- Significant investment in public transport with almost $70 million to improve bus services.
- The initial investment, as well as ongoing funding of more than $24 million per year, will grow the bus network to reduce congestion and improve community access to jobs, healthcare and education.
- Greater access to the Miles Government's 50c public transport fares for fast growing communities.
A series of bus network upgrades across Queensland will deliver thousands of new weekly services to change the way people move around their region.
The $70 million initial investment through the Bus Services Investment Program is aimed at improving community travel options across the state through investment in new bus services and new bus stop infrastructure.
These upgrades will target Queensland communities experiencing significant population growth and will introduce bus services to many areas for the first time.
Ipswich and Logan residents will see significant investment in their regions, with a number of new services set for introduction.
Ipswich improvements will be delivered across three years and will include:
- New services to growth areas of Redbank Plains, Collingwood Park, Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park, as well as Springfield, Deebing Heights and Karalee.
- Improved service connectivity to the Ripley Valley priority development area.
- The introduction of a new direct route linking Springfield and Ipswich, via Redbank Plains.
- The extension of existing routes in areas north and south of Ipswich, Springfield Lakes, Camira and Spring Mountain.
- Improved connectivity to rail services and to Ipswich Hospital.
Logan service improvements will be delivered across two years and will include:
- New services to fast growing residential areas including Logan Reserve, Bahrs Scrub and Park Ridge East.
- Services to the suburb of Berrinba for the first time.
- Improved route 587 service levels linking to rail services in Loganlea, responding to ongoing population growth in Yarrabilba.
- A new On Demand service within the Yarrabilba priority development area, improving connections to route 587, and local access to retail and other community facilities.
- Improved service frequencies in Park Ridge.
- Increased service frequencies on east-west corridors between Springwood, Loganholme, Woodridge, Loganlea and Browns Plains.
This addition in public transport services is the Queensland Government's latest investment in the network, including cost of living initiatives such as 50 cent fares on all Translink services across the state from 5 August for 6 months.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
"My budget is delivering new public transport services, which will allow more Queenslanders to leave their cars at home – reducing congestion on our busy roads.
"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."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:
"We are doing what matters for the Logan and Ipswich communities by making bus links to their communities stronger with more services, and more affordable with our 50c fares.
"The Miles Government is tackling congestion while helping to ease cost of living pressures on Queensland families.
"We want public transport to be more attainable for everyone regardless of where people live, so they can get home to their families faster."
As stated by Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:
"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.
"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."
