Ministerial Statement: Qconnect - a better solution in regional transport

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
20/12/2007

Qconnect - a better solution in regional transport

A revolution in Queensland's regional transport services - qconnect - was launched in Cairns today by Transport Minister John Mickel.

He said qconnect will deliver to regional cities the kind of benefits South East Queenslanders enjoy from TransLink.

"It will dramatically change the delivery of transport services in regional and rural areas in the same way as TransLink has done for the South East," Mr Mickel said.

"It will provide improved public transport services and greater connectivity between services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland.

"qconnect will standardise bus fares and, in some cases, deliver lower fares for regional passengers," he said.

"Most importantly it will ensure quality transport services throughout the State with services designed to meet each other so it is as easy as possible to get around rural and remote Queensland.

"The qconnect treatment will be rolled out by mid-2008 to include regional bus, air, ferry and taxi services and to link with QR CountryLink rail services," Mr Mickel said.

The Minister said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional and rural Queensland.

The distinctive qconnect signage would be rolled out on bus stops, buses, ferries and subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland over the next few months.

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

"Where you see that logo, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community," he said.

"A lot of work has already been done to improve connectivity of services and boost the provision of services in regional areas.

"An excellent example is the introduction last year of the Biloela to Maryborough bus service, designed to link with tilt train schedules at Maryborough.

"For the first time, people from Biloela and district have a direct public transport link to Maryborough - and one that can take them anywhere in Queensland - without having to travel to South East Queensland," Mr Mickel said.

He said the Government had also recently provided major service improvements for bus passengers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Wide Bay.

"Through qconnect we will continue this work and expand it - the government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Mickel said.

He said qconnect initiatives included:
? standardised fares and zones on buses in regional towns and cities
? transport services designed to connect with each other for easy transfers
? modern, accessible transport infrastructure (including bus stops)
? secure taxi ranks (including CCTV, lighting, pedestrian barriers, rank marshals and security guards)
? wheelchair accessible taxis in regional towns.

"The impact of qconnect is expected to raise the profile of public transport in regional Queensland and make it easier to use, with services coordinated under one banner," he said.

"That is likely to boost patronage, with more people choosing to use public transport rather than take their cars. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes.

"Through qconnect, the Government will constantly monitor the delivery of passenger transport services in rural and regional areas and increase services where required," Mr Mickel said.

December 20, 2007

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[ozbob]

Good stuff this.  Might even see light rail return to our provincial centres one of these days 

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
20/12/2007

Qconnect - a better service for Cairns transport

Standardised fares based on transport zones, more services and a more user-friendly transport system, called qconnect, will kick off in Cairns on January 21 and then roll out across regional Queensland.

Qconnect was launched in Cairns today by Transport Minister John Mickel.

He said qconnect will deliver to regional cities the kind of benefits South East Queenslanders enjoy from TransLink.

"For Cairns, it means that from January 21 bus fares will be charged according to a new system of zones, which is easier to understand for passengers," Mr Mickel said.

"Some 84 percent of Cairns bus passengers will pay less or the same for their normal trip under qconnect. For example, the fare from Palm Cove to Cairns City will fall from $6.80 to $4.60.

"In the relatively few cases where an increase does occur, it will be minimal and far outweighed by the fare cuts in other areas," he said.

Mr Mickel said qconnect fare and ticketing changes would provide:

? Fares charged according to the number of zones used rather than distance travelled
? Single, daily, monthly and off peak discount tickets
? Passenger categories include adult, pensioner and student
? Integrated fares so only one ticket is needed to move from one service to another within the number of zones purchased.

The Minister said the zonal fare system was only one aspect of the qconnect transport revolution that begins in Cairns.

qconnect will also:

? fund more bus services provided by modern air-conditioned buses that are disability friendly
? signage and timetables will be updated and simplified
? bus stops will be modernised and made disability friendly - the first has already been completed in Sheridan Street
? bus services will be redesigned to ensure better connections with each other and with rail services
? long distance air and coach services will be better co-ordinated with local transport
? wheelchair compliant taxis are being provided to small communities throughout Queensland under qconnect.

The Minister said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional and rural Queensland.

"The Government has recently provided major service improvements for bus passengers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Wide Bay.

"qconnect will continue this work and expand it - the government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Mickel said.

"Through qconnect, the State Government is working with local transport operators to make services more in tune with the needs of local communities and make public transport more attractive to users.

"We want people to leave their cars at home and choose a public transport option instead. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes," Mr Mickel said.

"The introduction of standardised fares and integrated ticketing through TransLink in SEQ increased patronage by an enormous 30 percent in three years. We expect qconnect to have a similar impact in regional centres.

"The government will ensure that qconnect monitors and meets demand increases," he said.

"The qconnect treatment will be rolled out by mid-2008 to include regional bus, air, ferry and taxi services and to link with QR CountryLink rail services," Mr Mickel said.

He said the distinctive qconnect signage would be rolled out on bus stops, buses, ferries and subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland over the next few months.

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

"Where you see that logo, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community," he said.

Mr Mickel said Cairns residents would soon receive detailed information packs in their letter boxes including new timetables, fare and travel zone information.

December 20, 2007

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
20/01/2008

qconnect bus services start on Monday


A new user-friendly bus services begins in Cairns this Monday, January 21, under the State Government's new regional transport initiative, qconnect.

Transport Minister John Mickel said Cairns bus passengers would get a new deal under qconnect with standardised fares based on new travel zones.

"I am committed to providing smart ways to move about within regional Queensland" Mr Mickel said.

A majority of Cairns bus passengers will find they now pay less for their normal trip under qconnect. For example, the fare from Palm Cove to Cairns City will fall from $6.80 to $4.60.

"Some new, state of the art, low floor accessible buses are also being introduced to deliver the improved services. They will provide a more comfortable ride in air conditioned comfort as well as being wheelchair accessible." Mr Mickel said.

"Information packs containing the new timetables, fare information and zone maps have been delivered to homes throughout Cairns. Anyone who hasn't received a pack should contact Sunbus.

"qconnect will deliver to regional cities the kind of benefits south-east Queenslanders enjoy from TransLink.

"For Cairns, it means that from next Monday bus fares will be charged according to a new system of zones, which is easier for passengers to understand," Mr Mickel said.
He said the zonal fare system was only the beginning of the qconnect transport revolution in Cairns.

Under qconnect:
? bus services will be provided with modern air-conditioned buses that are wheelchair accessible
? signage and timetables will be updated and simplified
? bus stops will be modernised and made more accessible - the first has already been completed in Sheridan Street
? bus services will be redesigned to ensure better connections with each other and with long distance rail services
? long distance air and coach services will be better co-ordinated with regional city bus services
? wheelchair compliant taxis are being provided to small communities throughout Queensland.

The Minister said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional and rural Queensland.

"The government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Mickel said.

"Through qconnect, the State Government is working with local transport operators to make services more in tune with the needs of local communities and make public transport more attractive to users.

"We want people to leave their cars at home and choose a public transport option instead. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes," Mr Mickel said.

"The qconnect name will be on 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.

"Where you see the distinctive qconnect brand, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community," he said.

The Minister said that, after Cairns, qconnect transport improvements would be rolled out progressively to all other major regional centres by mid-2008.
For further information visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au

January 20, 2008

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[ozbob]

Great initiatives,  well done!

"We want people to leave their cars at home and choose a public transport option instead. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes," Mr Mickel said.

Lets hope this is actually followed through everywhere!!