2014-02-25 Infrastructure & Services Committee Meeting Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                           25 FEBRUARY 2014


3.     LAKE MACDONALD TO COOROY FLEXILINK TRIAL SERVICE

Author            Project Officer, Transport Infrastructure Management: Kari Porter
                  Community Infrastructure

Index             ECM/Project/PT-Flexi-LMac

Attachments       1.    Route map and timetable for the Lake Macdonald to Cooroy
                        Flexilink trial service



PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to advise Council on the background and performance of the Lake
Macdonald to Cooroy Flexilink trial service, and to provide a recommendation on the future
continuation of the service.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Lake Macdonald to Cooroy Flexilink trial service (the service) has been operating since 2
April 2013. Passenger numbers are low compared to other similar Flexilink services, and the
initiative has not reached the expected passenger numbers in the first nine months of operation.
As a result it is recommended that the trial service be discontinued.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report by Project Officer, Transport Infrastructure Management to the
Infrastructure & Services Committee dated 25 February 2014 and resolve to discontinue the Lake
Macdonald to Cooroy Flexilink trial service from 1 April 2014.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Flexilink trial services are an on-demand transport service, aiming to provide connectivity to
communities without public transport. The services:

•    operate on a pre-booked basis;
•    run three return trips per day, Monday to Saturday;
•    connect with existing TransLink public transport services for onward journeys;
•    travel along a designated route (passengers must meet the vehicle along this route); and
•    use a taxi in place of a bus.

Council currently operates two Flexilink trial services; one from Boreen Point to Tewantin, which
commenced in November 2005, and the Lake Macdonald to Cooroy service, which commenced
on 2 April 2013. These services are both funded by the Public Transport Levy.

In 2010, Sunshine Coast Council implemented seven (7) new Flexilink trial services across the
region, one of which was from Pomona to Cooroy. At the time, it was agreed with the Divisional
Councillor, that if the Pomona to Cooroy trial was not successful, then the Lake Macdonald trial
would be further considered.

The Pomona to Cooroy Flexilink trial ended on 30 June 2011 due to low patronage (the service
carried 4 passengers between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2011).


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