The Queensland Government is adding capacity for an extra 64,000 commuters a week on Brisbane buses through a record $6.8
The Queensland Government is adding capacity for an extra 64,000 commuters a week on Brisbane buses through a record $6.8 million investment by TransLink for new buses and more frequent services.
Announcing the new services at Aspley Hypermarket Translink bus terminal yesterday, Transport Minister John Mickel said the improved bus services that will start on February 23, would provide almost 1000 new bus service to commuters in Brisbane city and Brisbane’s northern, southern and north-western suburbs.
“The Queensland Government is committed to improving our public transport system,” he said.
“Through TransLink, we will fund the record bus improvements, with services to be delivered by Brisbane Transport.
“This package of improvements is TransLink’s single biggest investment in bus services with 26 new buses due to service the new and improved routes.
“Buses carry about two thirds of all passengers on the TransLink network so adding new buses and services are part of meeting the rapidly growing demand on our public transport system.”
“There are some substantial improvements in this package that will benefit many commuters,” he said.
The Government has allocated $177 million for bus services in the Brisbane area in 2008-09, up from $146 million in 2007-08.
“In this financial year alone, TransLink will fund an extra 135 buses across South-East Queensland with 90 allocated for Brisbane,” claimed Mickel.
Mickel said some of the new enhancements included a new limited stop service (363 – Herston to Brisbane) and two new prepaid bus services (157- Runcorn to Brisbane and 343 – Aspley to Brisbane).
He said there would be significant improvements along the 140 (Browns Plains to Brisbane) corridor with 10 to 15 minute frequencies throughout the day, seven days a week.
“The frequency of the busiest bus route on the network, the 199 (Teneriffe Ferry – West End Ferry via City), would be expanded to run between five and 10 minutes six days a week.”
The improved bus routes will include 66, 124, 140, 141, 142, 150, 153, 156, 157, 161, 162, 199, 343, 345, 363, 372, 373, 377, 378.
Since TransLink was established in 2004, the bus fleet across South-East Queensland has expanded from 1496 buses to 2081 buses in four years – an increase of about 39 percent.
Mickel said transport service enhancements in February, August and October last year had been well accepted by commuters and reflected in patronage growth.
“The last bus enhancement program in October provided more than $5 million for improved Brisbane and Bayside services,” he said.