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school transport
I go to Merrewether High School and I currently catch the 350 or the 349. There are two buses every five to ten minutes on weekdays after three o'clock and two of those are always full. Most of the people from my school get off the bus at Charlstown and either go home from there or catch another bus. I have looked at the new bus routes and there are absolutely no buses that go past our shool and Charlstown. How are these people supposed to get home if there are no buses and their parents work? The bus system is bad enough as it is but how bad will it be after the changes are put into place?
Comment 1 19 Nov 2007, 6:17 PM
i also go to merewether high.
after two buses arrive(which are illegaly overcrowded)people still cannot go home. When the next bus comes, it is full of students from saint francis zavier. they take up two buses aswell and the people who miss the first two busses from merewether high have to wait almost an hour to get home and miss the bus.
when i saw the new bus routes, i was outraged that the 350 and 349 had been moved. There aren't enough busses as there is!
we need to either not change the 350 and 349 or get a school bus that follows the old route through brunker road.
Comment 2 20 Nov 2007, 2:02 PM
The routes from Charlestown into broadmeadow do need attention. these are always busy - why would you cut them back?
Comment 3 20 Nov 2007, 2:07 PM
school transport is very important, not just for the schools they service but for the rest of the community who also need to fight to get onto the overcrowded buses. There is clearly a need for a service from Merewether High to Charlestown. Is a designated school service an option? How are school buses decided? Does it come from the school or from the bus company?
Comment 4 20 Nov 2007, 8:09 PM
It is wrong to say "there are absolutely no buses that go past our school and Charlestown" - under the proposed changes, the 317 will continue to operate from Nineways, the 322 from Brunker Road and Deza's, and the 320/321 will run from Glebe Road, which isn't that much further of a walk from the school as it is to Nineways (I used to go to MHS). There are also School Special Routes 824 and 869.
Comment 4.1 20 Nov 2007, 9:09 PM
the 317 and 322 have much longer routes and people miss their busses at charlestown when they catch them.
Comment 4.2 20 Nov 2007, 9:24 PM
I have looked at the new bus routes over and over again and i do not see any buses that go directly to Charlestown. Most of my friends catch that bus to go to swimming training or to get to the next bus on time that have to go to Charlestown.
You say that you went to Merewether High, was that before the bus timetable changed. Unless you're 20 then probably not. Did you catch the bus to Charlestown? I have trouble getting on and off the bus. Im sure that doesn't change every year as the minoraty are year sevens.
Comment 4.3 21 Nov 2007, 9:58 AM
If the school special routes 824 and 869 do exist, they do not appear on the Newcastle Buses web site with the list of all school special services to Merewether High school.
Comment 4.4 5 Dec 2007, 6:52 PM
If you went to MHS you would know that the 317 take atleast 45 minutes to get to Charlie and the 824 takes close to it.
Comment 4.5 18 Dec 2007, 11:03 PM
thats true, the 317 and the 322 will get kids from charlestown to merewether high school, but they take much more time and the bust stops are inconvenient for people who dont live near charlestown square where the bus excxhange is (eg. gateshead highway) or in jewels, where neither of those buses go. also, im sure the public want to use those services
Comment 5 21 Nov 2007, 10:53 AM
I finished MHS after the last review, i.e. the current system was in place. I did not catch the bus to Charlestown, and I know they were crowded, but I know that a lot of extra services were put on over the years to Charlestown, and I can't see why that wouldn't happen again.
The 824 and 869 are shown on the Newcastle Buses site, but aren't linked to MHS since they only stop at Nineways.
Comment 5.1 21 Nov 2007, 3:13 PM
according to newcastle buses web site route 869 runs to and from HSPA. This is a good 15min walk from MHS. My concern is how my children will get to Highfields with the current three full bus services replaced by one bus. If I was going to sit back and assume that extra services would be put on, then I wouldn't be participating in this community consultation in order to make my needs known.
Comment 5.1.1 21 Nov 2007, 10:20 PM
If you look even closer you'll see that PM 869 services start from Nineways, specifically for MHS students. This route passes through Highfields.
Comment 5.1.1.1 22 Nov 2007, 7:38 PM
and does this go past charlestown or not!? it isn't highfelds im concerned about it's charlestown
Comment 5.1.1.1.1 22 Nov 2007, 10:51 PM
cal123 was concerned with Highfields. I already mentioned the 869 goes through Charlestown, and gave you a link to the route map!
Comment 5.1.1.2 18 Dec 2007, 8:44 AM
man3668 thankyou for your info. My children have started geting the PM 869 home from school and it is a great service. (I hope it lasts!)
Comment 5.2 22 Nov 2007, 8:25 PM
so you went to school in 2005? how did you like the principal mr Jones?
if they are school busses then why aren't they related to any schools? nineways isn't a school.
Why can't the 350 be a school bus?
Comment 5.2.1 22 Nov 2007, 10:09 PM
It is much easier for scheduling purposes for the 869 to start at Nineways, since I've noticed it often comes off a regular inward 226 trip which terminates at Nineways - it just has to turn around, not go all the way up to MHS. It then operates via HSPA. As for the 824, it starts at Newcastle Grammar, and it is quicker for it to travel direct via Belford Street as opposed to MHS. The 350 isn't a school bus, because they can have greater patronage on a regular service trip, as opposed to carrying only a third or less of a bus load all the way to Swansea Heads - that's not really worth it. I have no idea who Mr Jones is.
Comment 5.3 21 Dec 2007, 11:43 AM
alright i have to agree with you about the 869 because ALL OF THE BUSSES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED and i have been using it.
Comment 6 22 Nov 2007, 6:41 PM
All school bus routes including "specials" should be shown on the route maps and timetables.
The data base should allow the selection of all schools, TAFE campuses and Uni campuses and show all the routes and services to and from each institution.
Comment 6.1 22 Nov 2007, 10:52 PM
There are over 150 school routes, the maps would be very incomprehensible if you put everything on there.
Comment 6.1.1 23 Nov 2007, 11:04 AM
Well where is the list?
The route map could show school buses on school bus version of the route map.
If there are 150 school bus routes and Newcastle buses only has 160 buses on the road does that mean there is only 10 buses not doing school routes?
Comment 6.1.1.1 23 Nov 2007, 11:20 AM
You can find the list at http://www.newcastlebuses.info/schools/sstsnewcastle/SearchRoutePage.php - the route list is on the left. You can get timetables and maps of all school services from this page.
The 150 school routes don't operate at the same time - some are AM only, some are PM only, and some can be operated by the same bus, for example one that leaves somewhere a 7.30am and gets to school at 8 can then turn around and do another special until 9 - I would imagine you can cram quite a few specials into a driver's roster since many are short.
Comment 6.1.2 23 Nov 2007, 11:07 AM
All school buses should be able to carry other passengers. Even specials on the way to the school should show on the route map as some people may wish to travel to the school. eg mums wishing to pick up their kids to take them on to another destination.
Comment 7 23 Nov 2007, 8:53 PM
I caught a 350 today which went through Broadmeadow at the time MHS finished.
Can I please make a suggestion to all students - try and board at ONE bus stop. It was painful - not only for the driver and the passengers - to have to collect MHS students at no less than FIVE separate stops - the two before Nineways, Nineways itself, and the two after it along Brunker Road. This is not the right way to support a public transport system, it just makes the journey longer for others.
I know that Sydney Buses restricts the regular stops which students can use around schools.
Comment 7.1 24 Nov 2007, 3:06 PM
Mate you have got your priorities seriouisly out of whack. The purpose of public transport is to serve the comunity not the other way around. Do you really expect high school students to board at just one bus stop to avoid inconveniencing the bus driver! You wouldnt happen to work for Newcastle Buses would you!??
Comment 7.1.1 24 Nov 2007, 5:18 PM
No, but I can imagine what it would be like to be a driver - they put up with enough crap as it is. Public transport and the community have to work with each other. You'd hate Sydney, where you can only board certain routes (not only school specials - but everything) at certain stops.
Comment 7.1.1.1 10 Dec 2007, 8:16 PM
drivers make us put up with crap!
one kicked a kindergarten off the bus last week because he forgot his bus pass
and you think they put up with it!
Comment 7.2 24 Nov 2007, 3:07 PM
LOL! It would be a great system if it wasnt for them pesky passengers!
Comment 7.3 25 Nov 2007, 8:40 PM
school students have every right to catch buses. If you begrudge other passengers using your bus route then perhaps you should drive.
Comment 7.3.1 25 Nov 2007, 9:54 PM
I didn't say that shouldn't catch services - that would be stupid - all I said was board at one stop...sorry if that was offensive...
Comment 7.4 3 Dec 2007, 9:53 AM
i was one of the two people who got on before nineways
on a friday there is only one bus and we go to as far back as we can so that we actually can get on.
Comment 7.4.1 10 Dec 2007, 8:13 PM
also, if we weren't in uniform, would you complain about us getting on the bus?
Comment 7.4.2 5 Jan 2008, 10:34 PM
We need to remember some very import facts here.
Firstly The bus company MUST provide enough capacity to carry ALL bus pass holders. If not they are in breach of their school transport contract.
Secondly Newcastle buses must provide a bus service to 90% of the people at no greater than 500m in week day day time otherwise it is in breach of its service obligation.
Comment 7.5 5 Dec 2007, 6:57 PM
There are different types of students- some like to walk and actually get seats on the bus and others prefer not to walk but not get seats. It is their choice NOT YOURS.
Comment 7.5.1 11 Dec 2007, 9:06 PM
The Austraslian Greenhouse Office actually encourages students to walk instead of catching a poluting bus.
Comment 7.6 18 Dec 2007, 11:05 PM
i guess that must be annoying, but kids walk the extra distance to make sure that they can actually get on the buses!
Comment 8 24 Nov 2007, 3:21 PM
on the new proposal the 226 been taken away require this service from Broadmeadow as school children require this route to Waratah high and also it is the direct route from broadmeadow to waratah to local shopping centre the people who redid routes do not obviously catch buses or live in the area we have also lost direct fast route to charlestown and kotara I require 226 349 & 322 for work and just general travel as use public transport as do not drive and for 30yrs have used buses to attend work if you take any route away it will intefer in my acces to any branch I may have to work at I feel Broadmeadow is a central and mager area as have a mager train station so need access to any direct bus route as a connection to the rail station and on to cbd and other districts
Comment 9 27 Nov 2007, 12:50 PM
Hey lily! I'm like sitting nxt to you in IA right now but oh well.
Nah I totally agree, i catch the 833 and it's always really crowded until one stop when like everyone gets off.
People always have to get off the bus and then get back on. (Once the bus driver forgot the people and drove off!!!)
It's not as big a deal but leather seats and too many people make for an unpleasant bus trip!!!
Comment 9.1 2 Dec 2007, 3:36 PM
very true, sally?
though i catch a bus for only school kids (140)
i have had to catch lily's bus and found it difficult to even get on the bus.
the bus systems are stupid,
Comment 10 18 Dec 2007, 10:59 PM
i dont know how you can justify taking both the 349 and the 350 off Brunker road when so many school kids and people wanting to go to the adamstown shops or broadmeadow use that route. Because the two routes are so similar after Charlestown, couldn't you leave one route on Brunker road and change the other route to Newcastle road?
Comment 11 24 Dec 2007, 5:50 PM
Alright, I'll take back what I said about students boarding at earlier stops than Nineways to get a seat.
But there's no excuse for the generally awful behaviour of Merewether High students on the 349/350. Not all students - but most.
Why do you insist on talking so loudly to each other (and often across other, regular passengers)?
Why must you argue constantly on the trip?
Why do you not stand up the back when it's obvious there are going to be so many people getting on?
It's not only frustrating for the passengers, but it would be incredibly irritating for the driver - all these loud shrieks and conversations while trying to control a heavy vehicle!
It certainly doesn't reflect well on MHS (and I'm not just singling that school out - unfortunately it's most every school which seems to have this problem).
Bus drivers are there to get you home - so why not treat them with some respect for a change.
Often it's not just the bus network that needs to be updated - but it's the opinion of the passengers too.
Comment 11.1 10 Jan 2008, 6:44 PM
one of the key principles of selling is the customer is ALWAYS right. That means ALWAYS! You are selling bus seats.