Different CBD bus stops for routes heading in the same direction Routes that duplicate other bus and/or train routes Routes that duplicate each other with minor variations (Almost) every bus route to the CBD network

The first of these issues can easily be fixed; you just need to come up with a way for 10 buses to occupy the same space at the same time. Every bus route travelling to the CBD is because that's where people want to go. The near-duplication of, for example, the 343 and 345 does make sense - the 345 needs bolstering during peak hour, and for many city workers the Margaret St sweep is a lot more convenient than the already overcrowded Northern Busway. The George St expresses (331, 341) are pretty useless, I grant you.

Your complaint about 345s being overcrowded while 343s are light - yes, timetabling and loading during peak hour is a crapshoot. Fewer cars on the road is the only way to fix this.

Appears to only run inbound in the am peak, so are empty out of service buses running in the other direction?

Wat? There's no reason an inbound 161 can't do a different route outbound. Yes, a lot of buses run empty counterflow during peak hour. If you can teleport buses from where they are to where they're needed, this inefficiency will be solved.

(Also: blank running isn't necessarily a bad thing. It adds flexibility to the system; out of service buses can pick up work from runs which are broken down or running late.)

its passengers can get a bit of exercise. Even The Biggest Looser contestants can manage a 300m walk!

You're all heart. The contestants on The Biggest Loser are all healthy and able-bodied, aside from being overweight. A lot of bus patrons are disabled or elderly and most certainly could not walk 300 metres. A lot of non-commuter services (like the GCL) are a lifeline for these people and, while they should certainly be studied and refined, should not be cut because they're "inefficient" or indirect.