Free holiday bus program hailed a hit

Noosa Council’s Free Holiday Bus program has been hailed a hit, with more than 43,000 passengers climbing aboard at Christmas.

Noosa Mayor Noel Playford said a passenger survey showed strong support, with 63 per cent of respondents indicating that they’d consider reducing their household’s number of cars if bus transport was free all year.

If the buses had not been free, 57 per cent of the respondents said they would have driven their cars, and 20 per cent would have caught the bus anyway.

“This feedback is encouraging. It suggests that people who perhaps wouldn’t normally use public transport, will give it a go if it’s free,” Cr Playford said.

“When we have more people who would usually drive, opting to take the bus, it means fewer vehicles on our roads.

“The Free Holiday Bus initiative helps ease traffic congestion and reduces pressure on parking at our busy holiday precincts at peak periods.”

13 February 2015