Bus drivers and passengers are set to travel safer, after millions of dollars were committed to their protection.
More network officers are set to patrol buses and drivers will benefit from more safety barriers, as part of a state-wide initiative.
The officers will be placed with delivery partners and operate on public transport networks where they are needed most.
Almost $4m was allocated for the first stage of a State Government $60.7m package to bolster safety.
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said patronage was expected to boom during the next decade.
“As we build a bigger and better public transport network here on the Sunshine Coast, it is critical that the right safety measures for everyone who works or travels on public transport,” he said.
“Our new network officer strategy will provide an overwhelming increase to our frontline transport force that will create about 100 new ongoing, full-time jobs.”
The initial phase of the program will see 29 officers deployed to delivery partners on the Gold Coast, in Logan and on the Sunshine Coast, with an additional 20 Queensland Police Service transit squad officers also rolled out.
An additional 50 officers will be rolled out across the network in the second year of the program.
As well as having a focus on safety, the officers will be charged with preventing fare evasion on the public transport network. They will have extended powers to enforce conditions of travel and may issue infringement notices, including fines, for public transport offences.
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said recruitment for the first wave of officers for the Sunshine Coast would start in February.
“This will boost the total number of workers managing fare compliance, safety and security on the Sunshine Coast’s public transport network,” Mr Skelton said.
“The deployment of extra frontline resources will help ensure revenue is reinvested in new and improved public transport services which benefit all users.
“This package has been developed in partnership with bus drivers and key stakeholders including the Transport Workers Union, and I’d like to acknowledge their strong advocacy on this issue.”
As part of the package to improve public transport safety, bus driver barriers are now mandatory in Queensland for all new urban fleet buses on the Translink network, an initiative of the government’s Bus Driver Safety Review.
Transport Workers Union director of organising Jared Abbott welcomed the announcement.
“We’ve been working hard to create safer conditions for all bus drivers across the state, so we welcome this step from the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Abbott said.
“To see full safety barriers across network is a great first step towards improved safety, and increasing the number of network officers will also make our members feel safer when they go to work each day.
“Our members have been calling for this type of action, so I’m pleased to see the government has heard our concerns and is taking some action.
“We’ll continue to do everything we can to create safer working conditions for our members and all bus drivers across Queensland.”
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