Brisbane Transport chief set to tap off after 14 years

BCC has refused to renew Brisbane Transport chief Alan Warren's contract. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

Brisbane City Council has sacked the man who made Brisbanes buses run on time for the past 14 years, opening the door to privatising Brisbanes profitable bus runs.

The council opposition says the lord mayor is secretly clearing the decks for privatisation.

However Brisbane City Council last night said Brisane Transport had received an extension to run its bus services until September 2015, which would be well after the next state election.

The council runs Brisbane Transport, the states biggest provider of bus routes and the employer of 2700 employees.

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In 2011 it ran 1200 buses on 245 routes, providing 63,859 bus services a week and 1465 school runs, which dropped to about 235 routes in early 2012.

A review of the councils bus routes in 2013 cut that number of routes to 225 and resulted in major changes to about 80 routes.

The Queensland government has begun the process of contestability, where the private sector can judge whether there is value for firms to compete against Brisbane Transport for the city's most-profitable routes.

Alan Warren, who has headed Brisbane Transport for 14 years, offered to renew his contract in November 2014, but that has been rejected by BCCs civic cabinet.

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Brisbane Transport chief set to tap off after 14 years