“We’re tickled pink that we now have a Brisbane to Boonah bus service,” said President of the Active Community Transport Incorporation (ACT), Barbara Williams.
“There’s been a lot of phone calls and meetings over this.”
For the last two years, Mrs Williams and her team have been advocating for a bus route to service the Fassifern Region and after they received 500 responses from their survey in 2019, they knew they needed to drive change.
“A lot of the answers we got was the need to travel to medical appointments,” said Mrs Williams.
“But to get to specialist appointment in Brisbane, you’ve got to have a friend who can drive you there, or you go with the Queensland ambulance service.
“The problem with that is, they pick you at 7.00am in the morning for an appointment that could be at 11.00am and you don’t get home until 5.00pm or later.”
“So, it can be quite difficult for people who are unwell.”
Desperate to find a solution, the group contacted TransLink and Queensland Transport but according to Mrs Williams, it was Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause who was “very supportive.”
“TransLink and Queensland Transport policy simply ignores the Fassifern district, despite considerable effort by local community groups and myself to obtain assistance for some public transport options over the last few years,” said Mr Krause.
After piecing a business plan together, ACT called private operator, Crisp Coaches who run a regular service from Warwick to Brisbane.
Now, Crisp Coaches will run a service from Boonah to Brisbane twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing from July 6 at 9.15am.
A one-way fare from Boonah to Brisbane will cost $37.00 and $31.00 for a concession ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online, and passengers will be asked to meet near the cricket nets at coronation park.
The bus will also make a stop at Peak Crossing Park, Dinmore train station and Wacol train station and will drop off passengers at Roma Street train station or the two major hospitals if required.
“When you think about carparking in Brisbane, it’s worth it,” said Mrs Williams.
“If there is a serious uptake, I’m sure the company may reduce the price.
“That’s our next strategy, to enquire about funding.”
Although the service was originally to cater for those heading to urgent appointments at the Princess Alexandra or the Mater Hospitals, Mrs Williams said it will play a beneficial role to many members of the community.
“We have an increase in population, we have mental health issues where people feel isolated, we have 45 to 50 kids in high school who need to get to either Bundamba or Southbank TAFE…
“And we have older people who shouldn’t be driving but they have to so they can get to their appointment.
“There is a big need to just have access out of Boonah.”
Mr Krause echoed Mrs Williams.
“It is good to see a private operator stepping up to offer this option. It’s limited, but it’s a start.
“To all those residents who want to see more public transport, now is the chance to use this service and help build a case for more help from the State.”
“Well done to Boonah’s community group, Active Community Transport.”
