Commuters struggle with marathon transport trips
By Sonia Isaacs
Hinterland residents are spending up to 5.5 hours accessing essential services, sparking fresh calls for urgent improvements to public transport. While the Queensland Government’s recent announcement of an integrated rail and metro system linking Beerwah to Birtinya and the Sunshine Coast Airport has been widely welcomed, hinterland communities remain frustrated by the lack of reliable transport options to key service hubs. Maleny Community Centre (MNC) Coordinator, Madonna Hampson, said poor public transport connectivity continued to disadvantage hinterland residents.
“For example, a round trip to visit a Services Australia office currently takes approximately 5.5 hours for someone using public transport,” Ms Hampson said. “Improving transportation options would greatly enhance access to essential services, especially given that few of these services are available in the hinterland.”
MNC research revealed that even under the best conditions, a Maleny resident attending an 11am Centrelink appointment in Kawana must leave at 8:05am and won’t return until 2:30pm. A similar trip to service hubs in Nambour or Maroochydore takes about five hours round-trip, forcing many to spend more time in transit than at their appointments.
“These lengthy travel times create major challenges, particularly for parents who need to be back in time for school pick-ups,” Ms Hampson said. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows nearly a third of hinterland residents are aged over 60, further underscoring the need for better public transport.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) states it is working on the Sunshine Coast Public Transport Project. “TMR plans to introduce new bus routes, increase trip frequencies, and extend operating hours to provide more reliable services for the community,” the TMR project website stated.
Despite these commitments, Ms Hampson insists hinterland transport needs must not be overlooked. “Hinterland communities either need better access to services, or public transport must be improved to reach them,” she said. “While it’s great to see government investment in Sunshine Coast transport, I urge them to ensure the hinterland isn’t forgotten.”