A free holiday bus program has reached a major milestone, with its one millionth passenger.
Noosa Council has provided free bus trips to residents and visitors since 2018, with services covering the Christmas and Easter school holiday periods.
Local Donelle Shaw, a regular passenger on the free loop bus, was delighted to be the milestone commuter.
She celebrated with the Go Noosa team on the 065 bus and received a $100 EFTPOS gift card and a beach towel from mayor Clare Stewart.
“I use the free loop bus almost every day at Easter and Christmas time,” Ms Shaw said.
“It’s just such an easy way to get into Hastings Street for a coffee or a trip to the beach.
“When our grandchildren visit during the holidays we make good use of the free buses with them as well, and they love catching the bus.”
Cr Stewart said locals and visitors had embraced the Go Noosa initiative since its introduction.
“Along with providing free travel on all five local Translink bus routes, the program has introduced the Go Noosa loop bus and a temporary Peregian Beach to Noosa Heads service,” she said.
“It is exciting to see the program evolve.
“These school holidays saw the introduction of the program’s first electric bus, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
“It has been great seeing a large number of locals and visitors giving their car a holiday and making the switch to public transport.”
Building on the demand and benefits of the free holiday buses, the Go Noosa program expanded in 2022 to include a free weekend bus trial.
“With free buses during holidays and on weekends, residents and visitors can now travel for free to work, the shops, the hinterland or the beach for more than 140 days a year,” Cr Stewart said.
The program was designed to complement council’s transport vision of an efficient, free-flowing, innovative transport system that enhances resident and visitor experiences and results in sustainable environmental outcomes.
“It’s about changing the long-term behaviour of travellers, making it second nature to get on a bus to get around,” Cr Stewart said.
“The Go Noosa program is becoming synonymous with Noosa and the Christmas and Easter holidays, as well as every weekend throughout the year.”
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