Ministerial Statement: qconnect - a new deal for Magnetic Island transport

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
26/05/2008

qconnect - a new deal for Magnetic Island transport

Standardised bus fares, more services and a user-friendly transport system will make life easier for Magnetic Islanders with the introduction of the qconnect system from June 10.
Launching qconnect in Townsville today, the Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, said the new system was designed to provide a high standard of public transport services to regional Queensland.

"The system is about ensuring adequate services are available to all Queenslanders, not in the Translink area," Mr Mickel said.

"For Magnetic Islanders, it means bus fares will be charged according to a new qconnect zonal system, which will especially benefit commuters travelling longer distances.

"The current system for three and four-bay fares will become three and four-zone fares, and will see a reduction in price from $3 to $2.40 and from $4 to $3.10 respectively.

"The only fare increase will occur with the least-used fare on t he island, which encompasses Picnic Bay. That impact will be minimal and, I believe, far outweighed by the other fare reductions and service improvements."

qconnect fare and ticketing changes will provide:
? more equitable fares across the state
? an integrated ticketing system so only one ticket is needed to move from one service to another within the number of zones purchased

For more information on qconnect Magnetic Island please contact:

26 May 2008

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