The Queensland government has handed down its budget for 2024-25, with almost $70 million included to improve bus services across the state.
The fast growing communities of Ipswich and Logan are set to reap the benefits of public transport investment, with a series of bus network upgrades set to deliver thousands of new weekly services to change the way people move around their areas.
The $70 million initial investment is through the Bus Services Investment Program and aims to improve community travel options through new bus services and bus stop infrastructure.
The upgrades will target Queensland communities experiencing significant population growth and will introduce bus services to many areas for the first time, with Ipswich and Logan set to receive a number of new services.
“The budget is delivering new public transport services which will allow more Queenslanders to leave their cars at home – reducing congestion on our busy roads,” Queensland premier Steven Miles says.
“We have already made using public transport cheaper with our 50 cent fares and this is an extra step to create even more access to the public transport network for Queenslanders.
“Our state is continuing grow and we have many new residential areas and this funding will help new residents in those area gain access to services.”
The initial investment will be supported by ongoing funding of more than $24 million per year to grow the bus network and reduce congestion, with more people set to access the 50c public transport fare initiative.
As part of the improvements to Ipswich that will be delivered across three years, new services will arrive in the growth areas of Redback Plains, Collingwood Park, Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park, as well as Springfield, Deebing Heights and Karalee.
There’ll be improved service connectivity to the Ripley Valley priority development area, the introduction of a new direct route from Springfield to Ipswich, an extended route in areas north and south of Ipswich and improved connectivity to rail services and Ipswich Hospital.
In Logan, service improvements across two years will see new services provided to fast growing residential areas including Logan Reserve, Bahrs Scrub and Park Ridge East, as well as services to Berrinba for the first time.
Route 587 will see improved service levels linking to rail services in Loganlea, while a new on demand service within the Yarrabilba priority development area will improve connections to route 587.
Finally, improved service frequencies in Park Ridge will also join increased service frequencies on east-west corridors between Springwood, Loganholme, Woodridge, Loganlea and Browns Plains as part of the funding.
“This is an exciting time for the public transport users across Queensland, with significant funding for new services and cost saving measures implemented by the Queensland government,” Queensland transport and main roads minister Bart Mellish says.
“These initiatives will hopefully attract more and more people to public transport so they can experience the benefits, which in turn eases congestion on our roads.
“The Bus Services Investment Program is giving Queenslanders access to new bus services and stops to allow customers a more convenient way to travel to and from their homes.”