Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Qconnect - a better soultion in regional transport
A revolution in Queensland's regional transport services – qconnect - was launched in Cairns today by Transport Minister John Mickel.
He said qconnect will deliver to regional cities the kind of benefits South East Queenslanders enjoy from TransLink.
"It will dramatically change the delivery of transport services in regional and rural areas in the same way as TransLink has done for the South East," Mr Mickel said.
"It will provide improved public transport services and greater connectivity between services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland.
"qconnect will standardise bus fares and, in some cases, deliver lower fares for regional passengers," he said.
"Most importantly it will ensure quality transport services throughout the State with services designed to meet each other so it is as easy as possible to get around rural and remote Queensland.
"The qconnect treatment will be rolled out by mid-2008 to include regional bus, air, ferry and taxi services and to link with QR CountryLink rail services," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional and rural Queensland.
The distinctive qconnect signage would be rolled out on bus stops, buses, ferries and subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland over the next few months.
"The qconnect name will be on Government supported public transport services, including local and long-distance bus networks, infrastructure, timetables and the rural and remote regulated aviation network, in regional Queensland," he said.
"Where you see that logo, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community," he said.
"A lot of work has already been done to improve connectivity of services and boost the provision of services in regional areas.
"An excellent example is the introduction last year of the Biloela to Maryborough bus service, designed to link with tilt train schedules at Maryborough.
"For the first time, people from Biloela and district have a direct public transport link to Maryborough - and one that can take them anywhere in Queensland – without having to travel to South East Queensland," Mr Mickel said.
He said the Government had also recently provided major service improvements for bus passengers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Wide Bay.
"Through qconnect we will continue this work and expand it – the government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Mickel said.
He said qconnect initiatives included:
• standardised fares and zones on buses in regional towns and cities
• transport services designed to connect with each other for easy transfers
• modern, accessible transport infrastructure (including bus stops)
• secure taxi ranks (including CCTV, lighting, pedestrian barriers, rank marshals and security guards)
• wheelchair accessible taxis in regional towns.
"The impact of qconnect is expected to raise the profile of public transport in regional Queensland and make it easier to use, with services coordinated under one banner," he said.
"That is likely to boost patronage, with more people choosing to use public transport rather than take their cars. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes.
"Through qconnect, the Government will constantly monitor the delivery of passenger transport services in rural and regional areas and increase services where required," Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
December 20, 2007
He said qconnect will deliver to regional cities the kind of benefits South East Queenslanders enjoy from TransLink.
"It will dramatically change the delivery of transport services in regional and rural areas in the same way as TransLink has done for the South East," Mr Mickel said.
"It will provide improved public transport services and greater connectivity between services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland.
"qconnect will standardise bus fares and, in some cases, deliver lower fares for regional passengers," he said.
"Most importantly it will ensure quality transport services throughout the State with services designed to meet each other so it is as easy as possible to get around rural and remote Queensland.
"The qconnect treatment will be rolled out by mid-2008 to include regional bus, air, ferry and taxi services and to link with QR CountryLink rail services," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said qconnect fulfilled the Government's election commitment to standardise fares and improve public transport services in regional and rural Queensland.
The distinctive qconnect signage would be rolled out on bus stops, buses, ferries and subsidised air services across rural and regional Queensland over the next few months.
"The qconnect name will be on Government supported public transport services, including local and long-distance bus networks, infrastructure, timetables and the rural and remote regulated aviation network, in regional Queensland," he said.
"Where you see that logo, it means the Government is working with operators to ensure affordable, efficient and accessible transport services for the community," he said.
"A lot of work has already been done to improve connectivity of services and boost the provision of services in regional areas.
"An excellent example is the introduction last year of the Biloela to Maryborough bus service, designed to link with tilt train schedules at Maryborough.
"For the first time, people from Biloela and district have a direct public transport link to Maryborough - and one that can take them anywhere in Queensland – without having to travel to South East Queensland," Mr Mickel said.
He said the Government had also recently provided major service improvements for bus passengers in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Wide Bay.
"Through qconnect we will continue this work and expand it – the government is determined to ensure that adequate public transport services are available to all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Mickel said.
He said qconnect initiatives included:
• standardised fares and zones on buses in regional towns and cities
• transport services designed to connect with each other for easy transfers
• modern, accessible transport infrastructure (including bus stops)
• secure taxi ranks (including CCTV, lighting, pedestrian barriers, rank marshals and security guards)
• wheelchair accessible taxis in regional towns.
"The impact of qconnect is expected to raise the profile of public transport in regional Queensland and make it easier to use, with services coordinated under one banner," he said.
"That is likely to boost patronage, with more people choosing to use public transport rather than take their cars. Fewer cars on our roads means less congestion and less exhaust fumes.
"Through qconnect, the Government will constantly monitor the delivery of passenger transport services in rural and regional areas and increase services where required," Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
December 20, 2007