Making passenger services to some regional communities more frequent will be considered as part of a review of all Queensland Government long-distance coach, train and air services.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson will write to all regional mayors and councils this week to get their ideas to better utilise transport across the state.

Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett welcomed the review.

“We can deliver better outcomes for regional Queensland by improving regional services,” Mr Bennett said.

“There are some areas of the state with subsidised bus, train and plane routes while some of our most remote communities, including the Burnett, have only one service a week.

“Patronage on air routes in fast growing communities like Roma has grown by almost 500 per cent in six years and the industry is telling us it could now support competition.

“The review will also look at better value on western train services where the Westlander between Brisbane and Charleville, and the Inlander between Townsville and Mt Isa costs taxpayers more than $2000 for each passenger.

“This will be the first review in almost six years and will reflect the changes to how people travel in regional Queensland communities.”

The Queensland Government currently subsidises 16 long-distance coach routes, five air routes, five regulated air routes and the TravelTrain network.

Some of the areas under review will include:

  • Better connections for Gulf and Torres Strait Island communities
  • Better services for growing mining communities
  • Duplication of subsidised train, bus and air services between Brisbane and Charleville
  • Duplication of subsidised train, bus and air services between Townsville and Mt Isa
  • Deregulation of air routes

The review is expected to be finalised later this year.

A full list of Queensland Government long-distance services is available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au