QConnect

Last updated

qconnect
QConnect logo.svg
Agency overview
Formed20 December 2007
Dissolved16 January 2023 (except North Stradbroke Island)
Superseding agency
Jurisdiction Regional Queensland
Agency executive
  • Neil Scales [1] , Director-General (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
Parent department Department of Transport and Main Roads
Website www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/qconnect

qconnect is the brand name used for the public bus network on North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, Australia. It was formerly a network of integrated public passenger transport services that covered the Department of Transport and Main Roads' declared service contract areas for buses, coaches, and aviation across regional Queensland, Australia. [2] qconnect was officially introduced by the Queensland Government in December 2007 as the regional counterpart to the Translink network operating across South-East Queensland, in order to provide greater connectivity and accessibility of services throughout regional, rural and remote communities. [3]

Contents

Throughout 2022 and 2023, many bus operations were transferred from the qconnect network to the Translink network, in order to create a more consistent and simplified public transport network across Queensland. All regional networks were set to be transferred to Translink, and the qconnect brand to be abolished, by 16 January 2023. [4] However, as of 14 July 2025, North Stradbroke Island remains as the only qconnect system. [5] [6]

Urban Bus Services

Infrastructure

qconnect regular bus stop Cairns North Offices Bus Stop.jpg
qconnect regular bus stop
qconnect premium bus stop Sheridan Street Hockey Fields Bus Stop.jpg
qconnect premium bus stop

The Department of Transport and Main Roads publishes standards for various bus stop designs, depending on the projected patronage and usage of the bus stop. The qconnect network featured at least five of these designs. These standards are still used by the former qconnect networks, now under the Translink banner.

Typical qconnect bus stops [7]
Bus stop typeTypical LocalityFeatures (non-exhaustive list)
Hail and RideLow demand suburban areaNo infrastructure
MinimumLow demand suburban areaSignage only
RegularLow demand suburban or city areaSignage and seating
IntermediateModerate demand suburban or city areaSignage, seating, rubbish bin, and shelter
PremiumHigh demand city areaSignage, seating, rubbish bin, shelter, vending machine, and CCTV

All signed bus stops also feature tactile ground surface indicators, and are wheelchair accessible.

Passenger rules for Hail and Ride stopping zones (also stylised as Hail'n'Ride) varied between qconnect networks. On the Maryborough network, Hail and Ride was only available "at locations deemed safe and appropriate" and specifically not available in the CBD. [8] On the Sunshine Coast Hinterland network, Hail and Ride was available wherever a bus stop was more than 400 metres away. [9]

Fares and Tickets

qconnect fares were calculated using a zone system, with fare bands radiating typically from the city or town centre. The following ticket types were available purchase: [8] [9] [10]

50% concessions were available for seniors, veterans, asylum seekers, and students at primary school, high school, university, and TAFE. Children aged four and under, as well as blind passengers and holders of Companion Cards travelled for free. [10]

In August 2024, the Miles Government introduced a six month trial of a flat rate 50c fare for all Translink services in Queensland. [11] The following Crisafulli Government made this initiative permanent in November 2024. [12] Whilst the other qconnect networks had already been rolled into Translink by the introduction of the scheme, the 50c fare scheme has been made available on remaining qconnect system on North Stradbroke Island. [5]

Regional Aviation Services

Queensland Transport began contracts for particular air routes across regional Queensland.[ when? ] In the financial year 2006-07, these contracts were held by MacAir Airlines, Qantas, and West Wing Aviation. [13] The introduction of qconnect in 2007 sought to bring regional aviation services under the same brand, [3] over a period of at most two years. [13]

MacAir Airlines was placed in receivership by its creditors in January 2009. [14] The Queensland Government issued emergency contracts in February 2009, with services to be operated by SkyTrans, Qantas, and West Wing Aviation. [15] These emergency contracts were replaced by long-term qconnect contracts in December 2009, with services to be operated by SkyTrans, Qantas, and Regional Express (Rex). [16]

As of 2014, the administration of the regional aviation scheme had been transferred to the TransLink Division. [17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2021, Director-General, https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Our-organisation/Director-General Archived 23 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ Queensland Government - Department of Education and Training 2014, Transport, https://www.qld.gov.au/education/international/live/transport Archived 12 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 Mickel, John (20 December 2007). "Qconnect - a better soultion in regional transport". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  4. ↑ "We're growing across Queensland". Translink. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  5. 1 2 Department of Transport and Main Roads (14 July 2025). "North Stradbroke Island timetable network guide" (PDF). Queensland Government Publications Portal. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Translink. "Our service Area". Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Department of Transport and Main Roads. "Bus stop infrastructure". Public Transport Infrastructure Manual (PDF). pp. 6–10, 42–43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 qconnect (16 December 2019). "Maryborough bus timetable" (PDF). Wide Bay Transit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 qconnect (1 July 2017). "Sunshine Coast Hinterland bus timetable" (PDF). Glass House Coaches . Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  10. 1 2 Department of Transport and Main Roads (1 September 2019). qconnect Bus Fares and Concession Policy (PDF). pp. 5–6, 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Mellish, Bart (4 August 2024). "50 cent Fares – One Day to Go!". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  12. ↑ Mickelberg, Brett (3 November 2024). "The Crisafulli Government Makes 50 Cent Public Transport Fares Permanent". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  13. 1 2 Queensland Transport. Annual Report 2006-07 (PDF). pp. 6, 40–41, 98. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  14. ↑ McCullough, James; Odgers, Rosemary (30 January 2009). "Airline passengers stranded". News.com.au . The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 31 January 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  15. ↑ Mickel, John (13 February 2009). "Regular Bush Flights Back In The Air". The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory. Archived from the original on 17 September 2025.
  16. ↑ Australia Aviation. "Qantas, Rex & Skytrans pick up Queensland regional routes". Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  17. ↑ TransLink Division (2014). "Revocation of Service Contract Routes – Air Services" (PDF). The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
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