Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says it’s time for councils in South East Queensland to increase funding for public transport. Bligh, addressing
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says it’s time for councils in South East Queensland to increase funding for public transport.
Bligh, addressing the Tourism & Transport Forum in Brisbane this week, says the State Government has doubled public transport spend in six years and Brisbane City Council currently contributes around $384 per household to public transport.
“State funding for public transport services has doubled since 2004 and we are currently rolling out a new three car train set every month on our passenger network – the largest acquisition since the rail lines were electrified,” she says.
“We’ve signficantly expanded the BUZ network of fast, frequent, timetable free bus services.
“In the last 10 years we’ve delivered more than 20km of dedicated, high-speed busways that have revolutionized public transport in the region.
“These are the reasons why public transport patronage is growing faster than population growth.
“But despite our record investment in public transport services, there is more to be done.”
Bligh says that if every Council in SEQ made the same contribution as BCC to public transport that would be an extra $292 million each and every year, or almost $6 billion across the life of the SEQ Regional Plan.
“That’s more than twice the cost of the new Clem 7, and 15 times the cost the new Go Between Bridge,” she says.
“Translink advice says that kind of funding could provide an extra 39,000 public transport services each and every week.”
This would include:
- 3,200 extra services each for Ipswich and the Redlands
- 5,100 extra services for Logan
- 7,500 extra services for the Sunshine Coast
- 7,700 extra services for Moreton Bay; and
- 12,000 extra services for the Gold Coast each week.
“It needn’t be at the cost of higher rates either. Brisbane City Council’s average rates are not materially higher than any other local government in South East Queensland,” Bligh adds.
“But the impact this extra funding would make is significant. More public transport, less congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“I am pleased to see that some councils like the Gold and Sunshine Coasts have started to take up this challenge and I call on others to get on board.”