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#41
The Playground / Re: Unusual bus allocations
Last post by L94UBbusfan - May 05, 2024, 06:30:35 PMThe JPC service leaves from the same bus stop on Gungahlin Drive as the other 26, meaning they do the EXACT same route (if it started in the actual school bus stop at JPC then it would make way more sense). I travelled on this route on Friday and the first bus starting at JPC (which I was on) had a fair amount of people on board, still seats left. The second bus however overtook us a few times and I saw no one on board. I don't know about the Gold Creek 26 bus service, but I believe it would be a similar story. There didn't seem to be a problem with the original route, which I had travelled on many times.
I also know it isn't unusual to see Tuggeranong buses in the north and Belconnen buses in the south, however considering the L94 CNGs are being retired at a pace faster than new buses can arrive, Tuggeranong is down some buses. Another better reason is the amount of dead running. I check anytrip at least 5 times an hour and I don't see the buses that run on these routes making their way up towards Gungahlin, leading to the illusion that these buses are dead running from somewhere. It makes more sense to me to just get a bus from Belconnen depot for the extra routes, to reduce dead running. There are some more services that do very long dead running from Tuggeranong to Gungahlin, but there is probably another topic for talking about that.
I personally don't mind it though, more chances to catch L94s up north!
I also know it isn't unusual to see Tuggeranong buses in the north and Belconnen buses in the south, however considering the L94 CNGs are being retired at a pace faster than new buses can arrive, Tuggeranong is down some buses. Another better reason is the amount of dead running. I check anytrip at least 5 times an hour and I don't see the buses that run on these routes making their way up towards Gungahlin, leading to the illusion that these buses are dead running from somewhere. It makes more sense to me to just get a bus from Belconnen depot for the extra routes, to reduce dead running. There are some more services that do very long dead running from Tuggeranong to Gungahlin, but there is probably another topic for talking about that.
I personally don't mind it though, more chances to catch L94s up north!
#42
The Playground / Re: Unusual bus allocations
Last post by triumph - May 05, 2024, 11:07:09 AMHave you considered that the loading may be more than one bus? With regard to JPC there are two stops, the normal one in Gungahlin Dr which the regular buses from Gungahlin Interchange pass; and the School stop in the entrance to the school area which is used by buses starting or terminating at the school and school only services.
It is not unusual to find Tuggeranong buses in Belconnen area and vice versa. The timetable arrangements include provision for driver breaks, etc. In consequence a single shift usually covers a series of routes and is not confined to one route. Now consider the most obvious example, R4. For the first hour and then added peak buses it has to be provided with buses from both ends. Thus Tuggeranong buses arrive in Belconnen and vice versa, and then go on to other runs. There are other less obvious routes where switching routes as the shift goes on takes place. The end result is a fair mix of buses from each depot across the network. Much of the 'dead' running is caused by this, with the need to return drivers and buses to their starting points. Apparently using the 'dead' runs to provide some limited stop direct services is considered too complex, unreliable, or uneconomic for the likely patronage.
That's my take on the issues you raise.
It is not unusual to find Tuggeranong buses in Belconnen area and vice versa. The timetable arrangements include provision for driver breaks, etc. In consequence a single shift usually covers a series of routes and is not confined to one route. Now consider the most obvious example, R4. For the first hour and then added peak buses it has to be provided with buses from both ends. Thus Tuggeranong buses arrive in Belconnen and vice versa, and then go on to other runs. There are other less obvious routes where switching routes as the shift goes on takes place. The end result is a fair mix of buses from each depot across the network. Much of the 'dead' running is caused by this, with the need to return drivers and buses to their starting points. Apparently using the 'dead' runs to provide some limited stop direct services is considered too complex, unreliable, or uneconomic for the likely patronage.
That's my take on the issues you raise.
#43
The Playground / Re: Unusual bus allocations
Last post by L94UBbusfan - May 04, 2024, 09:29:45 PMThere are 2 minor changes for Term 2 on the 26 Taylor Loop which I find extremely unusual. There is a service starts at Gold Creek school at 3:18pm and then goes past Holy Spirit school before continuing on its regular route to Gungahlin. Then, 4 minutes later, a 26 from Gungahlin does the EXACT same diversion. This happens again with the next 26 service, as there is a 26 that leaves JPC at 3:44, one minute before the next service from Gungahlin leaves JPC at 3:45, meaning 2 buses running the exact same route at the exact same time TWICE within an hour. I get it to probably to get the school kids off the 26 from Gungahlin, however it is (to me) a complete waste of buses. And just to add on to all of this, 3 out of the 4 services are Tuggeranong depot based buses. It all makes very little to no sense, even for TC.
#44
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by L94UBbusfan - May 04, 2024, 07:45:50 PMYesterday (3/5/24)
334 (26)
334 (26)
#45
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by triumph - May 02, 2024, 10:32:45 PMQuote from: triumph on April 12, 2024, 10:55:43 PM933 (47) 2nd oldest bus in service use.
544 (47)
re 933. Having not ridden this bus for some years, I was keen to chase it down but when seen I was never in a position to travel. Worried it might retire soon, I intensified the search. Discovered it on the Friday before the school holidays doing a route 47 later in the afternoon. So drove to Whitlam and boarded it for the return to Belconnen, alighting at Westfield. Good thing I did. Driver said he had completed his shift. So it turns out, with it now retired, this was its very last run in service and I fluked being on it - should have stayed on to Belconnen. Interchange.
#46
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by L94UBbusfan - May 01, 2024, 07:32:08 PM623 (23)
957 (25)
My second Renault ride of the year, but it was an awesome trip even with all the school kids on board.
957 (25)
My second Renault ride of the year, but it was an awesome trip even with all the school kids on board.
#47
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by triumph - April 29, 2024, 02:32:24 PMQuote from: triumph on April 29, 2024, 10:36:00 AMSat 26/4/24And 006 (R1)
....
014 (R1)
#48
The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...
Last post by triumph - April 29, 2024, 10:36:00 AMSat 26/4/24
730 (R2)
808 (R9) Due to big sports event, (Watson bound) diverted to avoid Battye St by continuing in Thynne St from Watkins St, thence via Paget St to Braybrooke St and towards Belconnen until doubling back onto the normal route at the Jnc of Braybrooke St with Braybrooke St (!) roundabout. This, in both directions, is a regular diversion for R9 during big game periods.
014 (R1)
730 (R2)
808 (R9) Due to big sports event, (Watson bound) diverted to avoid Battye St by continuing in Thynne St from Watkins St, thence via Paget St to Braybrooke St and towards Belconnen until doubling back onto the normal route at the Jnc of Braybrooke St with Braybrooke St (!) roundabout. This, in both directions, is a regular diversion for R9 during big game periods.
014 (R1)
#49
General Discussion / Re: MyWay replacement
Last post by triumph - April 28, 2024, 12:14:36 AMSo the Test lead is an 8 month contract. Advertised 23 days ago. Assuming appointee can start say mid May, implies mid January '25 to complete the work. Ummm.
#50
General Discussion / Re: MyWay replacement
Last post by Bus 400 - April 27, 2024, 08:54:17 PMThere's been a few jobs listed with this project.
Test Lead - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74914440?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=369b4560668904e47907d9edb4c8ba6b2758035d
*8 month contract initially, should assess with timeline guessing
Field Service Engineer - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74914851?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=f96bd84494df6cb16af6c14cdd131e36a7465670
Team Lead - Field Services - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74911225?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=f0924ca0a6d4a8f942d5c9f4b5532e5a5f343020
Test Lead - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74914440?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=369b4560668904e47907d9edb4c8ba6b2758035d
*8 month contract initially, should assess with timeline guessing
Field Service Engineer - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74914851?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=f96bd84494df6cb16af6c14cdd131e36a7465670
Team Lead - Field Services - https://www.seek.com.au/job/74911225?ref=search-standalone&type=standout#sol=f0924ca0a6d4a8f942d5c9f4b5532e5a5f343020