Published Monday, 21 March, 2005 at 12:00 AM
Premier & Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
New Services & $4M In New Ipswich Public Transport Infrastructure
Premier Peter Beattie and Transport Minister Paul Lucas today said the improvements were contained in the Draft TransLink Network Plan, which maps out a three-year program of public transport upgrades.
It will benefit TransLink's Western Region, which includes Goodna, Springfield, Ripley, Ipswich and Rosewood.
"This plan means new and more frequent bus services, better coordination between bus and rail services, improved bus stations and bus-rail interchanges," Mr Beattie said.
"We are providing more park 'n' ride spaces, and upgrades to safety, security and access," he said.
"Cheaper fares and integrated ticketing that we introduced seven months ago have seen a staggering 53% increase in bus passenger journeys in Ipswich.
"Now we are giving Ipswich people even more reason to use public transport with this next stage of our transport plan."
Mr Beattie said new bus routes would be introduced from April 18, improving services in Springfield, Redbank Plains, Wacol, Goodna, Bundamba and Ipswich. Details include:
- There will be 10 new upgraded routes replacing existing routes with more; reliable and direct connections (details follow at the end of this release); - A new 3-digit route-numbering system will be adopted; - There will be extended operating hours on weekdays (6.30am to 7.30pm); - More early morning and early evening services will meet trains at Ipswich train station; - There will be additional or new services on Saturdays for most routes. - The frequency of bus services will be increased to provide at least one service in each direction, every hour, on most routes. - Bus and train services will connect at Ipswich, Booval, Redbank, Goodna and Wacol train stations. - A direct feeder bus route from Springfield and Springfield Lakes to Goodna train station will be introduced.
Infrastructure improvements to be started and/or completed by July 2006 include:
- Bus-rail interchange upgrade & park 'n' ride expansion at Booval train station; - Expansion of park 'n ride at Dinmore train station; - Bus-rail interchange at Goodna train station upgrade (completion July 2007); - Enhance pedestrian access to Ipswich train station - Expansion of park 'n' ride at Redbank train station - Plan public transport services and infrastructure for the Greater Springfield area under the Springfield transit master plan - Upgrade of bus stations and stops including signs, seating, shelter, information and security.
As part of the infrastructure program, more than 800 bus stop signs and information displays will be upgraded by May, providing better information for passengers.
Also, 10 new air-conditioned Westside buses will come into service in Ipswich by September, including five wheelchair-accessible buses.
Mr Lucas said the $4 million in infrastructure improvements was part of a $5 million overhaul over the next three years under the Draft TransLink Network Plan.
The improvements are matched by a three-year program of service upgrades, to be funded by ongoing yearly funding of $1.8 million.
Public transport improvements since July 1, 2004, focused on Ipswich and included more early-morning and early-evening bus services to meet trains at Ipswich station.
"All new bus routes have Saturday services extending to midday or, in most cases, mid-afternoon - more than doubling the number of annual kilometres provided on a Saturday," he said.
The Draft TransLink Network Plan is a major milestone in delivering a world-class public transport system for South East Queensland,
Mr Lucas said the draft plan would be fine-tuned by asking Ipswich residents to comment on the changes.
An extensive consultation program will be held from 4 April until 13 May, 2005. A Draft TransLink Network Plan brochure focussing on Western Region will be inserted in the Ipswich Advertiser on Wednesday, 6 April.
A complete copy of the Draft TransLink Network Plan and region-specific brochures will be available on the TransLink website at www.translink.com.au. People will be able to review the brochures and visit the TransLink website or phone 1800 180 670 to provide input and complete a feedback survey. TransLink Network Planners will provide information about the plan and answer questions at Ipswich train station from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, 8 April; Redbank Plaza from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 14 April; and King George Square from 7am to 2pm on Wednesday, 13 April.
21 March 2005 Media inquiries: Minister's Office - Paul Childs 0407 131 654 NEW BUS SERVICES FOR IPSWICH FROM APRIL 18, 2005
The new routes consist of upgrades to many major routes servicing the areas of Springfield, Redbank Plains, Wacol, Goodna, Bundamba and Ipswich
A new 3-digit route numbering system has been adopted. Changes will also include extend operating hours on weekdays (6.30am to 7.30pm) and additional or new services on Saturdays for most routes.
Route 463 Wacol Railway Station - Carole Park - Forest Lake - Inala (Former route 622) Route 463 services will operate in a similar way to the existing route 622 service providing a connection between Inala Plaza and Wacol Railway Station via Forest Lake and Carole Park.
Route 500 Wacol - Redbank - Dinmore - Ipswich (Former route 1, 1A, 1B and 1C) Route 500 is the major bus spine for the Ipswich area running between the major centres of Redbank - Dinmore - Booval and Ipswich. It will support the rail corridor in providing east-west travel and linking with the various feeder services from the north and south.
Route 502 Bundamba - Silkstone - Ipswich (Former route 2) Route 502 will follow a similar route to the old route 2 from Booval to Raceview and via Eastern Heights to Ipswich. This route has now been upgraded to extend beyond Booval Fair and on to Bundamba improving services through Bergins Hill.
Route 503 Bundamba - Raceview - Ipswich (Former route 3) Route 503 will follow a similar route to the old route 3 from Bundamba via Booval, Raceview and Eastern Heights to Ipswich (Bell St).
Route 506 Leichhardt - Ipswich (Former route 1, 1A, 1B and 1C) Leichhardt residents enjoy a higher-than average service frequency for the area due to the extension of the major east-west services beyond Ipswich to service this area. However, this presents difficulties in scheduling train connections at Ipswich for these users. A new route, specifically for Leichhardt will be introduced to provide a direct and regular connection to Ipswich on weekdays and Saturdays. An average service frequency of approximately 30 minutes will be retained however this is lower than that previously provided by the above arrangement.
Route 510 Booval - Basin Pocket - Ipswich (Former route 10) Route 510 will operate in a similar way to the existing Route 10 and continue to service Basin Pocket, East Ipswich and Booval.
Route 511/521 Redbank - Goodna and Redbank Railway Station via Brennan Street (Former route 1A and 1C) The Redbank Plains area is currently serviced via an extension of the major east-west route 1A (weekdays) and 1C (Saturday). The new route 511 and 521 will operate in parallel to provide a 30 minute frequency (currently 60 minutes) on weekdays between Redbank Plains, and both Redbank and Goodna Railway Stations. Route 511 will extend south of Redbank Plains to service both Redbank Primary and High Schools.
Route 516 One Mile - Ipswich (Former route 6) Route 516 will follow a similar route to the old route 6, specifically servicing the residents of One Mile by providing a direct and regular connection to the Ipswich CBD and Ipswich Railway Station on weekdays and Saturdays. Monday to Friday 6.45am to 6.00pm and Saturday 7.15am to 4.15pm.
Route 522 Springfield - Camira - Goodna Railway Station (Former route 602) Route 522 replaces the existing route 602 and will support the new route 530 services by providing wider coverage throughout the Springfield area, travelling via Camira, Gailes and Goodna to Goodna Railway Station.
Route 530 Springfield Lakes - Goodna Railway Station This new route will provide a direct express service between the expanding Springfield Lakes development and Goodna Railway Station. Route 530 will run in parallel with route 522 to provide greater coverage through the Springfield area, travelling via Camira, Gailes and Goodna to Goodna Railway Station. Combined these routes will provide an average frequency of approximately 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during off peak hours and Saturdays.
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