Queensland Bus Industry Council
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PUBLIC MEDIA
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The peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry has welcomed today’s announcement of a review into public transport fares in South-East Queensland, despite no one from the industry – which accounts for over sixty percent of public transport – being appointed to the Fare Review taskforce.
Executive Director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) David Tape said any review that could improve bus patronage and encourage more people to use public transport was beneficial to the state, both economically and environmentally.
“Affordability will assist in better usage of bus networks, and increased demand will lead to greater frequency of services,” he explained.
“The review has the potential to bring Queensland in line with other states when it comes to affordability.”
QBIC has campaigned for more bus infrastructure and a greater focus on bus travel as roads become more congested, and earlier this year released its “Moving People Queensland” blueprint.
Mr Tape said every bus takes up to 50 cars off the road, and unlike rail travel which has a long lead time before new services can be created, bus routes are flexible and can meet changing demands and population centres.
QBIC also praised the removal of the Tertiary Transport Concession Card.
“This will be welcomed by students, as they currently must carry three cards to access the concession. A simple Go-Card solution will simplify this and make access to the concession much easier.”
Media Contacts: Lyall Mercer - 0413 749 830 // Ben Dobson – 0434 791 084
Queensland’s peak bus industry body has commended the Department of Transport for their recent discussions with James Cook University about an overhaul of Townsville’s bus system.
According to ABC reports, part of the discussions centre on Ross River Road and will include “designated bus lanes and improvements to major and frequently-used bus stops along the route.”
The report also said the department would look at linking traffic signals with buses, so they could be given the green light at intersections if they were running late.
Executive Director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council David Tape said discussions like this are necessary for future public transport and the growing congestion impacting our cities.
“The industry has been calling for a greater focus on bus infrastructure including bus lanes for some time.”
He said that although future upgrades are not yet known, introduction of designated bus lanes with the linkage of traffic signals with buses will provide for quicker bus travel times and remove buses from the normal traffic flow.
“We must provide better quality of service to commuters and reduce traffic congestion, and a bus takes the place of approximately 50 cars,” he explained.
“Buses make up over 90 per cent of public transport in North Queensland and bus travel is an efficient, reliable and effective method of transport.”
Media Contacts: Ben Dobson – 0434 791 084
The peak body representing the Queensland bus industry says dedicated bus lanes must be a priority for Brisbane’s proposed Eastern Corridor extension.
The East Brisbane arterial network will be expanded from four lanes to six as part of a 115 million dollar project but whether the extra lanes will be for buses or open to all traffic, is yet to be determined.
David Tape, executive director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) says there should be no argument.
“This is what the region, with its expanding population, needs now before it is too late. Extra bus lanes along this busy route means extra services for Wynnum and surrounding bayside suburbs.”
QBIC, which recently released its ‘moving Queensland’ blueprint for the future, says dedicated bus lanes underpins its transport strategy to combat Brisbane’s congestion woes.
Mr Tape said buses account for more than 67 per cent of public transport in the south-east with every extra bus service removing approximately 50 cars off the road.
The corridor has already become one of Brisbane’s most congested, with Council estimating 56 thousand vehicles a day travel along the Wynnum Road-Lytton Road corridor.
During peak morning traffic, 42 buses now service the road while in return peak hour there are only 34 buses on the route.
“If we have dedicated bus lanes servicing the Eastern Corridor, we could run more services and substantially reduce traffic congestion,” says Mr Tape.
Media Contacts: Ben Dobson – 0434 791 084 // Lyall Mercer – 0413 749 830
Brisbane is in real danger of grinding to a halt if bus infrastructure is not drastically improved. That’s the stark warning from Queensland’s peak body representing the bus industry.
Executive Director of Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) David Tape has foreshadowed enormous congestion if transport infrastructure in the south-east is not fixed now, and has pointed the finger at the Federal Government.
“We talk about congestion, but the only way to fix the problem is for governments to stop playing politics and work together to fund infrastructure projects, and so far Canberra is ignoring the reality,” he said.
“The Prime Minister calls himself the ‘infrastructure prime minister’ but the truth is that the former government invested far more into transport infrastructure.
“While politicians talk, Queensland is facing a future of congested roads and chaos.”
QBIC, which recently released its ‘Moving Queensland’ blueprint for the future, has called for an expansion of the existing busways network in conjunction with dedicated bus lanes, increasing Park n Ride capacity and better integration between different modes of transport.
“We can’t just keep building more roads; we need to take stock of what is already in place and use it smarter.”
Mr Tape said buses carry more than 67 per cent of the public transport in the south-east and every bus takes approximately 50 cars off the road.
“Bus infrastructure needs to be considered in the planning process for new developments and residential building projects, and we need better bus feeder networks into the train system.”
He pointed to the stalled Eastern Busway project which has the green light from the State Government, support from Brisbane City Council, but needs federal funding to proceed.
“At the moment, buses are stuck in Brisbane’s traffic jams like every other vehicle, which means there is less incentive for people to leave their cars at home.
“It’s time for governments to wake up to the problem before the region grinds to a halt.”
Media Contacts: Lyall Mercer – 0413 749 830 // Barbara Gorogh – 0435 909 608
The peak body for Queensland’s bus industry has condemned the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) for making outrageous accusations about bus safety in the Sunshine State.
A television report this week aired unfounded and damaging claims from the TWU about the mechanical safety of Queensland buses.
Queensland Bus Industry Council Executive Director David Tape has vehemently denied the baseless claims and demanded the facts be made public.
Mr Tape says the vehicle safety was paramount to all bus operations in Queensland and that the ‘bus age profile’ and the State Government's six monthly inspection checks were the best in Australia.
"Bus operators work with the Government to inject tens of millions of dollars annually into the continuous upgrading and ongoing maintenance of the bus fleet in Queensland" Mr Tape said.
"That has resulted in a modern, well presented and most importantly safe fleet across the state”.
“Bus transport, by any measure, is the safest form of travel so for the TWU to make outrageous and unsubstantiated claims in relation to bus safety is simply irresponsible" he said.
Mr Tape says accidents involving buses were unfortunate but sadly inevitable.
“When you’re on the road and clock up as many kilometres as our fleet does, our buses are right in the midst of the normal traffic mix”.
Furthermore, every single bus incident, whether it be a collision or fire, is fully investigated by police and transport authorities.
“Let me state this vital point, the cause of the incident is rarely linked to the mechanical failure or safety of the vehicle “Mr Tape argued.
"We are immensely proud of our excellent safety and record and the public should rely on facts and not baseless propaganda spread by the TWU.”
The announcement by State Transport Minister Jackie Trad of an extension to the Eastern Busway should be supported by Federal Government funding and started at the earliest opportunity, according to the state’s bus industry.
In welcoming the announcement, Executive Director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) David Tape said investment in infrastructure helps future proof the liveability of our cities by reducing congestion and travel times for passengers.
“In 2013/14 there were 188.33 million passenger trips on bus, rail and ferry across Queensland, and over 67 per cent of the trips in the south east corner were on bus,” Mr Tape explained.
“One bus can take up to 50 cars off our roads.”
He said more bus transport infrastructure is needed across South East Queensland, and the State Government is on the right track in announcing their intention to extend the Eastern Busway underneath the old Myer site at Coorparoo and provide a dedicated bus lane on Old Cleveland Road between Buranda and Capalaba.
“This is the beginning of what QBIC hopes is a renewed focus on the future of transport, and we are encourage by the minister’s determination not to accept ‘no’ from the Federal Government.”
QBIC recently launched its ‘Moving People Queensland’ plan which calls for the State Government to actively pursue policy directions which will deliver four critical infrastructure objectives, including a ‘Busway’ expansion plan and dedicated bus lanes on high frequency routes.
Mr Tape said a more efficient, effective and environmentally responsible passenger transport system will bring huge benefits to the state.
“We applaud any effort to recognise the major role of bus transportation and to have a futuristic approach.”
The peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry has congratulated Deputy Premier Jackie Trad on her appointment as the new Minister for Transport.
Executive Director of Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) David Tape said he enjoyed a good relationship with Ms Trad when she was the opposition transport spokesperson and he is pleased she is continuing in the role.
Mr Tape said he is seeking a more inclusive relationship with the new Government, noting that buses are the largest public transport provider.
“We are looking forward to working with Jackie to deliver stability to bus operators across Queensland and returning to negotiated contracts,” he said.
Prior to the state election QBIC revealed that many bus operators across Queensland were living in fear that they would be replaced by out of state bus companies who could afford to initially run at a loss to meet the Newman Government’s proposed open tender criteria.
Mr Tape said the industry group had campaigned for the past year against the proposed changes, arguing that it was bad policy that would destroy Queensland companies and local jobs.
“We welcomed Labor’s pre-election commitment that if elected, they would scrap the tender process, reintroduce negotiated contracts and better engage with the industry.
“We are now greatly looking forward to working closely with the new minister to forge a better way forward and continue to deliver excellent bus services across the state.”
The state’s peak bus industry body has welcomed a commitment by Queensland Labor to scrap the Newman Government’s controversial new bus tender process and reintroduce direct negotiations.
The Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) said many in the industry are living in fear that they will be replaced by out of state bus companies who can afford to initially run at a loss to meet the State Government’s new criteria.
The QBIC has launched a transport blueprint for the state, “Moving People Queensland”, which has received endorsement from Labor.
In a letter from deputy opposition leader Tim Mulherin, Labor committed to “immediately halt the Newman Government’s destructive and divisive competitive tendering approach to bus contracts and revert to a negotiated contract process with operators.”
Mr Mulherin also acknowledged that the LNP’s approach had “the potential to drive locally owned and operated bus operators out of business”, and committed Labor to establishing a new independent statutory authority to guide the state’s infrastructure program.
QBIC executive director David Tape said the commitment showed an understanding of transport needs.
“This will provide for certainty of contracts and a continuation of business for small to medium bus operators in Queensland.”
“Finally there is some hope to retain Queensland business and Queensland jobs.”
The QBIC has called on the LNP to match Labor’s commitment.
The LNP’s focus on the BaT Tunnel and carparks for train stations shows the Government doesn’t understand transport needs, according to the peak body representing Queensland’s bus industry.
The Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) has launched a transport blueprint for the future, which calls for more frequent bus schedules, more investment in transport infrastructure and better cooperation between industry and government.
Executive Director David Tape said more people relied on buses than trains and other public transport, with State Government figures showing bus travel accounting for over 67 per cent of public transport in SE Queensland and over 93 per cent in the regions.
“Our solution is simple and workable. Every bus on the road is estimated to save 50 cars, and if we focus on better bus infrastructure and more services, we won’t need to keep building as many roads.”
The QBIC also slammed the State Government for a lack of industry consultation during the last three years, which resulted in the Government changing the bus tender process, a move the association warned recently would see many bus operators go out of business.
Mr Tape said he has received a commitment from Labor deputy leader Tim Mulherin that if elected, the ALP would scrap the tender process, reintroduce negotiated contracts and better engage with the industry.
“We welcome Labor’s commitment as it will provide for certainty of contracts and a continuation of business for small to medium bus operators in Queensland.”
Calling on the LNP to match Labor’s commitment, he revealed that many in the industry who have voted for the Liberal and National Parties all their lives were disillusioned and would vote against the party for the first time.
The QBIC’s transport blueprint, “Moving People Queensland” is now available.
The failure of Queensland airline Skytrans will be repeated “a hundredfold” in the bus industry across the state if the Newman Government doesn’t immediately reverse its decision to put bus contracts to open tender.
This is the prediction from the state’s peak industry body, the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) who says the State Government has failed Queensland companies through a “cost-cutting obsession that is counter-productive.”
QBIC executive director David Tape said small and medium size companies – many family businesses – are living in fear that they will be replaced by out of state bus companies who can afford to initially run at a loss to meet the State Government’s new tender process.
“Until now, the State Government has renewed bus contracts by direct negotiation, as they know the profit margins and have the power to set them,” Mr Tape revealed.
“But suddenly, and without giving us specific details, they have announced that any company anywhere, with no investment in the region, can win a bus contract in 2015 by simply slashing prices.”
Mr Tape said a single bus costs around $400K and local operators have invested in other infrastructure and employment in order to service bus routes according to the Government’s guidelines.
“Now they tell us they don’t care about our investment and they are happy to allow an out of state company with a willingness to run at a loss to take over the contract, while the local company goes out of business.”
He said engagement with the industry by the Government has been severely lacking. “Open and transparent communication from Government has not been forthcoming to date.
“They are treating Queensland companies with contempt and hoping we stay silent before the election because post-election, many Queensland bus companies may not even exist.
“Well, we are not staying silent, and are asking for a pre-election commitment that the Government will change course.”
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