New Free Bus For Brisbane CBD
21 October 08A $200,000 a year, five-year partnership between Brisbane City Council and the Spring Hill-based St Andrews War Memorial Hospital has allowed a free commuter bus service to go ahead.
A similar St Andrews Hospital's bus service folded in late 2007 and the hospital has until now been unable to find other partners to keep the previous privately-run bus service running.
Painted in bright yellow with "Spring Hill Loop" on the front, back and sides, the bus service will run in a continuous circuit from 8.10am to 6.05pm, Monday to Friday, and will begin next week.
It will stop in Queen Street, near Post Office Square, before taking in St Andrews War Memorial Hospital and the Brisbane Private Hospital on Wickham Terrace, and on to other specialist's centres in Spring Hill.
Basically this new yellow bus will provide a much-needed public transport option for people who need to access the medical facilities along Wickham Terrace; the practitioners and the specialists, but also the St Andrews War Memorial and Brisbane Private hospitals.
The existing 323 bus service will remain, but commuters will have to pay for it.
The Spring Hill Loop can be used by anyone wanting a free trip downtown - or back up the hill - courtesy of the council and St Andrews.
The hospital will contribute $20,000 a year, while Brisbane City Council will put in $180,000 each year for the next five years to keep it running.
Source: Tony Moore