New bus routes serving Jacobs Wells, Ormeau, Pimpama revealed

New regular bus routes have been announced for the northern Gold Coast, including the first to serve a growing area. Here’s everything you need to know.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon at one of the new bus stops in Jacob's Well.

The northern Gold Coast is to get two new bus routes, including the first to service the growing community of Jacobs Well, following a long-running campaign by locals.

In a huge boost for the area, the two new routes, which are part of a joint $16.4 million investment by council and the state government, will begin services on Monday September 23.

The two new routes will be:

* Route 733: From Ormeau to Jacobs Well via Pimpama shops.

* Route 732: From Coomera station to Pimpama City.

The Jacobs Well route, which will be the first TransLink bus service into this area, comes after years of campaigning by locals, including a number of petitions to parliament sponsored by Coomera MP Michael Crandon – the most recent in April this year.

It will operate hourly from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 6pm on weekends.

In addition to the new services there will be upgrades to routes 728 (Beenleigh station to Ormeau station via Yatala and Jacobs Ridge) and 729 (Beenleigh station to Ormeau station via Ormeau Hills). The upgrades will see greater frequency and route changes to avoid traffic congestion.

Route 724 (Coomera station to Pimpama via Coomera) will undergo minor timetable changes to make journeys more reliable.

Further changes are expected next year to bring customers to the new Pimpama Train Station when it opens.

New bus routes are being introduced on the northern Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The new services and upgrades come as public transport is undergoing a surge in popularity following the introduction of 50 cent fares.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish said it was hoped the new routes would be well patronised by the community.

“Gold Coast commuters are the winners, with residents in residential growth areas of northern Gold Coast now having improved public transport,” he said.

“The improvements will mean Jacobs Well residents will have their first regular bus service, and be able to make use of our 50c fare trial.

“The changes we’re putting in place now will allow us to be ready for immediate bus route changes to be made once the Pimpama train station opens next year, providing ready access to the train network for residents.

“More and more people are calling this region home so we’re investing in the public transport network to meet the needs of local communities and help people move around the Gold Coast.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard.

The routes will make use of new bus stops erected by Gold Coast council in recent months. Mayor Tom Tate said the services were badly needed.

“The City is pleased to be partnering with the Queensland government on this northern Gold Coast bus initiative, providing much-needed public transport options for our growing communities of Coomera, Upper Coomera, and Pimpama,” he said.

“These additional bus services will link residents to schools, medical facilities, and rail services, providing better connectivity for our growing communities.”

Mr Crandon welcomed news of the new services but questioned the timing of their commencement, with services due to begin just a month before state elections on October 26.

He said locals had been left waiting a long time for the announcement.

“A month before the election is perfect timing for them but it’s also perfect timing for me, because I am on record as being the person that’s been fighting for this together with the community for a long long time,” he said.

“It’s a welcome addition and it’ll be a big benefit to the people of the Jacob’s Well community. They’ll be able to get to the shops at Pimpama and to the train station.”

Jacobs Well Progress Association President Jenny Cooper and Coomera MP Michael Crandon at a new bus stop in Jacobs Well.

Jenny Cooper, president of the Jacobs Well Progress Association, said locals had been campaigning for the services for about 10 years.

Ms Cooper said young people who did not have their own car and people who were too old to drive had struggled with the lack of public transport services.

“You can’t go anywhere without a vehicle. And some of our population is ageing. For them to get to the shops or train stations is difficult, if they need to get to doctor’s appointments or stuff like that,” she said.

“ … (Uber is) pretty much non existent. There’s one Uber driver but he’s hard to book. You have to book him in advance.

“It makes it very hard for older people. They have to rely on friends and family to drive them to appointments if they can’t drive themselves.”

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Originally published as New bus routes serving Jacobs Wells, Ormeau, Pimpama revealed