PREMIER INSPECTS INNER NORTHERN BUSWAY PROGRESS
Published Sunday, 23 September, 2007 at 12:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
The delivery of a vital link in the Queensland Government’s busway network continues to outstrip expectations, with the $333 million Inner Northern Busway still ahead of schedule, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
Inspecting the underground worksite for the first time with Transport Minister John Mickel, Ms Bligh said the busway was a key element in the State Government’s commitment to boost public transport usage.
“I am committed to getting on with the job of building the transport infrastructure that keeps Queensland moving,” Ms Bligh said.
“The busway will be a win for commuters, a win for drivers and a win for the environment – and we will deliver it at least six months ahead of schedule.
“By June next year, public transport users will have better connected and faster services, motorists will compete with fewer buses on city streets and more people will be able to take the environmentally friendly travel option to work.”
The partly underground 1.25km busway connects the Queen St bus station to King George Square and Roma St Station before linking back into the existing network at Countess St.
“By next year commuters will be saving up to 20 minutes on trips in peak hour - that’s almost 3.5 hours a week,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said the Inner Northern Busway would also change the pedestrian habits of Brisbane’s CBD more than any development since the construction of the Queen St Mall.
“When it opens next year 700 rail services and 2000-plus bus services will connect on platforms at Roma St station and up to 300 buses an hour will be able to load and unload at the King George Square busway station.
“It will mean big changes for pedestrian flows in the city and will play a major part in helping revitalize the western end of the CBD,” she said.
Once completed, the INB will:
- improve travel times between the Queen Street Bus Station and Upper Roma Street – saving up to 20 minutes in peak times;
- improve bus connections between the central business district, and the western and northern suburbs;
- reduce inner city traffic congestion;
- improve consistency and reliability of bus services;
- feature underground turn facilities, which will increase efficiency of bus operations;
- improve integration with the Transit Centre and the Roma Street Train Station;
- feature a modern underground station in King George Square; and
- increase capacity for growth of future bus services in the city centre.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the busway will not only be safer for pedestrians but once completed will improve the appearance of the inner city.
“By putting the busway underground, pedestrians will be able to take back the CBD and enjoy a better flowing public transport service,” he said.
“The busway will provide a quick and easy solution to allow for congestion-free travel and connection to other public transport services around Brisbane.
“The Queensland Government is getting on with the job of providing better public transport infrastructure to accommodate a growing population.”
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3237 1125 (Minister Mickel’s office)