News: 30 minute bus frequency in 6 months

[Barry Drive]

From ABC News:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/05/2410580.htm

The ACT Greens hope the first stage of their plan to have buses running every 30 minutes will be introduced within the next six months.

The scheme constitutes part of the Greens' agreement to support Labor in minority government.

Most bus services already run every half an hour during peak times.

Greens MLA Amanda Bresnan says the new timetable would initially begin in the periods just outside of peak hour.

"Quite a lot of people work beyond 5.30 or if they have to work late and then they have a lot of trouble catching a bus home," she said.

"They will be the periods, initially, we will concentrate on.

"We also need to look at demographics because also we don't want the situation where there are empty buses travelling."

The Transport Workers Union has welcomed the plans.

Spokesman Klaus Pinkas says it is a good idea but more buses and drivers will be needed.

"What's happened in the past is they've announced new increased services and then gone about and introduced the increased services and then gone about the recruiting which has caused problems," he said.

"So we'd suggest they get the numbers in place beforehand. There is a big body of drivers there who are driving part-time who are looking for full-time work.

"But that's achievable as far as the drivers go it is achievable. ACTION has been recruiting for the last two years and they've been boosting their numbers and there's no reason why that can't continue."

[Irisbus Rider]

What the.....? Are they serious? There are routes that would need a major shake up to sustain a 30min frequency. Runs that come to mind, 6, 8 (especially through Fyshwick), 9, 21/22/23/24 (they have no-one on it as it is), most of the Weston Ck runs, 31, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 59, 73/74?!

They really can't be serious, if they are, ACTION will become a black hole for money, a very big black hole.

Having said all of that, peak hour is really where we need improvements, quick smart.

Oh, and drivers? Ha ha, they're basically needing to double the numbers of drivers, particularly on weeknds. Aaaaah, not gonna happen.

The next few months will be very interesting for ACTION, very interesting indeed.

[Lockie]

Stanhope affirms.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/11/05/2411123.htm

"Half hourly bus services in Canberra are likely to be operating on some routes by the middle of next year."

[Irisbus Rider]

Ha ha, thats better. Although, the ones that need to be half hourly already are. What more can be done?

[Busnerd]

I think i speak for todd here when I say the 63 'needs' a half hourly service. Like most tuggeranong 60 series runs should be at least 40 minutes like they were 5 years ago.

[Irisbus Rider]

Half hour services might be overkill though. Look at re-routing some of the services for an "off-peak network", make the runs go a bit longer, service a few more streets, then whack a half hourly service on it.

[Ed]

Primary school kids are very naive and often have very idealistic plans about the world. This is what you are gonna get if the people vote four of them into the Legislative Assembly.

[Irisbus Rider]

Ha ha, what a brilliant call, and thats exactly what it is, someone with no knowledge of the network coming out and developing a "quick fix".