Pallara Pushes for Direct City Bus Connection – ‘We’re Still Waiting’

Pallara residents are stepping up their campaign for better public transport, urging local authorities to introduce a direct bus service to Brisbane City as the suburb’s population surges and commutes stretch beyond an hour each way.

A Suburb Outpacing Its Transport

Over the past few years, Pallara has changed dramatically. Once semi-rural, it’s now a growing community filled with new homes, young families, and busy streets. Yet as the population has surged, public transport has barely budged. Most residents still face a 1-hour and 15-minute commute each way, often involving multiple bus transfers just to get to work or school.

For many, the impact is more than just inconvenience. The extra travel time chips away at family life, adds daily stress, and forces people to rely on cars — contributing to congestion, higher emissions, and parking headaches across the city. It’s a reality that locals say shouldn’t exist in a modern, growing Brisbane suburb.

Voices Rising for Change

Leading the latest push is Pallara resident Suneel Kumar, who launched a new petition calling on the Brisbane City Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to act.

The request is straightforward: extend Route 137 or introduce a new direct bus line that connects Pallara to the city centre. The petition, open until 15 December 2025, has already drawn more than 200 signatures from residents eager for faster, more reliable transport.

Supporters point out that the nearby Willawong Bus Depot makes it easy and cost-effective to add services. They want frequent buses during peak hours and future planning that keeps pace with the suburb’s ongoing growth.

A Longstanding Concern

This isn’t Pallara’s first transport battle. In 2022, locals voiced their frustrations through a Change.org campaign, demanding basic bus services. There were small steps forward, including plans for new stops on routes in the south. But for many, progress has been too slow and too limited.

Now, residents are no longer just asking for any bus — they want a direct, efficient connection to Brisbane City that could save commuters up to an hour a day, reduce traffic, and support Brisbane’s sustainability goals by encouraging more people to leave their cars at home.

It would also give Pallara what many believe it deserves: the same level of connectivity enjoyed by other growing suburbs.

Published 20-Oct-2025

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