TransLink complaint: Panic as children stranded at 3pm without bus passes

An investigation has been launched into complaint alleging up to 10 children were denied access to a Gold Coast school bus after a breakdown in the student pass system.

An investigation has been launched into a complaint alleging up to 10 children were denied access to a Gold Coast school bus after a breakdown in the student pass system.

Parents contacted Save Our Southern Gold Coast to intervene, and calls by the community group to councillors and MPs have sparked fresh concerns about safety and overcrowding on public transport.

Area councillor Hermann Vorster aware of the complaint in his Robina division believes the incident shows “a collapse in public confidence in the state’s ability to manage bus services on the Gold Coast”.

“I have met with bus drivers, residents, and students who feel abandoned by the state government and cut-off from their communities,” he said.

A student waves down a school bus on the Gold Coast.

“The workforce feels unsafe at times and commuters worry that there may be bashings or that children will be exposed to drug use.

“Those who are most vulnerable, including schoolchildren and seniors, say they cannot rely on a pick-up time and worry that a bus might not arrive at all.”

The concerned parent in the complaint said she received a phone call from her “distressed” daughter after being refused bus travel last Wednesday about 3.07pm at Robina.

The daughter alleged TransLink officials, who were standing at the bus doors policing payment, told her: “You don’t have a bus pass, so you can’t get on the bus. You need to find another way home.”

The girl’s mother wrote: “Whilst talking to me she was walking away from the bus, trying to avoid being seen in distress, as that would likely have caused her a panic attack, so I coached her to walk to the Robina train station and ride the train to Nerang where I would meet her.”

Councillor Hermann Vorster — students and pensioners raising concerns about public transport. Picture Glenn Hampson.

The parent in a letter to authorities recalled a similar recent incident at Beaudesert when a bus driver demanded children leave the bus and left them stranded.

“Certainly, you are well are of the Daniel Morecombe Foundation and the No Child Left Behind policy highlighting that drivers cannot leave a child at a bus stop if they do not have a bus pass or they don’t have enough money to pay the fare that all bus companies must implement in their policy,” the girl’s mother said.

“My daughter reports that on her bus alone there were about 10 children affected by this policing.”

The young student suffers from several medical conditions. The family has requested privacy.

TransLink confirmed it had received a complaint regarding a student being denied access to a school bus departing Robina State High School due to not having the appropriate bus pass.

Consultation occurred with the Robina State High School principal and authorised Kinetic Network Officers, employed by Translink’s delivery partner, and checks were conducted last week to ensure students had appropriate bus passes or payment methods.

TransLink said it understood parents and guardians of all students were provided email confirmation from the school principal on August 4 of these checks taking place, reminding them of the need for a bus pass or go card to pay for their travel both to and from school.

“TransLink and Kinetic continue to investigate this complaint. We take all complaints of this nature seriously and will complete a thorough investigation,” a TransLink spokesperson said.

It is understood the bus pass operation took place in school grounds where staff were supervising students.

Save Our Southern Gold Coast leader Kath Down has reached out to councillors, MPs, the school and TransLink to find a solution after being contacted by the parents.

“This incident is particularly troubling given the precedent set by the “No Child Left Behind” policy, inspired by the tragic Daniel Morcombe case. It appears that this important policy might not have been fully adhered to in this situation,” she said.

The Bulletin understands the school at the beginning of the month reached out to parents to update them on school passes. The girl’s mother was satisfied with their response but the communication breakdown has occurred outside school.

Kath Down from Save Our Southern Gold Coast — contacted by concerned parent about bus services for students.

Cr Vorster said a major theme when he hosted a recent Burleigh Waters town hall meeting was residents complaining they had missed medical appointments due to unreliable buses.

“I spoke with students at Robina State High School on National Schools Tree Day, and bus services were a major concern,” he said.

“I have already raised concerns on their behalf with the Minister, highlighting the dangerous

overcrowding on the 3358 service.

“The State must stop treating bus users as second class citizens and make sure the system is safe, reliable and affordable.

“If they let the system crumble, they will just force more cars on the road and compound the traffic crisis they’ve created around Robina.”