View source for QConnect

{{short description|Public transport network in Queensland}}
{{moresources|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name            = '''qconnect'''
| type            = agency
| logo            = QConnect logo.svg
| formed          = 20 December 2007
| dissolved       = 16 January 2023
| superseding1    = [[Translink (Queensland)|Translink]]
| jurisdiction    = [[Queensland|Regional Queensland]]
| chief1_name     = [[Neil Scales]]<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2021, Director-General, https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Our-organisation/Director-General {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323080415/https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/about-us/our-organisation/director-general |date=23 March 2023 }}</ref>
| chief1_position = Director-General (Department of Transport and Main Roads)
| parent_department = [[Department of Transport and Main Roads|Department of Transport and Main Roads]]
| website         = {{URL|https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/qconnect}}
}}


'''''qconnect''''' was a network of integrated public passenger transport services that covered subsidised and/or regulated bus, coach and aviation networks in regional Queensland, Australia.<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Education and Training 2014, Transport, https://www.qld.gov.au/education/international/live/transport {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512183238/https://www.qld.gov.au/education/international/live/transport |date=12 May 2023 }}</ref> ''qconnect'' was introduced by the [[Queensland Government]] in December 2007, and was an agency operated by the [[Department of Transport and Main Roads|Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)]]. ''qconnect'' provided greater connectivity and accessibility of services throughout regional, rural and remote communities by working with contracted transport operators.

''qconnect'' was the regional counterpart to the [[Translink (Queensland)|Translink]] network operating across South East Queensland and some parts of regional Queensland. Throughout 2022 and 2023, many bus operations were transferred from the ''qconnect'' network to the wider [[Translink (Queensland)|Translink]] network in order to create a more consistent and simplified public transport network in Queensland. By 16 January 2023, all regional networks had been transferred to [[Translink (Queensland)|Translink]] and the ''qconnect'' brand was abolished.<ref>{{Cite web |title=We're growing across Queensland |url=https://translink.com.au/about-translink/brand |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Translink |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328144419/https://translink.com.au/about-translink/brand |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Bus Stops==
[[File:Sheridan Street Hockey Fields Bus Stop.jpg|thumb|upright|QConnect premium bus stop]]
[[File:Cairns North Offices Bus Stop.jpg|thumb|upright|QConnect regular bus stop]] 

''qconnect'' had different types of bus stop designs, depending on the projected patronage and usage of the bus stop. 

===Hail'n'Ride Bus Stops===
Source:<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2020, Public Transport Infrastructure Manual, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325073152/https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual |date=25 March 2023 }}</ref>

Hail'n'Ride bus stops were usually located in areas with low population or low projected passenger patronage. These stops generally featured no bus stop signage or infrastructure, and generally aren't wheelchair accessible. As with most ''qconnect'' routes, it is possible to hail a bus to stop anywhere along the bus route where it is safe to do so, so these stops are used as timing points for timetables.

===Minimum Boarding Point Bus Stops===
Source:<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2020, Public Transport Infrastructure Manual, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325073152/https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual |date=25 March 2023 }}</ref>

Minimum boarding point bus stops are usually located in low population suburban areas, along outbound routes, or in space constrained locations. These stops generally feature bus stop signage, along with tactile ground surface indicators, and are wheelchair accessible. They do not feature bus shelters, seating or any other infrastructure.

===Regular and Intermediate Bus Stops===
Source:<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2020, Public Transport Infrastructure Manual, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325073152/https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual |date=25 March 2023 }}</ref>

Regular and intermediate bus stops are usually located in suburban or city areas with low-moderate passenger demand and moderate service frequency. These stops generally feature bus stop signage, tactile ground surface indicators, wheelchair accessibility and bus shelters and seating. 

===Premium Bus Stops===
Source:<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2020, Public Transport Infrastructure Manual, https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325073152/https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/public-transport-infrastructure-manual |date=25 March 2023 }}</ref>

Premium bus stops are usually located near major attractions, such as public services, shopping centres and bus interchanges. These stops generally feature improved bus stop signage, tactile ground surface indicators, wheelchair accessibility and multiple seated shelters. They can also feature infrastructure such as rubbish bins, vending machines and CCTV.

==Fares==
qconnect fares were calculated depending on how many zones were travelled. Zone boundaries could be found on route and network maps along with a fare zone calculator. Fare zones and fare costs differed between regions.<ref>Queensland Government - Department of Transport and Main Roads 2019, qconnect Passenger Transport Policies, https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Corporate-information/Policies/qconnect-passenger-transport-policies {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308174337/https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Corporate-information/Policies/qconnect-passenger-transport-policies |date=8 March 2023 }}</ref>

== Tickets ==
The following ticket types were available for purchase:

===Single Ticket===
*Provides one way travel between the purchased zones. In some areas, to transfer buses, you will need to purchase a transfer single ticket

===Daily Ticket===
*Provides unlimited return travel between the purchased zones until the last service of the day. In some areas, to transfer buses, you will need to purchase a transfer daily ticket
*Daily tickets are priced at the cost of two single tickets

===Weekly Ticket===
*Provides unlimited travel between the purchased zones until the last service after a period of seven consecutive days from the date of purchase – In some areas, to transfer buses, you will need to purchase a transfer weekly ticket

*Weekly tickets are priced at the cost of eight single tickets and rounded up to the nearest ten cents

===Concessions===
''qconnect'' provides standard concessions for the following:
*Children 5–14 years of age inclusive – Children four and under travel for free
*full-time students from approved Queensland schools, TAFEs, and universities undertaking Austudy, Abstudy or Youth Allowance approved courses – Approved Students are required to produce a Tertiary or Secondary Identification Card
*Queensland Pensioners holding an approved Queensland Pensioner Concession Card issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs
*Seniors holding a Queensland Seniors Card (not a Seniors Discount Card)

==See also==
{{Portal|Queensland}}
*[[Translink (Queensland)|Translink]]
*[[Department of Transport and Main Roads]]

== References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Government agencies established in 2007]]
[[Category:Government agencies of Queensland]]
[[Category:Intermodal transport authorities in Australia]]
[[Category:Public transport in Queensland]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Australia]]

{{Public transport in Queensland}}