QConnect

qconnect is a network of integrated public passenger transport services that cover subsidised and/or regulated bus, coach and aviation networks in Regional Queensland, Australia. It was introduced by the Queensland Government in December 2007, and is an agency operated by the Department of Transport & Main Road (TMR) with an annual budget of more than A$300 million.

qconnect is a Queensland Government initiative providing improved public transport services and greater connectivity and accessibility of services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland by working with transport operators such as Marlin Coast Sunbus, Sunbus Townsville, Mackay Transit, Capricorn Sunbus and more than 10 other public transport operators in regional and rural Queensland. The system allows a ticket purchased on any of these public transport services to be used for travel on any of the other ones, within the same network, provided that it covers the appropriate zones.

In November 2012, the Passenger Transport Division of TMR - who were responsible for the qconnect network - merged with the former TransLink Transit Authority to create TransLink Division who are responsible for the leading and shaping passenger transport in Queensland.^[1]

Zones

QConnect major bus stop

QConnect standard bus stop

Zones vary by region. Some are radial, while others are more closely related to sectors. There are a total of 12 zones for Cairns and 11 zones for Townsville. While these zones indicate qconnect's coverage, services may not actually be in operation in certain parts of these zones.

Fares are calculated by counting the number of adjoining zones from trip origin to destination, regardless of how many zones are actually travelled through. Unlike in South East Queensland, qconnect does not offer district fares.

Ticket types and fares

Tickets available include:

• Single – one-way travel with unlimited transfers for two hours dependent on any qconnect service.
• Daily – the equivalent of a return ticket, but unlimited travel within the zones described on the date of purchase, for around twice the cost of a single ticket. Depending on the number of zones purchased, the daily fare is sometimes cheaper than the cost of two singles.
• Weekly - Unlimited travel within the zones purchased for one week (seven consecutive days) from the date of issue.
• Monthly - Unlimited travel within the zones purchased for one month (four consecutive weeks) from the date of issue.

Concession fares – qconnect provides standard concession fares for the following:

• Children 5–14 years of age inclusive. Children four and under travel for free.
• full-time students from approved Queensland schools, TAFEs, and universities undertaking Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance approved courses. Approved Students are required to produce a Tertiary Travel Card.
• Queensland Pensioners holding an approved Queensland Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs.
• Seniors holding a Queensland Seniors Card (not a Seniors Discount Card).^[2]

Service operators

qconnect urban bus services operate in the following places:

1. Bowen Transit - Bowen town
2. Buslink Gladstone - Gladstone City
3. Bus Queensland Toowoomba - Toowoomba Region
4. Capricorn Sunbus - Rockhampton City
5. Christensen Bus & Coach - Kilcoy to Caboolture
6. Duffy's Buses - Bundaberg City
7. Glasshouse Country Coaches - Beerwah to Maleny
8. Haidley's - Warwick
9. Mackay Transit Coaches - Mackay City
10. Marlin Coast Sunbus - Cairns and Surrounding Areas
11. North Stradbroke Island Bus Service - North Stradbroke Island
12. Polley's Coaches - Gympie Region
13. Stewart's & Sons - Bundaberg Region
14. Sunbus Townsville - Townsville Region including Magnetic Island
15. Trans North Bus & Coach - Innisfail Region
16. Whitsunday Transit - Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach, Proserpine
17. Wide Bay Transit - Maryborough and Hervey Bay
18. Young's Bus Service - Rockhampton Region.^[3]

A journey planner using Google Maps was launched in 2011 and is accessible from the qconnect website.

See also

• TransLink
• Department of Transport and Main Roads

References