Local residents and visitors to the Maroochydore entertainment precinct will soon benefit from an expansion of the bus station taxi rank trial.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said feedback from patrons and taxi drivers had led to the move to use the Maroochydore bus interchange as a taxi rank later at night – not just a pre-booked pickup area – between 1am and 4am early Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and on public holidays.
“There’s good feedback that late-night patrons visiting the entertainment area like to use the bus station for catching a cab as it’s well lit and has CCTV camera coverage. This change won’t interfere with buses and makes it easier for patrons,” Ms Simpson said.
“Maroochydore bus station’s northbound platform started operating as a pre-booked rank between 10pm and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights in late May,” Ms Simpson said.
“It’s the first time that a bus station has been used for taxis in Queensland – it’s about providing a safer, properly lit place with CCTV camera coverage for late-night patrons to catch their cab home.”
“The expansion of the trial means that up to three taxis at a time will wait at the rear of the bus station or pull in and pick up passengers who hail them from the northbound lanes of Horton Parade.”
“This change better reflects the standard operating procedures within the taxi industry and better suits the needs of passengers.”
The bus station will still be used as a drop-off and pre-booked pick-up zone between 10 pm and 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Passengers who book a taxi during these times will be picked up at their street address or directed to the taxi pick-up zone at the bus station’s northbound platform.
Taxis will also be available on demand 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Ocean Street rank.
Hourly late-night buses on route 600 (Caloundra to Maroochydore via Mooloolaba) and 620 (Noosa Heads to Maroochydore via Peregian Beach) will also continue to use the station between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.
For more details about public transport and taxis on the Sunshine Coast, visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30 anytime.
