Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has announced he’ll deliver hundreds of new buses to Brisbane if he’s re-elected.

But not everyone is convinced the public transport rollout will be effective.

Sam Canavan reports.

TRANSCRIPT

It’s nearing the final stop on the mayoral election route and today Graham Quirk wheeled out a $169-million promise.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “Our plan in the coming four year term will be to put out an additional three hundred and fifty buses out on to the road network.”

The Lord Mayor is intent on stamping out the ageing metroliners introduced by Labor in the nineties.

Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor: “We’re all about retiring the old metro line buses. Again, this commitment will make for a more modern Brisbane City Council bus fleet.”

The announcement comes the day after Quirk unveiled plan to turn Brisbane’s ferry service into a free tourist loop if he wins on Saturday.

There’s been a large emphasis on reducing traffic congestion in the lead up to this election. As well as pledging funds towards public transport, both parties have promised more than $100-million will go into revamping bikeways and footpaths.

Labor’s mayoral candidate Ray Smith declined to outline his plan for buses, but says it won’t be long until he’ll make the policy public.

Ray Smith, Labor candidate: “Well we’re at election on Saturday so I’d better get it through soon don’t you think? Yeah probably tomorrow.”

While more buses on the roads would be welcomed by some, others feel the issue of rising fares needs to be addressed.

VOX 1: “A lot of people are struggling with the bus system, like, the trains are always on time and the buses aren’t on time because there’s too many people using the Translink at the moment. So I think it’ll probably be a good thing.”

VOX 2: “It’d obviously be good if people used them, and if the fares were half the price more people would use them.”

Sam Canavan, QUT News