Trailerbus

[Swift]

Maybe as an alternative to HSR, they could build a dedicated roadway with no speed limit autobahn style.

[eddy]

Maybe as an alternative to HSR, they could build a dedicated roadway with no speed limit autobahn style.

Apart from the Trailerbus having greater frequency it would have many different routes going to many small towns.

There is nothing wrong with urban sprawl if there is a frequent Trailerbus on the main road which takes bikes or mobility scooters eliminating school buses saving money and keeping kids healthy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqvQ-5784po

[eddy]

I wonder if anyone from Australia wants to exhibit the Trailerbus here.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=r ... NSFzmpkVSB

[Randomness]

You mention the bus being faster and cheaper.

But, with 90 limits for heavy vehicles, wouldn’t the trailerbus just end up matching the XPT at best for an interstate trip. And with servicing rural towns like you say, would that not increase travel times further?

I also suggest you look at regional coach data here: https://opendata.transport.nsw.gov.au/d ... statistics

Usage is abysmal on many routes, and that’s with a coach. You don’t suppose usage will increase just by replacing the vehicle?

Yes, you could increase frequency and this would encourage more people onto public transport, but where would you find drivers amongst the current bus shortage?

Many people also take trains because it’s clearly a more comfortable ride compared to any bus. You’ll be fine with a hot liquid on an any train, but a cup even half full on a bus that’s bouncing up and down and potentially facing harsh braking will not end well - hence many bus drivers refusing to carry passengers with opened beverages or coffee cups.

You’ll also notice the popular buffet car on the XPT and other regional services (there was a near continual line for it when I was on a V/Line train from Albury to Melbourne). You won’t fit one on a bus and you’ll definitely have to stop over for 1-2 hours on interstate trips, reducing the time argument further.

You also mention the trailerbus being cheaper than trains. How? Infrastructure for trains usually already exists for extremely profitable freights and there are enough paths that capacity isn’t an issue on many regional lines.

Adding the trailerbus as a heavy vehicle, will cause more road wear than a train, and even if it is negligible compared to the impact of other truck traffic, it will still make a difference.

What will the fuel consumption be like? Trains are efficient due to less rolling resistance causing less friction, and thus less slowing down when no power is applied. I’ve heard that an Xplorer uses 1L of fuel per km. A thirsty truck engine, and needing to constantly accelerate to counteract drag and friction mean that surely the train would be cheaper to run fuel wise? I would love to see some statistics that go against this.

Electrification would make the argument moot for fuel efficiency. I heard that taking a coal train with 3x46 classes down from Lithgow costed only a few cents due to lost energy being recovered through regenerative braking and being fed to up trains. Meanwhile, the trailerbus would have to accelerate and stop, and potential energy going down slopes would be wasted.

Anyways, sorry for the length, but I’m currently very skeptical of the viability of the idea. I’d appreciate an answer to these arguments against.

[Swift]

Not to long at all. Very well written counter points.

[eddy]

Buses and semitrailers go 100 km/h.

The regional coach data is only historical and not in use.

True but if the XPT is canned the usage of buses will increase.

When you drive a Trailerbus you just switch a blue light on the back and keep driving and let police stop and assist you.

There would be others that prefer the XPT rather than flying or saving money and if there is enough protest it will stay.

Legally a driver can drive 5h with half hour break followed by a further 5h and half hour break followed by 2 hours.

As most coaches have a toilet people take a bottle of water to drink, I suppose they can wait for coffee.

I do not know why it is cheaper but I believe it is.

I suppose it would have the same wear as the XPT on rails but does not hold up freight trains.

I think the Trailerbus would have to have a 1,000 km electric prime mover to be considered.

People going all the way would probably fly unless they are broke, scared of planes or want to go to a smaller town.

Anyway I appreciate the debate and it really depends on how many people feel like you mate.

[Randomness]

Thank you. That does clear up some things I was wondering.

[eddy]

Got an email from Jarrett Walker with a photo of a bike next to a DD bus and I thought the problem with the photo is the bike should be on the bus rather than making a nuisance of himself on a busy road.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=r ... ZcPDBjjKDt

[hugh45]

Maybe that the bike rider did not have an Opal Card.

[eddy]

Maybe that the bike rider did not have an Opal Card.

I thought everybody in a first world country had one, as an old bus/truck driver I think bikes should be banned from busy roads as a hat will not protect you if you get hit by a B double.

[PG1]

Eddy,

Jarrett Walker
Can you provide the photo referred to so we can all view the situation?

Blue flashing light?
I am surprised that you are insisting in the installation of a blue flashing light.
You would no doubt be aware from your extensive years of developing your concept that it is (in New South Wales) illegal to display a blue flashing light (or red or white or green) in vehicles other than emergency vehicles (eg: police, fire, ambulance).
Perhaps you should try to get that situation changed.

Riot
If I was on the bus and a riot broke out I would like the bus to stop immediately so that the riot could continue whilst I exited the bus to safety.
The only bus I travel on is the 705 Parramatta to Blacktown via Westmead, Wentworthville, Pendle Hill, Girraween, Toongabbie, Seven Hills, Lalor Park and I very much doubt that a riot would happen on the 705.

Coach data
I am of the view that your comment about the regional coach data

The regional coach data is only historical and not in use

is incorrect. I have downloaded and viewed that data and it is up-to-date as of November 2023 = some 6 weeks ago. All data by logic is historical.

Bikes on Buses
Did you provide a submission to the Bikes on Buses in NSW trial in 2021 - I assume that with your interest in bicycles on buses you would have, although I know you must have been disappointed when the trail was closed. I assume that you would have been an avid proponent to have your Trailerbus included.
https://transportnsw.info/news/2021/bik ... bush-trial
https://bicyclenetwork.com.au/newsroom/ ... ush-trial/
https://transportnsw.info/news/2022/bik ... beyan-yass

Have you held discussions with Bicycle NSW (the peak advocacy body for bike riders in NSW) and discussed your proposals and sought their assistance in promoting it.

Perhaps a discount fare could be provided to the bike rider (the bicycle travels free) but the bike rider gets a discount - would this be a selling point?

History
I appreciate the below was in use for a very limited purpose (and doesn't completely fit your narrative) but I cannot locate any reference to it in all of your numerous postings, but nonetheless I attach for information of any interested readers.

https://londonist.com/london/transport/ ... l-bike-bus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQsk1r2_jwo

[eddy]

Those who call the shots are defintely against a Trailerbus and have doubled down rather than having an open mind so I am talking to a brick wall.

This may be the article on bike buses mate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQsk1r2_jwo&t=2s

[Swift]

I recently saw the video on those London bike buses. What a fizzer that was. They were built on light truck chassis. They obviously went to a lot of design effort only for them to get pulled after a few years due to very low utilisation.

[eddy]

I recently saw the video on those London bike buses. What a fizzer that was. They were built on light truck chassis. They obviously went to a lot of design effort only for them to get pulled after a few years due to very low utilisation.

Even though it was at a time when people were ditching bikes for cars it was pretty stupid to build four.

[eddy]

I thought long and hard about the Trailerbus and BALANCE is my favourite word and most people are more interested in how a bus looks rather than how safe or cheap it is and some people like to ride on busy roads but it would be good if they were encouraged to put their bike on a Trailerbus.

[eddy]

PG1

It is just a photo of a bike next to a double deck bus.

Rules are changed everyday and the driver would only turn it on with trouble brewing or in an emergency.

Of coarse if it looked like the public were in danger the driver would stop straight away.

Thanks for the coach data and it seems most coach services would need a Trailerbus although a few would need a standard coach but do not forget connecting Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra and Albury may kill the XPT as well as planes and trucks on that route.

It appears the bus drivers do not want the racks because of safety.

That is a good idea to encourage bike riders to use the Trailerbus rather then being a pain on some roads and I suggested this morning on a bike forum that anyone with a bike should ride free.

[eddy]

If kids ride to school and sport to stay healthy then the money saved on providing school buses would easily cover a free ride on the Trailerbus to encourage kids not to ride on dangerous roads.

[eddy]

An ABC podcast on bikes last night covered the old problems of shared paths knocking pedestrians, having to wear hats on conventional bikes and many people feeling afraid of cars on busy roads but one thing I thought was a great idea was in Queensland they SMS the parent when the kid arrives at school to reassure the parent the kid is OK.

[eddy]

The ten best electric or hydrogen prime movers video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc0HO3nh5b4

[eddy]

I am amazed how fast slow biking is compared to slow walking because most nights I can easily go a few kilometers in half an hour where I may not even be able to walk that far so getting rid of the school buses and keeping kids fit riding to school is a no brainer in my opinion but you have to allow them to ride a conventional bike without a hat or their pride gets in the way especially for girls.

[Frances]

Wouldn't it be illegal to ride without a helmet?

[eddy]

Wouldn't it be illegal to ride without a helmet?

We can change the law to be like most of the world as slow riding has the same risk as walking.

The stastastician who said making it mandatory did not account for the fact people just gave up riding and used a car instead.

[eddy]

After watching this I am convinced NSW is a nanny state that will not even try a Trailerbus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXuYn7iBidk

[eddy]

Evidently the catchment area for the first and last mile has proven far greater in Philadelphia and San Francisco when buses and trains take bikes.
https://www.academia.edu/5805222/Percep ... -read-more

[Frances]

slow riding has the same risk as walking.

..
Having fallen off a bike at slightly faster than walking pace at the age of 11 or so, come off second best, and still bearing some marks to this day, I would dispute that opinion. It was just as well for me that it happened on the footpath....