By JOLENE OGLE
BROTHERS Michael and Mark Vaney have put green transport back on the agenda offering a unique commuter service to Brisbane for Noosa locals.
Commuter Xpress is a car-pooling service where 12 people can use one van to travel to Brisbane and back again five days a week.
Michael and Mark said the innovative commuting service would save users money and time each week as they could relax on the way to and from work, while Commuter Xpress took care of all related costs to the running and upkeep of the vehicles.
Five return trips to Brisbane from Noosa would cost a user $210, but casual and part-time workers can also use the service instead of public transport, which can take longer and sometimes cost more.
Michael said the aim behind the service was to reduce the traffic on the road and the pollution in the atmosphere.
“By setting up one van, we have taken 10 cars off the road,” he said.
“By setting up 50 vans we can take 500 cars off the road and that’s great.”
The vans offer a comfortable, air-conditioned commute to Brisbane and will also operate out of the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, with plans to have more than 50 vans on the road.
Michael and Mark presented their idea to Member for Noosa Glen Elmes on Tuesday 1 September who said Commuter Xpress offers an environmentally conscious and affordable commute option for Noosa locals.
“It can be expensive for people travelling from Noosa to Brisbane five days a week for work,” he said.
“This option means they can save on the wear and tear costs of a car, petrol and registration, but most of all, parking while in Brisbane.”
Brisbane City Council has backed the initiative, which is already well-used throughout America, by providing free parking spaces for the vans in the city.
Michael and Mark said the next step in launching the Commuter Xpress initiative was to encourage people to register with the service. For more information on the service, visit www.commuterexpress.
