Network 2014

Started by Barry Drive, March 23, 2012, 11:22:10 AM

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Barry Drive

Quote from: King of Buses on August 21, 2014, 07:35:41 PM
If one looks closely at the map of Tuggeranong Bus Station in the weekday bus book, they will notice the 18/318 leave Platform 7 (even though the timetable says Platform 4).

Also, the 19/319 seem to in Conder and Banks, leave Lanyon, take 11 mins to travel along Box Hill to Conder PS, then 2 mins to Saint Clare of Assisi via Pockett, Forsythe etc.
Route 19/319 online timetable has been updated - now 2 minutes to first timing point and then 10/11 minutes to the next. The PDF version of the timetable has not yet been updated. And yes, the 18/318 depart from 4 - there is now a notice on platform 7.

King of Buses

Quote from: ACTbusspotter on September 03, 2014, 08:51:12 PM
Route 19/319 online timetable has been updated - now 2 minutes to first timing point and then 10/11 minutes to the next. The PDF version of the timetable has not yet been updated. And yes, the 18/318 depart from 4 - there is now a notice on platform 7.

Thanks for keeping an eye on it for me. I did notice a 18 leaving P7 and a 318 leaving P4 on Monday afternoon.

I also just noticed the 66 goes along Barr Smith rather than Hurtle in Bonython. I wonder whether they expect to pick anyone up where there aren't any stops...I doubt it would be quicker than Hurtle too, especially crossing onto Drakeford.

EDIT: Two stops now on Barr Smith at Kingscote close to Drakeford. That would be why they changed the 66.

smitho

Quote from: Bus 400 on September 02, 2014, 12:28:55 PM
Apparently new shifts are to start on the first day of Term 1 2015.

Correct, that's the theory!

Skitube

now i can see why they cleaved rt 10, so they can put STAG on 40... quite a few runs by STAG, even during off-peaks!!!!!!
meanwhile STAGs are also appearing on 39, and since Red Hill is now serviced by 4, STAGs are appearing in that region as well.
Yet to see which Woden-Tuggeranong runs are STAG

King of Buses

Quote from: Skitube on September 06, 2014, 08:59:20 AM
now i can see why they cleaved rt 10, so they can put STAG on 40... quite a few runs by STAG, even during off-peaks!!!!!!
meanwhile STAGs are also appearing on 39, and since Red Hill is now serviced by 4, STAGs are appearing in that region as well.
Yet to see which Woden-Tuggeranong runs are STAG

I don't think any 60 series (or 71) Woden to Tuggers runs have Scania 14.5's allocated to them. Mostly because of Erindale and Wanniasa (and Vansitart for the 62). A northbound 60 may be able to use a STAG but the southbound one (becuase of the back of the woden Plaza) and all other 60 series runs, no STAGs. Only the 18 and 19 (and 300 series counterparts) can be legally operated by STAGs I think.

Buzz Killington

Erindale shouldn't be a problem now that they've widened the McBryde/Comrie intersection.

smitho

Noticed that ACTION got a serve on Crikey yesterday - over absence of hard copy timetable displays such as at the information boards on Platform 7 at Civic interchange and the information bay near Platform 6 at Woden.

Instead, passengers are referred to the web site and related electronic pathways.

smitho

A number of afternoon orange standard bus runs are being operated with "green buses" - due to insufficient standard buses being available to meet shift requirements.

Skitube

Quote from: King of Buses on September 06, 2014, 09:53:02 AM
I don't think any 60 series (or 71) Woden to Tuggers runs have Scania 14.5's allocated to them. Mostly because of Erindale and Wanniasa (and Vansitart for the 62). A northbound 60 may be able to use a STAG but the southbound one (becuase of the back of the woden Plaza) and all other 60 series runs, no STAGs. Only the 18 and 19 (and 300 series counterparts) can be legally operated by STAGs I think.

maybe 61?

Snorzac

Quote from: smitho on September 06, 2014, 11:56:06 AM
A number of afternoon orange standard bus runs are being operated with "green buses" - due to insufficient standard buses being available to meet shift requirements.
That should be becoming a common thing as time progresses!

smitho

Agree Capt Skybed.

And sooner or later, the combined assortment of all medium rigid buses will be termed 'standard' buses.

Bus 400

#261
Quote from: The Love Guru on September 02, 2014, 09:54:41 AM
Haven't found a run with too much time on it yet.
This morning was debacle with lack of vehicles, rain and a timetable that can only be described as ambitious. Late running up to 20 minutes was the norm today and won't improve.

While many a weekend run has too much time.

Buzz Killington

950 was in service today. Always a bit weird seeing a Renault on a weekend.

Bus 400

An additional (aka after many complaints) 725 will be added shortly.

vnguyen

I noticed that the 200 to Fyshwick now reads as "Fyshwick Limited Stops" instead of Fyshwick DFO as the destination board.

Also the Renault PR100.3  buses now shows routes 4 and 5 to the City West as the destination board.


smitho

Quote from: Bus 400 on September 09, 2014, 07:45:20 PM
An additional (aka after many complaints) 725 will be added shortly.

I gather that the Weston Creek activists have had a bit of a media blitz on inadequacies of Network 14, including the lack of a later morning departure on the 725 route; at present, the last 725 departure from Weston Creek Centre is at 0701.

The Love Guru

According to media reports the later service was 'accidently forgotten' to be added to the timetable.
Nice proof reading of the schedule.

Barry Drive

So does this mean they also "forgot" to include any 749s from Belconnen after 0730?

The Love Guru

I think they forgot a lot of things, like their social obligation to provide a way for people to get home after 9pm!

King of Buses

Quote from: The Love Guru on September 10, 2014, 11:38:45 AM
I think they forgot a lot of things, like their social obligation to provide a way for people to get home after 9pm!

What they could've done (and this may be more at home in the "Network the next thread"), is on friday and saturday nights run services on suburban until later (2330? - Thats how long the Blue rapids and that go for). This could easily be accomodated by having shorter shifts that end around 2100 continue on these nights only (which means more money for drivers 8)). Alternatively, have evening runs that service a larger area (but NO flexibuses....). Nightriders perhaps except from local interchanges rather than civic? Might come up with some ideas if I get around to it.

Buzz Killington

Quote from: King of Buses on September 10, 2014, 05:53:12 PM
Alternatively, have evening runs that service a larger area (but NO flexibuses....). Nightriders perhaps except from local interchanges rather than civic? Might come up with some ideas if I get around to it.

Nightrider and Flexibus essentially are the same thing (Except you can't call up to catch the Nightrider from the suburbs)

The Love Guru

Quote from: King of Buses on September 10, 2014, 05:53:12 PM
What they could've done (and this may be more at home in the "Network the next thread"), is on friday and saturday nights run services on suburban until later (2330? - Thats how long the Blue rapids and that go for). This could easily be accomodated by having shorter shifts that end around 2100 continue on these nights only (which means more money for drivers 8)). Alternatively, have evening runs that service a larger area (but NO flexibuses....). Nightriders perhaps except from local interchanges rather than civic? Might come up with some ideas if I get around to it.
Fail

King of Buses

Quote from: The Love Guru on September 10, 2014, 07:19:27 PM
Fail

Why so? Besides, something like those (old in some cases) weekend loops like the existing 967/968 or 936/937. Yes, I am aware that they did run on evenings but were unpopular. At least there would be something rather than whats there now...

Maybe even something like the christmas routes with the link between interchanges as 300s and 200s (that extend to Belco via 250). Gungahlin would need to have a loop from gunners unlike the christmas 97. As I said, better than nothing...

In regard to those shifts though, a 8 hour shift that would usually end at 2100, could on certain days have a couple of extra runs tacked on. Then again, you'd get some twats who'd run a 2300 route 99 (or whatever) on a Tuesday and expect to be paid by ACTION still...

The Love Guru

Red and blue Rapids to the main town centres, Area services from there after 9pm. No need for inbound services after 9pm.

Buzz Killington

Quote from: The Love Guru on September 10, 2014, 08:08:49 PM
Red and blue Rapids to the main town centres, Area services from there after 9pm. No need for inbound services after 9pm.

This. It's all that is needed.

King of Buses

Quote from: The Love Guru on September 10, 2014, 08:08:49 PM
Red and blue Rapids to the main town centres, Area services from there after 9pm. No need for inbound services after 9pm.

The thing is, ACTION don't understand that people won't be travelling out after 9pm. So they'll waste resources on inbound journeys and wonder why nobody uses them. Then cut them all together (where we are now). Now, who shall tell his to ACTION...

smitho

Today's CT article on the additional, later inbound 725 Xpresso  - ie. the one that was "forgotten":-

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/more-express-buses-for-weston-creek-20140909-10e7cp.html

vnguyen

I'm not sure if it is a good idea but would it be better if the maps in the bus book be better if it shows where the bus stops are? Like the ones in the old timetables & maps for each route where It was ndicated by a circle on the maps.

smitho

Two Network maps would be handy - one for weekdays, 2nd for weekends - would be handy..... So that passengers can easily identify adjoining route patterns.

743

#279
Quote from: smitho on September 13, 2014, 12:22:34 AM
Two Network maps would be handy - one for weekdays, 2nd for weekends - would be handy..... So that passengers can easily identify adjoining route patterns.
They've been available online since two weeks before the launch, and printed copies have been out for a while, too.

Quote from: vnguyen on September 11, 2014, 03:25:30 PM
I'm not sure if it is a good idea but would it be better if the maps in the bus book be better if it shows where the bus stops are? Like the ones in the old timetables & maps for each route where It was ndicated by a circle on the maps.
The dots on the old maps were actually quite incorrect in many cases. Keeping them off the new maps would also make it easier to keep them up to date, bus stops are more likely to change more frequently than the routes.

Barry Drive

Quote from: smitho on September 06, 2014, 11:52:34 AM
Noticed that ACTION got a serve on Crikey yesterday - over absence of hard copy timetable displays such as at the information boards on Platform 7 at Civic interchange and the information bay near Platform 6 at Woden.

Instead, passengers are referred to the web site and related electronic pathways.
It was only temporary. New bus station signage was being installed last night.

smitho

Quote from: ACTbusspotter on September 18, 2014, 09:16:23 AM
It was only temporary. New bus station signage was being installed last night.
There was nothing on the notice boards to indicate that the network timetable poster would make a reappearance at some future time.

Bus 400


Barry Drive

Presumably they'll be using SNT Rosas for these services.

smitho

Regional ACTION bus timetable posters have appeared at Civic (Platform 7) and Tuggeranong (near Platform 8) interchanges.

Bus 400

#285
Because no one leaves Lanyon after 8pm on Saturday & Sunday nights, the 20:32 918 ex-Lanyon is no longer running.

EDIT-Route added.

743

#286
Quote from: Bus 400 on September 23, 2014, 08:39:39 PM
Because no one leaves Lanyon after 8pm on Saturday & Sunday nights, the 20:32 ex-Lanyon is no longer running.
Only the Sunday service has been deleted (refer to HTML and PDF timetables - Route 918 is what he's referring to). The website bulletin could be improved to specify that!

King of Buses

Quote from: ACTbusspotter on September 18, 2014, 09:16:23 AM
It was only temporary. New bus station signage was being installed last night.

Once again, the new stuff seems to be stuck over the old timetables...not at Woden though at the main boards however...

So prepare for the new stuff to fall down (like always happens at Tuggers) and confuse the heck out of people because they try catch an 11 to Calwell or a 786 to Fairbairn...not that I ever saw anyone do the latter (other than me occasionally...)

Bus 400



Quote from: King of Buses on September 24, 2014, 09:14:13 PM
........or a 786 to Fairbairn...not that I ever saw anyone do the latter (other than me occasionally...)

Don't be too sure about that, last Friday someone wanted to get from Kippax to Conder. Ian the old days, I thought I was the only one silly enough to catch a bus from Kippax to Lanyon.

smitho

Connections hub: An adventurous lady passenger made an interesting connection recently at the North Weston & Molonglo Park and Ride northbound stop.....from the city-bound 725 Xpresso to the Belconnen bound Xpresso ex-Tuggeranong. Good effort.

Buzz Killington

So people are capable of transferring buses outside of interchanges!

ajw373

It is one hell of a risk around this town. Might be stranded somewhere for an hour or two

King of Buses

#292
Quote from: Buzz Killington on September 26, 2014, 03:19:50 PM
So people are capable of transferring buses outside of interchanges!

:popping: YOWZAH! (fainting dramatically)

smitho

Quote from: Buzz Killington on September 26, 2014, 03:19:50 PM
So people are capable of transferring buses outside of interchanges!
Yes, indeed. This passenger had certainly done her homework....a bit of a rarity!

Bus 400

Quote from: ajw373 on September 26, 2014, 03:41:33 PM
It is one hell of a risk around this town. Might be stranded somewhere for an hour or two
Using NXTBUS, you can see how far away your connecting bus. If it shows up as 705 Belconnen Cancelled for example,  then said passenger would continue onto the City change there.

ajw373

Quote from: Bus 400 on September 27, 2014, 10:17:18 AM
Using NXTBUS, you can see how far away your connecting bus. If it shows up as 705 Belconnen Cancelled for example,  then said passenger would continue onto the City change there.

Do you seriously think the average passenger is going to be sitting there on their phone consulting Nextbus? Assuming of course they even know the stop nber to extract the info?

Oh for what it is worth I did a non interchange change the other day. Was going from Campbell Park offices to the city so only through searching the stupid action website did I realise I could get the Woden bus and change at Russell. Oh the only thing in question is where did the Woden bus go its not like the stops have any info.

It is almost like the info at stops was written by people on here. You know the ones that know every route and connection point and just assume everyone knows the same rather than give info to the lowest common denominator. Action could do well to visit London and see what info they provide passengers at stops

Barry Drive

Quote from: ajw373 on September 27, 2014, 11:01:52 AM
It is almost like the info at stops was written by people on here. You know the ones that know every route and connection point and just assume everyone knows the same rather than give info to the lowest common denominator. Action could do well to visit London and see what info they provide passengers at stops
I'm offended. As, I suspect, are many other "people on here". I think you'll find I've been fairly critical about the lack of useful information at bus stops and bus stations and many others have been too.

And they don't even need to go as far as London. Melbourne provides route / area maps at many suburban stops - something which would be very useful for places like Dickson and Weston Creek Centre. Or pretty much everywhere where there are multiple buses.

Buzz Killington

I may be wrong but I don't believe offends was intended - I read it as saying that ACTION are assuming that everyone knows the routes and connections or can look it up online before going to a bus stop.

But yes, the level of information provided at bus stops is terrible.

743

It's the reliance on automated HASTUS displays which I think needs to be reduced. A lot could be done with a bollard (which is three A3 landscape spaces on each side) and the other A3 portrait displays at suburban stops. Only thing is, generally that requires manual graphic design work, particularly if it needs to be stop-specific - there are some automated systems available, but they can be somewhat limited in their output. So more design = more money/time, which is probably where the root of the issue lies!

HASTUS displays, as mentioned before, are tricky when loop routes are involved, as it always shows the final destination - even on the outward journey (e.g. "City Bus Stn" for northward 39s up Northbourne Ave and Antill St). Plus, it doesn't show trip notes/diversions that are not designated a letter within the system - while I haven't been out to see such a display, I would suspect the outward 11s all show "City Bus Stn", with no note against the ones that turn around at Brindabella Business Park (i.e. they do not service Fairbairn Park).

On the flip side, extra information shown in HASTUS ends up on the displays, when it's not necessary - e.g. northbound Red Rapids that are scheduled to depart after the arrival of a train at Canberra Railway Station have a trip note along the lines of "connects with XXX train from Sydney", which is of no use to people boarding these services, especially after Kingston! I think too that all notes show along the whole length of the journey, even after a particular diversion has occurred.

These problems are not present in the designed large format displays at Bus Stations, which appear to be manually constructed.

ajw373

Quote from: ACTbusspotter on September 27, 2014, 12:54:03 PM
I'm offended. As, I suspect, are many other "people on here". I think you'll find I've been fairly critical about the lack of useful information at bus stops and bus stations and many others have been too.

Not sure what there is to be offended by, I mean to say I am here too am I not? The point I was making is far too often people who are very very cleaver and know their shit inside out (like US on here) write guides, or make decisions, without writing to their target audience. When what needs to happen is someone from outside should be writing and deciding on what information based on customer needs, of course with input from the subject specialist matters.