Review of long distance passenger services

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is updating a previous review of long-distance passenger services, which will encompass regulated, non-regulated and government-subsidised bus, coach, rail and air services in regional Queensland.

This review will investigate market conditions and service levels and is expected to be delivered later this year.

The department regulates and in some cases subsidises passenger transport air services so that residents of rural and remote communities can access a range of services in larger centres.

Aims of the review

To determine the appropriate role of the government in facilitating the delivery of services, either through regulation and/or subsidies.

To provide recommendations to ensure value for money outcomes for the Queensland Government and the public without restricting commercial, long distance passenger transport markets.

To ensure regional communities continue to receive a reasonable level of access to essential services in major centres.

Who did we talk to?

Community and stakeholder consultation included:

• more than 7200 surveys completed by air, coach and rail passengers
• 73 formal submissions were received from a range of organisations including local government authorities, transport operators and business and industry groups. Of these submissions, 34 were received from local government authorities
• feedback from 18 consultative forums held throughout Queensland, including forums held at Normanton, Cloncurry, Winton and Julia Creek.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

Which services were under review?

Route	Provider	Subsidy	Regulationi
RAIL
Brisbane – Charleville: Westlanderii	Queensland Rail		X
Townsville – Mt Isa: Inlanderiii	Queensland Rail		X
AIR
Brisbane – Roma –Charleville	Qantaslink	X
Brisbane – Blackall –Barcaldine – Longreach	Qantaslink	X
Cairns – Horn Island	Qantaslink	X
Cairns – Weipa	Qantaslink	X
Townsville – Cloncurry – Mt Isa	Qantaslink	X
Cairns – Normanton – Mornington – Burketown – Doomadgee – Mt Isa	Skytrans
Brisbane – Toowoomba – St George – Cunnamulla – Thargomindah	Skytrans
Brisbane – Toowoomba - Charleville – Quilpie – Windorah – Birdsville – Bedourie – Boulia – Mount Isa	Skytrans
Townsville – Winton – Longreach	Regional Express
Townsville – Hughenden – Richmond – Julia Creek – Mt Isa	Regional Express
COACHES
Brisbane – Mt Isa	Greyhound		X
Brisbane – Charleville	Greyhound		X
Mt Isa – Townsville	Greyhound		X
Emerald – Mackay	Mackay Transit		X
Emerald – Rockhampton	Greyhound		X
Emerald – Longreach	Greyhound		X
Toowoomba – Rockhampton	Toowoomba Transit		X
Toowoomba – Cunnamulla	Toowoomba Transit		X
Toowoomba – Lightning Ridge	Toowoomba Transit		X
Collinsville – Bowen	Bowen Transit		X
Charters Towers – Townsville	Douglas Coaches		X
Cooktown Inland Route	Country Road Coachlines		X
Cooktown Coastal Route	Country Road Coachlines		X
Cairns – Kurumba	Trans North Bus and Coach		X
Biloela – Maryborough	Callide Coaches		X
Biloela – Bundaberg	Callide Coaches		X

ⁱ Regulated routes are considered those that are declared to have market entry restrictions in place under Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994
ⁱⁱ Includes associated Trainlink services
ⁱⁱⁱ Includes associated Trainlink services

To view the long distance network download the long distance passenger services map (PDF, 281 KB).