Council to cut buses connecting four schools once Metro arrives

Students at a number of Brisbane schools who rely on council buses face extra travel time and major safety concerns under plans to scale back existing services once council’s Metro network is operational.

Direct bus routes to Brisbane schools will be cut under Council’s proposed bus network revamp, resulting in extra travel time and safety concerns.

Brisbane City Council unveiled its review last month, which analysed how the current network would fit in once Brisbane Metro is operational in 2024.

The draft plan, open for public feedback until December 14, includes cuts to the 202 service linking the city with Carindale, and the 112 service linking the city to Griffith University.

They will no longer run directly to Somerville House, St Laurence’s College, Dutton Park State School and Brisbane South State Secondary College.

Based on the draft, St Laurence’s and Somerville students will have to catch the 202 or 112 to a Metro interchange and wait for a connecting Metro service.

For Dutton Park and Brisbane South students, they will likely have to cross the busy Ipswich Road and wait for a connecting service.

An artist impression the new Brisbane Metro interchange at Griffith University in Nathan. Photo: Supplied

A Department of Education spokeswoman said there had been no communication from Council.

“While neither the department nor the principals of DPSS and BSSSC have been contacted by Council, the department will engage in relation to any proposed changes to ensure the interests of schools are considered,” she said.

St Laurence’s principal Chris Leadbetter said he was aware of the review’s potential impacts.

“The College is aware of the impacts and potential disadvantages our community may face with the proposed bus routes which is why we are currently in the process of submitting our concerns to the state government,” he said.

A Somerville House spokeswoman said the school was aware of the proposed changes.

“The school has communicated with families regarding the recent announcement of a free South Brisbane bus loop that will be in operation from early 2023 and will have 15 stops across Tribune Street, Grey Street and Montague Road in South Brisbane,” she said.

“The service will run every 10 minutes and will be a welcome addition to the public transport network surrounding Somerville House and South Brisbane businesses.”

Two bus routes connecting four schools in Brisbane’s inner-south will be scaled back if draft changes to the council bus network are approved. Photo: Darren England

Cr Ryan Murphy, civic cabinet chair for transport, said Council would continue talks with schools.

“Right now at peak times there are more than 385 buses jamming up the Cultural Centre station. By 2041, our population will increase by almost 25 per cent. If we don’t evolve transport in Brisbane, the city will come to a grinding halt,” he said.

“Transferring services – be it to a bus, train or CityCat – is already done extensively on the public transport network, including by many students.”

Opposition leader Cr Jared Cassidy said the cost of the Brisbane Metro project had blown out from $944 million to $1.7 billion.

“Sorry kids – I am sorry to say, but not surprised to learn that your journey to school

will now become that much harder following this LNP Council’s botched bus network

Review,” he said.

“And to parents as well. Your already difficult job of getting your child to school by bus safely and on time just became more complicated.”

South Brisbane MP Amy MacMahon, whose electorate includes the four schools, expressed her disappointment.

“There’s some decent changes in the Council’s bus network review, but overall, it’s kind of a bit of just rearranging the deckchairs on an underfunded, semi-functional ship,” she said.

Brisbane City Council’s interactive map can be used to compare current bus routes and the proposed changes. Feedback can be provided here.