New bus route added in Whitsundays

Launching on May 26, the introduction of bus route 861 will add more than 200 weekly trips and provide more frequency and travel options for the Whitsundays coast community.

The new route will connect Whitsunday Plaza and Jubilee Pocket, providing much needed coverage for this high demand area for the first time.

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Route 861 buses will run hourly from 6:25am to 9:53pm seven days a week.

To make it easier to catch the bus, Translink has partnered with Whitsundays Regional Council to build 12 new bus stops in Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket and south-east Proserpine. Although some stops are under construction, passengers are still able to hail a bus from these locations.

Passengers can catch route 861 at 30 existing route 860 bus stops (between Whitsunday Plaza and Jubilee Pocket) plus six new ones at:

Abell Road at Parker Road (toward Whitsunday Plaza)
Abell Road at Parker Road (toward Jubilee Pocket)
Valley Drive (toward Whitsunday Plaza)
Valley Drive (toward Jubilee Pocket)
Jubilee Pocket Road at Penticost (both directions)
Jubilee Pocket Road at Sabel (both directions)

Improvements to existing bus route 860 will also provide increased network coverage within Proserpine following a realigned outbound route and timetable changes. All route 860 buses travel via Whitsunday Plaza, making it easier to get to and from the shops.

The journey will also be made quicker and more direct, with the removal of infrequently serviced stops on Beach Road and Coral Esplanade in Cannonvale.

The service will also be starting 36 minutes earlier on weekdays, departing from Fuljames Street at 5:19am instead of Orchid Road at 5:55am.