Ministerial Statement: qconnect - a new deal for Bundaberg transport

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
30/05/2008

qconnect - a new deal for Bundaberg transport

Standardised fares based on transport zones, more services and a more user-friendly transport system, called qconnect, will kick off in Bundaberg on June 10.

qconnect was launched in Bundaberg today by Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, Mr Gary Fenlon.

"For Bundaberg, it means that from June 10 bus fares on Duffy's City Buses and Stewart and Sons Coaches will be charged according to a new system of zones, which is easier for passengers to understand," Mr Fenlon said.

"The majority of Bundaberg bus passengers will find they pay less for their normal trip under qconnect with 73% of fares due to decrease."

"For example, on the trip from Bargara to Bundaberg City a single adult fare will decrease from $4.40 to $3.30."

"In the relatively few cases where an increase does occur, it will be minimal and far outweighed by the fare reductions in other areas and other improvements, including a new bus for Duffy's City Buses," he said.

Mr Fenlon said qconnect fare and ticketing changes would provide:

? more equitable public transport 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.
The qconnect service improvements that are more specifically targeted to Bundaberg's passenger needs include:
? an increase in the frequency of services on Duffy's City Buses Route 3 to Bundaberg City, Woongarra Village and North Bundaberg, with services now running hourly on weekdays and
? additional weekday services on Duffy's City Buses Routes 2, 2a and 5 services from Bundaberg to Burnett Heads.

The Parliamentary Secretary said these changes were only one aspect of the qconnect transport revolution.

Under qconnect, public transport passengers in regional Queensland would see:

? better bus services provided by modern air-conditioned buses that are disability friendly
? signage and timetables updated and simplified
? bus stops that are modernised and disability friendly
? bus services redesigned to ensure better connections with each other and with rail services
? long distance air and coach services better coordinated with regional city bus services.
Mr Fenlon said that this is Premier Anna Bligh planning for the future for all Queensland.

qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional Queensland.

"The government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Fenlon said.

"Through qconnect, the State Government is working with local transport operators to make services more in tune with the needs of local communities and make public transpor t more attractive to users.

"We want people to leave their cars at home and choose a public transport option instead. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes," Mr Fenlon said.

"The introduction of standardised fares and integrated ticketing in south-east Queensland increased patronage by an enormous 30 percent in three years. We expect qconnect to have a similar impact in regional centres.

He said the distinctive qconnect signage would be on bus stops, buses, ferries and subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland.

"The qconnect name will be on Government supported public transport services, including urban and long-distance bus networks, infrastructure, timetables and the rural and remote regulated aviation network, in regional Queensland.

"Where you see qconnect, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the com munity," he said.

Mr Fenlon said Bundaberg residents would soon receive detailed information packs in their letterboxes including new timetables, fare and zone information.

30 May 2008

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