New bus off to flying start
Tue 02 November 2010
Skye Davidson, Bachelor of Journalism
Sunshine Coast Airport passengers will no longer have to walk 1km to access public transport after the launch of a new bus service.
The TransLink Sunshine Coast airport public bus service, launched on October 15, 2010l, was set to travel between the airport’s new bus bay on Friendship Avenue and Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore.
The route number 699 bus would run hourly between 7am and 6pm, and eliminate the need for airport passengers to walk 1km to the David Low Way to access public transport.
In a press release on October 15, 2010, Queensland Government Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan said the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and local community had made a strong case for the service.
“I’m pleased we are able to deliver,” Mrs Nolan said. 
But Mrs Nolan said the bus service was temporary, and a permanent route would not be finalised until the completion of the Caloundra bus depot.
“We have worked with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Sunbus to establish the interim service which will provide 12 trips in each direction every day of the week,” Mrs Nolan said.
“Those who access the airport for work or travel can look forward to a permanent airport route when the Caloundra bus depot opens later this year.”
In the same press release, Sunshine Coast Council Integrate Transport Portfolio chair Cr Vivien Griffen welcomed the new public airport bus.
“My council is very focused on building a great public transport system for the coast, and this service is another important initiative towards that goal,” Cr said.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reported that before the new bus service, passengers had to walk to the bus stop, hire a private car or pay for a shuttle bus or taxi.
Sunshine Coast Airport manager Peter Pallot said he was pleased that passengers would now be able to catch public transport from the airport with ease.
“From an airport point of view, it’s a welcome adjunct to the other modes of transport available to get to the airport,” Mr Pallot said.
“We’ve been working on it for some time and we’re very happy it has finally arrived.”
Mr Pallot said the new bus service would be particularly good for those traveling on a budget and also the 600 Sunshine Coast Airport staff.
Mr Pallot said that the service had attracted a good response in the first week, and he expected this to continue. 
“The take-up over Christmas, I think, will be very, very solid,” Mr Pallot said.
Member for Maroochydore and LNP Spokesperson for Transport Fiona Simpson had been lobbying for the bus service since last year, and said she was pleased the service had been launched.
“I think it’s good that they’ve finally connected it,” Mrs Simpson said.
“It’s a step in the right direction.
“It’s important, not only for the passengers who are flying in and out to have the option of public transport, but there’s also a lot of workers who are in this area at the airport…and the couple of industrial estates behind it.”
Mrs Simspon said there would be some changes to the service in a few months time, but she was happy with the initial roll out.
“The timetable will probably undergo some further change,” Mrs Simpson said.
Mrs Simpson said the airport was a major regional infrastructure, and it did not make sense for it not to be connected to the public transport system.
“They were talking about it not occurring till 2011, which is completely unacceptable,” Mrs Simpson said.
“Previously it was more than a kilometre to walk to the bus stop.
“That’s a long way to drag your bags”.
However, Mrs Simpson still believed the Sunshine Coast public transport networks needed improvement.
“I still believe that the Sunshine Coast network, including the airport, needs a lot more services with greater frequency,” Mrs Simpson said.
Mrs Simspon was also concerned about the cost of public transport on the Sunshine Coast.
“The state government are [sic] putting the fares up another 15% at the end of the year,” Mrs Simpson said.
“I think that’s a huge increase on top of the 20-40% increase they had this year.
“All eyes on what people are getting for the dollars they are spending.”
The new airport bus would take 20 minutes to travel between the airport and Maroochydore, and would cost adults $A3.90 and concessions $A1.90 for a one way trip.
The bus would connect with services to Nambour, Noosa Heads, Kawana, Moolooaba, Bli Bli and Buderim at the Maroochydore bus Interchange at Sunshine Plaza.
Timetable and other information for the TransLink sunshine coast airport bus can be found at the TransLink website or by calling 13 12 30.
Image(s) designed by Skye Davidson