Friday 17 February 2012

Springfield residents will have regular buses to Richlands train station when the new 535 bus route starts on Monday 27 February.

Minister for Transport Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new bus route will travel between Orion Springfield Town Centre, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Lakes and Richlands train station.

"This brand new bus service will provide a vital connection for Springfield residents to trains from Richlands until the $475 million rail line corridor to Springfield opens next year," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The buses on this route will run 155 times a week and provide 7305 weekly seats."

"This is a great opportunity for people living in Springfield to become familiar with using public transport ahead of the rail line’s completion next year."

From Orion Springfield Town Centre, there will be eight morning peak buses and six afternoon peak buses. From Richlands train station, there will be seven morning peak buses and ten afternoon peak buses.

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the route 535 buses will travel between Orion, onto USQ, along Wellness Way to service the Springfield Central schools, along Grand Avenue and Lake Entrance Drive through Springfield Lakes and up the Centenary Highway to Richlands train station.

"The 535 will service emerging developments in Springfield Lakes including Education City and gives residents another alternative to using the park 'n' ride at Goodna train station," Ms Miller said.

"The route also takes pressure off parking at Richlands train station by giving commuters an alternative to driving.

"I encourage all Springfield commuters to leave their cars at home and make good use of this interim service."

New bus stops are also being installed at Grande Avenue, Brock Drive, Hookes Terrace, Lakes Entrance Drive and at Sinnathamby Boulevard (University of Southern Queensland) with four new buses also added to the network.

Springfield Land Corporation Chairman Maha Sinnathamby said he applauded Translink for launching the temporary route 535, which brought Greater Springfield one step closer to its own rail station.

"The connecting bus service will not only make travel more convenient for Greater Springfield residents, it'll also provide yet another incentive for businesses to set up shop here," Mr Sinnathamby said.

"Come 2013 the highly anticipated completion of the Springfield rail project will take thousands of cars off the road, making the journey to Greater Springfield even faster.

"Travel time figures between Springfield and Brisbane's CBD have improved markedly and future infrastructure improvements like Legacy Way and Airport Link will continue to reduce the time residents spend commuting and make it easier for people living in other areas of Brisbane to enjoy what Greater Springfield has to offer."

Ms Palaszczuk said two community information sessions had been held earlier this month at Springfield Lakes Sales Office and at Orion Springfield Shopping Centre.

"I encourage Springfield residents to find out more about these new bus services at the next session at the USQ Springfield Market Day on Wednesday, 29 February between 11.45am and 2pm," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"TransLink has used information collected during previous consultation in its planning and route mapping process for delivery of the interim services."

Route 535 timetables are available online at www.translink.com.au.