Ministerial Statement: New phase of public transport planning in Cairns

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
28/10/2008

New phase of public transport planning in Cairns

In Cairns today, Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Transport John Mickel launched the Cairns Transit Network, which would link Palm Cove to Gordonvale and all neighbourhoods in between.

"The Cairns Transit Network will improve the region's public transport while protecting its unique lifestyle and environment now and into the future," Ms Bligh said.

"The transit network will make public transport faster and more reliable because buses will get their own dedicated space in the transport network.

"Buses take priority in the network plan - either through bus lanes or on bus-only roads, making it easier to move around Cairns on public transport."

The network will connect all major centres in the Cairns area, including the Northern Beaches, Smithfield, the airport, Earlville, Edmonton, Gordonvale and the central business district.

Comprising three public transport spines, it will become the centre of Cairns' public transport system.

The three proposed spines are:

Northern spine - from the Cairns Central Business District to Palm Cove via Smithfield

Southern spine - from the Cairns Central Business District to Gordonvale via Edmonton

Western spine - from Earlville to Smithfield via Redlynch.

Existing cane train lines are proposed to be used in some parts of the network, while other areas could utilise on-road bus lanes or bus-only roads separated from general traffic.

Mr Mickel said Cairns' growth was the envy of the world but this was placing pressure on the city's lifestyle and transport system.

"We need to find the right balance between private and public transport but we do want to get more people out of their cars and onto public transport to keep Cairns clean and green," he said.

"The Cairns Transit Network will help cement Cairns' reputation as the tourism capital of Far North Queensland.

"Cairns needs a public transport system that suits its lifestyle - for residents and tourists alike.

"Climate change and peak oil are real issues facing us. This network will help tackle these issues by reducing overall vehicle emissions through reducing car use and improving air quality into the future.

"It will be a significant step in helping to protect the future of the fragile natural environment Cairns is famous for," Mr Mickel said.

Mr Mickel said Queensland Transport was already delivering public transport initiatives in Cairns through qconnect.

The qconnect initiatives include service changes for easy transfers, standardisation of fares and zones, updated timetables and signage for travel on air-conditioned, disability-accessible buses.

Mr Mickel invited community feedback on the network plan at public displays, via newsletter, a freecall telephone number, a reply-paid postal service and through the project website.

The project website is www.transport.qld.gov.au/cairnstransitnetwork

Consultation is open until 5 December and Queensland Transport is scheduled to release a Draft Concept Design for further comment in early 2009.

ENDS

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[mufreight]

obviously an election comming, again less than well thought out if they intend taking over the right of way of cane tramways for busways and put hundred of thousands of tonnes of cane on road transport instead of energy efficient rail.  But then this is the "SMART" state and it still hurts.