Brisbane City Council is revolutionising how residents travel around the suburbs, launching two new hail-and-ride Personalised Public Transport (PPT) in Brisbane’s south west.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said residents’ travel needs are ever-changing and this new transport option is an efficient, low-cost service connecting residents to local transport hubs, where Translink services are limited.
“The hail-and-ride trips are operated by specially marked, wheelchair-accessible and air conditioned maxi-cabs provided by Black & White Cabs and will cost just $1 each way,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The PPT in the centenary suburbs will operate on two fixed loop routes from Westlake to Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre and from Wacol Station to Sumner Park Industrial Estate. The cabs can carry up to 10 people per trip and can pick up and drop off passengers where safe to do so along the fixed route. The routes are now operating and will be trialled for 12 months, from Monday to Friday, excluding public and school holidays. The community is calling out for better transport solutions from the State government and while it’s not Council’s responsibility, we have taken action and delivering this PPT service is a great outcome for these suburbs.”
Jamboree Ward Councillor Matthew Bourke said the innovative services followed extensive community consultation with residents to understand their views and experiences using local bus services.
“More than 950 responses were received during the process, which ensured any changes reflected and aligned with the community’s interests,” Cr Bourke said.
“The particular focus was to deliver better connectivity to local train stations and access to the Sumner Park Industrial Estate from Wacol.”
PPT services have already proven successful in Aspley, Bald Hills, Calamvale, Carindale Hills, Hemmant Hills, Karana Downs, Upper Brookfield and Wynnum Manly, with more than 24,000 residents catching a ride in the past year.
Cr Schrinner said he is dedicated to providing more travel options for Brisbane residents, getting them home quicker and safer.
“We have also worked with Translink to add extra higher frequency morning trips so south west suburb commuters can easily reach the CBD,” he said.