Route 548- Service Improvements: March 2010

[Matty G]

Taken from the Ventura website:

Route 548 route extension to Genazzano College Kew
Ventura is pleased to announce that from Monday 7th March the extension of route 548 to Genazzano College and Cotham Road Kew.

This improved service will offer route 548 customers connectivity to the 109 Tram service whilst bringing students closer to the Kew Schools precinct.

The extension to Genazzano College will be via Burke Road, right Harp Road, left Normanby Road and left Cotham Road with the return trip to Latrobe University being via left Burke Road and then the normal route.

[Craig]

The bus already connects with the 109.

But the change also brings the route to the door of St George's Hospital, and much easier for people to interchange with the 624 to head south to Swinburne, Caulfield or even Chadstone.

However none of these reasons drove the route change...

Kind Regards


Craig

[krustyklo]

However none of these reasons drove the route change...

So don't leave us guessing! Was it Vicroads sick of buses holding up peak hour traffic in Burke Rd despite the fact the buses don't sit there any longer than they need to? (The 40 zone is a bigger culprit to traffic flow there if so).

Was it local residents in Leonard St complaining after the route was moved into their street ala Brightonistas?

And why do it this way? Wouldn't it be better to implement the bus review suggestion and extend it along Barkers Rd to Victoria Gardens? If the suggestion gets implemented any time soon, it will only annoy people who start getting used to this second change within the last few years.

Inquiring minds want to know...

[Craig]

The second reason.

Unfortunately, extending the route to Vic Gardens would require an additional bus (probably two in peak periods) and therefore more funding. This change was cost neutral (other than the cost of updating the signage) hence it was approved for implementation ASAP.

Kind Regards


Craig

[Mercedes]

The DOT/Goverment has to very careful with situations such as this and that of the 626 route. Setting the example of changing and or possibly changing routes like the situation in Brighton could set a very dangerous precidence accross Melbourne of comunities forcing routes to change.

[RailwayBus]

Awesome! More connectivity between different modes is always welcome, and now that the 548 will connect with the 109 tram hopefully people will make use of this improved service.

[jarf]

Awesome! More connectivity between different modes is always welcome, and now that the 548 will connect with the 109 tram hopefully people will make use of this improved service.

It already connects with the 109, as well as the 72. The only benefit I can see is that Genazzano students will have to walk 100 metres instead of 200.

[Craig]

The only benefit I can see is that Genazzano students will have to walk 100 metres instead of 200.

As I said the other day, passengers will now be able to change to the 624 in Normanby Rd to continue south (which offers different destinations than the 72), and people going to/from St George's Hospital won't have to walk or take a tram up Whitehorse Rd anymore. Both worthy benefits.

Kind Regards


Craig

[skamd]

This redirection was the result of a protest from residents, who successfully lobbied to have the turning circle removed from a 30 year location via Gordon Street, and have it shifted to Normanby Road. The Normanby Road residents are furious. The 624 was tolerable, but only because the North bound 624 would turn at the Harp Road interchange, and return South 10 minutes later. Now, we have a 548 South bound bus, coming head on with a 624 heading North, on a road that is not wide enough to accommodate passing busses. The number of busses that use Normanby Road at morning peak hour, is now 1 every 5 minutes. Safety has been compromised, and Normanby Road residents will not let this change go unchallenged.

[Alex on the Bus]

This redirection was the result of a protest from residents, who successfully lobbied to have the turning circle removed from a 30 year location via Gordon Street, and have it shifted to Normanby Road. The Normanby Road residents are furious. The 624 was tolerable, but only because the North bound 624 would turn at the Harp Road interchange, and return South 10 minutes later. Now, we have a 548 South bound bus, coming head on with a 624 heading North, on a road that is not wide enough to accommodate passing busses. The number of busses that use Normanby Road at morning peak hour, is now 1 every 5 minutes. Safety has been compromised, and Normanby Road residents will not let this change go unchallenged.

And I suppose:
* You will not stand for the extra expense required to extend the 548 to a location where turning buses wouldn't be an issue, like Victoria Gardens, and
* You will not stand for the 548 being withdraw entirely as you won't permit the bus to turn around anywhere nearby.

Therefore, you and your self-centred neighbours stand for nothing. So much for being community-minded...

[skamd]

Self centered. Now let's not get personal on this. I have no problems with the 548, or with integrated transport solutions. There are a couple of clear facts:
- the bus route was moved because of a protest by residents who did not want the bus back after it had been temporarily moved. Look to them for your selfish complainers
- the 548 is primarily a school bus. Peak AM/PM timing for the school run. There is little benefit to connecting this to the 624 or serving St Georges Hospital.
- Normanby Road is narrow, and cannot easily accommodate 2 passing busses without one bus pulling over to allow the other to pass.
- the council supports the move to Victoria Gardens.

But you want lunacy? The Kew end of the 548 route is the start of the 624 route. Normanby Road is used by both as part of their turning circle. Why not combine the route? The 548 could go South of Burke, turn left onto Cotham, past Genezano and St George's hospital, and then South onto the 624 line. That would remove the fuel cost of use unnecessary turning, and provide a fully integrated line, that connects with the 48, 72 and 109 trams.

Normanby Road residents are not just saying "no buses". We are offering reasonable, low cost, or cost saving solutions.

[Craig]

New 548 TT now online - http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/5540

Main change is many trips have earlier depatures from Kew.

Kind Regards


Craig

[MAN 16.242]

But you want lunacy? The Kew end of the 548 route is the start of the 624 route. Normanby Road is used by both as part of their turning circle. Why not combine the route? The 548 could go South of Burke, turn left onto Cotham, past Genezano and St George's hospital, and then South onto the 624 line. That would remove the fuel cost of use unnecessary turning, and provide a fully integrated line, that connects with the 48, 72 and 109 trams.

Normanby Road residents are not just saying "no buses". We are offering reasonable, low cost, or cost saving solutions.

It's not a simple as just sating lets make 624/548 into one route, especially since its run by 2 different operators.
So that idea might not work.

[Mike M]

Picked up from Ventura at North Fitzroy this week was the new timetable for route 548 effective 6 March 2011 v.1 (Feb 11).

[Paul_Nicholson]

What about extending the 900 from Caulfield to LaTrobe University?

That would provide a good north/south service in the eastern suburbs?

The issue of the 72 tram would need to be resolved.

I have noticed the 72 suffered from chronic road congestion between Canterbury Road and Camberwell Junction.

Paul in Melbourne

[Mike M]

What about extending the 900 from Caulfield to LaTrobe University?

That would provide a good north/south service in the eastern suburbs?

The issue of the 72 tram would need to be resolved.

I have noticed the 72 suffered from chronic road congestion between Canterbury Road and Camberwell Junction.

Paul in Melbourne

Agree 100% Paul. I have alway thought that a Smartbus style cross suburban route from Caulfield to LaTrobe via Burke Road & the route of the 548 bus would make sense.

I would withdraw the 72 tram beyond Gardiner & replace it with the Smartbus service, but that will never happen because tram routes in Melbourne are untouchable, even on sections where a bus might be the better option.