2014-01-28 Infrastructure & Services Committee Agenda

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                          28 JANUARY 2014


4     COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT REPORTS

ASSET PLANNING & DELIVERY

4.1   FREE HOLIDAY BUSES EASTER 2014

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

File No          ECM/Project/Free Holiday Buses

Author           Project Officer – Transport, Transport Infrastructure Management


SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek council’s formal approval to proceed with a Free Holiday
Buses initiative for 8 days over the Easter 2014 period, and utilise the Noosa Heads Lions Park
for car parking purposes for 17 days over the Easter 2014 school holiday period.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Free Holiday Transport concept was conceived by Noosa Council following
recommendations from a report to the Works and Community Services Portfolio (dated
7/11/2000). The report identified poor road network performance that included vehicles queuing,
with travel time from Noosa Drive to the Spit and back exceeding 40 minutes. Large delays
adversely affected mobility with many locals avoiding the precinct. Further, bus travellers were
forced to wait in long queues reducing the attractiveness of buses as an alternative to the car.

Initially the service was a Park and Ride shuttle between Weyba Road and Hastings Street.
These short-term strategies were improved each year, and free services during Easter were
included from 2005 to 2009. 2009 saw the amalgamation of the Noosa, Maroochy and Caloundra
Councils, and the subsequent introduction of the Public Transport Levy (the Levy). Under the
Levy Policy, the Free Holiday Buses Program expanded to include the Maroochydore and
Caloundra areas. Due to increasing passenger demands, traffic congestion and transport
infrastructure, the program gradually expanded to include all Sunshine Coast bus services over
the Christmas/New Year period, however Easter free services were discontinued after 2010.


REPORT

1.    Dates

The recommended dates for the Free Holiday Buses initiative are Monday 14 April 2014 to
Easter Monday 21 April 2014 (8 days).

Previous Easter Free Holiday Buses have been offered for the four (4) day Easter period only.
Feedback received has indicated that this timeframe is insufficient. In order to offer a longer
timeframe to residents and visitors, and better value for money, an eight-day period has been
recommended. The suggested period is anticipated to be the most effective timeframe, as it is
the second week of school holidays, and includes the Easter long weekend.




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