Ministerial Statement: Public transport boost helps party season run smoothly

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
07/12/2007

Public transport boost helps party season run smoothly

The south east corner's popular late night public transport services are being boosted to help get holiday season revellers home safely.

Transport Minister John Mickel today said the Queensland Government would provide extra NightLink bus and taxi services for the thousands of people pouring into City and Valley pubs and clubs over Christmas and New Year.

"The party people of Brisbane love the convenient, affordable, and safe alternative that NightLink public transport provides them," he said.

"From when it started two years ago, the NightLink bus, train and taxi services have transported around 380,000 people.

"Party time is now underway in the City and the Valley from now until New Year and we want to get our late night revellers home safely.

"I encourage everyone who's in town having a drink for Christmas to leave the car keys at home and jump in a NightLink bus, train or taxi."

NightLink FlatFare taxi ranks have already brought back their starting time from midnight to 10pm and run through until 5.30 am. This will continue until 22 December and again on New Year's Eve.

As well, experienced taxi marshals will be in position at NightLink FlatFare ranks from 10pm to help patrons form groups travelling to the same area.

NightLink buses are running twice as often ---- every 30 minutes instead of every hour --- from tonight (Friday, 7 December) until 29 December and again on New Year's Eve until 5.30am.

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

Extra New Year's Eve bus and train services will also help revellers travelling to and from the City for the fireworks.

QR Citytrain services will depart South Bank, South Brisbane, Roma Street, Central and Brunswick Street stations after the 9pm fireworks. Extra buses will operate on selected routes.

For more information on services during the holiday period visit www.translink.com.au or call TransLink on 13 12 30.