The Gold Coast gets its first dial-a-bus service, starting Monday
November 5, 2010
About 15,000 Pacific Pines and Park Lake residents will be the first to benefit from the Gold Coast’s new trial dial-up home collection bus service.
From Monday YourBus will start picking up passengers from home, connecting to Helensvale’s railway station and town centre.
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke officially launched the service this week.
Clarke says the six-month trial has been initiated and funded by Gold Coast City Council with support from Surfside Buslines, Gold Coast Cabs and TransLink.
“It is the first service of this nature but I see it as the way of the future for public transport,” he says.
“It will be as convenient and economical as private vehicles for the 80 per cent of car trips made to destinations within four kilometres of residents’ homes.”
Clarke says he will be interested to see how well the service is accepted and used.
“YourBus will improve access for people in areas currently underserviced by public transport,” he says.
“It is being trialled in Pacific Pines because much of the area is hilly, with some narrow streets which aren’t easily accessed by normal buses.”
YourBus will be delivered by 28-seater, wheelchair-accessible vehicles which will access most streets in the trial area.
“Where buses can’t enter the street, passengers can arrange to be picked up at the nearest junction,” Clarke says.
“YourBus adds to other targeted transport services funded by the Gold Coast Council, including Council Cabs and Surfers Paradise NightLink.”
Divisional Councillor Peter Young says the service was eagerly awaited by local residents.
“It is a diverse community, with lots of young families, teenagers, university students, young parents, retirees and many people who commute to Brisbane and other parts of the city to work each day,” Young says.
“For many, access to private transport is a problem, so YourBus will provide a real alternative.”
He expects the service will be welcomed by commuters connecting with trains and buses at Helensvale Station, and young people and the elderly needing access to Helensvale’s shopping precinct.
Elderly Pacific Pines residents Clarrie and June Cantrell will be among the first users of the service.
“It will make a big difference to our lives,” June Cantrell says.
“As we get older it will be impossible to climb the hill back home.”
She says her 17-year-old granddaughter would also use the service.
“It will be great for the teenagers here as well.”
Clarke says if the service proves a success at Pacific Pines, Gold Coast Council could consider extending it to other areas underserviced by public transport.
The service will operate half-hourly loops through Pacific Pines to Helensvale.
Bookings can me made by calling 07 5588 1223.