CityGlider is a brand name applied to a pair of high-frequency bus routes operated by Transport for Brisbane in Brisbane, Australia. Bus stops serviced by the CityGlider services are identified with signs and painted kerb. Both operate 24 hours a day on Fridays and Saturdays.[1] Both are operated by dedicated fleets of buses vinyled in either blue or maroon liveries with a gliding possum motif, which was originally illustrated by Anya Lange.

CityGlider route 60

The CityGlider service is pre-paid only, meaning passengers are required to use a go card to touch on/off when boarding and exiting the service. To assist with keeping the service running on-time, both front and rear boarding is possible. (Post COVID all buses allow front and rear door boarding)

Blue CityGlider

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60
 
Overview
SystemTranslink
OperatorTransport for Brisbane
GarageEagle Farm
Began service11 April 2010
Route
StartWest End ferry wharf
ViaCultural Centre busway station
Adelaide Street
Fortitude Valley
Newstead
EndTeneriffe ferry wharf
Service
LevelDaily

The Blue CityGlider was launched on 11 April 2010.[2][3] also known as route 60, the Blue CityGlider runs from West End ferry wharf via the Cultural Centre busway station, Adelaide Street, Fortitude Valley and Newstead to Teneriffe ferry wharf.[4]

It runs every five minutes during morning and afternoon peak and every 10 to 15 minutes during off-peak. It was also the first service in Brisbane to operate 24 hours on Friday and Saturday and operates for 18 hours every other day.[2]

In April 2014 a petition started by a local worker was signed by 1,070 people and called upon the Brisbane Transport to reroute the westbound service from Teneriffe via Skyring Terrace past the Gasworks Shopping and Restaurant Precinct rather than via Commercial Road. Brisbane City Council supported the rerouting of the service and relocating the Commercial Road bus stop to Skyring Terrace. These changes were implemented on 15 December 2014.[5][6]

The Blue CityGliders were garaged at Brisbane Transport's Bowen Hills depot, then Toowong depot after Bowen Hills depot was closed, until early 2020 when all were transferred to the Eagle Farm Depot. This occurred in preparation for the introduction of Volvo B8RLEA Volrgen Optimuses to the route.[7] In January 2019, the Blue CityGlider fleet was replaced with new Volvo B8RLE’s (Fleet number 2820-2838), replacing the previous-generation MAN 18.310's (Fleet number 1030-1049). On 12 July 2021, the Volvo B8RLE's were replaced by the Volvo B8RLEA's articulated buses. These buses could carry about 50% more passengers and are based out of the Eagle Farm depot (number from 1653-1670).[8][9]

Maroon CityGlider

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61
 
Overview
SystemTranslink
OperatorTransport for Brisbane
GarageCarina
Began service18 February 2013
Route
StartAshgrove
ViaPaddington
South Bank busway station
Woolloongabba busway station
Stones Corner
EndCoorparoo Square
Service
LevelDaily

This second CityGlider east to west route commenced on 18 February 2013.[10] Also known as route 61, the Maroon CityGlider runs from Ashgrove via Paddington, South Bank busway station, Woolloongabba busway station and Stones Corner to Coorparoo Square.[11] It connects major sporting, entertainment, shopping and dining precincts.[12]

The Maroon CityGliders are garaged at Brisbane Transport's Carina depot, using a fleet of 13 Volgren CR228L bodied Volvo B7RLEs (Fleet number 2036-2048).

Proposed Gold CityGlider

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Proposed Gold CityGlider
Overview
SystemTranslink
OperatorTransport for Brisbane
StatusProposed
Route
StartNorthshore Hamilton
ViaNewstead
Bowen Hills railway station
Fortitude Valley
Mary Street
EndWoolloongabba busway station
Service
FrequencyDaily

The Gold CityGlider is a proposed new CityGlider service. It is proposed to run from Northshore Hamilton via Newstead, Bowen Hills railway station, Fortitude Valley and Mary Street to Woolloongabba busway station.[13] It is proposed to connect to Portside Wharf, Breakfast Creek, RNA showgrounds, Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley shopping and dining precincts, Albert Street / Mary Street / Eagle Street retail and dining precincts in the CBD (including 1 William Street, Queens Wharf Brisbane, Parliament House, QUT Gardens Point and the future Cross River Rail station at Albert Street), The Gabba and the Woolloongabba dining precinct.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "CityGlider bus services". www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b Trenwith, Courtney (11 April 2010). "Brisbane's 24-hour buses hit the road". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  3. ^ Mass transit investigation report (PDF). Brisbane City Council. September 2007.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Route 60 Blue CityGlider Brisbane Transport
  5. ^ Newstead gasworks precinct needs this bus stop as its already home to a major employer Energex with new headquarters for both Bank of Queensland and Tatts Group on the way Archived 19 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine Quest Community Newspapers 12 August 2014
  6. ^ City Glider-to-be-rerouted Archived 16 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine Brisbane Times 14 August 2014
  7. ^ "ATDB • View topic - Transport for Brisbane Observations 2020". www.busaustralia.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Supersized CityGlider to carry hundreds of extra passengers in peak hour - Westender - West End 4101". 11 July 2021.
  9. ^ "CityGlider bus services".
  10. ^ Feeney, Katherine (11 February 2013). "CityGlider spreads its wings". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  11. ^ High frequency services (includes BUZ and CityGlider)[permanent dead link] Brisbane Transport
  12. ^ Route 61 Maroon CityGlider Brisbane Transport
  13. ^ admin (16 June 2021). "New 'Gold' CityGlider proposed to service high-growth areas". Adrian Schrinner. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.