On-demand bus service to expand if Labor returned to government

Plans have been announced to expand a unique bus service to more Gold Coast suburbs if Labor is returned to power after next month’s election. Here’s where the buses will go.

An On Demand bus passing Meaghan Scanlon’s electorate office in Nerang.

An on-demand bus service will be expanded into new parts of the Gold Coast and guaranteed for a further four years if Labor wins re-election in October.

Gaven MP and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on Wednesday announced that the On Demand Transport (ODT) service – currently available to residents in areas including Pacific Pines, Nerang, Highland Park and parts of Worongary – will be expanded to Carrara, Mount Nathan and Gaven.

The announcement comes in the wake of the state government slashing public transport fares to 50 cents in a six-month trial, which Premier Steven Miles on Sunday announced he would make permanent if returned to government.

Housing Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon checking out one of the buses used in for on demand services.

“We’ve been doing what matters for Gold Coasters, tackling the cost of living with cheaper public transport, cheaper rego and more ways to travel,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Gold Coasters have voted with their feet when it comes to ODT and 50 cent fares, and they’re saving big.

“Our community has backed ODT all the way with close to 100 per cent of people saying they’re advocates for the service, which is why we’ll expand it.”

Passengers using the ODT service are able to book their transport in advance using the TransLink On Demand App.

Similar to services such as Uber, users are able to track the arrival of services with real-time notifications and an in-app map.

According to state government figures more than 184,000 trips have been taken on the ODT buses since they were first introduced.

Popular routes for the buses include services linking Helensvale station, Westfield Helensvale and Pacific Pines Town Centre.

The commitment regarding on-demand buses came after the announcement last month of new bus routes servicing Coomera, Ormeau, Pimpama and Jacobs Well.

“The LNP cut bus services in our community. We’re committing to making it more accessible and cheaper,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Our community fought hard to secure ODT and we cannot risk it being cut by the LNP who have done nothing but attack measures that are putting money back into the hip pocket of Gold Coasters.”