STA Observations - July to December 2018

[robert]

From a Herald report on a major truck accident on Botany Rd near Green Square:

Buses on routes 309, 309X, 310, 310X, 370 and X9 were missing a number of stops and experiencing delays after being diverted along local streets. At 9.30am buses in the area were delayed by 70 minutes.

I don't think there is a Route 310 now?

[moa999]

I'd noticed the SCG Bus terminal had been barricaded over the weekend - looks like it's getting rebuilt

BUS LOOP CHANGES

 
The SCG Trust is working closely with key stakeholders to improve transport, circulation and traffic in the precinct, which includes a reconfiguration of Moore Park east and the construction of a new bus terminal over the next six months.
 
Moore Park event shuttle buses will now drop off and pick up from the northern end of Driver Avenue from the first BBL match on December 22. Signage, wayfinding staff and bus marshals will be on-site to assist with the change, which is likely to remain in place until April 30.

If buses are going down Driver Ave along with general traffic going to the carparks, that's going to be a disaster over the big games.

Surely they could have done it in two halves.

They generally only use about 3 gates of the current structure, maybe 4 if a CQ service.

[LB608]

3751 Sold to North Sydney Bus Charters

[moa999]

The old SCG Bus terminal has been demolished and the Swans training oval ripped up.

This is the temporary stop.



Anyone seen plans for the permanent design?

[boronia]

As the tram appears to be the expected mode of transport to SCG/SFS (despite the long walk), I doubt there will be a permanent bus facility.

[moa999]

If that is the case, why do it now given the substantial delay on LR.

Work ok with 17k crowd at BigBash. Suggest a nightmare come test match

[Jurassic_Joke]

Throwback Thursday to the early days of 333, because I just spotted 1691 running on it

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[Swift]

Throwback Thursday to the early days of 333, because I just spotted 1691 running on

Wow, you can only just tell it's an arctic by the grey curtain visible on the back.
Good to see all the same.

[Jurassic_Joke]

Not entirely - the aircon unit on the roof is also moved more towards the back. On a 12m bus, it’s right above the driver. How you can tell from a distance

[Swift]

^ I see what you mean. Thanks.

[boronia]

Noticed a X94 operating to LaPerouse this afternoon.

In past years the peak hour X and L services have not run over the Xmas-NY week.

[hornetfig]

Likewise I saw an X74 for an even more unlikely summer beak service.

[J_Busworth]

I noticed a large number of very empty X buses proceeding from the city back out along the Anzac Parade corridor towards Maroubra and Randwick today and yesterday. In past years only the X39 operated due to the lack of 339 services in peak hour.

[Frosty]

The only Eastern Region express service has been the X39 and slightly more recently the X93. 309X & 310X are also operating which makes sense due to serving areas not normally served by other routes or underserviced areas.343 & 304 appear to be operating the normal weekday timetable a lot of empty buses and bus bunching.

I've noticed on Boxing Day and Christmas eve weekend 373 & 372 have had more bendy buses allocated over the 304. On similar note saw the sole low-floor Scania 14.5m on 24th on the 400 rare sight.

[Swift]

On similar note saw the sole low-floor Scania 14.5m on 24th on the 400 rare sight.

What will they do when the ancient rattle traps with absolutely awful suspension are all finally thrown out?
Sell it to CDC? We all know how the STA are with oddbods and they well have less justification to have that 14.5m once there are no other 14.5s left.

[Frosty]

On similar note saw the sole low-floor Scania 14.5m on 24th on the 400 rare sight.

What will they do when the ancient rattle traps with absolutely awful suspension are all finally thrown out?
Sell it to CDC? We all know how the STA are with oddbods and they well have less justification to have that 14.5m once there are no other 14.5s left.

It be an oddball in terms of rostering as the 14.5m bus cant necessarily be used on regular 12.5m routes or 18m routes. I would have thought they would've given to Transit Systems in the R6 takeover maybe it was too valuable. Could use that sole bus on the 400 or 391/392/X92 exclusively maybe put it in 333 Bondi livery and use on the 333.

[boronia]

Once the metro is opened, CDC will probably have a surplus of 14.5s.

[Swift]

Once the metro is opened, CDC will probably have a surplus of 14.5s.

Perfect opportunity for STA to buy some replacements for their Oranas!

[Richard290]

Got to Epping Station today at 15:52 after taking the return SL1 back from Chatswood. The 16:00 departure of route 549 from Epping to North Rocks Shopping Centre did not run today as it only runs during school terms. Nevertheless there were about 20 people queued at Beecroft Road, Stand E in the stifling heat, where 1205 was stopped with the driver standing at the front door of the bus with the doors open. Two M54s run past and scoop up the passengers waiting at Stand D.
After approximately 10-15 minutes, an Epping-bound 549 comes in to terminate at Beecroft Road, Stand H behind a sky blue-liveried bus at Stand G. The driver of that terminated 549 has their usual break, but then overstayed their break (which is kind of understandable and common in most shifts), while 1205 was sitting at Stand E idling and blocking the access to that stand. Once the driver of the terminated bus, which later appeared to be 1210, resumed their journey as a Parramatta-bound 546, a tide of passengers ran to Beecroft Road, Stand F assuming that 546 service would pull in early to stand F, but the driver hand-signalled to point the passengers to board their 546 service at Stand D, ahead of the obstructive bus which occupied Stand E. This caused the crowd of passengers to turn back and scurry toward the waiting 546 service, delaying that service by a matter of minutes.

[Swift]

^ caring customer service in the real world.

[Stu]

Noticed a X94 operating to LaPerouse this afternoon.

In past years the peak hour X and L services have not run over the Xmas-NY week.

This must be a direction from TfNSW, possibly as the Eastern Region patronage is quite high throughout most of the year. I did see signage on display at particular bust stops advising customers of no L37 & L38 services in Transit Systems Region 6, I would imagine that L23, L28 & L39 would be in that category as well although o do wonder why the L37/L38 sign did not include L39?

[swtt]

Noticed a X94 operating to LaPerouse this afternoon.

In past years the peak hour X and L services have not run over the Xmas-NY week.

This must be a direction from TfNSW, possibly as the Eastern Region patronage is quite high throughout most of the year. I did see signage on display at particular bust stops advising customers of no L37 & L38 services in Transit Systems Region 6, I would imagine that L23, L28 & L39 would be in that category as well although o do wonder why the L37/L38 sign did not include L39?

I don't think the 439 runs when the L39 does? i.e. all 439 services run limited stops during the peaks?

[stupid_girl]

On the topic of express bus routes, is there still X81 nowadays?

[Stu]

I don't think the 439 runs when the L39 does? i.e. all 439 services run limited stops during the peaks?

439 has an overall average frequency of approximately 30 minutes from morning to evening with the L39 trips added during the respective peak periods.

[boronia]

I've noticed recently that outbound 302 and 303 services no longer show "VIA SURRY HILLS" as part of the destination display.

I wonder if this is to deter passengers from making short journeys from the city, rather than catching the 304?