Let's get on-board

Sunshine Coast council’s Councillor Vivienne Griffin launches Free Holiday Bus initiative

Geoff Potter

BIKES on buses to further help ease the Sunshine Coast road squeeze - that is the next goal to be kicked by council's public transport minded Councillor Vivien Griffin.

Cr Griffin used Tuesday's Noosa Junction launch of the Coast's free holiday bus service from December 26 to January 8 to suggest that our bus system, which already takes surfboards onboard, has to become even more user-friendly.

The council's integrated transport systems spokeswoman believes such cycle-friendly travel would further boost the Coast's credentials as a progressive force in traffic snarl busting - especially at the Christmas peak.

In fact Cr Griffin believes we may already boast the world's only fortnightly block of free public transport.

"I think this (free holiday bus system) is actually unique in the world because when you think about it, it's a fortnight where every road transport is free," Cr Griffin said.

"Other cities have a little free loop, but I can't think of a single place that would have all roads transport free like this."

She said fitting buses with bike racks to encourage a more free-wheeling hybrid mode of getting from A to B on the Coast does have a successful track record overseas.

"My main mission is about getting bikes on buses - with the use of bike racks onboard.

"This is done in Canberra, Christchurch and Vancouver, so I'm going to be contacting them to see how to make that work.

"If you're an apprentice (in Noosa) and you're working at Kunda Park and pop on the bus down to Maroochydore, you can cycle to work from there."

The free bus rides that extend along the Coast and throughout the hinterland were first pioneered in 1999 by Noosa Council as a park and ride service to stop the holiday gridlock in Hastings St and its approach roads.

"TransLink is now right on board with us," Cr Griffin said.

"The really important thing is the marketing and getting the information out, because this goes right out to service areas like Conondale, Kenilworth and Peachester.

"I think ultimately the secret to getting greater public transport usage, is a whole lot of pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

"It's about getting decent transit stations like this at Noosa, it's about having real time info so that you're able to be standing at the bus stop when the bus is coming.

"It's about getting more frequent services, it's about getting funkier looking transport like this."

FREE HOLIDAY BUS

The 2011/12 FREE Holiday Bus program includes all:

TransLink's Sunshine Coast Sunbus services (28 routes)

Glasshouse Country Coaches (Hinterland Connect, Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah services)

Flexilink services (Boreen Point to Tewantin, Conondale via Witta to Maleny, Kenilworth to Mapleton and Peachester to Beerwah)

Council Cabs services

The program is funded by council's public transport levy and last year more than 200,000 passengers travelled on public buses during that holiday fortnight.

Uniformed Go2Crew helpers these holidays will assist passengers with timetables, directions and queries.

Passengers can also use the online journey planner at www.translink.com.au, or call TransLink on 131 230.

On New Year's Eve the regular Saturday timetable will apply with additional services on routes 600, 620, 626 and 627.

These additional services will operate from 6.30pm on December 31 until 3am on January 1.