Meeting New Transport Minister
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 15:15
Re local bus services
Queensland’s new Transport Minister is member for Ipswich, Rachel Nolan. On her appointment I immediately requested a meeting to discuss the improvement of local bus services and in particular Government support for a bus service to the 10,000 or so currently unserviced residents of Karana Downs, Mt Crosby, Anstead, Chuwar and Karalee.
This community surely must be the largest South East Queensland community not to receive any Government funded public transport of any kind.
Currently a private bus service with no Government support at all, CityLink, operates but this will close at the end of the month unless the Government agrees to provide the same support that is provided to bus services everywhere else in South East Queensland.
The Minister promised to look at the issue and asked for some further details about patronage on the CityLink service.
I don’t believe it is acceptable to have a community of this size receiving none of the support that is almost universally provided to public transport. If we are serious about giving people an alternative to using cars then clearly that alternative must exist and receive some degree of support. I will be continuing to seek support for the CityLink bus service or other Translink supported bus service
Local Park and Rides
In my first meeting with newly appointed Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan I also raised the issue of provision of park and ride services.
Park and ride services are the responsibility of the Department of Transport through Translink (as opposed to the Department of Main Roads).
I have been very disappointed that the promised and funded park and ride on Moggill Road opposite Margaret Court is yet to commence construction. It seems ridiculous that this was not constructed in association with the Moggill Road roadworks and I made this view known to the Minister.
There is also a clear need to establish a proper park and ride around Grandview Road to service the thousands of residents through the Pullenvale area who do the right thing and use the local bus stop.
I have also requested the Government investigate a park and ride facility for the Moggill area. To date this does not appear to have been given any consideration but clearly could significantly enhance the convenience for public transport for local public transport users.