Public Transport Levy

The Public Transport Levy helps improve public transport services and infrastructure. The Levy helps us to advocate more successfully to the State Government to secure more funding for public transport projects and trial new transport options that connect local communities. Overall, it helps improve access, safety, reliability and travel choices for residents.
 

Encouraging more people to use public transport is a key part of our Toowoomba Region Sustainable Transport Strategy which aims to reduce our reliance on private vehicles, provide more travel and accessibility choices for our residents and improve regional connectivity.

Levy cost

The Public Transport Levy is paid as part of general rates bills and is $43.58 per year. The Public Transport Levy does not increase rates. It replaces the previous Park and Open Space Levy and Biosecurity and Bushland Conservation Levy. Money already collected through those levies will continue to be used for their original purposes.

Projects to date

The Levy has funded improvements to public transport across the Region, in partnership with the State Government. Key improvements are:

  • reviewing and improving local bus networks and services
  • promoting public transport use and providing event transport services
  • delivering infrastructure upgrades, such as bus stop improvements and planning for regional transport hubs.

Recent outcomes in 2025/26 include:

  • installation of e-paper bus stop displays at key transport interchanges
  • improved bus reliability (on-time running project)
  • event shuttle buses (e.g. New Year’s Eve, Mayor’s Carols)
  • planning for regional bus/Flexilink trials  
  • exploration of expanded bus services and community transport options
  • pre-feasibility study for a Brisbane–Withcott passenger rail link.

Projects in planning

The following projects are planned for 2026/27:

  • Safer, more accessible bus stops, especially near schools, medical facilities and retirement villages
  • Expanded and extended bus services within Toowoomba
  • A weekday bus service linking Clifton and Toowoomba for a trial period of six months
  • Support for community-run transport in regional towns
  • Ongoing advocacy for passenger rail connections to SEQ
  • New trial Flexilink services on weekends to include:
  • Clifton, Cambooya, Wyreema to Toowoomba Plaza bus
  • Gowrie Junction, Kingsthorpe to Wilsonton Shopping Centre
  • Goombungee and Meringandan west to Highfields Village.

Current public transport options

There are a range of public and community transport options available to residents across the region, including several bus services.

We encourage residents to submit any suggestions for bus service improvements to the existing bus network directly to Translink.

View public transport options.

Related information

 

   

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