My understanding is that the main cost is staffing (which is the same for a 3 or 6 car), not the train itself. When I lived on the Ipswich line I caught the night-train semi regularly and they’d typically lock off the back unit/3 cars anyway, and just drag it along
What is the cost difference between 1x bus driver vs 1x train driver and 1x guard?
Maybe running a night time rail bus service might be the move viable option?
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They should do that for the Metro - close off the third rearmost carriage for shits and giggles
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A driver+guard could readily cost 3.5× a single bus driver.
Sydney has had Nightlink buses for decades. The routes already exist, because we have them for rail replacement.
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The reason we don’t run much late night public transport particularly on Friday & Saturday nights is because uber drivers need to scam intoxicated people to overpaying for their lift home.
Run a night bus service that mirrors the train lines. That’s what Sydney does each day of the week, not just Friday and Saturday.
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100%, people have late/early shifts every day of week. When I was a student I had a few jobs doing dishes etc in the city that’d pretty regularly result in clocking off after the last bus or train home, and I know a few people who’ve had to turn down jobs because the start time is before the first bus of the day would get them there. Obviously nightlife adds a lot of demand for night trips, but it’s certainly not the only group that needs them.
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“It was then transferred to a better funding arrangement where bureaucrats upgraded its condition to “Alive.””
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My 5c worth: Commencing 2028, on a mostly ONE Per Hour Service Basis [say Midnight to 5/6am]
24/7 [ie “overnight”] Glider/Metro Services.
This keeps staffing/vehicle usage at viable levels and is fitting for a City in the 4yr lead up to 2032 - a good, viable and sustainable workout for the system and shows Brisbane is starting to take itself seriously!
I brought this here, because it would be more relevant to this thread.
I’m thinking a hybrid 470+412+411 route might be an idea for a night service? Going via Milton Rd rather than Coronation Dr expands the coverage considerably; remember that Coronation Dr has nothing but river on one side for most of its length.
So, 470 route to Toowong Village, then 412 route to UQ (Chancellor’s Place), then 411 route back to Toowong Village, and return to the city via 470. Maybe even extend it to the Valley at night time.
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As part of the Ideal Network Plan process, a night bus network that shadows the rail network should be proposed.