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Regional flights and long-distance coaches locked in

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The Hon Mark Bailey, Qld Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Media Release, 23 November 2021

Mount Isa lookout
Mount Isa lookout

Regional Queenslanders will soon benefit from improved air service frequencies between Charleville, Roma, and Brisbane and coach services with stronger route connections following the signing of new regional transport service contracts starting in December and January.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a new package of five-year contracts would provide regional communities with long-term certainty around their local travel options, ensuring the future of seven long distance air routes and 20 coach routes. 

Current service contracts are due to expire in December.

“We’re very pleased to announce the continuation of these routes under new contracts which deliver accessible and efficient passenger transport that meet local community needs.” Mr Bailey said.

“There will be more flights on the Charleville and Roma to Brisbane air route which will give locals and visitors more choice of travel times.

“From January, approximately 18 extra return services will be provided per week, achieved through the use of smaller aircraft which will still meet passenger need with seat availability.

“With some coach contracts changing hands, operators have been able to provide connections to other services, for example the Mt Isa to Townsville coach to be run by Greyhound will connect with a Camooweal and Tennant Creek service once a week.

“Locking in contracts for the next five years is an outcome that provides certainty to regional communities reliant on coach and air services for their connection to the rest of the state.

“Twenty long distance coach routes and seven air routes were up for tender with the state providing funding to deliver services that support economic development as well as connectivity across regional communities.”

The Queensland Government will provide $5.1 million a year for these long-distance coaches and $11.7 million a year for the regional air services under the new contracts.

Mr Bailey said there were new transport operators for some of the services after a competitive and rigorous assessment of offers from 16 different transport providers.

Contracts were negotiated through a competitive open market process, with independent legal oversight that ensured the process was robust and free from interference,” he said.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with high-performing operators who demonstrate a commitment to regional communities and can provide high quality, value-for-money services to the people of Regional Queensland.

“Local input and insights were considered including customer feedback, existing service performance and operations, historical feedback from communities, examining service use patterns and patronage and other business matters that would ensure the contract would deliver on expectations.

“Service providers for some routes are yet to be confirmed, but we expect this to take place in the coming weeks.”

Mr Bailey said in instances where services had a new operator, steps were in place to ensure a smooth transition for customers, particularly when booking online with new transport operators.

“We want customers and local communities to be able to easily book travel on long distance flights or coaches either with their new operator or ongoing provider.”

For the duration of the contracts, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will continue to work closely with regional communities, council, industry and other government departments to identify and explore any further service opportunities and improvements.

For further information on services contact the service provider.

Summary of new long distance air and coach operators:

Air route – Contracted delivery partner

Brisbane-Roma-Charleville – Change to Regional Express

Brisbane-Blackall-Barcaldine-Longreach – To be announced

Townsville-Winton-Longreach – Retained by Regional Express

Townsville-Hughenden-Richmond-Julia Creek-Mt Isa – Retained by Regional Express

Brisbane-Toowoomba-St George-Cunnamulla-Thargomindah – Retained by Regional Express

Brisbane-Toowoomba-Charleville-Quilpie-Windorah-Birdsville-Bedourie-Boulia-Mount Isa – Retained by Regional Express

Cairns-Normanton-Mornington Island (Gununa)-Burketown-Doomadgee-Mount Isa – Retained by Regional Express

Coach route – Contracted delivery partner

Brisbane – Mt Isa – Change to Greyhound

Brisbane – Charleville – Change to Greyhound

Toowoomba – St George (via Moonie Highway) – Change to Murrays

Toowoomba – St George (via Gore Highway) – Change to Murrays

St George – Cunnamulla – Change to Murrays

St George – Lightning Ridge – Change to Murrays

Miles – Rockhampton – Change to Greyhound

Emerald – Rockhampton – Retained by Greyhound

Longreach – Rockhampton – Retained by Greyhound

Emerald – Mackay – Retained by Mackay Transit

Collinsville – Bowen – Retained by Trans North (Donric)

Charters Towers – Townsville – Change to Trans North (Donric)

Mt Isa – Townsville – Change to Greyhound

(Now incorporating connectivity to Camooweal and Tennant Creek – once per week)

Cairns – Karumba – Retained by Trans North (Donric)

Cairns – Cooktown (Inland) – Retained by Trans North (Donric)

Cairns – Cooktown (Coastal) – Retained by Trans North (Donric)

Mundubbera – Bundaberg – To be announced

Mundubbera – Maryborough – To be announced

Mundubbera – Bundaberg (via Eidsvold) – To be announced

Monto – Ceratodus (On Demand) – To be announced

The Monto to Mundubbera coach service was not renewed in the new contracts due to very low demand.

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