Ministerial Statement BUDGET PROVIDES MAJOR BOOST FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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Joint Statement:

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
04/06/2007

BUDGET PROVIDES MAJOR BOOST FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Beattie Government will spend $70 million over four years boosting bus services as part of its record $1.2 billion spending on public transport in tomorrow's budget.

Premier Peter Beattie today said the 2007-08 State Budget would include a record investment of $1.2 billion in public transport infrastructure and service improvements.

"Our boost to public transport includes more and better buses and trains, new and faster routes, and a growing world class network of dedicated busways," Mr Beattie said.

"It shows our clear commitment to continuing to deliver the infrastructure and services that have already seen massive growth in public transport patronage.

"Besides nearly half a billion dollars for building more busways and bus priority measures, it also provides $70 million over four years to boost bus services and address growth in passenger demand.

"This will put around 100 more buses on the road in high demand and growth areas across South East Queensland.

"TransLink is currently examining where these services will go but hopes to have all 100 buses on the road within two years."

Mr Beattie said the new services would utilise Brisbane's world-class busway network.

"Within the next year - more than six months ahead of schedule - people will be travelling by bus from the Royal Children's Hospital at Herston through to the CBD on the Inner Northern Busway without having to use any public streets," Mr Beattie said.

"The $333 million INB extension will join together the southern and northern parts of the busway network, so a passenger can travel across the city from Herston to Eight Mile Plains without needing to leave the busway.

"It will also link the busway network to the rail network with around 760 train services and 2000 bus services linking at the Roma Street Transit Centre.

"By travelling underground from Roma Street to Queen Street, with a major busway station under King George Square, the INB will remove hundreds of buses from city streets.

"That will deliver travel time savings for bus passengers of up to 20 minutes a trip, and reduce congestion on inner city streets."

Rail is also receiving a major boost, with $502 million delivered for track and rolling stock upgrades in the South-East Queensland Citytrain network.

Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said the State Government was also delivering a number of important initiatives across regional Queensland.

"We're boosting our efforts across the state to ensure better linkages between transport services to make the network more relevant for Queenslanders wherever they live," Ms Bligh said.

"We will work with transport providers, including taxi, bus, ferry and air service operators, to bring about better service connections and improved frequency of services in regional centres.

Ms Bligh said the State Government would provide $11.25 million under the SchoolBUS and SteepBUS programs to provide newer, safer buses for the Queensland school bus fleet

"We'll also spend $2.6 million to continue the government's program to provide wheelchair accessible taxis to 80 rural communities

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said the record funding would help consolidate the growth of public transport - particularly in South East Queensland.

"With the introduction of TransLink and integrated ticketing in the South-East, and major service improvements provided in regional centres, Queenslanders have been flocking to public transport in increasing numbers," Mr Lucas said.

"Since TransLink started in 2004, we have funded the purchase of more than 500 new buses and seen patronage increase by nearly 30%.

"Expansion of our busway network will deliver even greater results and attract still more people to choose public transport."

Mr Lucas said $22.4 million was also being provided for a major upgrade of Brunswick Street Citytrain Station.

"The Brunswick Street Station upgrade is a complex and major infrastructure challenge, but one that needed to be met to provide the access, efficiency and modern environment passengers expect of the region's third busiest station."

4 June, 2007

Media inquiries: (07) 3224 4500
Minister for Transport (07) 3237 1942

Public transport highlights in the south-east corner include:

? $502 million for track and rolling stock upgrades in the South-East Queensland Citytrain network. This includes $274.8 million for upgrades and duplication of existing tracksIt also includes $104.6 million for the manufacture of new Citytrain carriages.
? $129 million to complete the $333 million Inner Northern Busway extension from Queen Street through King George Square and Roma Street to the existing busway at Countess Street
? $103.3 million to commence construction of the Northern Busway from Herston to Kedron, and eventually to Bracken Ridge
? $85.8 million to continue construction of the Eastern Busway (Boggo Road Busway) from the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to Princess Alexandra Hospital
? $77 million for the planning, design and early works of the rail component of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project
? $70 million over four years from 2007-08 to provide more and improved public transport services and to address growth in passenger demand
? $50 million towards planning and construction of the Eastern Busway from Princess Alexandra Hospital to Buranda Busway Station, including an elevated busway station within the hospital
? $46.7 million towards planning and land acquisition of the 17km Eastern Busway section from Buranda to Capalaba
? $29 million to improve disability access to Queensland Rail infrastructure and trains
? $28.3 million to continue planning for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System
? $22.4 million for a major upgrade to Brunswick Street Citytrain Station
? $22.5 million to continue expansion of the South-East Queensland Cycle Network, including $5 million for completion of the $15.1 million Normanby Cycleway Connection
? $20.9 million for bus priority measures on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast
? $19 million for improvements to bus infrastructure, including bus shelters, across South-East Queensland
? $15 million for planning a major railway track upgrade between Beerburrum and Landsborough
? $13.8 million to continue construction of the Robina Transport Hub, to provide a quality transport interchange servicing the new Gold Coast stadium
? $3 million to continue planning for the CAMCOS rail link on the Sunshine Coast
? $1 million for planning a major upgrade of the railway track between Landsborough and Nambour.

Regional Queensland will benefit from:

? $33.1 million for replacement of old timber bridges, including pedestrian bridges, throughout the Queensland Rail network
? $18.5 million for maintaining and upgrading the Mount Isa railway line
? $11.25 million under the SchoolBUS and SteepBUS programs to provide newer, safer buses for the Queensland school bus fleet
? $3.5 million for improvements to country airports under the Regional Airport Development Scheme
? $2.6 million to continue the government's program to provide wheelchair accessible taxis to 80 rural communities
? $1 million to support the purchase of accessible buses by transport operators
? $935,000 to continue an upgrade of the railway line between Nambour and Gladstone
? $800,000 to continue the government's $9.45 million commitment to install security cameras in taxis throughout the state

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