- Extra $3 million this financial year to accelerate rollout of full bus driver safety barriers across Queensland following years of neglect under Labor.
- Funding will support retrofitting screens to buses in Brisbane and across Queensland to ensure barriers of Australia's highest safety standard reach every corner of the State.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer with an additional $3 million this financial year to fast-track the installation of full safety barriers on buses across the State.
The funding boost includes $1 million to retrofit 50 Brisbane City Council buses on top of the 45 already scheduled for this financial year.
A further $2 million will support other operators to upgrade around 70 vehicles across the State including in Mackay, North Stradbroke Island, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and Bowen.
This extra investment follows a commitment by the Crisafulli Government to Queensland bus drivers, after a roundtable of drivers, operators and unions.
It doubles the Crisafulli Government's commitment to improving bus driver and community safety to $6 million this financial year, after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.
Upgrades to the current fleet across Queensland will begin in early 2026 and will include driver barriers, air-conditioning in the driver cabin, electronic blinds, and mirrorless cameras. Full safety barriers are required for any new buses entering the Translink network.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the program was a major step forward for protecting bus drivers against abuse and assault in high-risk areas across the State, as well as delivering a safer and more secure public transport network for all Queenslanders.
"This is about making sure bus drivers across Queensland feel safe doing their job," Minister Mickelberg said.
"The Crisafulli Government has drawn a line in the sand. That is why we're getting on with the job and doubling investment in bus safety barriers to $6 million this financial year, helping make sure Queensland buses meet Australia's highest safety standards.
"The additional $3 million investment will fast-track critical safety upgrades in both regional Queensland and the South East Corner, ensuring bus drivers have the protection they deserve."
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said keeping bus drivers safe was critical to keeping Brisbane moving.
"Around two thirds of all public transport trips in Brisbane are taken on a bus, which shows just how essential our bus drivers are to our city," Cr Schrinner said.
"Every day, our drivers safely carry thousands of residents to work, school and home and they deserve to feel safe and supported while doing their job. That's why these safety upgrades are so important.
"We're working with the Crisafulli government to ensure Brisbane's bus network gets everyone home sooner and safer."
To keep collaboration strong during the rollout, a Public Transport Stakeholder Reference Group has been established to provide ongoing input on safety and broader transport issues, including investigating stricter penalties for offenders, with the first meeting already held in November.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance safety across Queensland's public transport network.
