Bus Driving Santa - Launch of strengthed NightLink Services

[ozbob]

At 1pm today (27th Nov) there was a launch of strengthened NightLink services by Minister for Transport John Mickel, next to the Queensland Parliament.

"Santa the bus driver will drop into Parliament House to promote the improved bus, train and taxi services."

Some photographs:















Photographs R Dow 27th November 2008

[ozbob]

From TransLink

Additional NightLink services for this festive season - effective 28 November 2008

TransLink is operating additional late night transport services this festive season, from Friday 28 November to Saturday, 20 December and on New Year's Eve. NightLink bus, train and FlatFare taxi services are running all night to get you home safely.

Bus

    * NightLink bus services will depart every 30 minutes between 1am and 5.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Train

    * NightLink train services (Ipswich, Beenleigh and Caboolture lines) will depart city stations from around 4am.

FlatFare taxi

    * NightLink FlatFare taxi ranks will operate from 10pm to 5.30am on Friday and Saturday evenings from 20 November 2008 to 27 December 2008 and on New Year's Eve.
    * Dedicated NightLink FlatFare taxi ranks are located in:
         1. George Street (at top of Treasury taxi rank)
         2. Eagle Street (at top of taxi rank outside Fridays)
         3. Queen Street (outside MacArthur Chambers)
         4. Warner Street in Fortitude Valley (approaching Wickham Street).
    * You can view more information on the NightLink FlatFare taxi service if you are not familiar with how it works.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
27/11/2008

Extra NightLink public transport services scheduled for festive season

Brisbane late-night public transport services are gearing up for the festive season with NightLink bus services doubling their frequency to run half-hourly and FlatFare taxi ranks opening two hours earlier.

Minister for Transport John Mickel said today NightLink buses would be ramped up from 105 to 210 services both on Friday and Saturday nights over coming weekends to cater for increased demand.

Mr Mickel said: "The demand for late-night public transport is higher services during this time of year, and the expanded NightLink bus services will start tomorrow night.

"Last December around 20,000 people were transported home safely and efficiently on NightLink services," he said.

"TransLink is responding by again providing the extra NightLink services to cope with demand.

"With end-of-year staff parties and other festivities, it is a very busy period for venues in the City and Valley. We want to make sure people who are out enjoying Christmas cheer get home safely and without undue delay."

NightLink buses will run from 1am until 5.30am every 30 minutes, instead of the normal hourly services, from 28 November until 20 December and again on New Year's Eve.

Mr Mickel said FlatFare taxis - typically utilising maxi-taxis - had also proven very popular among public transport users.

"Since July this year, FlatFare taxis alone have transported around 40,000 passengers at an average of six passengers each trip," he said.

The extra NightLink bus services and extended FlatFare taxi services for New Year's Eve would continue until 5.30am on 1 January 2009.

NightLink trains to Ipswich, Beenleigh and Caboolture will also continue to operate until around 4am on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December.

For more information on the extra NightLink services visit www.translink.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

FLATFARE - HOW IT WORKS

    * FlatFare services are provided from four secure taxi ranks - Warner Street in the Valley, which is by far the most popular, and in the City ranks at Edward Street, Eagle Street and George Street.

    * Passengers travelling in the same direction are grouped together by a taxi marshal and pay a flat fare to the marshal - not the taxi driver - for their shared trip.

    * The fare is more than for a NightLink bus but less than a metered taxi fare.

?FlatFare taxis will operate on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm instead of midnight from 21 November until 27 December and on New Year's Eve.

?Experienced taxi marshals will be in position at FlatFare ranks to help patrons form groups travelling to the same area.

    * Normal metered services are also available from these taxi ranks in the City and Valley throughout the festive season.

27 November 2008

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