Bristol connections: Metro, Bus Rapid Transit, PTE, ITA and local councils - discussion

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

It should be noted at this juncture that transport models are commonly arranged around the need to ensure that a robust base year model is constructed and accurately reflects not only existing conditions on the highway network, but also ensure that the correct existing situation is imported into the model in relation to land use zoning and current travel demand.

Consequently where a defined zone or area has either low, or very low existing demand, an uplift in this demand is accordingly factored into this low base, which in this case has generated low patronage results that are contained in the supporting analysis. This is directly attributed to the base line model.

- Planning Officer, Bristol City Council, explaining why the route is only expected to garner 200 additional passengers in the rush hour.

Source: http://www.bristol247.com/2014/08/27/bristol-metrobus-can-understand-explanation-71350/

[TonyK]

Yes, well that explains matters clearly, and I am now in favour of it. [/joke]

That is a statement by someone who both knows and doesn't care that he hasn't a snowflake's chance in hell of persuading the audince that MetroBust is a good idea.

Or should it, as a friend pointed out (thanks Bert!) be called MetroBup?

[chuffed]

I think the road sign crew were thirsty and really wanted to paint 'Pub Stop', but one of them was dyslexic ....

[Red Squirrel]

Just spotted this on the Bristol Post website:

Full steam ahead for Bristol's MetroWest programme - but not until 2019

IT has always looked like a no-brainer: upgrade the Portishead rail line, so commuters can use it to travel into Bristol. Now the experts and civil servants agree that the business case stacks up and the upgrade of the line should go ahead.

The Portishead line is not the only rail improvement which has received expert approval ahead of a key meeting this week.

The whole of Phase One of the MetroWest programme of opening more local rail routes is said to be "value for money" and "financially affordable".

But the transport planning experts warn that Phase Two ^ which includes the long-awaited Henbury Loop or Spur ^ will be tricky to deliver by 2021, because of the funding schedule.

Article continues at length http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/steam-ahead-Bristol-s-MetroWest-programme-ndash/story-22895801-detail/story.html#HqsMogzJVPKHtJQ1.99

[TonyK]

MetroBust. Shite.

[Red Squirrel]

MetroBust. Shite.

Indeed, Father Jack, though this article doesn't refer to that scheme.

[TonyK]

Indeed, Father Jack, though this article doesn't refer to that scheme.

Drink!

[Red Squirrel]

Indeed, Father Jack, though this article doesn't refer to that scheme.

Drink!

Is that an invitation? As long as it's not Harpic...

[JayMac]

I'll have a large Windolene, with a Toilet Duck chaser.

[TonyK]

Is that an invitation? As long as it's not Harpic...

Harpist,I have been called (at least it sounded like harpist)

I'll have a large Windolene, with a Toilet Duck chaser.

Ahh, the Pink 'n' Green! Sounds like we should arrange another informal gathering!

[trainer]

At last: a series of clean jokes.

[Red Squirrel]

Bristol on track for major bus and rail plans
Government backs MetroBus project while campaigners celebrate timeline for new rail services in city

Bristol bus users will be travelling on the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads (AVTM) Metrobus system by the summer of 2016, after the government gave full approval to the plans.

The news was delivered as the Joint Transport Board of the West of England met on Friday, and means construction of the controversial high-speed bus system will begin early next year.

The AVTM is one of three parts of the ^200million MetroBus system, which aims to provide faster bus links to the city centre from the north, south and west of the city...

...The board meanwhile confirmed work on the MetroWest urban rail system could start in 2017.

See Bristol 24-7 for full article: http://www.bristol247.com/2014/09/15/bristol-track-major-bus-rail-plans-57690/

Am I right in guessing that one of the reasons we have to wait so long for MetroWest is that funding for MetroBus comes from essentially the same budget and is phased ahead of it?

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Bristol Post:

Work to start as MetroBus wins approval

Full planning approval has been given by the Government for the MetroBus route between Ashton Vale and Bristol Temple Meads.

It means construction work can now start on the ^49 million project and which is expected to be up and running in 2016. The route is the first of a network of high speed, high frequency buses which aim to ease congestion in Bristol.

Planning permission for another route between the northern fringe of the city and Hengrove was given by South Gloucestershire councillors earlier this week.

The route between the Long Ashton park and ride site and Temple Meads was embroiled in controversy after Bristol mayor George Ferguson insisted it should be changed.

He was against the buses running in front of the M shed museum and over Prince Street Bridge to the city centre. Instead, they will continue along Cumberland Road and turn left up Redcliffe Hill and along Redcliffe Way to Temple Meads.

The ^200 million MetroBus network is being promoted by the West of England Partnership which represents the four councils in the former Avon area. They were told of the full approval from the Department for Transport at a meeting in Bath.

They later issued a statement which said: "This is really positive news, we are delighted to have received full funding approval from the Department for Transport."

[TonyK]

Bristol on track for major bus and rail plans
Government backs MetroBus project while campaigners celebrate timeline for new rail services in city

Bristol bus users will be travelling on the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads (AVTM) Metrobus system by the summer of 2016, after the government gave full approval to the plans.

The news was delivered as the Joint Transport Board of the West of England met on Friday, and means construction of the controversial high-speed bus system will begin early next year.

The AVTM is one of three parts of the ^200million MetroBus system, which aims to provide faster bus links to the city centre from the north, south and west of the city...

...The board meanwhile confirmed work on the MetroWest urban rail system could start in 2017.

See Bristol 24-7 for full article: http://www.bristol247.com/2014/09/15/bristol-track-major-bus-rail-plans-57690/

Am I right in guessing that one of the reasons we have to wait so long for MetroWest is that funding for MetroBus comes from essentially the same budget and is phased ahead of it?

Short answer is : No.

Long answer is that MetroBust is the punishment for Bristol City Council not being able to agree a tram terminus with South Glos DC^▸ (Direct Current),, the former not wanting to give its citizens a rapid route from Broadmead to Cribbs Causeway. So, we get a "rapid" bus transport route that is really a road-building scheme, but with a thin veneer of public transport to justify it. The bizarre way that funding for transport anywhere outside of London works, if it works, is that we had to bid for this crapola scheme in 2007.

[Red Squirrel]

And there was me, thinking it would be an ecumenical matter...