LNP bus review: profits before people

Media Release.

The Newman Government has continued its campaign against some of Queensland’s most vulnerable, this time targeting pensioners and students by taking the axe to critical bus routes.

Opposition Transport spokesperson Jackie Trad said the transport review by Minister Scott Emerson would mean 111 fewer bus routes in South-East Queensland.

“This report is yet another example of the Newman Government putting profits before people,” Ms Trad said.

“Public transport is there to serve the public – and for pensioners and students it is often their only means of transport - not this Government’s constant grab for cash.

“Cutting low patronage services sounds good in a news grab, but what it really means is those who can least afford it will no longer have access to the services they rely on.

“The pensioners who catch a bus during the day to go to the doctors or the students who take the bus to their weekend job – these are the services that the Newman Government have slashed.”

Ms Trad said reviewing the bus network should be a continual task, but it should always be carried out in consultation with local communities.

“This review was shambolic from day one – with the public only consulted on the recommendations for two weeks over Christmas,” Ms Trad said.

“Clearly, this Government – particularly the Transport Minister – don’t want to listen to the concerns of working Queenslanders.

“­­­He won’t listen to bus drivers on the issue of bus safety and now he won’t listen to commuters before he cuts the buses they rely on.

“This Minister’s failure to communicate means that in the coming weeks, commuters will show up to catch their regular service, only to find it has been axed.”

Ms Trad this week launched a petition calling on the Newman Government to stop cuts to local services until the community has been genuinely consulted.

“Within 24 hours, over 500 people had signed the petition,” Ms Trad said.

“A separate petition was tabled in Parliament this morning that had over 800 signatures from concerned Brisbane Bayside locals who want to see their local services retained.

“Clearly this is an issue that many Queenslanders care deeply about and it’s time this Government listened to the concerns of local communities.”