‘What’s it going to take?’: Outrage over primary school kids left repeatedly stranded at public train station

“Is it another Daniel Morcombe situation where kids are kidnapped, raped and killed until someone takes this seriously?”: Kids stranded as public bus line let down community.

PARENTS on the northern Gold Coast are up in arms after a string of bus cancellations stranding primary school kids.

The public 729 bus route from Ormeau train station to near Norfolk Village State School on the way to Beenleigh station has had frequent cancellations, impacting students to and from school since last year, some parents fume.

They say it’s only a matter of time until it results in something going horribly wrong.

Layla Ramsey, 9 and Willow Buckley, 9. Picture Glenn Hampson

Rebecca Ramsey and Trissy Heidt’s daughters, nine, rely on the 729 as it’s the only route covering that school’s area.

“This is happening on the first run of the day at a train station – it’s infuriating,” Ms Ramsey said. “It’s once every hour and the only bus service in our area that allows our kids to get to school – there’s no designated school bus that goes to Norfolk Village State School – there’s no other public buses.”

Ms Ramsey and Ms Heidt said their kids have been left stranded multiple times in the past fortnight – five times alone in one week due to frequent, last-minute cancellations.

“Is it another Daniel Morcombe situation until something is done? Because by then – it’s too late,” Ms Heidt said. “We shouldn’t have to go through that again before they have buses in our area actually operating.”

Daniel Morcombe was abducted and killed in 2003 after a bus didn’t stop, prompting a policy in which drivers must let kids board.

Coomera State MP Michael Crandon said it had gone on for too long: “Gold Coast City Council permitted millions of dollars on a 50/50 basis with the state government to providing up to 700 additional bus services on the Northern Gold Coast and they made that commitment two years ago,” he said.

A $16.4m joint initiative aims to connect growth suburbs Ormeau, Pimpama and Coomera with better transport.

Rebecca Ramsey and Trissy Heidt with their children Layla Ramsey 9 and Willow Buckley 9. Picture Glenn Hampson

“They’ve had funding since June last year and all they’ve done for the northern Gold Coast is increase the bus services on two routes – the 722 and the 721 – they’ve left the rest of the services.” he said.

“We’re pushing for action on the 729 line and we’ve received no announcement, this service is not sufficient and they haven’t given us any timeline on when services are going to be increased.

“Kids have been left on the side of the road – I’ve had a 78-year old lady stuck in the heat waiting for a bus to come and collect her. It’s both ends of the spectrum, the ones who need the bus services the most.”

A Kinetic spokesperson said driver availability as a result of “nationwide labour shortages” plus “above average absenteeism from illness” was to blame but is “taking steps to prioritise these services and avoid cancellations.”

The council referred the Bulletin to State Roads Minister Mark Bailey statement earlier this year, saying improved services across northern Gold Coast buses would be rolled out progressively: “The northern Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and we want to make sure we’ve got enough services to keep up with demand,” Mr Bailey said. “Whether it’s getting to work, school or anywhere else.”

Originally published as ‘What’s it going to take?’: Outrage over primary school kids left repeatedly stranded at public train station