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Media Release
The peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry has applauded the State Government for reducing fares but warns it will count for nothing if there are cuts to services and infrastructure.
David Tape, executive director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC), says the industry supports any move aimed at increasing bus patronage and reducing congestion on busy arterial roads.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s ‘Fairer Fares’ package will have a direct effect on the number of commuters who can now afford to travel by bus, particularly with more off peak discounts and access to free weekend travel for children under fifteen.”
But Mr Tape says higher demand means more buses and drivers will be needed and has called on the State Government not to slash routes and services.
“QBIC hopes the State Government and Department of Transport can see the bigger picture and focus its planning on establishing more routes and services, especially in outer suburban regions which are growing rapidly.”
Mr Tape says the fare initiative will greatly encourage new customers who may not have considered - or had access to - bus travel before.
“Reduced fares will assist QBIC’s ‘Moving People Queensland’ blueprint which showed among other things, the vital need for new routes and more services.”
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A new tax ruling which will effectively provide cheaper travel on Translink operated bus services has been given the thumbs up from the peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry.
An ATO class ruling means a salary packaging provider can now offer eligible employees from about 300 Queensland organisations the ability to salary sacrifice bus travel within the south-east Translink network.
David Tape, the Executive Director of Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) says any measure aimed at getting more public use of buses is a positive on many levels.
“Cheaper travel means more patrons will think about taking a bus and the flow on effects from having more cars off the road are enormous, particularly around the heavily congested arterial hubs”.
Mr Tape hopes more employers will allow their employees the means to tap in to this scheme which could save commuters up to 15 hundred dollars per year in bus fares.”
“This should be the start of reducing the costs of fares for bus transport and hopefully complimenting the positive outcomes which QBIC hopes to see from the State Government’s review into fare prices later this year”
The peak body representing the Queensland bus industry says the state of the art design of the new Redland Bay Marina bus station should be the template for future transport hubs throughout the state.
Final approval has been given for the construction of the bus station which will now have an increased capacity for three buses at a time plus additional bus waiting bays.
But Queensland Bus Industry Council executive Director David Tape says the key feature of the new terminal is that it improves the waiting environment for patrons travelling between ferry and bus services.
“The Redland Bay Marina station is what we want to see transport hubs look like moving forward as they fully service the needs of the customer without compromising safety for both patrons and drivers.”
Mr Tape says the design, which also incorporates driver facilities, will also enable waiting passenger’s better visual access so they can keep an eye on arriving and departing services.
“QBIC fully supports this type of forward thinking and planning and design as these new hubs represent the way forward in catering for increased services in expanding communities.
The peak body for the Queensland bus industry fully supports a move by Labor’s Lord Mayoral candidate who has promised to build more bus indent bays around Brisbane’s peak hour roadways.
David Tape, Executive Director of Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) says candidate Rod Harding’s plan to construct an extra 15 bus indent bays will contribute greatly to easing traffic congestion.
“Improving traffic flow must be a priority at all times and creating bays where buses will pull in to a designated stop, will ensure there is less stop-start traffic.”
“This will also help reduce frustration for vehicles forced to stop behind buses particularly along busy arterial corridors.”
Mr Tape says more importantly, extra indent bays will considerably improve traffic safety around the spots where commuters board and alight buses.
“QBIC knows full well the value and worth of these measures and fully endorses Mr Harding’s push,” said Mr Tape.
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