Article: Provide free transport to stop drunken violence: clubs

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Provide free transport to stop drunken violence: clubs

Provide free transport to stop drunken violence: clubs
February 5, 2010 - 11:11AM

Providing free public transport for people leaving clubs late at night could help prevent alcohol-related violence, an inquiry has heard.

A Queensland parliamentary committee is today taking evidence in its inquiry into ways to tackle alcohol-related violence.

Clubs Queensland chief executive Doug Flockhart said a common sense approach was needed to stem violence, not new regulations and laws.

Mr Flockhart said governments and councils needed to treat each night of operation in entertainment precincts as a special event.

He said special events such as football matches involved free transport and other amenities.

"Complimentary transport solutions at exit times and adequate amenities in the vicinity of entertainment venues would go a long way toward improving public safety," Mr Flockhart said.

"Safely and efficiently moving people on are matters that are taken into account for a Broncos match or Riverfire, yet the large crowds that are congregating in places like the Valley, or Cavill Avenue on the Gold Coast, are largely ignored."

He said many community clubs were struggling financially and would be burdened by any new regulation.

The inquiry continues.

AAP

[Derwan]

Why should these drunken louts get free transport when I have to pay for it?

[Nightwriter]

And its bad enough travelling with genuinely sick passengers at the best of times, but imagine a whole train of spewy passengers?! 

[somebody]

These days you can easily jump into a cab late at night.  Nightlink has pretty much solved the problem that apparently existed a few years ago.  I agree, why should it be free?  There is, of course, another side to the argument!  Why's Nightlink's coverage so bad, no N150, no N444 a single train service on the Caboolture, Ipswich and Beenleigh lines.  Those train services would be better off being canned in favour of hourly buses.  Each N390 bus probably carries more pax than each Nightlink train.