New free City connector bus service

Transcription

1 The Adelaide City Council invites engagement from the community about New free City connector bus service 99C City Loop and Adelaide Connector free bus services to merge: Project Summary Adelaide City Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure are working together to improve free public transport services within the City and North Adelaide. This information pack provides all the relevant information on the new free bus route and operating hours. A separate consultation pack contains concept plans for the proposed location and upgrade of bus stops along the new route. Any comments you wish to make need to be received by 5pm, Friday 8 November 2013 Included in this information pack: Project Information The new free bus route Frequently Asked Questions For all enquiries, please telephone or Name: Peter Wong Title: Senior Transport Planner Phone: cityconnector@adelaidecitycouncil.com

2 Project Information Purpose Adelaide City Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure aim to increase the number of people using public transport by improving access within the City and North Adelaide. This project is part of that aim and is aligned with: Council s Smart Move: The City of Adelaide s Transport and Movement Strategy , which aims to Double the patronage and frequency of the Adelaide Connector bus service by 2022 The State Government s State Strategic Plan target to Increase the use of public transport to 10% of metropolitan weekday passenger vehicle kilometres travelled by By integrating the resources of the Adelaide City Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, a new free bus service can be created, enabling more people to make the switch from driving to public transport. The new free bus service will use larger, high quality buses and have extended operating hours with an increased service frequency. The new service will bring significant benefits to residents, workers, visitors, students and tourists who want to access the City and North Adelaide. Background Adelaide City Council s Adelaide Connector bus service currently operates a figure-of-eight loop around the City and North Adelaide. The free service operates hourly, seven days a week in both directions (excluding public holidays). Current operating hours (first / last services) are: Monday to Thursday 8 am / 5 pm Friday 8 am / 8 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am / 4 pm The service uses two mini-buses and Tindo, the world s first solar electric bus. As a result, the service is infrequent and does not have the capacity to meet the peak-hour passenger demand. The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure operates the free 99C City Loop service linking the Adelaide Railway Station with key destinations within the northern portion of the City including the Central Market, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and the East and West End precincts. The free 99C service operates seven days a week, including public holidays. A 20 minute service frequency is provided Mondays to Fridays, and a 30 minute frequency on Friday evenings and on weekends and public holidays. Current operating hours (first / last services) are: Monday to Thursday 8 am / 6.20 pm Friday 8 am / 9.15 pm Saturday 8.15 am / 5.45 pm Sunday and public holidays 10 am / 5.45 pm Benefits of the new free service The Adelaide City Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure aim to create a new attractive, distinct and convenient free public transport service, linking key destinations within the City and North Adelaide. Merging the Adelaide Connector and the 99C Loop bus services will improve public transport access within the City and North Adelaide, and meet the needs of commuters, residents, students, tourists and visitors. The benefits of the new free bus service include: Increasing the service frequency at the majority of City bus stops to every 15 minutes (from 20 and 60 minutes) Increasing the service frequency linking North Adelaide to the City to every 30 minutes (from 60 minutes) Expanding the operating hours of the new service to incorporate earlier morning services Monday to Friday (6.45 am), evening services every day of the year (7:15 pm, and 9.15 pm on Friday evenings). Providing a service to North Adelaide on public holidays Improving the connectivity between major City and North Adelaide destinations (such as the Women s and Children s Hospital, Festival Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Rundle Mall, Hutt Street Library and Community Centre, and Central Market) Increasing the passenger capacity Upgrading selected bus stops to improve accessibility; and Providing larger, modern low-floor, wheelchair-accessible and air-conditioned buses.

3 Proposed operating times The proposed operating times for the new free bus service is dependent on any changes required as a result of feedback from the consultation process. The proposed changes in the operating hours from the current Adelaide Connector and 99C City Loop services are shown below: The draft operating times have been developed to provide a more convenient, reliable and frequent service. However, the actual timetable for the new free City connector bus service can be confirmed only after the consultation feedback has been considered and included (where appropriate) in the final proposal. The new free City connector bus service will: Operate every 15 minutes Monday to Friday and every 30 minutes on Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays within the City (except stops 1, 13B and 24); Operate every 30 minutes to North Adelaide Monday to Sunday, including Friday evenings and public holidays; The proposed first service will depart around 6.45 am Monday to Friday, 8:15 am on Saturdays and 9.30 am on Sunday and public holidays. The proposed last service will depart around 7:15 pm daily with the exception of Friday evenings when it will depart at 9:15 pm. Below is a comparison between the operating times of the existing Adelaide Connector and 99C City Loop services and the new free bus service: Current services Proposed new service (First service / Last service) (First service / Last service Monday to Thursday Adelaide Connector 99C 8.00 am / 5.00 pm 8.00 am / 6.20 pm 6.45 am / 7:15 pm Friday Adelaide Connector 99C 8.00 am / 8.00 pm 8.00 am / 9.15 pm 6.45 am / 9:15 pm Saturday Adelaide Connector 99C am / 4.00 pm 8.15 am / 5.45 pm 8:15 am / 7:15 pm Sunday Adelaide Connector 99C am / 4.00 pm am / 5.45 pm 9.30 am / 7:15 pm Public holidays Adelaide Connector 99C No service am / 5.45 pm 9.30 am / 7:15 pm

4 Proposed Route

5 Project impacts The new free City connector bus service will use modern, larger, low-floor buses, which will require several new bus stops and the upgrade of selected bus stops. Accessibility around the stops will also be improved. The new and upgraded bus stops may require some on-street parking and loading zones to be changed. However, we aim to minimise the loss of on-street parking at each new bus stop. The proposed bus stop locations for the new free bus service can be found in the New free City connector bus service Bus Stops Consultation Pack. Each stop is shown, along with its impact on on-street parking and the proposed upgrade. Many of the new bus stops do not require upgrading. Use the Bus Stops Consultation Pack or the Your Say Adelaide website at to provide feedback on the bus stops and their impacts. Timeline The key milestones achieved and the next steps are shown below: Smart Move Proposa development Implementation Smart MoveStrategy developed Upgrade of the Adelaide Connector serivce identified Discussions held with the State Government Partnership with Adelaide Metro established Draft new bus route and operating times prepared based on the budget available New or upgraded bus stops identified Consultation Where we are now This consultation invites feedback on the proposal and bus stop locations and concepts Engineering design Consultation feedback informs the design of the new bus stops and services Construction Bus stop construction is planned to take place between November 2013 and January 2014 Concept timetable and stop designs New free City connector bus service is planned to start in January 2014

6 After the consultation closes Once the consultation on the new free City connector bus service has closed on Friday 8 November 2013, Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will consider all the responses received. They will publish the new service timetable, route and bus stop locations on the Your Say Adelaide, Smart Move, Adelaide City Council and Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure websites. Everybody who contributes to the consultation will be contacted with the outcomes from the process. Bus stop construction is expected to begin after the consultation process has been finalised and, due to the large number of bus stops to be upgraded, the changes are expected to take place over two years, subject to budget availability. New timetables will be produced by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and will be available at least two weeks prior to the new service starting (planned to be Sunday 26 January 2014). Frequently Asked Questions Why integrate the Adelaide Connector and 99C bus services? When operated individually, the Adelaide Connector and 99C City Loop bus services do not meet the desired frequency, coverage or hours of operation that a modern City requires. Combining the resources of Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will create a new free City connector bus service that meets the needs of the community, workers, students and visitors of Adelaide. The service will also provide an exciting opportunity for Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure to develop a high-quality public transport service connecting key destinations within the City and North Adelaide, and meeting a shared vision of a vibrant and accessible city. What route will the free bus operate on? The new free City connector bus will operate in both directions in a loop around the City and North Adelaide. Additional loop services will operate within the City to provide a higher service frequency (except at bus stops 1, 13B and 24). The route is based on the funding available from combining the Adelaide Connector and 99C Loop free bus services. Any changes to the route may have serious cost implications to Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. See the proposed route map for more information on the route. Where will the new free bus stop? The new free City connector bus will serve all major destinations within the City and North Adelaide, including the Women s and Children s Hospital, Festival Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Rundle Mall, Hutt Street Library and Community Centre, and Central Market. See the proposed route map for more information. Why doesn t the new bus service stop at all the bus stops? To provide a fast and convenient way to access the City and North Adelaide, not all stops will be serviced. See the proposed route map for more information on the proposed stop locations and key destinations. When will the new free bus commence? The new free City connector bus is planned to commence on Sunday 26 January 2014 How often will the new service operate? The new service will operate more frequently than the current one: Monday to Thursday: approximately every 15 minutes in the City and 30 minutes in North Adelaide Friday evening: approximately every 30 minutes in the City and North Adelaide Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: approximately every 30 minutes in the City and North Adelaide What times will the new service operate? The new service will operate for longer periods than current services. The new service times are: Monday to Thursday: between 6.45 am and 7:15 pm (last service departs) Friday evening: between 6.45 am and 9:15 pm (last service departs) Saturday: between 8:15 am and 7:15 pm (last service departs) Sunday and public holidays: between 9.30 am and 7:15 pm (last service departs) How much will it cost to use the new bus service? The new free City connector bus service will be free to use. Can the free City connector bus service start before January? The new free bus service requires the purchase of modern, lowfloor accessible buses. These buses will take several months to build and deliver.

7 What alternative options are available for travel along North Terrace? While the new bus service does not operate along the western end of North Terrace, there are free tram services that link North Terrace between King William Street and West Terrace. Trams operate every 5-15 minutes during the day and 20 minutes in the evening, all year round. Nine regular Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure bus routes operate in both directions along North Terrace with more than 150 weekday bus services. Services operate on average every 10 minutes or less during the day and every 20 minutes in the evening. Further information on public transport services along North Terrace can be found on the Adelaide Metro website ( What buses will operate the new service? The new free bus service will use buses similar to those currently being used on the 99C City Loop services. The service will also use Tindo, the world s first solar powered electric bus. The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure plans to include new hybrid buses on the service. Will Tindo operate on the new service? Yes, Tindo will continue to operate on the new free bus service. What noise impacts will the new buses have on my local street? The new buses will be larger and able to accommodate more passengers. They will generate more localised noise than the current minibuses but will meet the current strict noise and emissions standards. Will the new bus stops impact on-street parking? Some bus stop upgrades will require the removal of some onstreet parking and loading zones. The loss of on-street parking has been kept to a minimum by creating new spaces where possible. Each bus stop will have a different impact on on-street parking. For information on each stop, please refer to the plans in the New City connector Bus Service Bus Stops Consultation Pack. Will the real time passenger information be displayed at each bus stop? At this stage real time passenger information is not planned to be installed at the free bus stops. How reliable will the new free bus service be? The new free bus will be subject to the same performance standards as other Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure public transport services. Torrens Transit, the bus contractor, will be responsible for maintaining the new service s ontime performance. Who will operate the new free bus service? The new free City connector bus service will be operated under the existing Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure bus contract with Torrens Transit. Will the new service have dedicated bus drivers? Yes; it is intended that Torrens Transit will assign regular drivers to the new bus service. The new service will require more buses and, therefore, more drivers. Where will the new bus stops be built? The new free City connector bus will service a mixture of existing Adelaide Metro and Adelaide Connector bus stops, and newly developed bus stops. For information on each location, please see to the proposed bus stop location plans in the New free City connector Bus Service Bus Stops Consultation Pack (available from ).

8 How do I provide my feedback? There are a number of ways in which you can provide your comments: Comments Form Complete the Feedback Form in this consultation pack. It is Council s policy that a formal submission can only be received if it includes the name and residential address of the respondent. Meet with a staff member Members of the project team will be available for you to meet to answer your questions and discuss any concerns you may have. The times and locations are: Customer Centre: ground floor of our offices at 25 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Tuesday 15 October 2013, 10 am to 12 noon Wednesday 16 October 2013, 12 noon to 2 pm Thursday 17 October 2013, 2 pm to 4 pm If these times and locations are not convenient please telephone Peter Wong on to arrange a meeting with a team member. Online/Website Council has a dedicated website that provides an opportunity for quick and efficient online feedback. Visit for information about the project and online ways to provide your comments. Alternatively, comments can be ed to yoursay@adelaidecitycouncil.com Written Submissions All written submissions must be received by: 5 pm, Friday 8 November 2013 and be addressed to: Community Consultation New free City connector bus service GPO Box 2252 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Feedback on the proposed bus stops The proposed bus stop locations for the new free City connector bus service can be found in the New free City connector Bus Service Bus Stops Consultation Pack. Each stop is shown, along with its impact on on-street parking and the proposed upgrade. Many of the new bus stops do not require upgrading. The consultation pack can be found on the Your Say Adelaide website at and at local libraries, community centres and the Adelaide City Council Customer Centre. How do I know my feedback has been received? All forms, submissions or correspondence will be acknowledged either by or letter so that you know your comments have been received. What happens to my feedback? The Council and Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will consolidate all comments and feedback and consider all submissions. A decision will then be made on the final details of the new service. Those who have taken part in the community engagement process will be informed of the final outcomes, which will also be available on the Adelaide City Council, Smart Move and Your Say Adelaide websites. Contact Person For more information, please contact: Name: Peter Wong Title: Senior Transport Planner Phone: cityconnector@adelaidecitycouncil.com Or cityconnector@adelaidecitycouncil.com or yoursay@adelaidecitycouncil.com

9 Feedback Form Feedback closes at 5 pm, 8 November 2013 This feedback provides an opportunity for general comments regarding the new free City connector bus service. Name: Address: Please tell us more about you (Optional) Gender Male Female Year of Birth Suburb Are you an Adelaide City Council rate payer? Yes No Please tell us how you participate in city life (tick all that apply). Resident Business Owner Worker Student Leisure/ Recreation Shopper/ Visitor Other Q1. Please indicate your level of support for merging the Adelaide Connector and the 99C Loop bus services Very supportive / supportive / Undecided / Not supportive (Circle your selection) Q2. Please indicate your level of support for the route the new free City connector bus service will take Very supportive / supportive / Undecided / Not supportive (Circle your selection) Q3. Please indicate your level of support for the stops on the new free City connector bus service Very supportive / supportive / Undecided / Not supportive (Circle your selection) Q4. Please indicate your level of support for the new free City connector bus service Very supportive / supportive / Undecided / Not supportive (Circle your selection)

10 Are there any other comments you would like to make about the new service?