Transport gridlock fix: on your bike?

Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to get out of their cars and take a ride on a bus, train or bike to end the gridlock on our roads

South East Queensland integrated transport division regional manager Wally Wight launched the SunTRAN strategy in Caloundra, which aims to have 33% of the population regularly using public transport within the next 10 years. Photo: Cade Mooney

Sunshine Coast residents are being urged to get out of their cars and take a ride on a bus, train or bike to end the gridlock on our roads.

The State government and the region’s three local Councils today launched SunTRAN, a joint initiative to cater for the region’s continued rapid population growth.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas said people must work together to reduce car trips, switch to public transport and choose alternative modes of transport that are environmentally sound and benefit the community, such as walking and cycling.

“People have to reconsider travel habits and options to ensure the Sunshine Coast continues to be economically, environmentally and socially viable,” Mr Lucas said.

"Ultimately, residents of the Sunshine Coast should adapt and utilise alternative methods of transport more frequently, instead of relying on the car, especially vehicles with only one person - the driver,” he said.

Mr Lucas said the State Government was delivering a range of significant transport projects and services on the Sunshine Coast, including $6.4 billion for the region from the South East Queensland Infrastructure Program and Plan (2007-26).

The projects include:

• $1.66 billion on Sunshine Coast major road networks
• $1.2 billion for the CAMCOS rail project
• $1.2 billion on the North Coast rail line (Caboolture to Beerburrum to Landsborough, and Landsborough to Nambour)
• $856 million on Sunshine Coast Motorway works
• $160 million on the Caloundra to Maroochydore quality bus corridor and public transport stations
• $60 million on cycle networks
• $12 million on transport infrastructure investigations, including $6 million on the Nautilus Project, and
• $12 million on TransLink station upgrades.

"We're also spending $18.4 million this financial year on school transport services for Sunshine Coast students," Mr Lucas said.

"That's in addition to the SchoolBUS program, which has provided $1.5 million to help buy 15 new buses, with another $3 million allocated to 26 more new school buses."

Mr Lucas said secure taxi ranks had been established at Mooloolaba, Noosa and Caloundra and preparations were being finalised to provide FlatFare taxi services for late-night revellers at the Mooloolaba secure rank.

"We're also very pleased with the feedback and results from our TransLink smart card trials that have been operating on the Coast since April.

"The input from the Sunshine Coast public has been an invaluable help as we prepare to roll out the card later this year."

The launch coincided with the official opening of the Sunshine Coastal Pathway, a 96km pedestrian and cycleway from Caloundra to Tewantin, by Chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils, Caloundra City Mayor Don Aldous.

He said SunTRAN recommended smart solutions to the region's road congestion and the challenges of sustainability.

“The Initial study clearly found that we all cannot continue to use cars as our primary means of transport and hope to maintain our current amenity and lifestyle," Cr Aldous said.

"The region will soon have greater choices, such as the Sunshine Coastal Pathway, which is an exciting link between all our local authorities, for residents and visitors to enjoy."

SunTRAN is a collaborative project between Queensland Transport, Caloundra City, Maroochy and Noosa Councils, and the Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils.

It was commissioned in 2004 to develop a cohesive transport vision for the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast region and its report completed last December found the region’s existing transport systems and services to be under increasing strain.

The initial report identified six priorities for implementation over the next decade including such projects as a passenger rail to Caloundra and Maroochydore, planning for Mooloolah River crossings, and developing and coordinating a Sunshine Coast pedestrian and cycle strategy.

Sunshine Coast residents can find regular updates about SunTRAN by visiting the website.

Originally published as Transport gridlock fix: on your bike?