2014-05-20 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  20 MAY 2014


The data contained in Table 2 clearly demonstrates the significant increase in public transport
patronage as a direct result of the Free Holiday Buses initiative, with a 215% (more than 3 times)
increase in passenger boardings on the existing TransLink services.

Due to the inclement weather during the first 3 days of the initiative, the daily average over the
full 8 days is lower than the Easter long weekend daily average.


3.     Passenger Data – Flexilink and Council Cabs Services

As with previous years, the Boreen Point to Tewantin Flexilink and Noosa Council Cabs services
were also free of charge to passengers for the period 14 April to 21 April, 2014.

Passenger trip numbers for these services are as follows:

    Boreen Point to Tewantin Flexilink service = 110
    Council Cabs services = 12


4.     Marketing

As in previous years, a comprehensive communications plan was implemented including, but not
limited to:

    Provision of signage at major bus stops, 30 street-light poles, and variable message boards
     on major connecting roads
    Production & distribution of 20,000 pocket timetables (including route map) and posters
    Signage on 1 local Noosa-specific bus
    Council communication tools including website, facebook, newsletter and messages on hold
    Liaison with external stakeholders for inclusion on websites, and in emails and newsletters
    Uniforms for Sunbus Passenger Assist staff at Noosa Heads bus station
    Media launch with excellent support from local newspapers

Also refer to marketing support provided by TransLink in ‘External Consultation’ below.


5.     Passenger Assist staff at Noosa Heads Bus Station

One Sunbus Passenger Assist Officer was based at Noosa Heads Bus Station from 9.30am to
4.10pm from 14 April to 21 April 2014 to assist with passenger enquiries and movements at the
station. The staff members provided by Sunbus for this role were extremely knowledgeable and
positive feedback has been received from survey respondents.


6.     Park & Ride Facility at Noosa Junction

As with previous years of the Free Holiday Buses initiative, communications included information
and directional signage to the all-day car parks in Cooyar Street, Noosa Junction (particularly
near the Noosa Professional Centre).

As it is difficult to accurately gauge the number of vehicles using this facility, an additional
question was included in the customer feedback survey asking whether respondents used the
Park & Ride Facility in Noosa Junction. Of the 361 respondents who answered the question, 58
respondents (16%) did use the Park & Ride facility in Noosa Junction.


                                                                                    Page 6 of 15