May 12, 2014
Time is ticking on the fate of the Brisbane-Murgon-Brisbane bus route with the South Burnett Regional Council subsidy – assisted by Cherbourg Council – expiring at the end of June.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann confirmed today no money has been allocated in the Council’s preliminary 2014-15 Budget, which is still being drafted, to continue funding the bus service after this date.
However, he said Council had put in a submission to the State Government seeking a subsidy for the route, and he believed Brisbane Bus Lines had also made a submission.
Mayor Kratzmann said he had also had a meeting recently in Brisbane with the policy adviser to Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney.
He said Council had emphasised in its submission that the continuation of route was more than just a transport issue for the South Burnett.
“It’s an education issue, a health issue, an indigenous issue,” he said.
In November last year South Burnett councillors voted unanimously to subsidise the Brisbane-Murgon-Brisbane bus route until June 30.
They voted to provide up to $30,000 to support Brisbane Bus Lines continuing the service, at least in the short-term, while other options were explored.
The decision to subsidise the run occurred in the wake of widespread public alarm after news broke that the company intended to end the service on February 1 this year.
At the time, the SBRC also approached other councils serviced by the route seeking assistance but to date only Cherbourg Aboriginal Council has come on board.
Related articles:
- Cherbourg Chips In To Keep Bus Running
- Group To Press Government On Bus Run
- Group To Fight To Save Bus
- Council Votes To Fund Bus Run
- Submission ‘Not Possible’: Bus Company
- ‘No Submission’ From Bus Company
- Council Dollars To Keep Buses Running
- Mayor Meets With Bus Company
- Axe Falls On Brisbane Bus Service
This is such an important service to so many in our area. Is there anything we as a community can do to help our cause for a State Government subsidy on this service?. It’s time we got vocal and did some lobbying.
I agree the service is important but it doesn’t need to be a 50+ seater bus travelling all that way for less than 10 people. I have followed BBL out of town many times and have never seen the bus full. Surely there is a cheaper, smarter, more economic option??? A smaller bus and pre-booking would save money and extend the service.
As a concerned South Burnett resident, I would like to strongly voice my opinion about ending the bus service to Brisbane. This is the only link for the residents of this area to many services not available in the area. How are people to travel to medical appointments and many other necessary appointments if no transport is available? Please look at options to lessen the expense other than ceasing the service. eg, smaller bus, less frequent service etc. Please do not allow this very important service to go. We have lost the railway link and now are we to lose the only transport available to essential services?
I would like to take this opportunity to endorse the above remarks that this community needs a transport option particularly for those who need to travel for medical appointments in the city, the elderly, who are no longer able or confident to drive in the city and in general, to assist the overall growth of this region. A tourist would no longer be able to visit this area unless they still drive. A smaller bus and /or fewer services should be considered. Thank you.