Brisbane’s bus full figures remained at less than one per cent in February, despite the anticipated demand brought on by the start of university, Public and Active Transport chairman Jane Prentice said today.
Cr Prentice said of the 207,751 services in February, just 1925 (0.92 per cent) reported full for part of the journey.
“We always expected the figures to rise once university went back, but the fact remains it’s still less than one per cent of trips that have been affected,” she said.
“Traditionally, February and especially March is when demand picks up again because thousands of university students use our bus services to commute to their campus.”
Of the full loads in February, a 63 per cent majority (1213) occurred on routes with a waiting time of less than 20 minutes for the next bus.
February’s numbers were comparable to last September’s figure of 0.91 per cent, despite September being a month of traditionally lower demand.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman put a record 337 new buses on the road during his first term, compared to former Lord Mayor Jim Soorley, who could only deliver 60 new buses over a five year period in the late 1990s.
And the proportion of air-conditioned buses when Cr Newman was elected was 35 per cent. It now stands at 85 per cent.
In addition, the Lord Mayor has committed to another 500 new buses by 2012.
“There’s still room for improvement and that’s why we’re undertaking an unprecedented investment into the city’s public transport,” Cr Prentice said.
“This year alone, the equivalent of 125 new rigid buses will be added to our fleet and we will shortly be opening our new bus depot at Willawong, which will allow for even more timetable flexibility.
“And later this year, work will begin on our new bus build facility at Eagle Farm, which will allow us to deliver new buses more efficiently.”
Cr Prentice said she and the Lord Mayor were determined to meet the increasing demand for bus services, brought on by soaring petrol costs and newer, more comfortable buses.
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