GO NOOSA TRANSPORT INITIATIVES 2023/24 EVALUATION AND 2024/25 IMPLEMENTATION · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              12 AUGUST 2024



The service averages 140 passenger trips per month, with some passengers only travelling in one
direction.

There has not been an increase in the $2 adult and $1 concession fares since the introduction of the
program. The average cost per passenger calculated for the 23/24 FY is approximately $29.50.

As outlined above it is proposed that a review of the service is conducted in association with the
Council Cabs Service to identify any overlap in services, make sure the service is fit for purpose and
provides value for money to all ratepayers, and to consider opportunities or improvements or
expansion to the service, such as timing and routes.



1.3 Free Weekend Buses

Go Noosa in partnership with Translink, promotes sustainable travel within the shire by offering free
bus services on weekends to entice residents and visitors to leave the car at home. The initiative
began in February 2022 and an agreement is in place with Translink to continue until 11 February
2025. The service includes Translink routes 626, 627, 628, 629, and 632 only.

Services 620, 622, 630 and 631 travel outside the Shire, and are unable to be included in the
agreement, as there is currently no way to charge for the Noosa proportion only, it is acknowledged
that this creates confusion for passengers. It is hoped that once Translink roll out Smart Ticketing,
Council will be able to include a service to Peregian Beach and additional services to Cooroy.
However, this date and capability is not yet confirmed, and once the service is rolled out, it is still not
a guarantee that the system will be able to support the free travel within Noosa Shire without
upgrades, which may take time.

Over the past two years, the initiative has yielded positive results with the first year of the trial
increasing patronage by 20% on pre-COVID levels. As at 11 February 2024, the figures were sitting
below the same time the previous year. However, they are still up on pre-covid levels. This result
may be attributed to:

   •   1,908 less passengers in April due to the ANZAC Day public holiday falling on a Tuesday
       this year, so no long weekend.
   •   There was protected industrial action from TWU members only, on the following dates which
       may have impacted the counts on the services:
             o   19 - 22 July 2023
             o   16 August 2023
             o   24-25 August 2023
             o   6 - 9 September 2023
             o   4 October 2023
             o   23 October – 27 December 2023.
   •   The Go Noosa program is promoted through Councils media channels, light pole
       banners and shelter signage