Record crowds jump onboard Fiesta NightLink services

A record number of late-night revellers took advantage of NightLink services during Valley Fiesta celebrations, Transport and Main Roads Minister, Paul Lucas, said today.

“Almost 6,500 people travelled home on NightLink services during the celebrations last weekend, thanks in part to major sponsor TransLink providing free bus and train services.”

“5039 passengers travelled on the free NightLink bus and train services to 19 destinations across Brisbane and 1440 people opted for FlatFare taxis.

"NightLink has been an enormous success story since it began, and from the Fiesta numbers it’s evident these services are proving very popular with late-night revellers.”

Since NightLink was launched in December 2005, NightLink services have taken home more than 130,000 people from the Valley and inner-city entertainment precincts.

"Brisbane and Valley late night partygoers have proven they want these services to continue and we’re looking at even further initiatives to make it even easier for people to take advantage of NightLink," Mr Lucas said.

This month TransLink launched the NightLink SMS services which allows late-night revellers to be sent bus and train timetables to their mobile phones for any NightLink service home.

"All it takes is a mobile phone to access timetable information for the nearest NightLink bus stop or train station. You can do it without having to leave the dance floor," Mr Lucas said.

He said the new 19 12 30 SMS timetable service was on trial for three months and all ready showed promise following the Valley Fiesta.

"During Fiesta weekend, the new SMS service started to take off, but it's still too early to say if the SMS timetables will remain after the trial.

"If people prove they want SMS timetables, TransLink will consider applying it to other services within the network.

"All NightLink SMS timetable requests to the system cost 55c," Mr Lucas said.

The Minister said the new SMS timetables complemented the launch on August 25 of $4.2 million of expanded NightLink services.

"The new NightLink SMS timetable service, along with more destinations, gives party-goers a greater choice to get home safely after a night on the town," Mr Lucas said.

For more information on the new SMS service, visit the TransLink website at www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.