Discounted ferry passes and dedicated ‘Drop and Go’ zones are the latest addition to Council’s expanded Go Noosa program this festive season.
It’s in addition to the popular free Loop Bus and TransLink buses which return on 12 December and will continue through until January 26.
Mayor Clare Stewart said it was fantastic that Noosa Ferries had come on board these holidays to offer locals and visitors an alternative option to get around town at a discounted rate.
“Travelling along our beautiful Noosa River has got be one of the best transport options anywhere in the world,” Cr Stewart said.
“It’s also another way to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads during the peak holiday season, which is what the Go Noosa program is all about.
“Another new initiative to this year’s Go Noosa is the addition of three Drop and Go zones. These dedicated zones are all about making it easier to pick up and drop off friends and family and all their beach gear easier.
“These 2-minute Drop and Go zones are located on Noosa Parade, Hastings St bus interchange and Noosa Drive.
“The Loop Bus is back again, designed to take the stress out of getting around key precincts and help ease congestion and demand for parking in our busiest places.”
Council’s Program Manager of Transport Innovation Adam Britton said the bus will depart the Noosa Heads bus terminal every 15 minutes in a clockwise loop along Noosa Drive, Weyba Road, and Noosa Parade. It will also operate at night, half-hourly from 7pm to 11pm, an hour later than last year.
“Passengers can get on and off the bus at Noosa Heads Bus Station, temporary stops opposite The J and Weyba Road AFC grounds and at the TransLink stops at Williams Street and Quamby Place. We encourage people to make use of the 400 free car parking spaces at the Weyba Road AFL grounds, which is our major park-and-ride location,” Mr Britton said.
“The Loop Bus is in addition to all the other Free Buses which last Christmas holidays saw almost 250,000 people use public transport instead of driving private cars which is a key objective of the Noosa Council and the community’s Transport Strategy.
“Traffic controllers will also be in place in the Hastings Street area to help pedestrians cross busy roads and assist buses to get in and out of the traffic quickly.
“Previous data shows that when traffic control has been in place, the roundabouts don’t get blocked and bus travel time from Noosa Junction to Hastings Street reduces from 14 minutes to 9 minutes.”
Paid parking in the Noosa Heads Lions Park will be managed by the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club and will be available all week-ends during the busy school holidays and every day from Boxing Day to 17 January.
