TransLink has opened up submissions for feedback regarding their new draft ten-year plan for passenger transport in Queensland, asking the public to have their say on the state’s transport future, including its new Smart Ticketing initiative.
The Creating Better Connections for Queenslanders draft plan is based on five key priorities, which outline how Queensland’s passenger transport will evolve to meet changing customer expectations, including:
- Reliable and safe services
- Responsive to changing community needs
- Seamless end-to-end journeys
- Easy and accessible
- Environmentally sustainable
Following a six-week engagement period, TransLink will consider all ideas and feedback, then finalise the plan, with submissions open until 17 September 2021.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said it was important to get the plan right as Queensland gears up for what is tipped to be the biggest decade of growth the state has seen.
“There’s no doubt Queensland will be the place to be over the next ten years,” Mr Bailey said.
“With the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, record investment in infrastructure, and 88 per cent of net migration in the coming years, it’s a big decade ahead.
“So, we want Queenslanders to be part of developing the best possible transport plan for the state through our Creating Better Connections strategy, a key component of the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery from Covid-19.”
TransLink is also implementing the state’s Smart Ticketing initiative, allowing regional Queensland and the south-east to use the same system; with new features of on-board equipment being tested in five regional urban areas.
Currently, new Smart Ticketing validators are being progressively rolled out across Queensland Rail City train stations, making way for new payment methods in later 2021.
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government was already transforming travel across Queensland with a record investment in public transport.
“We’re moving onto the next stage of our $371 million smart ticketing roll-out, which will mean for the first time, regional Queensland commuters will use the same ticketing system as those in the south-east.
“550 smart ticketing readers will be installed at 154 train stations, along with bus services, allowing commuters to pay using a credit card, smart phone or watch.
“Importantly, smart ticketing will allow regional commuters to access real-time travel information about bus and train services.”
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government is also supporting the transition to more zero emissions transport options.
“Electric buses are already operating in a number of regions and we’ll start to see more built at BusTech on the Gold Coast, including two bio-ethanol fuelled buses that will start trials in Mackay later this year.
“From 2025, every new urban bus added to the fleet in SEQ will be a zero-emissions vehicle.
“From 2030, we’ll roll out zero-emissions vehicles to the rest of the urban fleet across the state – and of course we want them to be built here in Queensland.
“We’re doubling the length of Queensland’s Electric Super Highway (QESH), to almost 3800km with the addition of 18 new charging sites.
“Growing the QESH means we can accelerate the transition of the government fleet from petrol to electric, building on our commitment to double the number of EVs in QFleet year on year.
“Our investment in hydrogen production as a fuel also gives us potential to create new jobs, a new manufacturing sector, reduce transport emissions and export energy to the world.”
Mr Bailey encouraged Queenslanders to have their say on the draft plan during the six week consultation.
“While customer satisfaction with public transport is high, the Palaszczuk Government plans to be ahead of the game as the lines between public and passenger transport blur and customers’ service expectations change over the next ten years,” Mr Bailey said.
“We want Queensland to be ready to capitalise on emerging technologies and mobility options.
“Travel behaviours are changing, and rideshare, micro mobility, Mobility as a Service and on-demand transport are growing as part of the passenger transport mix, with new technologies making it easier to plan, book and pay for your transport.
“We’re also busy completing Queensland’s biggest ever public transport project – Cross River Rail.
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government wants to work closely with Queenslanders who want to be part of planning the state’s transport future.
“TransLink customer surveys, as well as ongoing customer feedback, ideas and suggestions, have informed the content of this draft plan,” Mr Bailey said.
“We’ve listened to our customers and considered their needs, and now we are seeking feedback from other key stakeholders.
“We’re confident in our draft plan but we want to ensure everyone involved in passenger transport across the state is aligned on the best way forward.”
More information is available on the TransLink website.
