Transport for Brisbane Observations 2020

[Merc1107]

Would passenger feedback help in vehicles being allocated more appropriately to assist with capacity shortfalls?

[daveeyh]

Cazza, from my observations, TransLink only look st he overall patronage figures when making decisions - the number of passengers needs to increase significantly before they will move.

Your observations out on the network do match mine particularly as the capacity on a single bus is reduced due to passengers socially distancing (ie one person per bench seat instead of two) so a “Covid-full” bus holds significantly fewer passengers than normal maximum capacity.

I have expressed the view to TransLink that the introduction of the new artics would be a Covid-positive initiative but the response was basically that overall patronage levels are down and that no additional funding would be provided to run new longer buses until patronage increased.

Gone are the days when you had people actually out on the network observing (like the Brisbane bus inspectors of the past who were stationed in key spots across Brisbane) as computerized data is now only used.

I have also noted a larger number of passengers who are taking free rides (largely due to rear door boarding) which will underestimate patronage numbers - this can be as many as 1 in 10 people on a bus. If drivers are diligent in counting the freeloaders, then this will have an impact too.

[385BUZ]

Totally agree daveeyh and Cazza. I know that the 380s/381s get wayyyyyy to overfilled (pre COVID). I certainly feel as though the north side has been neglected. These artics need to be put on the road - and lots of them!

Also, caught a ride on T2911 on a 381 this AM

[Cazza]

This morning, yet again, I jumped on a 333 (T1251 for anyone's interest) from Roma St-Cultural Centre around 8:10am. It left Roma St (didn't see how many people got off here) with a full standing load (pretty much every seat taken plus standees right to the back)- easily close to 60 people and ridiculously above any sort of COVID-safe levels. I had to get on through the front doors and stand in the "no standing" red area.

I wanted to take a photo but I wasn't sure how many people would scream at me for it...

Edit- yet another outbound 444 leaving Roma St around the same time this morning with standees. So that confirms that it's not just BBC boys taking up all the space.

[qut391]

T2864 on Route 444 with Christmas bears decoration.

[Skyblue1]

Is there something happening on Coronation Drive this morning as buses now going down Cribb Street to get onto Milton Road near Suncorp heading into CBD.

[385BUZ]

Just some very bad traffic on coronation road this morning - all maroon color on google maps!


There was also a car vs motorbike crash this morning on Musgrave rd. As I was coming past in the other direction, T2911 swerves into my lane (on the other side of the road) and I narrowly avoid a collision.

Brand new B8 vs brand new rav4? I think I know who would have won...

My point being, although most of the drivers in Brisbane are super helpful and friendly - it seems as though some think that since they drive a bigger vehicle they can do what they want!

[Cazza]

T1033 had a go on Route 66 earlier this morning.

Seems like this is a regular Toowong run (possibly an extra service since 66 frequencies are back to Every 10 mins as uni has finished for the year).

Seen it operated this morning and yesterday morning too.

[qut391]

T2912 on Route 444 and with ads on.
T2913 on Routes 430, 445 and 471.

[BT Enthusiast]

2913 is in service
Also, is it really necessary to have a 199 every 5 minutes at 4pm?
I'm on one right now and there are three people on board

[385BUZ]

2913 is in service
Also, is it really necessary to have a 199 every 5 minutes at 4pm?
I'm on one right now and there are three people on board

Usually yes - but not right now.

[385BUZ]

I currently have T with 193 buses. Is this correct??

MAN Gassies: 63
MAN Diesels: 40
Volvo B8s: 90

[qut391]

I currently have T with 193 buses. Is this correct??

MAN Gassies: 63
MAN Diesels: 40
Volvo B8s: 90

Yeah you are correct, 40 MAN Diesels (1016-1018 and 1030-1066) and 90 B8s (2801-2819, 2839-2879, 2884-2913).

However, some Toowong MAN Diesels have been operating on South West Transit and Hornibrook routes recently according to AnyTrip and my observation.

Btw haven’t seen T1066 in service for a long time as The Spring Hill Loop was operated by other diesel MANs in recent weeks. T1065 has disappeared for a few days as well.

Not really sure the actual number of CNGs at Toowong. Are there any CNGs moved to Garden City for Scania CNGs replacement recently?

[qut391]

E2169 on Route 160 in the afternoon.

[daveeyh]

1240 and 1259 parked at Eagle Farm Depot with decals removed.

[385BUZ]

627, 1289 and 1290 removed from Manhiem. the buses daveeyh listed are not on the manhiem site.

[qut391]

T2886 on a Route 100 outbound.

[385BUZ]

T2886 on a Route 100 outbound.

Is there something going on here with S, G or W? Es and Ts seem to have been covering a lot recently - and I haven't heard anything.

[BT Enthusiast]

Do you think that with W it is a result of the half filled gas cylinders and the allotted bus has to go back for refill so a diesel bus from E and T is pulled in?

[^^__^^]

T2886 on a Route 100 outbound.

Is there something going on here with S, G or W? Es and Ts seem to have been covering a lot recently - and I haven't heard anything.

Theoretically, any bus and driver combo can do any route as long as they have enough gas/diesel and driving time.

It’s all down to if the driver is familiar with the route.

Or it could be an operator who has had a bus change due to an on road defect. His original W bus is defective. The only suitable replacement that can be sourced is a T B8. Voila!

[385BUZ]

I get that, but it's just strange there has been so much use of Ts B8s and Es B7s in recent time on Southside 1XX routes.

[385BUZ]

Still Nothing on Manhiem

[L433]

T2895 spotted at Cannon Hill tonight, servicing route 215 to Carindale

[qut391]

T2895 spotted at Cannon Hill tonight, servicing route 215 to Carindale

It operated on Route 220 outbound to Wynnum before working on 215.

[daveeyh]

G1362 is Garden City's Xmas bus.