Better Transport Queensland Condemns Removal of Real-Time Bus Information from Regional Communities

BTQ understands that real-time tracking is being removed as part of the rollout of new ticketing terminals capable of accepting contactless credit and debit card payments. While the ability to pay fares using a bank card is a welcome improvement, it is unacceptable that passengers are being forced to accept the loss of real-time information as a trade-off.

As of 6 October, real-time bus information has been removed from services in Innisfail, Bowen and the Wide Bay region, with Cairns expected to follow in the near future^[1].

“Regional Queenslanders should not be asked to choose between modern payment options and modern passenger information,” said Better Transport Queensland President Rowan Gray.

“Public transport users in Brisbane and South East Queensland have had both for decades. Regional communities deserve the same standard of service.”

Real-Time Information Is Not a Luxury

Real-time tracking is a critical part of a modern public transport network. It provides passengers with certainty, confidence and safety when using public transport.

Without real-time information, passengers have no way of knowing whether their bus is running on time, significantly delayed, or has failed to operate altogether.

For commuters, this can mean missed connections, late arrivals at work, education or medical appointments, and lengthy waits at bus stops with little information about when help is coming.

For parents and carers, real-time information provides reassurance that children and other family members have boarded their service and are progressing towards their destination. For older Queenslanders and people with disabilities, it allows journeys to be planned with greater confidence and reduces uncertainty while travelling.

Real-time data is also relied upon by third-party journey planning applications, accessibility tools and community transport services that help passengers make informed travel decisions.

Removing this information undermines the reliability and attractiveness of public transport at a time when governments should be encouraging greater patronage.

Regional Queensland Left Behind

BTQ is also concerned by the apparent abandonment of previous commitments to deliver Smart Ticketing across Queensland.

When Smart Ticketing was first announced, it was presented as a statewide upgrade that would modernise public transport ticketing while supporting enhanced passenger information systems^[2].

However, references to a Queensland-wide rollout have now disappeared, with Smart Ticketing communications focused solely on South East Queensland^[3].

As a result, many regional communities remain unable to use Go Cards or Smart Ticketing products and are instead receiving an alternative ticketing solution that does not currently integrate with real-time passenger information.

“This creates a two-tier public transport system,” Mr Gray said.

“Passengers in South East Queensland are receiving continual investment in better information, better ticketing and a more connected network, while regional communities are losing features they already had.”

Call for Action

Better Transport Queensland is calling on the Queensland Government and Translink to urgently restore real-time passenger information to affected regional bus services and ensure any future ticketing upgrades support both contactless payments and live service tracking.

“No Queenslander should lose access to essential public transport information simply because they live outside South East Queensland,” Mr Gray said.

“Regional communities deserve modern, reliable and accessible public transport. The loss of real-time information is a backwards step that must be reversed.”

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Better Transport Queensland Inc. — Queensland’s leading advocacy group for public, active, and freight transport.

Better Transport Queensland Inc. is an independent organisation and is not affiliated with any government body.

Visit our website at www.btq.org.au.

References

[1] Translink Australia - Open Data Google Group | Regional QLD Real-time bus tracking
[2] Contract signed for new transport payment system | Translink
[3] Smart Ticketing | Translink

Spokesperson
Rowan Gray - President
[email protected]

General Media Enquiries
[email protected]

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