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Party promise

QBIC calls on parties to promise stability to local operators as State Election nears

Queensland’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, as the State election nears on January 31.

Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) says many operators are living in fear 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.

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.”

Mulherin also acknowledges the Liberal National Paty’s (LNP) approach has “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 says the commitment shows 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,” he says.

“Finally there is some hope to retain Queensland business and Queensland jobs.”

QBIC has called on the LNP to match Labor’s commitment.

QBIC has launched a transport blueprint for the state, Moving people Queensland, which has received endorsement from Labor.

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