Friday 3 February 2012

The finishing touches are being applied to the new $2 million Redbank Plaza station, which is expected to be open for business next Wednesday (8 February 2012).

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new station will replace the old bus stops on the western side of the shopping centre, off Collingwood Drive, to cater for rapidly growing passenger numbers.

"This new Redbank Plaza station will improve capacity to allow growing numbers of passengers on existing bus services in Ipswich, including routes 500, 525 and 526, and accommodate new services as they come on line," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"It will make catching the bus at Redbank Plaza a lot more comfortable for the customers that travel on Westside buses, particularly around Redbank, Goodna and Gailes.

"It will also improve safety and reduce the distance buses currently have to travel after recent local road changes to accommodate the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade Project."

The new station includes:

  • a new fully sheltered passenger waiting platform with two bus bays
  • a safe and comfortable waiting environment for customers
  • improved pedestrian and disabled access
  • a new bus turnaround facility to provide direct access for buses servicing the new station
  • security cameras, lighting and 24-hour video recording
  • existing bus stops converted into a larger taxi rank
  • landscaping including drought-resistant plants.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the new bus turnaround will eliminate the need for buses to manoeuvre through shopping centre car park circulation isles to access the station.

"TransLink recently restructured services around Ipswich to improve timetable reliability, transport connections and built more than 100 new stops throughout the city," Ms Miller said.

"Together, this new station and recent routes restructure offer Ipswich residents better, more direct bus services with more reliable timetables.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their patience while this important piece of infrastructure was being constructed."

Ms Palaszczuk said the station upgrade project was part of the TransLink Station Upgrade Program to improve stations across the network.

For further details on public transport, visit the TransLink website translink.com.au or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30, anytime.