Media Release 

The peak body representing the Queensland bus industry has called for more infrastructure spending with new figures showing bus travel to clearly be the most popular option for south-east commuters. 

The latest Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) patronage figures for the year (2014- 15) showed 64 per cent of patronage was by bus, more than twice the number of the second leading mode of transport, rail. 

Queensland Bus Industry Council Executive Director David Tape says the data again highlights the urgent need for a host of new bus infrastructure especially with the continuing rapid growth of outlying suburban regions.

“Buses enjoy a near 65 per cent of transport market share in the south-east corner and continues to prove to be the most effective and reliable form of passenger commute. Our internal research shows demand will continue to grow so we must put the infrastructure in place now.” 

“Dedicated lanes, and priority signalling at congested intersections are imperative while more services are urgently needed and we call on all forms of Government to ensure improving bus networks remains high on their agenda”. 

Mr Tape says as a congestion-buster nothing beats catching a bus because for every single bus service, at least 50 fewer cars are on the road. 

DTMR figures showed buses accounted for 113.6 million trips through the south-east corner in the past twelve months while there was a slight drop in numbers in the Gold Coast region because of the region’s new light rail service. 

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