Free weekend buses are coming to Noosa, with a 12-month trial that should ease congestion at iconic Hastings Street and beyond.
The trial, which starts February 12, will involve all existing Translink services that operate within the region.
Mayor Clare Stewart said the trial was an extension of Council’s popular Go Noosa Free Holiday Bus program, which operates during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
“We know from the free holiday buses that providing free travel increases the use of public transport,” she said.
“It delivers a significant incentive for residents and visitors to use public transport.
“This has prompted council to offer the free buses every weekend of the year.
“We want to help more people trying to get in to busy locations like Hastings Street, where we know finding a park can be difficult, especially on weekends and during the upcoming Noosa Parade upgrade,” Mayor Stewart said.
“For staff working in key precincts on the weekend, it will help them avoid the need to drive, plus save them time and money.”
The free weekend services also offer residents and visitors a unique way to experience the hinterland and popular day-trip attractions such as the Cooroy Butter Factory, Mt Cooroora (Pomona), Noosa Trail Network and a range of local markets, eateries and shops.
Council aimed to have an efficient, free-flowing, innovative transport system that enhanced resident and visitor experiences, with sustainable environmental outcomes.
“With the introduction of free weekend buses, along with the existing Free Holiday Buses, means that free public transport is available in Noosa for approximately 145 days of the year,” Mayor Stewart said.
“That is a significant amount of free travel we are now offering, and we hope to really change the long-term behaviour of travellers, making it second nature to get on a bus to get around.”
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The trial will include Translink services 626, 627, 628, 629 and 632 covering Tewantin, Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Noosa Heads, Parklands, Noosa Junction, Noosaville, Cooran, Cooroy and Pomona.
Routes 620, 630 and 631 travel outside of the Noosa Shire Council area and will not be included in the free service.
Council will fund the trial under the existing Transport Levy.
“The success of the trial will depend on the uptake and patronage of the weekend buses, so I encourage everyone to get out of their cars and on to the free buses to take full advantage of the trial,” Cr Stewart said.
Download the MyTranslink app, visit TRANSLink or call 13 12 30.
