June 24, 2015
Kingaroy’s town bus service, operated by Purser’s Coaches, will stop on Friday, July 3.
Andrew Dascombe said the service was costing the company about $500 a week to run, which was not sustainable.
It currently operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, doing a loop around town.
Andrew said daily patronage ranged from 5 to 18 passengers, which was actually good in comparison to similar services on the Sunshine Coast.
The Kingaroy Town Bus has been running for about three and a half years.
Initially it was funded by the South Burnett Regional Council as part of their “Get On Board” passenger transport program.
It was then jointly funded by Council and the Kingaroy RSL for another six months.
However, for the past two years, Purser’s Coaches have been carrying the full cost.
Andrew said he had met with Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and several South Burnett councillors, seeking assistance but “at the moment nothing is forthcoming”.
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However, Andrew had some good news for South Burnett commuters … Purser’s Coaches have committed to continuing the Murgon to Caboolture bus run “for the foreseeable future”.
There had been speculation that this bus run, which also receives no government subsidies, could also wind up at the end of the month.
Andrew said Purser’s would keep the Caboolture route operating – on the same timetable as present – however there would be a small rise in the cost of tickets.
The increase will range between $2 and $5, depending on the pick-up point and destination.
