It will now be easier than ever to get home safely on the Sunshine Coast with additional late-night services coming to Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Sippy Downs (UniSC) and Palmview.
Sunshine Coast tourists and residents alike will soon benefit from new late-night bus services with improvements to route 616 and 600 as part of a 12-month trial, starting tomorrow (Friday 18 July).
Funded and championed by Sunshine Coast Council, the changes will see an additional 10 trips on route 616 after 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Both routes 616 and 600 will also be extended to service a new late-night bus stop only 180 metres from Ocean Street and the Maroochydore Safe Night Precinct (SNP).
Sunshine Coast Council Transport Portfolio Councillor Taylor Bunnag said Council was pleased to be leading the charge on the trial to deliver additional services.
"The late-night service between Maroochydore and Palmview is a welcome transport improvement for residents and visitors who love soaking up the atmorsphere in Ocean Street.
"By bringing services closer to Ocean Street and expanding coverage, we're making it easier for everyone; from students, to shift workers and late-night revellers, to get home safely and affordably.
"If people want to keep these extra services long-term, they need to get on board the bus and there's a strong demand for these services, during this trial.
Getting home safer
Translink operates late-night bus services across the state in support of the Queensland Government's Safe Night Out Strategy.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said these additional services would help those out late at night to get home easier and safer.
"With even more bus services in place and thanks to the LNP Government's permanent 50 cent fares - public transport is a cheap and convienent option on the Sunshine Coast.
"The existing late-night services in the area have already proven popular and these service improvements will help more people to get home from the Sunshine Coast nightlife precinct.
"These services will also help support local hospitality workers and who need to access their work late at night or early in the morning."
Business benefits
The extension of these routes and the addition of extra services will help improve walk-up access to public transport between the three localities of the Sunshine Coast SNP (Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Caloundra). The services provide safe and reliable transport options to local hospitality workers and those enjoying the Sunshine Coast nightlife.
While personal transport options operate on the Sunshine Coast, community feedback has shown that the demand far outweighs the availability of rideshare and taxi services in the area.
The introduction of additional late-night bus services will offset this demand and help patrons of late-night trading venues get between venues and home safely.
Safe Night Precinct President Scott Hoskins said the trial was crucial for the sustainability of the Safe Night Precincts.
"Everyone is going to benefit from a successful trial especially small businesses with additional inbound customers, as well as locals heading outbound to all of our other sub-SNPs in Mooloolaba and Caloundra," Mr Hoskins said.
"It's about getting people to their destination as much as it is about getting people home safely.
"There's a bit of a stigma around getting on a bus, but everyone has a responsibility to be part of the transport solution and we are so pleased to see funding from Council allocated to this Translink trial."
Service details
The existing late-night route 600, operates 11 trips between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights and services the areas of the SNP.
Route 616 will operate late-night services on Friday and Saturday nights between the Maroochydore and Mooloolaba SNPs and will continue to service growth areas in Sippy Downs and Palmview, including the University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC).
Better access to late-night services, combined with travel for 50 cents, makes public transport the easiest way for customers to get home after a late night.
Customers are reminded to plan their journey ahead using Translink's journey planner available on the Translink App, by visiting the Translink website
