Media Release 

The peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry has backed a move by Lord Mayoral candidate Rod Harding for ‘fare free Fridays’ for bus passengers. 

Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) Executive Director David Tape says the industry supports any measure aimed at increasing bus patronage and getting more cars off the region’s busy arterial roads. 

“From what we understand it appears this plan will be entirely Council funded with no impact on the ratepayer but while we embrace this initiative, certain criteria must be met.” 

Mr Tape says for ‘fare free Fridays’ to be successful, focus must remain on the efficiencies of SouthEast Queensland’s bus network. 

“More buses need more drivers so that is one key area which has to be taken into account, plus we must ensure the right number of routes and services are in place in regions where there is increased demand.

“Research shows many patrons already travel for free later in the week because of Translink’s nine fare allowance so this could be seen as an extension of that initiative, which we fully support.” 

Mr Tape says any move designed to arrest the slide in bus patronage must be given full consideration and believes this type of move can encourage new customers who may not have considered - or had access to - bus travel before. 

“This can really assist QBIC’s ‘Moving Queensland’ blueprint which showed among other things, the vital need for new routes and more services.” 

Media Contacts: Ben Dobson – 0434 791 084 // Lyall Mercer - 0413 749 830