http://raysmith.com.au/210m-plan-for-safer-bus-stops-new-buses/MEDIA RELEASE
24 April 2012
$210M PLAN FOR SAFER BUS STOPS & NEW BUSESBrisbane Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith will deliver a $210 million boost to Brisbane’s bus network, if elected as Lord Mayor.
Mr Smith said his plan included an $18 million investment in making Brisbane’s bus stops safer and more accessible, 360 new buses and free public transport for Brisbane seniors.
“Investing in public transport is one of the best ways to help relieve traffic congestion in our city and I’ll do exactly that if elected as Lord Mayor on Saturday,” he said.
“Every bus on t he road means 54 less cars, but public transport must be safe, reliable and accessible for people to be willing to use it.
“I’ll introduce an $18 million ‘Safe Stops’ initiative to help improve safety at our bus stops with improved lighting, shade and pedestrian refuge bays at key bus stop locations.
“While some stops may require big fixes and others small, this funding will deliver upgrades for around 250 bus stops at an approximate cost of $70,000 per bus stop.
“In line with the agreement between the State Government and Brisbane City Council, I’ll invest $169 million over four years to deliver 360 new buses for our city.
“These additional buses will provide more resources for bus services in our outer suburbs and ensure Brisbane residents have continuing access to improved public transport services.
“I’ll work with Translink to use these buses to provide additional services in the outer suburbs that are poorly serviced under the current offering of bus routes. I’d like to see more cross-suburb connector routes to provide residents with better access to local services and facilities.”
Mr Smith said the announcement came on top of his previous commitment to provide free public transport for Brisbane seniors.
“Under my $5.7 million costed policy, all seniors will travel for free on Council buses, CityCats and ferries, seven days a week, during off-peak travel times.
“This plan will help keep costs down for our seniors and work to reduce overcrowding on buses for those during peak travel times by spreading demand for services more evenly.
“In their last two budgets, the current Council Administration has cut funding for public transport by $38 million and I want to see some of that funding restored.
“I’m committed to delivering a balanced approach to traffic congestion in Brisbane and this plan will deliver real improvements to public transport accessibility in our city – particularly when combined with my plans to invest $30 million in CityCat; $100 million in bikeways; $150 million in footpaths; and $800 million in local roads,” Mr Smith said.