What you said about new Brisbane bus network

As Brisbane launched its biggest public transport overhaul in decades, readers have been quick to give their thoughts. HAVE YOUR SAY

• Experts: Bus overhaul must succeed

As Brisbane launched its biggest public transport overhaul in decades, readers have been quick to give their thoughts.

The city’s new “spider web’’ bus model, which started this week on the southside, is the biggest change to public transport in decades and if it succeeds, experts see a future where mini Metro-style buses will buzz around the suburbs, dropping passengers to big Metro vehicles on bus “super highways’’.

But if it fails, further change will be politically almost impossible.

For the man behind it all, council’s civic cabinet transport chair Ryan Murphy, it’s a big day.

“We’ve been working on this project since 2016 and it’s the most complex, the most difficult, the most expensive project council has ever undertaken,’’ he said.

“There is a lot riding on its success.’’

Councillor Ryan Murphy at the Cultural Centre station. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Courier-Mail

Mr Murphy said Newman-era bus network changes, in 2013, had left “deep cultural scars’’ within Translink and council that persisted to this day.

Newman failed because services were cut, but he said this time there would be 30 million more trips and 160,000 more services a year.

RACQ’s Michael Kane welcomed the reforms although he said they should be viewed as just the start.

However readers weren’t all convinced, with many claiming the changes would just add to the chaos.

Others said it was time to look forward, while some suggested there were better options.

In an online poll about 60 per cent of voters said the new network would make it harder to travel around the city.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

I have an idea

Indigo

Now up the fares to a reasonable amount so the rest of the state is not being forced to subsidise residents South East Qld. Qld is already broke apparently, so stop throwing money down the toilet. At least make it a $2 fare - there may be some hope that it could almost pay for itself that way.

G1

The 50c fares don’t only apply in SEQ, regional services are also included.

And it makes good sense, despite the subsidy, as enticing people out of single-occupant vehicles is the objective.

PS: Public transport has always been subsidized, even before the 50c fares.

Helen1

If more people need to change buses in the city, please provide adequate seating! We already have the unsatisfactory situation of elderly people having to stand around waiting for buses.

Paul

The laughable thing about this is that BCC are happy to do sensibly do this with their high capacity [incorrectly named “metro”] routes, but have forever refused to do it with connecting to the far more extensive rail network.

Passengers on the Metro M1 trial last year. Picture: NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

Let’s look forward

Valerie

Let’s give it a go before making negative comments. As they say, ‘if nothing changes, things will stay the same’.

issy

There is no way back. This is the way it has to be to avoid bottle-necking and to streamline bus services.

Julie

Think of the bus drivers who have to know all the new stuff plus will probably have to deal with confused passengers. Give them a smile.

Valerie

Commuters should have done their research to know the changes before this morning. My changed journey went smoothly as I made sure I knew what changes affected me. No excuses as there was plenty of warning of upcoming changes.

The Adelaide St Metro tunnel will open later this year, allowing Metro buses to run every three minutes. Picture: David Clark

It won’t work

Josephine

This is cruel.

Gary K

More trips and services with 50c fares, means more subsidies required from the State Government, which will be paid for mostly by people who can’t access the services; ie, regional Queenslanders.

TERESA

A big FAIL for me. My trip to South Brisbane from Kenmore and back now requires a bus change in the city. And more time wasted both ways. Not happy.

StainlessO1

I am 85yo, frail with impaired vision and hearing, and no smartphone. I am on the outbound platform at Mater Hospital Busway Station, having to travel to Upper Mt Gravatt on Bus Route185, which now requires a bus change at the Woolloongabba Busway Station. How do I know which of the many buses passing outbound through this station will go past Wooloongabba Busway Station, and not down the SE Busway passing Buranda Busway Station. Totally lost I can be. Lost and alone!

Paul

Hard to see how disabled and elderly people aren’t significantly disadvantaged.