Brisbane’s TransLink-operated bus services will remain free for passengers until last service this Friday – but fares will rise soon after
January 19, 2011
Free bus services operating in flood-affected south-east Queensland this week will end Friday night, but fares will rise as planned.
Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan says planned fare rises would still go ahead when fares are reinstituted from Saturday 22 January.
“We face a massive task of rebuilding our damaged public transport network and keeping quality services running is vital,” Nolan says.
“Every extra cent we receive from these fare increases will go into services and helping rebuild our public transport network – that means more seats on buses and more seats on trains.”
Nolan says the Queensland Government would continue to support a large ongoing subsidy for public transport services in the region.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the state’s public transport network is vital to the region’s recovery.
“Many people don’t have cars, and many others have lost them in the floods,” Bligh says.
“I’m also sure there are also numerous residents who’ve lost their go cards.”
Bligh says this week’s free services will keep unnecessary cars off the road, assisting flood affected residents get to supermarkets and help others if needed.
Nolan says free public transport is intended to assist the flood recovery.
“We’ve never offered free public transport on this scale, for this long, before,” she says.
“It’s unprecedented, but so is the damage and devastation we’ve seen to the lives of so many Queenslanders.”