Travel free in Townsville this NYE

The Queensland Government will once again offer free travel to help Townsville and Magnetic Island residents get home safely after New Year celebrations.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said from 5pm on Thursday, 31 December until 5.30am on New Year's Day free shuttle buses would travel between entertainment hotspots in the region.

"I encourage revellers to secure the best seat in the house this New Year's Eve with free shuttle services operating across the city and on Magnetic Island," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"From the fireworks at The Strand, to celebrations at the Ville Resort & Casino, you can take advantage of the free services to secure an early vantage point for the evening's entertainment."

State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper encouraged locals to take full advantage of the free travel offer and public transport services New Year's Eve.

"New Year's Eve is one of the busiest public transport nights of the year and these free shuttle buses services will be operating across the city and on Magnetic Island to get people to and from the fireworks spectacular to other entertainment venues," Mr Harper said.

Free New Year's Eve shuttle services will run from:

• Dean Street car park via City (Cowboys Leagues Club), the Strand, The Ville Resort & Casino to Dean Street car park - shuttles will depart every 20 minutes from 6pm to 8.30pm and return services from 9.30pm to 1.30am
• The Willows via Hermit Park, City (Cowboys Leagues Club), the Strand, to the Ville Resort & Casino - shuttles will depart at 5pm, 5.40pm, 6.10pm, 7pm, 7.40pm and 8.20pm
• The Strand via the Ville Resort & Casino, Hermit Park to Willows - shuttles will depart at 9.30pm, 10.05pm, 10.40pm, 11.50pm, 12.25am, 1am and 1.35am
• The Ville Resort & Casino to the Willows - shuttles will depart every 30 minutes from 12.30am to 5.30am

Public transport on Magnetic Island will also be ramped up with continuous free shuttles between Horseshoe Bay and the island ferry terminal every 30 minutes from 8pm on New Year's Eve to 5.30am on New Year's morning.

While the special shuttle services will be free on New Year's Eve, normal fares and timetables will apply for all scheduled Sunbus services on Thursday, 31 December 2015.

For more information, visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au or www.sunbus.com.au and click on Townsville.

Media Contact:  0475 950 772