New quick-response towing service to ease congestion
Published Wednesday, 19 March, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
A new towing service that will help keep busy Brisbane traffic moving has hit the road.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said Main Roads had contracted Queensland’s peak motoring organisation, the RACQ, to provide a free, quick-response towing service for drivers in the greater Brisbane area.
The service, launched today by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves, will cut congestion by removing broken-down vehicles from the road quickly and safely.
"I'm proud to announce another step in battling congestion on Brisbane's major roads," Mr Pitt said.
"We've all seen the effect that broken-down vehicles can have on traffic. A single break-down can bring peak-hour traffic on major arterial roads to a grinding halt, which has a disruptive flow-on effect for other commuters.
“With a fleet of tow trucks strategically located around the Brisbane area, the service will target reaching broken-down vehicles within 15 minutes of notification during peak times and within 30 minutes in off-peak times.
“It means a tow truck will always be nearby to shift a vehicle off the road, instead of delays continuing while a tow truck is called from across town.”
Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves today launched the service during a demonstration event at RACQ headquarters at Eight Mile Plains.
He said the service would cater for any vehicle under 2.5 tonnes, including family and small commercial vehicles, that broke down on a state-controlled road in the greater Brisbane area.
“Vehicles will be removed free of charge to a predetermined safe drop-off point off the main road, where drivers can then wait safely for their chosen towing service,” Mr Reeves said.
“Stranded motorists can organise the free assistance by calling the Brisbane Traffic Centre on 13 19 40, or from any of the blue help phones along major arterials.
“Anyone who has ever broken down on a major arterial road knows how scary and potentially dangerous this situation can be.
"The service uses dual-cab RACQ towing trucks with the capacity to fit five family members, including two baby seats, meaning passengers won’t be left stranded on the side of a motorway.
"For the past three years, a similar free service has been offered to motorists along sections of the Pacific and Gateway motorways.
"This new service will extend those benefits to more of the road network, including the Bruce Highway, Western Freeway, Deagon Deviation, Houghton Highway bridge and the Ipswich Motorway.
"We've also expanded the service along the Pacific Motorway and the Gateway Motorway so that it is available along all sections of these roads.”
RACQ General Manager of Operations Paul Williams said the quick clearance contract would be a major plus for motorists in terms of improved safety and traffic flow.
It would also create 15 new jobs, and involve the purchase of four additional tow trucks and three safety vehicles, boosting the quick clearance fleet to a total of 10.
“Through this contract with Main Roads, RACQ will have a dedicated fleet of 10 vehicles to ensure we can remove people from broken down vehicles to safety as quickly as possible,” Mr Williams said.
“A car broken down on the side of the road for 15 minutes can add an hour’s delay to passing traffic.
“That’s something that causes a lot of congestion and stress for other motorists, and often results in nose-to-tail crashes. With dedicated tow trucks available to clear obstacles quickly, we’ll be helping motorists reach their destinations sooner.”
Media contacts: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said Main Roads had contracted Queensland’s peak motoring organisation, the RACQ, to provide a free, quick-response towing service for drivers in the greater Brisbane area.
The service, launched today by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves, will cut congestion by removing broken-down vehicles from the road quickly and safely.
"I'm proud to announce another step in battling congestion on Brisbane's major roads," Mr Pitt said.
"We've all seen the effect that broken-down vehicles can have on traffic. A single break-down can bring peak-hour traffic on major arterial roads to a grinding halt, which has a disruptive flow-on effect for other commuters.
“With a fleet of tow trucks strategically located around the Brisbane area, the service will target reaching broken-down vehicles within 15 minutes of notification during peak times and within 30 minutes in off-peak times.
“It means a tow truck will always be nearby to shift a vehicle off the road, instead of delays continuing while a tow truck is called from across town.”
Member for Mansfield Phil Reeves today launched the service during a demonstration event at RACQ headquarters at Eight Mile Plains.
He said the service would cater for any vehicle under 2.5 tonnes, including family and small commercial vehicles, that broke down on a state-controlled road in the greater Brisbane area.
“Vehicles will be removed free of charge to a predetermined safe drop-off point off the main road, where drivers can then wait safely for their chosen towing service,” Mr Reeves said.
“Stranded motorists can organise the free assistance by calling the Brisbane Traffic Centre on 13 19 40, or from any of the blue help phones along major arterials.
“Anyone who has ever broken down on a major arterial road knows how scary and potentially dangerous this situation can be.
"The service uses dual-cab RACQ towing trucks with the capacity to fit five family members, including two baby seats, meaning passengers won’t be left stranded on the side of a motorway.
"For the past three years, a similar free service has been offered to motorists along sections of the Pacific and Gateway motorways.
"This new service will extend those benefits to more of the road network, including the Bruce Highway, Western Freeway, Deagon Deviation, Houghton Highway bridge and the Ipswich Motorway.
"We've also expanded the service along the Pacific Motorway and the Gateway Motorway so that it is available along all sections of these roads.”
RACQ General Manager of Operations Paul Williams said the quick clearance contract would be a major plus for motorists in terms of improved safety and traffic flow.
It would also create 15 new jobs, and involve the purchase of four additional tow trucks and three safety vehicles, boosting the quick clearance fleet to a total of 10.
“Through this contract with Main Roads, RACQ will have a dedicated fleet of 10 vehicles to ensure we can remove people from broken down vehicles to safety as quickly as possible,” Mr Williams said.
“A car broken down on the side of the road for 15 minutes can add an hour’s delay to passing traffic.
“That’s something that causes a lot of congestion and stress for other motorists, and often results in nose-to-tail crashes. With dedicated tow trucks available to clear obstacles quickly, we’ll be helping motorists reach their destinations sooner.”
Media contacts: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819