Re: [VIC? NSW?] OT - doubling efficiency/frequent service

[sj <passenger@ansett.com>]

Big problem here, RTBU would not allow drivers to operate such services.
There was an idea once of running a limited stops double decker bendi's
on the L90/L88 services.(L88 Avalon - R/SQ.)

How would like to be on a bus that was carrying 160+ people. 60+ tonne
of dead weight to stop? Another problem is security on board the bus. 

Also you would have to re-employ a conductor, something that current STA
management do not want to do.

Sydney is getting busier and busier, it is becoming increasingly
difficult to drive in, that is why you will probably see the 14.5m buses
phased out over the next few years. As for the ancient bendies well
that's another story.

Tramway's are limited to an extent in that if there is a break down on
the line, the you can not simply go around the broken down vehicle.
Signally and line maintainence also creates serious problems.(cost)

Frequent buses are the best way forward. You can always add extra
services when demand requires it. eg 380 services. 5 min services in the
peak.


> I'll give some STA Sydney examples where double decks could run, with the
> same frequency maintained and be able to rack up more revenue:
> 
> 288 Epping -- QVB
> 400 Burwood/Eastgardens -- Bondi Junction
> L90 Palm Beach -- Railway Square
> 426/428 Tempe/Dulwich Hill -- Circular Quay
> 394/L94/X94 La Perouse -- Circular Quay
> 393 La Perouse -- Railway Square
> 372 Coogee -- Railway Square
> 891/895 UNSW -- Railway Square
> 470 Lilyfield -- Circular Quay (I don't think the introduction of Metro
> Light Rail has not affected patronage)
> 438/L38 Abbotsford -- Circular Quay
> 500 Ryde -- Circular Quay
> 520/L20 Parramatta -- Circular Quay
> 380 North Bondi/Bondi Junction -- Circular Quay
> 
> also for Westbus, their M2 Hills--City buses.
> 
> >
> > >However on some routes the frequency can be doubled without such
> > >effects, whilst having no requirement for double decks to be used...
> >
> > Double decking often requires a whole lot of infrastructure upgrades that
> > can be achieved for a lot less by simply operating a higher frequency.
> Back
> > in Melbourne, we found out, the costly way, that double deck trains
> weren't
> > the solution, hence we are stuck with one 4D set.
> 
> A lot of Sydney's arterial roads already meet the 4.4m clearance requirement
> (sorry, had to reduce it from 4.7m, because I remembered there are no dbl
> decks higher than 4.4 these days) . I think even the Harbour Bridge will fit
> a double decker in quite nicely, despite its age.
> 
> >
> > Anyway, that is only part of the solution... Buses need to be integrated
> by
> > means of both services and fares with other public transport systems, like
> > trains, trams, and ferries.
> 
> Of course, there's no bleeding point running a double decker every hour when
> you can run two single deckers every half hour. If Sydney ever grows large
> enough, what I would like to see is a rail system that is less integrated
> (eg. not having 5 "lines" running from Strathfield to Central, and 3 "lines"
> from Sydenham to Central via Redfern). Then you can start thinking about
> train services every few minutes (start the InterCity trains from places
> like Hornsby, Sutherland, Blacktown etc). Combine it with a good quality bus
> service (in general, STA is very good) the only thing will be praise and not
> whinge.
> 
> >
> > MK.
> >
> > --
> > To email me, just remove ".spam" or else your reply gets directed to the
> > bit bucket.
> >
> > Never engage in an intellectual argument with an idiot.
> > They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience --
> > (Unknown)