Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Public transport keeps regional Queensland moving
Regional Queenslanders are flocking to public transport even before a new system of bus fares kicks in next year.
Transport Minister John Mickel said today that the regional public transport network carried close to 10 million passengers in 2006-‘07 ---- proof that the government’s investment was working.
“This government's investment in bus and ferry services in regional Queensland cities rose to about $26 million in 2006-’07,” he said.
“In comparison, in 1997-98 the Borbidge Government invested about $4.1 million in public transport networks in regional Queensland.
“We’ve pumped a whopping $18.6 million or 240 per cent more than the last conservative government into regional public transport, even after adjusting for inflation.
“We’re buying new low-floor air conditioned buses, wheelchair accessible taxis, increasing services and expanding the networks as our regional centres grow. For example in Townsville the network is being extended to service new residential developments at Kirwan and in Cairns, the network is expanding to service new developments at Mount Sheridan.
“People in regional Queensland are showing their appreciation for our effort by flocking to public transport in increasing numbers.
“From 2003-04 to 2006-07, bus patronage in Townsville rose 31 per cent and in Cairns it’s up 35 per cent. That’s more than 3 million people catching the buses in Cairns alone every year. And in Mackay and Bundaberg it’s up by around 50 per cent.”
Mr Mickel said he would soon announce a completed election commitment of $12.1 million to standardise bus fares in regional Queensland towns in line with fares in the south east corner.
“The Government is close to finalising the new arrangements and we’re budgeting for extra buses because we believe this will further boost passenger numbers,” he said.
“We want to keep providing the services that encourage regional Queenslanders to get out of their cars and onto the public transport.
“The current budget has $11.25 million to provide newer, safer buses for the Queensland school bus fleet, $2.6 million to provide wheelchair accessible taxis to another 80 rural communities and $1 million to help transport operators buy accessible buses.
“This is all about getting cars off the road, reducing traffic congestion and helping our effort on climate change.”
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007
Transport Minister John Mickel said today that the regional public transport network carried close to 10 million passengers in 2006-‘07 ---- proof that the government’s investment was working.
“This government's investment in bus and ferry services in regional Queensland cities rose to about $26 million in 2006-’07,” he said.
“In comparison, in 1997-98 the Borbidge Government invested about $4.1 million in public transport networks in regional Queensland.
“We’ve pumped a whopping $18.6 million or 240 per cent more than the last conservative government into regional public transport, even after adjusting for inflation.
“We’re buying new low-floor air conditioned buses, wheelchair accessible taxis, increasing services and expanding the networks as our regional centres grow. For example in Townsville the network is being extended to service new residential developments at Kirwan and in Cairns, the network is expanding to service new developments at Mount Sheridan.
“People in regional Queensland are showing their appreciation for our effort by flocking to public transport in increasing numbers.
“From 2003-04 to 2006-07, bus patronage in Townsville rose 31 per cent and in Cairns it’s up 35 per cent. That’s more than 3 million people catching the buses in Cairns alone every year. And in Mackay and Bundaberg it’s up by around 50 per cent.”
Mr Mickel said he would soon announce a completed election commitment of $12.1 million to standardise bus fares in regional Queensland towns in line with fares in the south east corner.
“The Government is close to finalising the new arrangements and we’re budgeting for extra buses because we believe this will further boost passenger numbers,” he said.
“We want to keep providing the services that encourage regional Queenslanders to get out of their cars and onto the public transport.
“The current budget has $11.25 million to provide newer, safer buses for the Queensland school bus fleet, $2.6 million to provide wheelchair accessible taxis to another 80 rural communities and $1 million to help transport operators buy accessible buses.
“This is all about getting cars off the road, reducing traffic congestion and helping our effort on climate change.”
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 15, 2007