Demand for regular bus route from Cairns to Port Douglas despite Cook MP Cynthia Lui’s dismay

Demand for a regular bus route between Cairns and Port Douglas and other locations is growing, but the calls have sparked a fiery response from Cook MP Cynthia Lui. Read what she said.

TOURISTS and locals having difficulty getting from Cairns to Port Douglas via public transport are calling for a regular bus route – but not everyone is onboard.

David Haratsis, of Port Douglas, said there should be regular services between Mossman, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Cairns.

“I am realistic about it. I am hoping there will be a trial over a 12-month period to see whether there is the demand or not,” he said.

“It would be a fairly cheap trial in my opinion, it probably requires one bus and a couple of drivers. Maybe four to five scheduled a day.”

Mr Haratsis said the benefits were self-evident.

“It would be good for the elderly and people who otherwise don’t have access to private transport to go from town to town for medical services,” he said.

Julian Boehm and Fabienne von Holtum had difficulty getting a bus to Port Douglas.

“Currently they would need a bus to Cairns and stay two nights. That’s not viable.”

Mr Haratsis said businesses could also benefit from public transport.

“Businesses are crying for staff daily,” he said.

“Someone on a hospitality wage isn’t going to drive daily, if there’s public transport they might.”

German tourist Fabienne von Holtum struggled to get a bus to Port Douglas on Sunday.

Her plans were to try and get to Palm Cove and find a way to get to Port Douglas from there.

Despite the calls for a bus service Cook MP Cynthia Lui believed it was a waste of taxpayers money.

“There are some vocal members of the community who would rather vie for a headline than actually understand the makeup of our community,” she said.

The prospect was shut down by Ms Lui because she said demand wasn’t there.

“The fact of the matter is, setting up an urban bus service to travel 67 kilometres between Cairns and Port Douglas would require significant new funding for a fleet, petrol, staffing, servicing and bus stop infrastructure,” she said.

Julian Boehm and Fabienne von Holtum wished there was an easier option to get to Port Douglas from Cairns.

“This level of investment is totally appropriate when justifiable, but I will not call on my state government colleagues to misappropriate that level of funding when people are simply not using the service.”

Ms Lui said a number of alternative services are provided by Greyhound and shuttle buses between Cairns and Port Douglas are available.

Mr Haratsis said the shuttle bus services were too expensive.

“That’s why there’s no demand for those sorts of trips they are not viable,” he said.

A TransLink spokesman said public transport has a finite budget and demand must be considered.

“Any introduction of an urban route or service in this area would be in direct competition with the existing long-distance coach route and airport shuttles between Port Douglas and Cairns,” the spokesman said.

“TransLink will 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 Demand for regular bus route from Cairns to Port Douglas despite Cook MP Cynthia Lui’s dismay