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Minister pushes bush buses

QBIC’s annual conference got off to a bright start with the new Transport Minister’s opening address stating the case for regional bus growth

April 19, 2011

Queensland Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has used the bus industry’s annual conference to reinforce the importance of public transport across the entire state.

Speaking at the Queensland Bus Industry Council annual conference in Townsville this morning, Palaszczuk says funding a broad range of transport support across the state was vital.

“Projections indicate growth in the region is going to increase over the coming years and we need to plan for the future now,” Palaszczuk says.

“More people than ever are using public transport in regional Queensland, with overall urban bus patronage for Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Toowoomba up by 11 per cent over the past five years,”

Palaszczuk says the Queensland Government is committed to continuing to working in partnership with industry to promote and enhance a sustainable bus industry delivering safe, effective and efficient services.

She uses the opportunity to meet with bus industry representatives to discuss the state of the industry.

“I’m pleased to be able to meet with bus and coach owners and operators from here in North Queensland and right across the state to discuss with them the issues that they’re facing on the ground.

“This is a great opportunity for Government and industry to work together to achieve better outcomes for the industry, government and the travelling public.”

Palaszczuk says she say was pleased QBIC had chosen Townsville for this year’s conference and that so many attendees travelled to the event, many with their families.

Key points to be discussed at the conference include:

·developing a new strategic directions statement for passenger transport in Queensland out to 2031;

·developing passenger transport network plans with a fifteen year focus, commencing with Far North Queensland and Wide Bay Burnett this financial year;

·developing public transport service plans for the next five years, beginning with Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Toowoomba this financial year; and

·developing passenger transport infrastructure program guidelines and manuals.

The Queensland Bus Industry Council’s Annual Conference will run from 19 to 21 April 2011 in Townsville.

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