New brisbane bus ‘layovers’ spark outrage from locals and businesses

New Brisbane bus zones have sparked a huge backlash, with one cafe owner saying trade has plunged because customers have nowhere to park.

Sort after inner city carparks are disappearing to make way for new Brisbane bus “layover” stops, sparking complaints from angry residents, office workers and struggling business owners who say customers have vanished.

The bus stops, bus zones and “layovers’’, where council bus drivers could stop for a rest and in some cases use toilet facilities, have been rolled out since council and the former Labor state government reached a deal last year on bus network changes.

The changes were part of their Metro agreement.

One Barry Pde, Fortitude Valley cafe owner said her trade had plunged 10-15 per cent in the three weeks since half a dozen metered street parks were removed for a bus zone opposite her business.

The Daily Maid owner Kirsty Campbell said she had been hit with $800 in fines, while one of her customers copped a $400 fine even though yellow bus stop lines had not been painted on the road at that point.

Office workers in the Barry Pde area were also affected, including tenants in Plumridge House where most offices did not come with off-street car spaces.

They now had to waste time moving their cars up to once an hour.

“Some customers are now asking me to hurry their coffees so they can get back to their cars before they’re fined,’’ Ms Campbell said.

“After I told one customer who has been coming here for three years about the changes, he hasn’t come back.

“I have to park outside (her cafe) to unload in the morning, but by 4.30am all the spaces on (nearby) Gotha St are already gone.’’

An owner of a neighbouring business has started a petition, as have residents in Tennyson and Ashgrove, attracting a total of more than 250 signatures.

The new bus zone on Barry Pde has also affected many parents at surrounding schools including All Hallows School, Arethusa College, St James College and Brisbane Central State School.

The new bus zone opposite the Old Maid coffee shop in Plumridge House. Picture: David Clark

In Tennyson, on the southside, dozens of angry residents have fired off letters of complaint about the loss of street parks for a planned, large layover on King Arthur Tce.

About 450 people living in the Tennyson Reach unit complex were affected, according to a petition launched by Stephen Dowdle.

Tennyson Reach body corporate chair James Bottomley said they would lose nine scarce street parks outside their unit complex.

“We are just aghast. We were never consulted. It’s already very difficult to find a park.’’

He was worried the situation could become worse once several proposed highrises at nearby Yeerongpilly Green were completed in coming years, although residents had no problem with those projects per se.

Tennyson Reach body corporate chair James Bottomley says the bus stop planned outside the unit complex is poorly thought out and will worsen street parking. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“This (layover) has been very poorly designed and will create safety issues with cyclists using the River Loop and the many older people who use the footpaths because cyclists will have to leave the road and go on the footpath to avoid buses,’’ he said.

The bus stop and driver facilities also took up part of the River Loop bikeway, Brisbane’s premier route for the early-morning lycra set.

“The proposed bus layover area at 211 King Arthur Tce (east bound) would create several road safety hazards,’’ Mr Dowdle’s petition claimed.

“There are numerous and serious defects in the design of the bus layover area proposed by council, including … noise and air quality nuisance and significant safety concerns for Tennyson Reach residents and visitors, cyclists, motorists, bus drivers and pedestrians.’’

Mr Dowdle said there were alternative locations nearby that would not cause the same problems.

A large bus layover is planned outside Tennyson Reach apartments. Image: Google Streetview

John Chalker, who started the Barry Pde petition, also said there were alternative locations that would not cause problems.

“This decision has significantly reduced the availability of convenient parking for customers of the many businesses operating within Plumridge House,’’ his petition stated.

“Accessible parking is critical for these businesses.

“The removal of these spaces places undue strain on business owners and their patrons, potentially deterring customers and impacting business viability.’’

Ashgrove resident Angus Saunders launched a petition calling for the new Ashgrove Ave bus stop to be moved north of Crawford St back to its original location. It had resulted in the removal of a loading zone and street parks.

However, it is understood there have been no complaints about a dozen other bus zone changes around the inner city.

Councillor Ryan Murphy. Picture: Lachie Millard

Transport chair Ryan Murphy said that over the past decade Brisbane had grown faster than any other major city in Australia so Metro and Brisbane’s New Bus Network was critical to keeping it moving.

“Brisbane’s New Bus Network is the biggest improvement to bus services in generations and will deliver an additional 160,000 services into the suburbs,’’ he said.

“These changes are essential works needed to support us delivering more services to bust congestion and make it quicker and easier for people to catch public transport.

“ (Tennyson ward) Councillor Johnston supported this new bus service for her ward, but now doesn’t support the infrastructure needed to support it.’’

But Ms Johnston labelled the planning process for the new layovers, zones, stops and Metro charging stations as “lazy’’ and “dictatorial’’.

She was notified only on December 20, at 5.30pm, she claimed.

Ms Johnston said as well as the King Arthur Tce layover, she had concerns about another bus zone planned for Fairfield Rd which she feared would create traffic congestion and safety issues.

“They (council) did consultation (on new bus routes), but there was a secret deal with the government and they did not have the courtesy to consult on the ancillary changes (including new layovers),’’ she said.

“This has been poorly planned. It’s laziness. It’s a dictatorial and arrogant approach that does not take into account the amenity and safety of the community and lacks respect for residents, who are very angry.’’

Ms Johnston also said there were multiple, better sites for the King Arthur Tce bus layover and bus zone, in nearby light industrial areas.

Aerial image of Barry Pde in Fortitude Valley showing four cars parked in what is now a bus zone. The previous, smaller bus zone is behind the parked cars.

Greens councillor for The Gabba ward, Trina Massey, said the siting of some new stops was problematic.

“Residents and small businesses across Brisbane are struggling with the new stops and layovers and the issue is clear — the LNP administration repeatedly fails to consult with local communities,’’ she said.

“Time and time again, this lack of engagement with residents and stakeholders leads to poor planning and missed opportunities to better serve the community.

“Fairfield and Dutton Park residents are rightfully frustrated by the absence of a direct stop at Dutton Park Place.

“The Brisbane Metro was supposed to offer faster, more reliable connections, but the LNP administration’s budget mismanagement has left these communities behind.”