Ministerial Statement: Townsville buses undergo major service changes

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http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=79873&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Friday, July 13, 2012

Townsville buses undergo major service changes

The Newman Government is delivering reliable public transport to Townsville residents and tourists announcing the extension of qconnect bus services to the Townsville Breakwater.

The Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said qconnect buses will operate every 10 minutes on weekdays from 30 July.

"Sunbus has chosen to end the Redbus service from Sunday 29 July, so the Newman Government has worked to revise the qconnect Townsville bus network," Mr Emerson said.

"The service will provide the region with a bus fleet that has increased passenger capacity, disability access and better air-conditioning, which will help deal with the tropical climate."

From first service on Monday 30 July 2012, qconnect routes will be extended to the Breakwater and will include more frequent and direct services without needing to transfer.

"By extending the popular 200 and 201 routes that travel along the Ross River Road corridor, passengers will have more access to same-seat travel options," he said.

"These changes will enhance access to and from one of our premier tourist destinations, Magnetic Island and support the Government's drive to grow the North's tourist industry."

Member for Townsville John Hathaway said Magnetic Island residents will also find it easier to get to work in the city, to retail centres along Ross River Road and to get to Townsville Hospital under the new service arrangements.

"The network's high frequency spine will now extend through the CBD, rather than to the city's edge as it currently does," Mr Hathaway said.

"This will provide high quality public transport to major tourist attractions like Reef HQ, the Museum of Tropical Queensland as well as restaurants and accommodation."

James Cook University students and workers will now have a centralised stop at the accessible Student Union, in a further improvement to the bus network.

This will address concerns about the damage being causing to the university ring road.

Commuters should be aware that changes will occur to timetables and some bus stops for routes 200, 201, 202, 208, 209 and 210, while the new route 233 will replace route 33.

New timetables and the qconnect journey planner are available online at qconnect.qld.gov.au.

Changes to the qconnect services will be effective Monday 30 July 2012.

[ENDS] 13 July 2012

Other changes to the network include:

·Route 200 and 201 - 10 minute services during weekdays to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal. 30 minute services on weeknights, weekends and public holidays.

·James Cook University bus routes will change to a single stop at the Student Union.

·Express route 210 between Willows and Townsville Hospital will be extended to JCU resulting in a fast link between the University and Thuringowa.

·First time services provided to the Australian Technical College – North Queensland (Tec-NQ) and Stockland North Shore development at Burdell.

·Service extensions through the Townsville CBD will provide tourists with greater access to Reef HQ, the Museum of Tropical Queensland as well as accommodation in the Flinders Street East entertainment precinct.