General News
25 June, 2025
More public transport on the cards
Toowoomba Region ratepayers who each forked out $39.80 for a compulsory public transport levy last year will be hoping something comes from Toowoomba Regional Council’s proposed public transport projects and initiatives.
A report on the subject was presented to councillors at a Council meeting last week which made reference to public transport options in Westbrook, Wyreema and Cambooya.
The report, authored by Mike Brady, TRC General Manager Infrastructure Services Group, outlined key initiatives and other actions proposed to be undertaken in partnership with Translink and other providers to introduce public transport service improvements across the Toowoomba Region in 2025/26 and the coming years.
The report said the 2024/25 public transport levy raised close to the goal of $3.02 million.
Following workshops between council officers and Translink staff, six key initiatives were formulated:
1. Initiatives already undertaken or being progressed by the State Government (permanent 50c fares, real time electronic boards at key bus stops and Smart Ticketing);
2. Network Service Review (refresh and prioritisation of Translink’s draft five (5) year network service improvement plan);
3. Education and Promotion (through both Translink and Council channels);
4. Public Transport Event Servicing (Translink and Council in conjunction with the respective event body);
5. Public Transport Incentives (integrated into the other actions); and
6. Public Transport Infrastructure (connection infrastructure in the short term along with progressing the delivery of regional transport hubs such as Highfields and Oakey).
A draft plan was developed on the basis of these six key initiatives.
The Network Service Review makes specific mention of towns outside of Toowoomba.
“This draft plan identified 15 potential opportunities to improve on the current service levels (span of hours, frequency and weekend services) and coverage in growth and under-serviced areas (including Highfields, Westbrook and along the New England Highway),” the report said.
“However further review is required with Translink to identify which improvements would provide the greatest benefit together with value for money outcomes, as funding from Council’s Transport Levy is not sufficient to support the trial of all service frequency and coverage initiatives identified in this five year plan.
“Consideration could also be given in this review to developing alternative service models for areas not serviced by the current urban bus network.
“That is, existing Flexi Link models for the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Mount Tamborine could potentially be adapted to provide services to the more populous and proximate regional centres such Pittsworth, Kingsthorpe, Cambooya, Wyreema, Gowrie Junction, Cotswold Hills and Oakey.”
Flexilink services use a taxi in place of a bus, operating on a on a pre-booked basis to transport passengers along a chosen route where passengers are picked up and dropped off.
The report also mentioned that opportunity lies in the Council Cab program and rideshare companies.
“It may also be timely to refresh the Council Cabs program, as there may be more opportunities to expand this program beyond those areas covered by taxi operators than has been the case in the past, and now that the rideshare industry has matured and gained a level of acceptance from the community,” the report said.
