12:00a.m. 8th March 2008

| By Alan Lander

Intra-Coast public transport must be given higher priority over roads and the Beerwah-to-Maroochydore rail link, according to mayoral candidate Bob Abbot.

Millions could be saved on road-building as a result.

Mr Abbot, launching his policy on transport strategy yesterday, said bikeways would also be a major part of the Coast’s future infrastructure. He cited figures showing more bicycles than cars were sold in Australia last financial year.

He said it was imperative that regular, high-speed, integrated public transport connecting population centres was implemented as soon as possible – with priority passage, such as busways, created.

Mr Abbot said the idea of buses and cars sharing choked roads was unworkable and did not encourage public transport use.

“At the moment, the transit of a bus carrying 20 people is as slow as two people in a car because of crowded roads,” Mr Abbot said.

“We need to spend money now, as there will be less to have to spend in the future.

“It will be nowhere near as expensive as if we don’t do it.

“It has been done everywhere else in the world.”

Brisbane had planned underground busways from the CBD southbound which would surface only near Mount Gravatt, he said.

“In Bogota in Colombia (population seven million), the mayor introduced an effective public transport system in three years,” he said.

Mr Abbot said all expenditure on public transport would be offset by the reduction in continuing to build highways, and existing road widening.

He said while plans for heavy rail from Beerwah to Maroochydore were well advanced, it would not be delivered before 2015, and integrated intra-regional public transport was an immediate priority.

“I am already committed to ensuring this program commences as soon as possible in the new council,” Mr Abbot said.

“If elected mayor on March 15, the department of transport is eagerly awaiting my call.”

Meanwhile, Noosa Shire Council has commissioned a scooter and motorcycle strategy to encourage sustainable use of on-road transport to cut back on car usage.