QConnect

Last updated

qconnect
QConnect logo.svg
Agency overview
Formed20 December 2007
Dissolved1 December 2025
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 was a Queensland Government agency that operated public passenger transport services in regional Queensland, Australia. The agency provided greater connectivity and accessibility of services by working with contracted bus and aviation transport operators.

Contents

Between 2022 and 2025, operations were gradually transferred from the qconnect network to the Translink network, in order to create a more consistent and simplified brand. The last remaining qconnect network was transferred on 1 December 2025, thus abolishing the brand. [2] [3]

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 published standards for various qconnect bus stop designs, depending on the projected patronage and usage of the bus stop. All signed bus stops featured tactile ground surface indicators. All signed bus stops were wheelchair accessible.

Typical bus stops [4]
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

Fares

qconnect fares were originally calculated using a zone system, with fare bands radiating from the city or town centre. 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. [5]

In August 2024, the Miles Government introduced a six month trial of a flat rate 50c fare for all Translink services in Queensland. [6] The following Crisafulli Government made this initiative permanent in November 2024. [7] The 50c fare scheme was also made available to the last remaining qconnect network on North Stradbroke Island. [8]

Tickets

The following ticket types were available on qconnect urban bus services: [9] [10] [5]

Regional Aviation Services

Queensland Transport administered contracts for particular air routes across regional Queensland. In the financial year 2006–07, these contracts were held by MacAir Airlines, Qantas, and West Wing Aviation. [11] The introduction of qconnect in 2007 sought to bring these regional aviation services under the same brand over a period of two years. [11]

MacAir Airlines was placed in receivership by its creditors in January 2009. [12] The Queensland Government issued emergency contracts in February 2009, with services to be operated by SkyTrans, Qantas, and West Wing Aviation. [13] 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). [14]

In 2014, all regional aviation services were transferred to the administration of Translink. [15] [ better source needed ]

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. ↑ "North Stradbroke Island - route and timetable changes | Translink". translink.com.au. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. ↑ "North Stradbroke Island bus services". www.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Department of Transport and Main Roads (14 July 2025). "North Stradbroke Island timetable network guide" (PDF). Queensland Government Publications Portal. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  9. ↑ qconnect (16 December 2019). "Maryborough bus timetable" (PDF). Wide Bay Transit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. 1 2 Queensland Transport. Annual Report 2006-07 (PDF). pp. 6, 40–41, 98. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Australia Aviation. "Qantas, Rex & Skytrans pick up Queensland regional routes". Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  15. ↑ 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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