy to accompany them on the 3-4 hour daily round trip. They will certainly have plenty of time to plan more new ‘streamlined’ routes on the journey.

The new route 2 going from O’Connor through Deakin and beyond looks terrific.

So, instead of catching one bus to work (the 788), Mr Rattenbury’s proposed ‘improvements’ mean that I will now have to catch two buses – either the 718 or 719 into the city and then another bus to work in Barton. I guess it will be a longer journey time wise as well. I can just imagine that there will be a number of my fellow 788 users who will say bollocks to that, will hop in their cars and add to the traffic congestion and competition for parking spaces.

I wouldn’t mind seeing the statistics they are presumably using as justification for these proposed changes. The 788 I catch seems more than half full morning and night so it’s hard to see lack of patronage being a reason for the cancellation of the cancellation of the 788.

Please explain Mr Rattenbury!

RB78 said :

joingler said :

I am slightly peeved off they’ve taken out route 80 but given there was hardly anyone on that bus with me it kinda makes sense. .

The ACTION site says the 80 is being replaced by the 200 and 201

Yeah doesn’t help me. Two nights a week I need to go from civic to Kingston and the 80 is the best option as it goes straight down Commonwealth Ave, past Queastacon then around Bowen Dr to Wentworth. This is literally 10-15 minutes quicker than getting route 4,5 or 200 which spend an eternity going through Russell and Barton.

joingler said :

I am slightly peeved off they’ve taken out route 80 but given there was hardly anyone on that bus with me it kinda makes sense. .

The ACTION site says the 80 is being replaced by the 200 and 201

Generally a much better network for me (I live Watson, work Gungahlin).

I am slightly peeved off they’ve taken out route 80 but given there was hardly anyone on that bus with me it kinda makes sense. The 54 between gunners, Palmerston, Crace then straight to Belco is also fantastic.

I am worried about them saying they’ll cut late night services. What constitutes late ngiht? They haven’t said so and depending how much they cut, it could really screw me over.

Re Madame’s comment: “I remember a few years ago where they went a bit do-lally with the timetabling and routes and there was a huge backlash . . .”
They still have not restored the old weekend timetable, like they said they would at that time.
I hope they are doing something about it this time.

Actually I just filled in this survey for what its worth

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Network14

I am not particularity impressed about the change to the Kambah 162, It use to take me into the city after a short stop at Woden. Why can’t they keep that as it was always full.

Guess I am living above my station and need to go find a white commodore to run up the parkway while madly tailgating with a precariously balanced cig dangling from my lip.

However I’ll probably just grumble about the gubermit and deal with it.

Raging Tempest6:49 pm 14 Sep 13

I see they’ve ditched all three xpresso services through Gowrie and Fadden and re-routed them through Chisholm. I get streamlining by ditching either the 265 or 770 since they run similar routes but both seems extreme. The revised local services look OK, but wtf is with having to cross Isabella Dr to get to Civic?

cheryanne said :

The new proposed route changes mean that Kambah commuters are again made worse off. Not even one bus route to civic even in peak times. We already have no 900 routes on the weekends and now the 160 is to be abolished so or already 50 minute commute in the.morning will be even longer. Let alone a possible 2-3 hour trip to get home.

Not sure what you mean by the ‘no 900 routes on the weekends’ – as someone mentioned you have the 960 and 962, unless you’re referring to the one stop in each direction near the bottom of Learmonth that is serviced during the week on the 300s but not on the weekends due the 900 going via Erindale?

I’m puzzled by the removal of the 160/161/162. I used to live in Kambah and the 160 (and before it, the 710 which was far superior as it skipped Woden) was always fairly full.

That said – if they timetable things right (which would be a miracle), I think they should be promoting the stops just past Sulwood at the bottom of the Parkway as a transfer point for Kambah residents. Hop off the 60 or 62 and jump on the 718 or 719 – that way you skip Woden and go straight to the City.

Having one bus everywhere can be convenient, but sometimes getting a transfer is faster (it is in my case). I think it’s probably the convenience of not having to wait for a transfer that keeps people on the one bus, even if it takes longer.

Madam Cholet3:28 pm 14 Sep 13

Monsieur Cholet and I share our public transport patronage across the week depending on who is doing the pre-school run. I like getting the bus in, especially as the service we use 11 & 111 is efficient (even though always a few minutes late each morning), and gets us into work at the time we need. When I get the bus I need to be at work at 8am so I get the 26 minutes past 7 from Calwell.

I note in this proposal they are looking to send the 11 & 111 off to Majura and Fairbairn and change the existing service to a number 171. That would be ok, except for the fact that it now goes the slow way through the back of Wanniassa instead of straight up Erindale Drive, splintering off to Woden halfway up. By doing this I suspect it will add time to the trip, which then means that I will have to get an earlier service, which whilst possible, is a pain.

The service that runs right now is clearly well patronised and efficient which would show up in their myway reports. So why the change to the route? If Fairbairn and Majura need a bus why can’t they put a new service on there.

I also note that the new route has another bus that travels along there, so that’s two buses servicing the same area.

Without seeing the timetable it’s difficult to tell, but I remember a few years ago where they went a bit do-lally with the timetabling and routes and there was a huge backlash. Hope it’s not a repeat.

It is good to see Xpresso services increased in Chisholm area (though I can’t understand why the route numbers have been changed).
Some suggestions: I have noticed that people with school age children are generally reluctant to use Xpresso routes because there is no way to get home fast during the day if something happens. And it takes ages getting into town during the day for appts etc. Therefore, it would be great if there was a couple of Xpresso runs during the day, and one after 6pm for people who cannot get away before 6. This would increase patronage.

I also suggest generally treating the eastern areas of Tuggers (ie adjacent to Monaro Hwy) as a separate geographic area, as transport needs from there are quite different from those of Kambah/Wannie/Bonython etc. Basically, anyone living on the eastern side of Tuggers who wants to go to the Triangle or Civic will not bother using a service that ‘backtracks’ to Woden or Tuggers interchange, or even to Erindale, when you can just nip up the Hwy in your car.

Good to see they’ve increased the frequency on the Gungahlin-City route during peak periods. I’m sure the MyWay data would have shown services running way over capacity at certain times.

Add the Nxtbus system in to the equation, and (supposing they do it right) it could really improve services.

agent_clone said :

My thoughts on the changes are that a map of the proposed network (one of those ones that have all the bus routes on it) would be nice so that people can visually see the changes.

Use the link provided by #2. The link to details for each region also includes a map of said region.

The other little gem they’ve snuck in is the cutting out of late night services, but not providing any details. They may not be the most frequented services, but it’s the poorer sections of the community that rely on them: shift workers and students in particular. They’ve also cut the North Belconnen community routes linking the aged care homes with the larger shopping centres (apparently the 73 and 74 are adequately service by other community transport options).
The last four route modifications over the years mean I can’t get home if I want to leave Belconnen after 10.30 PM.
If the buses are meant to be a community service, it’s about time they actually tried to serve the community. Not everyone in this town is a public servant, and not everyone can drive. And not everyone who can drive is entitled to community transport options.

cheryanne said :

The new proposed route changes mean that Kambah commuters are again made worse off. Not even one bus route to civic even in peak times. We already have no 900 routes on the weekends and now the 160 is to be abolished so or already 50 minute commute in the.morning will be even longer. Let alone a possible 2-3 hour trip to get home.

WTF?

So sick of this council treating people anyone to the south like second class citizens.

And I’m pretty sure the 160 route is VERY well patronised.

Seems to me like they just don’t want people to catch the bus.

My thoughts on the changes are that a map of the proposed network (one of those ones that have all the bus routes on it) would be nice so that people can visually see the changes.

maxblues said :

Alistair Coe is right. Putting on an Xpresso from Gungahlin to the Triangle is a good idea, but after spending a billion dollars (standard ACT cost blowout) on the MFT (moderately fast tram), passengers from the Gun will have to alight at Civic and transfer to a bus to get to the Triangle. How will an Xpresso tram overtake the regular tram that stops at all the proposed infill required to justify the tram?

They could then extend the tram to the parliamentary triangle! And then to Woden. But yeah bus routes can always be modified after the tram is completed.

Chery do you mean that there is no 900 route to civic on the weekend? Because I can see the 962 and 960 service Kambah on the weekend. Transferring to an express bus in the morning to get to civic should be easy enough in the morning, the problem may be the afternoon/evening connection between the two buses.

Alistair Coe is right. Putting on an Xpresso from Gungahlin to the Triangle is a good idea, but after spending a billion dollars (standard ACT cost blowout) on the MFT (moderately fast tram), passengers from the Gun will have to alight at Civic and transfer to a bus to get to the Triangle. How will an Xpresso tram overtake the regular tram that stops at all the proposed infill required to justify the tram?

The new proposed route changes mean that Kambah commuters are again made worse off. Not even one bus route to civic even in peak times. We already have no 900 routes on the weekends and now the 160 is to be abolished so or already 50 minute commute in the.morning will be even longer. Let alone a possible 2-3 hour trip to get home.

Mike Bessenger4:57 pm 13 Sep 13

Drivers the obey the road rules would be a good start.

Looks like some good changes. A doubling of peak hour frequency for me, and a new service added to the route (40). Glad to see the My Way data making a difference.

Far from being a series of minor modifications many routes will be replaced entirely and many routes will be modified and extended.In fact most routes will be changed somewhat including combining peak hour services on the xpresso routes. Please check the website for all the changes https://www.action.act.gov.au/news/network-14

So Gungahlin residents get peak services to the Triangle but Southsiders get neglected again! Big shock there.
My grand suggestion to Rattenbury would be to get his existing s*** running properly before coming up with more strain on the system in the form of additional services. Or is he planning to cut some existing services to compensate and just isn’t telling us the whole truth?

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