Brisbane has one of the most comprehensive and reliable public transport systems in Australia, with high frequency routes in the inner city coupled with improving service levels in outer suburb destinations. The services have become increasingly popular due to rising fuel costs. The system consists of a suburban rail network, bus services and ferries. The rail services are operated by CityTrain, a division of Queensland Rail, while the bus system, the high speed CityCat and City-Ferry are both operated by Brisbane Transport, a business arm of the Brisbane City Council. Buses that serve the regional areas outside the City of Brisbane boundaries are operated by private sector companies contracted by the State Government.
The CBD, like most cities, serves as the central hub for all public transport services; with Queen Street Bus Station for Buses, Roma Street and Central stations for trains, and North Quay for Ferries. Various smaller transfer hubs, such as the Cultural Centre Busway Station are located at various strategically placed points of public importance and public interest in the city, including the Queensland Cultural Centre, South Bank Parklands and shopping malls which are usually within dense population centres.
CityTrain
The large CityTrain urban rail network, consists of 7 suburban lines and covers mostly the west, north and east sides of the city. It also provides an AirTrain service from most northern suburbs directly to the airport terminal. While stretching as far as both coasts, the southern part of the network does not enter through any major suburbs or districts. This is mainly due to the placing of major freeways such as the South-East Freeway and the M1 motorway, as well as lack of early planning on southern Brisbane growth. To this day, the easiest way to reach most of the Southern area via public transport is via bus.
To deliver workable public transport to areas outside of the metropolitan train lines, the Busways were established to deliver unrestricted bus travel throughout the southern (and to a lesser note the northern) corridors of the city by providing roads where only buses are permitted. Two busways have opened in recent years in Brisbane — the South-East Busway and the Inner-Northern Busway, with two more busways and new rail lines planned. Public transport has been the only infrastructure that Brisbane has typically always improved and maintained, especially as it struggles to keep up with rapid population growth.
TransLink
An integrated ticketing system for public transport services has recently been established under the name TransLink. TransLink is a State Government agency responsible for ticketing and the co-ordination of public transport services in the South-East Queensland region. Under the TransLink system, passengers pay common fares on all modes of public transport. TransLink tickets are accepted on both government- and privately-owned buses, trains and ferries. In 2006, Translink will also be introducing a smartcard-based ticketing system, which is currently being trialled in Redcliffe, a city located 30 minutes to the north of Brisbane.
Taxis
Two major cab companies operate in Brisbane; Yellow Cabs, and Black and White Cabs. Both companies offer same rate service, as well as pickup from anywhere in the metropolitan and regional areas of Brisbane via bookings or permanent cab ranks. As well as standard taxis, both provide Maxi-Taxis, designed to fit up to 10 people as well disability access. Most cabs now are also fitted with Satellite Navigation and EFTPOS debit/credit card facilities.
Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport, owned by the Brisbane Airport Corporation, and located north-east of the city is the biggest airport in the state and third busiest in the country. Separated into Domestic and International terminals, it has frequent passenger and freight flights, providing direct flights to every capital city in Australia as well as most destinations in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East. The second largest airline in Australia, Virgin Blue Airlines, is headquartered in Brisbane, while other major airlines Qantas and Jetstar both fly from Brisbane Airport.
Considered world class, the Airport won Best Privatised Airport of 2005 by the International Air Transport Association IATA. A $280 million dollar upgrade is in the planning stages at the International Terminal while federal government approval has been sought for a second runway to enable the airport to keep up with the rise in passenger numbers.
The AirTrain provides a link between the Domestic and International Terminals at Brisbane Airport and the city, taking approximately 20 minutes to travel from Central Railway Station to the Brisbane Airport stations.
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