Ministerial Statement: Catching public transport this festive season? Check ...

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
19/12/2008

Catching public transport this festive season? Check your timetable

Need a cheap, air-conditioned transport option with your own driver over the festive season?

Transport Minister John Mickel has urged people to catch public transport where possible over the Christmas and New Year period, especially after enjoying a few drinks at Christmas parties and functions.

Mr Mickel reminded public transport users to familiarise themselves with altered bus, train and ferry timetables on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

"TransLink's different operators will have varying service levels on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to match the demand over the holiday season," he said.

"If you plan to catch public transport on these days, make sure you call the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit our website, www.translink.com.au to ensure you are familiar with the arrangements."

He said all TransLink operators would work to Sunday or public holiday timetables on Boxing Day except Mount Gravatt Bus Lines, which was offering no services.

"All TransLink operators will be running their regular Wednesday timetables on New Year's Eve, and to their Sunday/public holiday timetables on New Year's Day," Mr Mickel said.

He said late-night public transport services in Brisbane had also been bolstered over the festive season to get revellers home after a Friday or Saturday night out.

"The frequency of NightLink bus services on a Friday and Saturday night has been doubled to half-hourly between 1am and 5.30am up until December 20 and again on New Year's Eve," Mr Mickel said.

"NightLink services leaving the Valley and City on Friday and Saturday nights are very popular - you don't have to wait for a cab, or worry about parking, and they're inexpensive."

Mr Mickel emphasised that Brisbane Transport, Brisbane City Council Ferries, Hornibrook Bus Lines, Laidley Bus Service, QR, Sunbus, Surfside Bus Lines and Veolia Transport were implementing either Sunday, public holiday or special timetables on Christmas Day.

"Please be aware that Bribie Island Coaches, Caboolture Bus Lines, Kangaroo Bus Lines, Logan City Bus Service, Mount Gravatt Bus Lines, Park Ridge Transit, Thompson Bus Service and Westside Bus Company will not be offering services on Christmas Day," he said.

For more information about public transport over the Christmas and New Year period, visit www.translink.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

==============================================================