Christmas has come early for locals and visitors with the arrival of free bus travel from December 14 to January 27 as Council’s trial Go Noosa transport campaign shifts into gear.

“In a Go Noosa first, a new Loop Bus will depart every 15 minutes, from 7am to 7pm, in a clockwise direction to and from the Hastings Street bus stop up along Noosa Drive to Noosa Junction, and then Weyba Road and Noosa Parade, half-hourly from 7-10pm,” Cr Ingrid Jackson said at today’s Go Noosa media launch.

“The Loop Bus will service a brand new park-and-ride facility at the Weyba Road AFL ground adjacent to the farmers market locality. It’s a great way for people from all over the Shire to park and ride to avoid the traffic,” Cr Jackson said.

“And this year it will again be free to travel on six existing Translink buses that service Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa Parklands, Tewantin, Noosa Civic, Cooroy, Cooran and Pomona.

“Last Christmas/Easter the Free Holiday buses clocked up more than 300,000 passenger trips, which takes pressure off the road network and parking,” Cr Jackson said.

A trial queue-jump lane, in the peak period, will keep the buses moving in congested traffic on Noosa Parade.

“As in previous years, there will be more than 250 additional paid car parking spaces on offer at Noosa Heads Lions Park on weekends throughout the holidays and every day during the peak holiday period from Boxing Day to January 12.”

“50% of the proceeds from paid Lions Park parking will go to Tewantin-Noosa Lions Club to fund the good work they do in the community.”

Council is trialling the Go Noosa initiatives to offer locals and visitors a relaxed and fun alternative to travelling around Noosa by private car. The ultimate goal is to ease parking and traffic congestion.

“Real-time video message boards beside major in-roads will guide drivers to park-and-ride locations and offer general parking availability information for the Noosa Heads area.”

Cr Jackson encouraged visitors and locals to download the free Go Noosa app, from December 14 onwards, to make the most of the services on offer.

“In addition to real-time parking availability and information on bus services, the app now comes with a dedicated Noosa journey planner,” she said.

Council is funding the Go Noosa trials from the Sustainable Transport Levy and revenue from paid parking at the Noosa Heads Lions Park.