Ministerial Statement: qconnect - a new deal for North Stradbroke Island ...

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
23/05/2008

qconnect - a new deal for North Stradbroke Island transport

Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Gary Fenlon and Member for Cleveland, Phil Weightman launched qconnect - North Stradbroke Island in Cleveland today.

Qconnect will see standardised bus fares, add more services and will make life easier for North Stradbroke Islanders with the introduction of the qconnect system from June 10.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Gary Fenlon said the new system was designed to provide a high standard of public transport services to regional Queensland.

"The system is about ensuring adequate services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Fenlon said.

Member for Cleveland, Phil Weightman said "for North Stradbroke Islanders, it means bus fares will be charged according to the new qconnect zonal system.

"Bus users will find they pay the same or less for their normal trip under qconnect.

"This shows how Premier, Anna Bligh is planning and managing our growth even for our more remote areas.

"The most significant fare change will be the adult single fare, which will see a reduction from $5.00 to $4.10 for two zones and $1.80 for one zone fares" Mr Weightman said.

qconnect fare and ticketing changes will provide:

? more equitable fares across the state
? an integrated ticketing system so only one ticket is needed to move from one service to another within the number of zones purchased
? modern air-conditioned buses that are accessible to people with a disability
? an upgrade of existing signage and timetables
? modernised bus stops that are accessible to people with a disability
? redesigned bus services to ensure better connections between each service and with mainland rail services
? improved coordination of long-distance air and coach services with regional city bus services.

Mr Fenlon said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election c ommitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional Queensland.

"Through qconnect, the State Government is working with local transport operators to make services more in tune with community needs and more attractive to commuters in areas that are not covered by Translink," he said.

"We're aiming to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home and choose a public transport option instead.

"And of course, fewer cars on our roads will reduce congestion and exhaust fumes."
Mr Fenlon said the introduction of standardised fares and integrated ticketing in southeast Queensland, saw public transport patronage increase by 30 per cent in three years.

"We expect qconnect to have a similar impact in regional centres," he said.
"The State Government will ensure that qconnect monitors and meets increases in demand."

Mr Fenlon said the distinctive qconnect signage would be on bus stops, buses, ferries an d subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland.

"The qconnect name will be on State Government-supported public transport services, including urban and long-distance bus networks, infrastructure, timetables and the rural and remote regulated aviation network, in regional Queensland," he said.

"Where you see qconnect, it means we are working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community."

Detailed information packs including new timetables, fare and zone information will be posted to North Stradbroke Island residents in early June.

23 May 2008

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[haakon]

Wonderful news for North Stradbroke Island, lets hope the go a little further south and fix the Southern Moreton Bay Islands as well.

I spend more money on the Ferry to the mainland each day (6kms, less than the Citycat service end to end) than the bus that gets me to the city (40kms+ zones 1-7). The car parks at each side are overflowing and the local council shows no sign of fixing that problem either.