DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS BRIEF FOR DECISION

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS BRIEF FOR DECISION Our reference MBN12747 Date 13 April 2010 To From Subject Requested by RECOMMENDATION(S) Minister for Transport TransLink Transit Authority Varsity Lakes rail connections Minister s Office That you advise the TransLink Transit Authority of your preferred option to address issues around bus connections to and from Varsity Lakes rail station. BACKGROUND SUMMARY An article appeared in the Gold Coast Sun titled White elephant at Varsity Lakes on 11 February The purpose of this brief is to outline TransLink s proposed bus service improvements to address some of the issues in the media which reflect community concerns. Varsity Lakes rail station opened on 14 December At this time routes 753 and 756 were diverted into the station. Both routes operate hourly, seven days a week. Each route provides 13 inbound and 13 outbound services on weekdays and 11 inbound and 11 outbound services on weekends and public holidays. Both routes meet TransLink s minimum service standards as outlined in the TransLink Network Plan. Robina, the fastest growing shopping and commercial precinct on the Gold Coast will continue to be the main access point to the heavy rail network for commuters in the southern Gold Coast area. ISSUES Since the Varsity Lakes rail station opened, some customers have raised concerns about bus connections to and from the station. Customer feedback can be summarised as follows: a) Earlier bus services to connect with earlier train services at Varsity Lakes rail station for trips to Brisbane. b) Improved bus/rail connections at Varsity Lakes for northern suburbs. c) Improved bus connections from Elanora and southern Gold Coast suburbs to the rail network. d) Improved connection from two private schools (Kings College and Hillcrest Christian College) located west of the Varsity Lakes rail station. Page 1 of 5

2 SERVICE PLAN TransLink has developed two options to improve connections to Varsity Lakes rail station. Option 1 is less expensive, however only addresses issue a) above and could possibly invite further criticism from the media and community that TransLink hasn t adequately addressed the issues. Option 2 is more expensive, addresses all the concerns in a), b), c) and d) above, plus provides additional benefits to the broader southern Gold Coast community. For this reason Option 2 is TransLink s preferred solution. Option 1 This option leaves the existing network as it is but introduces some earlier services on routes 753 or 756 to attempt to mitigate the concerns outlined in a) above. Option 2 This option incorporates a review of many existing services in the southern Gold Coast area, resulting in a restructure to this part of the network. Option 2 also allows a significant reinvestment of existing resources to improve passenger travel options and cost recovery of the network. Whilst the package of improvements has been designed to address issues a) and c) (above), it will also resolve issues b) and d). An overview of the proposed restructure is shown on the attached map in Appendix 2 and service change summary table in Appendix 1 (please note that only services connecting with Varsity Lakes are shown in the map in Appendix 2, not all southern Gold Coast routes are depicted on this map). An overview of the proposed changes in Option 2 are as follows: A new express service between Tweed Heads, Gold Coast Airport, Elanora (The Pines Shopping Centre), Varsity Lakes station and Robina Town Centre and rail station (route 761) acting as a pre-cursor to future extensions to the heavy rail network to Elanora and induce demand onto public transport services. This service also provides a fast connection to Robina town centre, saving up to 15 minutes per trip for bus passengers. The 761 will operate half-hourly from 6am until 6pm 7 days a week. Service improvements to routes serving Reedy Creek, Mudgeeraba, Burleigh Waters, Burleigh Heads and Varsity Lakes (routes 753, 756, 759, 765). Significant increase in the number of daily bus trips to Varsity Lakes station. Reduced travel times for public transport users living south of Varsity Lakes and Burleigh Heads, and travelling to Varsity Lakes by 5 15 minutes for every trip. Provides a bus services between Varsity Lakes rail station and Gold Coast Airport, including the Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus near the airport (3,000 students). Improved bus services to the Pines Shopping Centre. Improved bus connections to rail services at both Varsity Lakes and Robina rail stations. Page 2 of 5

3 Appendix 1 contains a summary table of Option 2. Appendix 2 contains a proposed network map for Option 2. Appendix 3 contains the current network map for the area. CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS All planning work to date has been undertaken in consultation with Gold Coast City Council officers and Surfside Buslines planning staff. Feedback has been considered by TransLink from various channels including, customer correspondence and the recent public meeting attended by a senior manager at TransLink. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Any changes to the existing bus network will incur an additional cost to TransLink. Option 1 approx $ per annum. Option 2 approx $1m per annum. (This option includes a full restructure of a number of services and reuses existing resources more effectively) Please note these are indicative costs only and subject to the submission of a cost model from Surfside Buslines. As part of TransLink s CBRC funding submission for 2010/11, TransLink has included $1m to fund Option 2. If the operator cost model exceeds available funding, the level of service under Option 2 will be scaled back to fit within the allocated budget, i.e. off-peak or weekend services might operate hourly instead of half hourly. EMPLOYMENT IMPACTS Option 2 will create approximately 15 new bus driving positions. Both options will support local employment on the Gold Coast where the new vehicles for the service change will be manufactured. POTENTIAL MEDIA An article appeared in the Gold Coast Sun titled White elephant at Varsity Lakes on the 11 February Media scrutiny of any changes is expected, although Option 2 is likely to receive a more favourable media response as it addresses all the issues identified by customers. Mr Ros Bates MP, Member for Mudgeeraba, is championing the issue of improved connections to the station for both local residents and the two local private schools in the Reedy Creek area. A media statement announcing the introduction of new services (Option 1 or 2) should not be released until CBRC funding has been confirmed for 2010/11. It is understood CBRC will consider TransLink s funding submission on 1 April 2010, although it is unknown at this stage when TransLink is likely to have official confirmation of its funding for 2010/11. Page 3 of 5

4 If Option 2 is considered the preferred option, it is recommended that TransLink undertakes some community engagement activities, as the service change is a substantial restructure of the existing southern Gold Coast network. If it is decided to proceed with Option 2, including community engagement activities, TransLink recommends this is announced at the same time as the early 4.34am rail service on the Gold Coast line due to be implemented in 27 April TransLink would undertake the community engagement activities in the last quarter of 2009/10, with a view to implementing the improvements in the first quarter of 2010/11, once funding was available. Page 4 of 5

5 Comments Political Representatives Local Government N/A State Government N/A Federal Government N/A NOTED / APPROVED / NOT APPROVED Minister Principal Advisor Policy Advisor / / / / / / Contact officer: Endorsed by: Endorsed by: Richard Lizon Sally Stannard Peter Strachan Network Planner A/Director Strategy and Planning Chief Executive Director TransLink Transit Authority TransLink Transit Authority TransLink Transit Authority Ph: Ph: Ph: Date: 6 April 2010 Date: 6 April 2010 Date: 7 April 2010 Page 5 of 5

6 new service amended service deleted service Varsity Lakes restructure - summary of changes - Option 2 existing route description (current) description (future) change 756 Burleigh Heads - Robina Stn 757 Tweed Heads - Burleigh Waters Reedy Creek - Robina shuttle (via Gemvale Road and Swanton Drive) 759 Reedy Creek - Robina The Pines - Reedy Creek (via Burleigh Heads and Reedy Creek Road) 765 Coolangatta - Robina Stn The Pines - Robina (via Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes, Christine Ave) route restructured (in conjunction with 759) replaced by routes 759 & 761 route restructured (new ) alternative/ complementary route existing frequency proposed frequency description negative impacts positive impacts comments 60 mins 30 mins direct connection from Gemvale Road to Burleigh Heads now requires an interchange at Varsity Lakes (new route 759) mins The Pines - Reedy Creek (via Burleigh Heads and Reedy Creek Road) 60 mins some trips from West Burleigh to Coolangatta may require an interchange to another service mins The Pines - Reedy Creek (via Burleigh Heads and Reedy Creek Road) mins Coolangatta - Robina Stn (via The Pines and Varsity Lakes) 60 mins 60 mins no direct connection from Observatory Drive to Robina (need to interchange at Varsity Lakes for any of the following new routes 756, 761, 765). Majority of route 759 replaced by new enhanced route mins Reedy Creek - Robina shuttle (via Gemvale Road and Swanton Drive) route shortened 30 mins 30 mins service truncated at The Pines, reducing frequency between Coolangatta and Currumbin (from 10 to 15 minutes) mins Coolangatta - Robina Stn (via The Pines and Varsity Lakes) service frequency increased from hourly to every 30 mins. Route extended to also serve Robina Station. Route coverage increased to include Somerset, Swanton, Bridgeman and Woodland Drive's. Provides increased coverage from Burleigh Heads to The Pines service replaced by new route 761 between Tweed Heads and The Pines with increased frequency from hourly to every 30minutes extension of service from West Burleigh to Varsity Lakes station increasing accessibility to the rail network in Elanora and West Burleigh replaces route 757 between Elanora and Coolangatta with an increased frequency from hourly to every 30 minutes. hourly service on 759 between Reedy Creek and Robina replaced by new 756 every 30 minutes. Amended route 759 will provide a direct service from Observatory Drive to Burleigh Heads and The Pines (also serving Treetops and Burleigh Stocklands shopping centres). rail connections at both Varsity Lakes and Robina stations. Route coverage increased to include Somerset, Swanton, Bridgeman and Woodland Drive's. route shortened to improve reliability (restructured service to operate between The Pines and Robina) new service providing direct timed connections at Varsity Lakes rail station and: The Pines; Currumbin Bird Sanctuary; Coolangatta Airport; Southern Cross University's Gold Coast campus ; Coolangatta/Tweed Heads. Reduced travel time to both Varsity Lakes and Robina town centre (15 minute travel time saving on average). service frequency between Coolangatta and Currumbin will be increased as part of the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project Express running between Elanora and Varsity Lakes (via Pacific M'way) acting as a pre-cursor to any future rail extension - inducing public transport demand on the corridor. 768 Tweed Heads - John Flynn Hospital no longer serves Coolangatta Airport 60 mins Customers travelling between John Flynn Hospital and Coolangatta Hospital will need to interchange mins Coolangatta - Robina Stn (via The Pines and Varsity Lakes) reduced travel time for passengers travelling to and from John Flynn Hospital. increased span of hours and frequency for customers travelling between Coolangatta Airport and Tweed Heads

7 Route Route Route Route Route Pitney Bowes MapInfo Australia Pty Ltd (2008) The State of Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water (2008). State Digital Road Network (SDRN) provided with permission of Pitney Bowes MapInfo Australia Pty Ltd (2008). State Digital Cadastre Database (DCDB) provided with permission of Department of Natural Resources and Water (2008). While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of privacy laws. Information is for display purposes only and no responsibility is taken for data accuracy. Created by: Varsity Lakes Restructure Proposed Routes 2010 JH Checked by: <Initials> Prepared: G:\Operations\PI\NPD\Sub-Regional_PTNPs\R_Gold_Coast\Varsity Lakes Restructure 2010\Workspace

8 Route Route Route Route Route Pitney Bowes MapInfo Australia Pty Ltd (2008) The State of Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water (2008). State Digital Road Network (SDRN) provided with permission of Pitney Bowes MapInfo Australia Pty Ltd (2008). State Digital Cadastre Database (DCDB) provided with permission of Department of Natural Resources and Water (2008). While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Data must not be used for direct marketing or be used in breach of privacy laws. Information is for display purposes only and no responsibility is taken for data accuracy. Created by: Varsity Lakes Bus Routes Current Route Network JH Checked by: <Initials> Prepared: G:\Operations\PI\NPD\Sub-Regional_PTNPs\R_Gold_Coast\Varsity Lakes Restructure 2010\Workspace