Infrastructure Discussion

[Barry Drive]

As in heated waiting rooms? Good question.

Have a look under the seats. You may find disconnected heaters. You should also be able to see the old door jambs.

Definitely 8 and 10. Probably 15, 12 & 4.

Belconnen and City Interchanges also had heated waiting rooms. Once.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

If only those heaters still worked, would be another plus side to what makes a better bus interchange, esp cause of Canberra's freezing cold nights.

[Bus 400]

Platform 5 had a heater that worked, I recall spending many a winters afternoon waiting for the 62 in there.

As was the same in Belconnen, even just sitting in the shelters & closing the door helped to keep the wind & hus the cold out. It must be in the planning rules for Canberra that all bus stations must be in the coldest, windiest locations 🤤☃️😉

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Must be, seeing how Dickson and the replacements of Belconnen have pretty much had that happen to them.


Another question:
At Tuggeranong between platforms 3 and 8, what is contained within
the panels on the inward side of the large pylons? As long as I've noticed they've always been locked.

[Barry Drive]

Good to see they've installed some proper bins at Woden Interchange rather than just exposed wheelie bins.

[triumph]

Canberra Museum + Gallery have an exhibition of photos and artistic works by Trevor Dickinson featuring the iconic concrete bus shelters designed in 1974 by Architect Clem Cummings.
The exhibition is in the upstairs Gallery space until 27th Jan, 2019.
The Museum (CMAG) is in the City next to Civic Library.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Just a fun little fact about the concrete bunker shelters for those who are interested.
I've tested this myself so far on three random shelters, and it seems that they're very resonant to a low and mid-range C# (138.6Hz and 277.2Hz) if you 'hum' or 'ooh' - loudly or softly doesn't matter. Even if you don't know where a C# is, just try humming sometime when you're in one and gradually increase/decrease pitch and you'll hear the magic!

[Busfanatic101]

The 3 sets of Ashley Dr stops have opened today, to be serviced by all passing routes

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

On my travels a couple weeks ago, I chanced upon a concrete bunker shelter that still has its windows intact. Couldn't believe it when I saw it. It's the first or second stop after the National Museum on the 7.

Whilst concrete shelters are on my mind, I'm rather perplexed and annoyed by the fact that both concrete shelters at Narrabundah College are being moved up the road and replaced by sh*tty ad-less-shel's. For how much money, time and  effort there is in moving those things, and for the fact whichever bus stop is getting them, wouldn't it be a better idea to put the crappy shelters in the stop that's getting them and leave the bunkers?

No wait, it's Transport Canberra, who am I kidding...

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

In light of the future of electric and hybrid buses we'll hopefully be getting. I was thinking about the overhead displays at the interchanges the other day. Although the plan to have all the old buses gone years ago has been moved to what they hope to be within the next few years, as every bus will by then have wheelchair accessibility, would there be any possibility that the wheelchair symbol will be replaced with a lightning symbol to indicate the approaching bus is electric or hybrid?

[Busnerd]

I doubt they would bother as it is useless information to the passenger, it is still a bus that will be low floor and have a bike rack, passengers won't care if it's electric or not (besides us!) it's not like they're going to sigh and wait for an electric bus instead of a diesel.

We did manage to get Next There to place a lightning bolt in their app for 710 & 711 whilst they were here, although that was to make it easier for us to find and ride/photograph.

[triumph]

Struck what I am told is a frequent problem, today.

On an inbound R3 about 9am at the point where buses leave the busway and cross Barry Drive into Kingsley St, it took at least 4 cycles of the traffic lights to cross into Kingsley.

The problem was caused by cars queueing to enter a parking facility further along Kingsley St and backing right up to Barry Drive. As soon as the queue moved forward more cars turning left or right from Barry Drive would fill the space. Eventually the queue happened to move forward just as the green arrow for the bus lane appeared and the driver was able to cross into Kingsley St. Then followed stop and go in the queue until Rimmer St was reached, with a total delay of around 10min.

The situation was so bad that quite a few buses (apparently advised by operations to do so) went past whilst we were waiting, by-passing Kingsley St, direct to Marcus Clarke St.. This, of course, meant that any potential passengers at the Rimmer St stop were also by-passed.

A large amount of public money was spent on providing the busway along Barry Drive to enable buses to avoid the morning congestion - an expenditure not delivering benefit due to a relative few vehicles blocking up Kingsley St and aggravated by the very poor traffic light sequencing at this point. (The lights favour general Barry Drive traffic with very long greens, with only a short period per cycle for the buses. Even off-peak, a near 2 min wait is common whilst the lights stay green for a few scattered vehicles in the rest of Barry Dr. Then pedestrian and side street traffic seem to get priority before the buses. Finally, when the buses do get a green, a fourth waiting bus back usually doesn't get a go and must wait the cycle round again.)
   

[Buzz Killington]

Presumably TC will be liaising with their roads counterparts on this, but it still may be worth you logging a request with access Canberra in your capacity as a public transport user to have the issue investigated.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Works on Athllon Drive today along the Phillip stretch. Could this mean work on the ****ing depot has finally begun?
It was certainly nice to ride Melrose Drive from a Tuggeranong Valley originating service again, ah brought back memories of the good old days when networks actually worked....

Also, passing the temporary Eastern Valley Way stop this evening I noticed quite a few with black strips over the times on the bollard, why are these routes blanked out?

[King of Buses]

Also, passing the temporary Eastern Valley Way stop this evening I noticed quite a few with black strips over the times on the bollard, why are these routes blanked out?

Routes 40-45 normally commence at stop 5520 (Eastern Valley/Emu), but due to the temporary stop being located south of Cameron Ave/Aikman Dr, these services currently commence at Belconnen Interchange.

[triumph]

A temporary portable amenities building has been installed and connected to services at the Fraser West Terminus. Don't know how long it has been there.

[Buzz Killington]

I guess the old one was a bit small given the increase in services

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[King of Buses]

Wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catch a route 80 sometime* and you'll find what you're missing.
The one opposite has been fenced off now, so say your goodbyes to that one too.

* - When you have an essential reason to do so (Bunker hunting doesn't count).

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Bunkers are essential for trying to stay out of the rain or having a rest on a humid/hot day.

[Barry Drive]

Not if the entire stop is being removed.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Oh well, I'll just have to drown/melt all the way to Vosper Street then.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Omg they repainted Tuggeranong Interchange AGAIN... all I can say to the new colour is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stan butler]

Did you take any pics?

[King of Buses]

Omg they repainted Tuggeranong Interchange AGAIN... all I can say to the new colour is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They've also installed bollards.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Like they needed to, the massive window displays have always been enough and you don't have to go to the other side to see the inaccurate as **** map...

[triumph]

Bus Shelter Book
The Canberra Times of 20/11/20 in the Private Capital page has a review of a book by Trevor Dickinson titled The Beautiful Bus Shelters of Canberra. Reported as 166 pages with hard cover. It is said to be available in local bookshops, but also direct at trevordickinson.com. Price was not given.

[Busnerd]

$50 as per the link you provided

[triumph]

The renovated Fraser West terminus has designated bus parking areas and idle time limits. Signage about this is displayed for 'bus operators' - use a 4 syllable word when the 2 syllable 'drivers' would suffice.

[triumph]

Matina St Terminus Narrabundah, Bundy Clock
Today's Canberra Times (print edition) in the Panorama Section at page 9, has an article headed 'End of the line for bus stop mystery'.
There is an image of a post with a metal crossbar. The article is about the original reason for this and it turns out it used to support a Bundy Clock which was used by bus conductors to 'clock' arrival and departures. As such the remains would be a rare relic from the very early days of Canberra urban bus services.

(There is a minor error in the article. It describes the terminus as 'former'. There still are a few rte 56 evening services terminating there.)

[Toyota Camry]

I have been advised by a colleague living in Duffy that the Chapman Terminus at Hindmarsh Dr is currently being upgraded to a bus station standard of facility; the new building is presently under construction.

[Bus 400]

While a DA has been previously released, a tender has gone out to replace the temporary drivers facilities at Fraser West Terminus. 

Nothing special, just 3 cubicles, but surprisingly, 2 for males & 1 for for females. TC staff will have to advise if separate loos are normal outside bis stations/depots.

[Barry Drive]

Well, that's technically true. The tender is to remove and replace the current driver's toilet/shelter at Fraser West and replace it with a (presumed) pre-fabricated toilet building.

Once the new building is in place, the Ausco portable toilet block can then be removed.

Interestingly, the new building will not include passenger seating, so they may need to install a new shelter as well.

[triumph]

Interestingly, the new building will not include passenger seating, so they may need to install a new shelter as well.

And why not actually be considerate of customers who need it frequently by providing a customer toilet.

In general, the lack of convenient facilities is a significant public transport/community shortcoming.
Yes, if you are aware, there are some in convenient private areas near some major stops but not signposted at the stops/bus stations. The single cubicle public toilet at the City Interchange, to say the least, is a disgrace. At Tuggeranong Bus Station it is a long walk to the facility inside the adjacent Mall which doesn't suit medium/short connections. Cooleman Court ditto. Belconnen Bus Interchange, Cohen St Interchange? Good luck.

[Toyota Camry]

And why not actually be considerate of customers who need it frequently by providing a customer toilet.

In general, the lack of convenient facilities is a significant public transport/community shortcoming.
Yes, if you are aware, there are some in convenient private areas near some major stops but not signposted at the stops/bus stations. The single cubicle public toilet at the City Interchange, to say the least, is a disgrace. At Tuggeranong Bus Station it is a long walk to the facility inside the adjacent Mall which doesn't suit medium/short connections. Cooleman Court ditto. Belconnen Bus Interchange, Cohen St Interchange? Good luck.

It is only drunk passengers that would be in urgent need to use a toilet at a bus interchange; these people should consider abstaining from alcohol, as I have done since 1994 after an incident in the nearby suburb of Seaview Downs to my original home of Hove in Adelaide prior to moving to Canberra, or utilising a ride sharing service instead. Other passengers will be able to utilise a bathroom at the office and/or shopping centre they have come from; hence there is no need for toilets to be provided at bus interchanges.

[Stan butler]

It is only drunk passengers that would be in urgent need to use a toilet at a bus interchange; these people should consider abstaining from alcohol, as I have done since 1994 after an incident in the nearby suburb of Seaview Downs to my original home of Hove in Adelaide prior to moving to Canberra, or utilising a ride sharing service instead. Other passengers will be able to utilise a bathroom at the office and/or shopping centre they have come from; hence there is no need for toilets to be provided at bus interchanges.

Have you ever been out shopping and got caught short?  Have you ever been out with a baby and had to quickly go somewhere to do a nappy change?  Are you aware that women sometimes have to quickly go somewhere to "sort things out" at specific times of the month?

Do you know that elderly people have weak bladders?  Have you ever felt bad after eating something that didn't sit well (ie kfc) and had to quickly go somewhere?

There are many reasons as to why some people may quickly have to go to the loo and that is why public toilets should be installed at many convenient and high pedestrian areas.

[triumph]

It is only drunk passengers that would be in urgent need to use a toilet at a bus interchange; these people should consider abstaining from alcohol, as I have done since 1994 after an incident in the nearby suburb of Seaview Downs to my original home of Hove in Adelaide prior to moving to Canberra, or utilising a ride sharing service instead. Other passengers will be able to utilise a bathroom at the office and/or shopping centre they have come from; hence there is no need for toilets to be provided at bus interchanges.

Offensive. No, I am never drunk either. But I have experienced delays and missed connections due to urgent needs (despite being careful) at inconvenient moments. Attitudes like this are not at all helpful.

Stan Butler has indicated many issues that should have been considered in formulating your comment. It is suggested it might be helpful if you review the expectations applicable to EL2s in performance of their duties and review future comments in the light thereof.

[Bus 400]

So recently, a tender has been issued for a few more bus stop upgrades.
While some mention a "standard Roads ACT bolt down shelter" to be installed at a later date. I'm curious what the ACT standard shelter is now.

Of note is relocation of the bus stop & signs from Fraser West Terminus. With a bunker shelter to be relocated at a new stop just outside FWT near Dowthwaite Street. One would assume an upgrade of the stop at the other end is planned.

[Barry Drive]

While a DA has been previously released, a tender has gone out to replace the drivers facilities at Fraser West Terminus.

A contract has been awarded. Work is to commence shortly and is expected to be completed after 10 weeks.

Not sure what they will do before the new stop as mentioned above is installed, even though not many people catch buses from Fraser West.

[Bent sign]

Maybe the wrong place to put this, but why not swap the Giles Street Kingston shops bus stop (south bound) down to the taxi rank?
You could swap taxi rank with current bus stop as the rank is dead now that Supabarn have moved. The current taxi rank is located on Giles Str near Jardine Street with the current Kingston bus stop is at the 'dead' part of the shops, and with the next stop within viewing distance from the current Kingston shop bus stop.
Just my two cents worth.

[Bus 400]

The thing to consider is the pedestrian crossing. The latest plan is to have the crossing behind the bus stop. To not encourage people running in front of the bus. But also to avoid drivers screaming around the bus.

But the current location also allows for buses to just drive away.

[Barry Drive]

The new Park & Ride at Well Station Drive, Mitchell Kenny opened this week.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Does anyone know when the gates at Tuggeranong Interchange were last opened and regularly used and also why they've never been used since?

[narc855]

I think that gate is for emergency use only because you can't see any give way/stop lines marked on the ground. The opening of that gate would then create a big mass of traffic. (Consider Pitman Street as a left-hand driving road and Cowlishaw Street as a normal right-hand driving system, you will know why there'll be a mass)
However, I am new to Canberra so I would leave this question to old guys.

[Barry Drive]

The two metal shelters on Gundaroo Drive at Chuculba Cres have been removed due to the upcoming road duplication works.

One of them has been installed at Hardwick Cres 4860 (near Caltex). Any sightings of the other one appreciated.

[Barry Drive]

Not sure what they will do before the new stop as mentioned above is installed, even though not many people catch buses from Fraser West.

To answer my own question: work on the new stop location has commenced. Presumably they were waiting for this before removing the amenities building.

I believe that although new stop is designed to include a bunker shelter in the future, only a bench seat will be installed.

There is no sign of the other stop (4932) being upgraded, but since 3 routes technically commence from there it should have at least a bench seat.

[Barry Drive]

While a DA has been previously released, a tender has gone out to replace the temporary drivers facilities at Fraser West Terminus.

And work to remove the old building commenced this week. (If you regard installing temporary fencing as "commencing".)

[Barry Drive]

In case anyone still cares, the new pre-fabricated building was delivered to Fraser West on Wednesday (10 Aug).

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

The exposed seats at Tuggeranong Interchange have had a new paint job, now flashing a bright yellow - the shelter seats and other repainted framework is still the grey.

[Barry Drive]

Work is to commence shortly and is expected to be completed after 10 weeks.

10 weeks ... and the rest.

Anyway, it has been reported that the new Fraser West terminus drivers' facilities were opened yesterday. Now to see how long until the "temporary" building is removed.