Mount Isa - Public Transport

[ozbob]

ABC --> Public transport key issue for Mount Isa teen at Qld Youth Parliament

Justice has been selected to represent the electorate of Mount Isa for 2015 and says it is a great honour.

"I'm beyond excited because I want to go into parliament and be a politician when I get older," she said.

"It's definitely a foot in the door and an eye-opener about whether or not this is what I want to do.

"It has a lot of pressure to it as well because I am the only one [from Mount Isa]... I'm going to put all my efforts into this and try and get something productive out of it."

The Queensland Youth Parliament chooses one young person from each of Queensland's 89 electorates to take part each year.

The young people, aged between 18 - 25, use their time in the Youth Parliament to workshop various ideas that could make positive change in their communities.

Justice says she wants to look at ways to introduce public transport in the mining city.

"Mount Isa's not big but people do say they want public transport, for schools particularly, and possibly around town, so that's something I'll look into," she said.

Public transport tried and failed in Mount Isa

Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady says there was a time when Mount Isa had public transport but it was not sustainable because people did not use it.

He says he convinced a commercial operator to come to the city and start a bus service but it collapsed.

"The first day of the service, which was well advertised, I was full of excitement, full of enthusiasm, and I think there were two people on the bus that day and I think the service collapsed fairly soon," Councillor McGrady said.

"The problem with Mount Isa is that most people, most people, have vehicles but there is still a percentage of people, particularly the senior citizens, who don't."

He says he would be interested in hearing more from Justice.

"I think this suggestion from Justice has lots of merit, she's a young, enthusiastic, articulate young lady and I think if anybody can do a survey on the needs of public transport in the city she'll do an excellent job," he said.

"I certainly wish her well, and obviously any input I can have into this inquiry I'd be more than happy to assist her."

Councillor McGrady says the local council is not in a position to fund a public transport service but if Justice was able to come up with a strong plan the State Government might be convinced to come on board.

He says there are also other options.

"Churches, the clubs and the Indigenous organisations have buses, and maybe that's the angle Justice could come from to see if they could utilise those buses for the times when they're no

[Gazza]

Council cabs!

[#Metro]

Subsidised motor scooters
More bicycle parking
Even uber ride sharing would work nicely - lots of people have cars and spare space in them.