Nerang and Pacific Pines residents see bus to the door service continued with 50 cent fares
The state government has decided the fate of an on-demand bus service trial ahead of the launch of massively discounted public transport fares.
Transport
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A popular on-demand bus service trial has been green-lit to continue ahead of the long-awaited launch of 50c public transport fares.
Housing Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon on Friday announced the On Demand Transport Trial (ODT), which sees buses collect and drop off residents in their streets at Nerang and Pacific Pines, would be extended beyond its original two-year run, which began in 2022.
“Our community has backed ODT all the way with close to 100 per cent of people
saying they’re advocates for the service, which is why I’m proud that I fought to
extend it,” Ms Scanlon said.
The ODT trial has proved popular with teenagers seeking casual employment and retirees, allowing them connect with essential services, shops and employment. Residents use the buses to access trams at Helensvale to visit major events in Surfers Paradise.
Patronage on the service has grown steadily with more than 184,000 passenger trips
taken since it was introduced.
ODT is regularly used by commuters, with 45 per cent of users travelling to and from
work, and 68 per cent of trips connecting with other forms of public transport.
The minibuses along with trains and light rail will available to commuters for 50 cents travel from Monday, with the Coast’s network offering some of the cheapest public transport in Australia.
The discount public transport fares apply to buses, trains and light rail.
Ms Scanlon had secured the ODT trial, which offers a more personalised public
transport service in locations where regular public transport services were not available
or possible.
“We’re doing what matters for Gold Coasters, tackling the cost of living with cheaper
public transport, cheaper rego and more ways to travel,” Ms Scanlon said.
“It means from Monday, Gold Coasters can hop on a train, bus or tram to any part of
our city or the entire south east for just 50 cents per trip.
The Gaven MP said the LNP had cut bus services in the Gaven electorate when Opposition MP David Crisafulli was last in office in the Newman Government from 2012-15.
“Public transport on the Gold Coast is all at risk to be cut under the LNP,” she said.
Kinetic executive general manager Martin Hall said passengers had loved the convenience of ODT and it was critical for the service to continue in the city’s north.
“It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to get around and with close to 200,000 trips
completed the numbers speak for themselves,” Mr Hall said.
“Providing connections to high frequency bus routes, heavy rail and light rail is vitally
important to increasing the use of public transport and reducing the number of cars
on our roads.
“Services like On Demand Transport provide these connections and support more
sustainable transport in our city.”
Key commuter tips on cheap bus fares:
* In the Pacific Pines trial area, ODT travels to and from the key locations of Helensvale station, Westfield Helensvale and Pacific Pines Town Centre.
* In the Nerang/Highland Park trial area the key locations include Nerang station, multiple stops in Nerang town centre, My Centre Nerang and Nerang Mall.
* Travel on these services will cost just 50 cents for all customers during the 50 cent fare trial, without impacting on the existing conditions for free bus travel for seniors.
* Bookings can be made through Translink’s On Demand app which also provides customers with service tracking and real-time notifications of their service.
* More information on the trial and how it works is available at translink.com.au/ondemand or by calling 13 12 30.
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