How to transfer to a Smartbus
Arrive at Chelsea Railway Station, Platform 2.
1. See direction sign for buses.
Note that Route 706 hasn't existed for at least seven years, and that directions to Route 857 (which also serves Chelsea) are missing!
2. View bus timetable at station.
Having timetables at stations is commendable, but unfortunately this one is very dated.
3. Note the Rail Substitute Bus stop, conveniently outside the station.
Our bus stop is now visible on the other side of Chelsea Rd. We'll walk to it in the 'approved' fashion, using the pedestrian lights provided.
4. Cross Station Street (a - b on map below).
5. Cross Chelsea Road (b - c on map below).
6. Cross Station Street again (c - d on map below).
Our bus stop, with a nice new-looking shelter is visible on the right.
7. Arrive at our bus stop.
8. View timetable to look up bus.
Again an old timetable, but a bit newer than the one at the station as it shows Sunday services!
9. Wait (for an unknown time due to the old timetable) and board bus.
Other points:
a. Instead of waiting for three sets of pedestrian crossing lights, here is the unofficial, unsignalised direct path that most transfering passengers take (a - d on map below).
Note that the concrete strips in the road are for signs and are not pedestrian refuges. Although the width may look daunting for some, and could be unsuitable for people in wheelchairs, this crossing point is safer than it looks as car traffic is not high.
b. The community information guide is provided outside the council building midway between two pedestrian lights on Station Street.
A location nearer the railway station and pedestrian signals may have been handier for alighting passengers and pedestrians.
Map of area
Conclusion
Smartbus aims include better passenger information, better connections and greater ease of transfer between services. Though Chelsea is a major point on the 888/889 Smartbus route, it does not appear that Smartbus principles have yet been extended to this end of the route.
It would seem that the Rail Substitute Stop is ideally located relative to both the railway station and the Chelsea shopping strip, and that this location should become the main stopping point for all northbound bus services.
1. See direction sign for buses.
Note that Route 706 hasn't existed for at least seven years, and that directions to Route 857 (which also serves Chelsea) are missing!
2. View bus timetable at station.
Having timetables at stations is commendable, but unfortunately this one is very dated.
3. Note the Rail Substitute Bus stop, conveniently outside the station.
Our bus stop is now visible on the other side of Chelsea Rd. We'll walk to it in the 'approved' fashion, using the pedestrian lights provided.
4. Cross Station Street (a - b on map below).
5. Cross Chelsea Road (b - c on map below).
6. Cross Station Street again (c - d on map below).
Our bus stop, with a nice new-looking shelter is visible on the right.
7. Arrive at our bus stop.
8. View timetable to look up bus.
Again an old timetable, but a bit newer than the one at the station as it shows Sunday services!
9. Wait (for an unknown time due to the old timetable) and board bus.
Other points:
a. Instead of waiting for three sets of pedestrian crossing lights, here is the unofficial, unsignalised direct path that most transfering passengers take (a - d on map below).
Note that the concrete strips in the road are for signs and are not pedestrian refuges. Although the width may look daunting for some, and could be unsuitable for people in wheelchairs, this crossing point is safer than it looks as car traffic is not high.
b. The community information guide is provided outside the council building midway between two pedestrian lights on Station Street.
A location nearer the railway station and pedestrian signals may have been handier for alighting passengers and pedestrians.
Map of area
Conclusion
Smartbus aims include better passenger information, better connections and greater ease of transfer between services. Though Chelsea is a major point on the 888/889 Smartbus route, it does not appear that Smartbus principles have yet been extended to this end of the route.
It would seem that the Rail Substitute Stop is ideally located relative to both the railway station and the Chelsea shopping strip, and that this location should become the main stopping point for all northbound bus services.
posted by Peter Parker | 6:50 PM
3 Comments:
Part of the problem here is the fact that the SmartBus program for 888/889 along Springvale Road terminates at Springvale Station along Springvale Road.
Since finally implementing the SmartBus trial along Blackburn and Springvale Roads in 2002 both of these routes have been neglected, as neither conforms to the new SmartBus standards.
Alex Makin
Resident of Ringwood
http://www.blogger.com/r?http://www.alexmakin.com.au
Thanks Alex, I wasn't aware of that.
Although current timetables and well-located stops is a basic need on all routes, Smarbus or not.
Peter,
Great review of the mess at Chelsea.
Normally buses coming from Nunawading arrive at the departure stop, so there may be a few concerns if the buses had to do a longer loop of the back streets of Chelsea before dropping passengers off - but otherwise relocating the stop seems the sensible soultion, or failing that, a new ped. crossing over Chelsea Road.
Regarding the timetables - on platform 1 a 706 timetable is still provided!!!
Also did you notice that at the main stop at Chelsea, Ventura has neglected to provide a timetable for the 3 daytime "shopper" trips to Mordialloc (& Box Hill). Instead the timetable is located at the far end of the station carpark, where buses u-turn. The car-park stop is rarely used by passengers...
(BTW, that Grenda's 888/9 timetable at the stop is current, despite the effective date of 14/7/03)
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