Translink explains why Far North won’t receive additional public transport

The state’s public transport provider has responded to growing calls from Far Northerners on the feasibility of establishing regular taxpayer funded routes outside urban areas.

There have been calls to expand the Translink network in the Far North. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The state’s public transport provider has responded to growing calls from Far Northerners on the feasibility of establishing regular taxpayer-funded routes outside urban areas.

Last month former Douglas Shire mayoral candidate David Haratsis said if the state government could afford to sacrifice $7m in one week with its 50c fares scheme, it could afford to trial a public bus system in his town.

The only two centres in the Far North with a full public Translink network are Cairns and Innisfail, with more than 90,000 residents across the region’s outer communities relying on irregular or private services.

At the time Mr Haratsis based his argument on the need for public transport to be considered an essential service and delivered for “social profit” rather than the economics of a “cash profit”.

Port Douglas man David Haratsis is calling for a trial of a public bus between the Douglas Shire and Cairns. Picture: Facebook

He called for a trial of a service that would link Port Douglas to Palm Cove, which would give Douglas Shire residents access to the Cairns network.

In response, Translink said the journey between Cairns and Port Douglas was “long” when compared with other public transport routes across Queensland and it was considered more appropriate to service distances such as this with long-distance coaches rather than an urban bus service.

A spokesman said a Cairns to Cooktown coastal service already operated each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday through local company Trans North and was subsidised by Translink.

A Trans North bus. The Far North company provides subsidised routes between Cairns and Douglas.

“Public transport has a finite budget and when considering delivery of mass urban public transport; factors such as competing priorities, demand for new or additional services, and proximity and population density relative to the main urban area are all considerations,” the spokesman said.

“Translink public transport services require significant new funding to provide the bus fleet, ongoing service funding and accessible bus stop infrastructure.

“Opportunities for additional services between Cairns and Port Douglas or Mossman have been investigated and there are currently no plans to introduce an urban bus route in this region.

A Translink bus operating in the Brisbane CBD. The service provider does not have plans to expand its Far North operations. Picture David Clark

“Any introduction of an urban route or service in this area would be in direct competition with the existing long-distance coach route and existing tourist and commercial coach shuttle services between Cairns and Douglas, which operate directly between hotels and the airport.”

The spokesman said the service provider would continue to monitor the transport network in Port Douglas and Mossman, including growth and development in the region, to identify opportunities to provide travel options aligning with community demographics and travel needs.

Originally published as Translink explains why Far North won’t receive additional public transport