Students in Pallara, Heathwood, and Forest Lake will have access to expanded school bus services starting 2024. New services will be added, whilst some existing routes will see adjustments.
Read: Pallara State School Among Brisbane Schools Facing Enrollment Surge
From 22 January 2024, the 803 bus route serving the Pallara area will offer two morning pick-up times from Brookbent Rd – 7:38 a.m. and 7:43 a.m. The afternoon 803 service will depart Pallara State School at 2:50 p.m.
The 804 route from Heathwood to Pallara State School will continue without changes.
Additionally, a new route 777 will be added to provide service between Pallara, Heathwood and Forest Lake High and St Johns. This route will have a morning pick-up at 7:30 a.m. from Brookbent Rd, with stops along several roads before reaching Pallara School at approximately 7:50 a.m.
In the afternoon, the 777 route will leave High Street in Forest Lake at 2:40 p.m., stop at Pallara School at 2:50 p.m., and reach its final stop back at Brookbent Rd by 3:13 p.m.
Finally, adjustments have been made to the district’s 789 route from Heathwood to Corinda High. The morning bus is scheduled to arrive at Corinda High School at 8:14am. Return buses are set to depart Corinda High at 3:05 p.m. and 3:10 p.m., passing through the Parkwood Dr/Watergum St stop between 3:46-3:51 p.m.
Read: Six New and Permanent Pallara Bus Stops Ready By December 2022
The expanded bus service represents a victory for the Pallara community after years of insufficient public transportation options for students. A few years ago, with no school buses available, some families were even resorting to Uber rides to get their children to and from school each day.
Although there were some TransLink stops along local streets, residents reported that buses rarely actually stopped to pick up riders. Now, thanks to advocacy efforts like community petitions that led to six new permanent bus stops built in 2022, the area will benefit from multiple new and improved routes.
Families are encouraged to review the updated routes via TransLink’s website as they plan transportation needs for the 2024 academic year.
Published 28-December-2023
