QConnect
Encyclopedia
qconnect is a system of integrated public transport that covers subsidised rail, bus, and air networks in Regional Queensland, Australia. It was introduced by the Queensland Government in December 2007, and is an agency operated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads
with an annual budget of more than A$300 million.
qconnect is a Queensland Government initiative providing improved public transport services and greater connectivity and accessibility of services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland by working with such transport companies as Traveltrain
, Marlin Coast Sunbus
, Sunbus Townsville
, Mackay Transit
, Capricorn Sunbus
and more than 10 other public transport operators in regional and rural Queensland
. The system allows a ticket purchased on any of these public transport services to be used for travel on any of the other ones, within the same network, provided that it covers the appropriate zones.
Zones vary by region. Some are radial, while others are more closely related to sectors. There are a total of 12 zones for Cairns and 11 zones for Townsville. While these zones indicate qconnect's coverage, services may not actually be in operation in certain parts of these zones.
Fares are calculated by counting the number of adjoining zones from trip origin to destination, regardless of how many zones are actually travelled through. Unlike in South East Queensland, qconnect does not offer district fares.
Concession fares – qconnect provides standard concession fares for the following:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is a department of the Queensland Government. The department manages Queensland's approximately 33,000 km state-controlled road network, which includes more than 6,500 bridges and major culverts...
with an annual budget of more than A$300 million.
qconnect is a Queensland Government initiative providing improved public transport services and greater connectivity and accessibility of services throughout regional, rural and remote Queensland by working with such transport companies as Traveltrain
TravelTrain
Traveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by Queensland Rail. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively...
, Marlin Coast Sunbus
Marlin Coast Sunbus
Sunbus is the principal provider of public transportation at Cairns in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in Regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
, Sunbus Townsville
Sunbus Townsville
Sunbus is the principal provider of public transportation in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in Regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
, Mackay Transit
Mackay Transit Coaches
Mackay Transit is the principal provider of public transportation at Mackay in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
, Capricorn Sunbus
Capricorn Sunbus
Sunbus is the principal provider of public transportation at Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland.-Service Area:...
and more than 10 other public transport operators in regional and rural Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. The system allows a ticket purchased on any of these public transport services to be used for travel on any of the other ones, within the same network, provided that it covers the appropriate zones.
Zones
Fares are calculated by counting the number of adjoining zones from trip origin to destination, regardless of how many zones are actually travelled through. Unlike in South East Queensland, qconnect does not offer district fares.
Ticket types and fares
Tickets available include:- Single – one-way travel with unlimited transfers for two hours dependent on any qconnect service.
- Daily – the equivalent of a return ticket, but unlimited travel within the zones described on the date of purchase, for around twice the cost of a single ticket. Depending on the number of zones purchased, the daily fare is sometimes cheaper than the cost of two singles.
- Weekly - Unlimited travel within the zones purchased for one week (seven consecutive days) from the date of issue.
- Monthly - Unlimited travel within the zones purchased for one month (four consecutive weeks) from the date of issue.
Concession fares – qconnect provides standard concession fares for the following:
- Children 5–14 years of age inclusive. Children four and under travel for free.
- full time students from approved Queensland schools, TAFEs, and universities undertaking Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance approved courses. Approved Students are required to produce a Tertiary Travel Card.
- Queensland Pensioners holding an approved Queensland Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs.
- Seniors holding a Queensland Seniors Card (not a Seniors Discount Card).
Service operators
qconnect urban bus services operate in the following places:- Bowen Transit - Bowen town
- Buslink Gladstone - Gladstone City
- Bus Queensland ToowoombaBus Queensland ToowoombaBus Queensland Toowoomba was formed in a merger of Garden City Sunbus and Kynoch Coaches which were purchased by Bus Queensland. Bus Queensland consists of Park Ridge Transit and Westside Bus Company in Brisbane South and West respectively, operating under the Pulitano Group.Both Garden City Sunbus...
- Toowoomba Region - Capricorn SunbusCapricorn SunbusSunbus is the principal provider of public transportation at Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland.-Service Area:...
- Rockhampton City - Christensen Bus and Coach - Kilcoy to Caboolture
- Duffy's Buses - Bundaberg City
- Glasshouse Country Coaches - Beerwah to Maleny
- Haidley's - Warwick
- Mackay Transit CoachesMackay Transit CoachesMackay Transit is the principal provider of public transportation at Mackay in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
- Mackay City - Magnetic Island Bus Service - Magnetic Island
- Marlin Coast SunbusMarlin Coast SunbusSunbus is the principal provider of public transportation at Cairns in Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in Regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
- Cairns and Surrounding Areas - North Stradbroke Island Bus Service - North Stradbroke Island
- Polley's Coaches - Gympie Region
- Stewart's and Sons - Bundaberg Region
- Sunbus TownsvilleSunbus TownsvilleSunbus is the principal provider of public transportation in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It operates bus routes under the new QConnect scheme in Regional Queensland.- Service Area :...
- Townsville Region - Trans North Bus & Coach - Innisfail Region
- Whitsunday Transit - Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach, Proserpine
- Wide Bay Transit - Maryborough and Hervey Bay
- Young's Bus Service - Rockhampton Region.
See also
- TransLinkTransLink (South East Queensland)The TransLink Transit Authority is the authority introduced by the Queensland Government in June 2003 as a section of Queensland Transport to coordinate and integrate rail, bus and ferry services. TransLink works with Airtrain, Brisbane Transport, Brisbane Ferries, QR Citytrain and 17 other...
- Department of Transport and Main RoadsDepartment of Transport and Main RoadsThe Department of Transport and Main Roads is a department of the Queensland Government. The department manages Queensland's approximately 33,000 km state-controlled road network, which includes more than 6,500 bridges and major culverts...