Bus Service closed
Friday, 10 July 2009 09:52
As hard to believe as it is in this age of concern about traffic congestion and fossil fuel use the State Government has allowed the CityLink bus service that served around 10,000 people in the Mt Crosby, Anstead, Karana Downs and Karalee area to close.
The service received no Government support whatsoever during its eighteen months of operation.
Surely this must be the largest community in South East Queensland that has received no Government support for public transport!
I have appealed directly to Transport Minister Rachel Nolan to keep this service operating. In the event now that it has ceased operating I have called on her to speedily establish a Translink bus service for these communities.
Public transport throughout South East Queensland receives Translink support as a matter of public policy because of the benefit derived by the Government and the whole community when people are able to use public transport.
Local residents pay their taxes the same as every other resident of South East Queensland and yet receive far less in return.
The provision of public transport to large urban communities to give people an alternative to using cars and to service those who for medical or other reasons are unable to, is sound public policy. I cannot understand why the Government is not prepared to put its words into practice. Particularly so given the seat of Ipswich West which is equally affected is held by a Government member.