Translink Archives - Forest Lake News

Pallara Is Finally Getting Two New Bus Stops on Ritchie Road

Construction on the first of two new bus stops on Ritchie Road in Pallara will begin next month. Crews will work between 8pm and 9am, Monday to Saturday, near Hideaway Street to deliver public transport infrastructure to the southern Brisbane suburb.

The announcement follows ongoing community petitions for improved bus access along Ritchie Road. The new stop near Hideaway Street will be the first to proceed to construction, scheduled to commence in June 2026.

Work on a second stop closer to Van Dieren Road is still in the consultation phase, with further planning updates expected in the coming months as design teams finalise utility and corridor requirements.

Years of growth, years of waiting

Pallara remains one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing suburbs, but local public transport options and civic amenities have historically lagged behind residential development approvals. Families moving into newly created estates anticipated future facilities including shops and public transport, though the delivery of these services has taken longer than early planning frameworks suggested.

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Translink Route 126 provides Pallara’s primary public transport connection, linking the suburb through Sunnybank Plaza and Altandi Station to the broader network. Previous infrastructure work on Ritchie Road, completed in stages between 2022 and 2023, delivered bus stops near Pallara State School at Falkland Street and Atlantic Place as part of a broader corridor upgrade.

However, dedicated stops along the Hideaway Street and Van Dieren Road sections of the corridor have remained absent until now.

Daily traffic counts document significant pressure on Ritchie Road. The road functions as the primary arterial connector for the suburb, and peak-hour congestion persists because the resident population has grown faster than the surrounding road and transport network.

One stop confirmed, one still in progress

Construction on the first new stop near Hideaway Street is set to begin in June 2026, with works scheduled overnight and in the early morning to reduce disruption to daytime traffic on Ritchie Road.

Project teams are currently consulting stakeholders on the second stop near Van Dieren Road, with a construction timeline yet to be confirmed while design work awaits final utility and corridor clearances.

Together, the two stops will extend the usable bus network along Ritchie Road. The new infrastructure shortens walking distances to Route 126 for the surrounding catchment, dropping the commute down to under 400 metres for nearby estates.

For residents in the southern sections of the suburb, a stop near Van Dieren Road expands accessible public transport coverage to an area previously outside standard walking catchments.

Community concerns

Pallara residents have raised longstanding concerns over inadequate infrastructure, noting that the local road network and public transport services have struggled to keep pace with the suburb’s population growth.

Community advocates have consistently called for investment in Ritchie Road infrastructure, and the confirmation of these two new bus stops follows years of organised resident feedback.

The construction of the first stop begins in June 2026. For the latest updates on Translink bus services in Pallara, visit click here or call 13 12 30.

Published 7-May-2026

Forest Lake Route Suffers Most Bus Cancellations in Brisbane

Photo Credit: Translink/ Facebook

The bus route servicing Forest Lake has recorded the highest number of cancellations across Brisbane, adding to previous safety concerns for its regular passengers.

bus — *Photo Credit:* *Translink/ Facebook*

Data revealed that in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, nearly 8,000 public transport services, predominantly buses, were cancelled within the Brisbane City Council area. The 100 bus route, connecting Queen Street station to the Forest Lake shops in the city’s southwest, experienced the highest number of these disruptions, with 487 services not running.

This route was also identified as Brisbane’s most dangerous two years prior. Following the 100 route, the 60 CityGlider service from West End to Newstead saw 345 cancellations, and route 340 from Carseldine station to the CBD had 295. The month with the most service interruptions was November 2024, with 875 cancellations, July 2024 with 826, and October 2024 with 710.

Staffing and Traffic Named Key Factors

The most frequently cited reason for these cancellations across all affected areas was “staff availability.” TransLink indicated this term encompasses various situations, not solely bus driver absenteeism, such as delays from previous services or the need to reassign drivers to cover school routes.

However, traffic congestion was also a major contributor in Brisbane, accounting for 1,996 cancellations, while mechanical issues led to 750 bus service cancellations and affected 650 train services. Mechanical problems were also noted as a significant concern on the Sunshine Coast.

Southeast Queensland Feels the Impact

bus — *Photo Credit:* *Translink/ Facebook*

The issue of bus cancellations extended beyond Brisbane. After Brisbane, the Gold Coast recorded the highest number of cancellations in the southeast region, with 4,085 services affected. The Sunshine Coast followed with 2,786 cancellations. Other areas also experienced disruptions, including Logan with 1,019, Ipswich with 625, and Redlands with 244 cancellations. In all these locations, “staff availability” was the primary reason given.

Ongoing Debate Over Driver Shortages

The Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary, Tom Brown, asserted that driver shortages remain severe and suggested the official figures might not capture the full extent of the problem, as “part cancellations,” where only a section of a route is completed, are reportedly not recorded.

He stated that the situation has deteriorated over the past year due to pressures on drivers from high staff turnover and demanding schedules. Mr Brown also mentioned that experienced new drivers from interstate sometimes prefer independent bus operators over Council positions, and that lengthy recruitment and training processes, lasting several months, can lead to potential recruits finding other employment.

In contrast, Council reported recruiting over 500 new bus operators in 2024 and another 146 by February 2025, stating that bus driver shortages were no longer experienced. Figures from Questions on Notice (QONs) showed 479 bus drivers were hired from 12 months to December 2024, out of a total of 2,600 drivers. These QONs also revealed that in the six months leading up to February 2025, approximately 1,200 services were cancelled due to lack of staff.

Authorities Maintain High Reliability Claims

bus — *Photo Credit:* *Translink/ Facebook*

Despite the cancellation figures, TransLink maintained that its network performs well. A spokesman stated that about 99.88 per cent of the approximately 6.5 million timetabled bus services ran without cancellation during the reporting period. He explained that a single absent driver can result in multiple cancelled runs and that school routes are prioritised. While TransLink funds bus maintenance and replacement, the spokesman clarified that driver recruitment and fleet management are the responsibilities of operators like councils.

Council transport chair, Councillor Ryan Murphy, echoed this sentiment, stating that Brisbane’s bus network operates “well above industry standards,” with over 99 per cent of all services delivered as planned. He attributed a boom in patronage to 50-cent fares and the commencement of the first Metro route, which reportedly increased patronage between Eight Mile Plains and UQ by over 20 per cent in three months alone. Councillor Murphy also indicated that the next phase of Brisbane Metro would significantly boost bus services.

Opposition Calls for Congestion Solutions

Labour Opposition Leader, Councillor Jared Cassidy, suggested it was unsurprising that some of Brisbane’s busiest suburban bus routes experienced numerous cancellations due to traffic, given Brisbane has been named Australia’s most congested city.

He questioned Council’s ability to call Brisbane a “bus city” while services remain stuck in gridlock and stressed that dedicated busways are essential for improving Brisbane’s public transport. Councillor Cassidy pointed out that routes operating on the South East Busway were notably absent from the list of most-cancelled services.

Published Date 08-May-2025

New School Bus Routes Announced for 2024

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.
Photo credit: TransLink/Facebook
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.
Photo credit: TransLink/Facebook
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

Transport Department Launches Initiative To Improve Safety For Bus Drivers

A call to improve safety for bus drivers in Brisbane, especially for those who drive in problematic routes across Forest Lake and Inala, have finally been heard, following the announcement of Queensland’s new network officer strategy.
Read: Notorious Forest Lake Blvd and Rudyard St Intersection to Get Safety Upgrade
In January 2023, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced that bus drivers will be protected with full safety barriers and that Queensland Police Service will focus on public transport services in the Brisbane metropolitan area.
This comes after some bus drivers started boycotting the routes due to attacks from gangs in the area, after being spat on and even having human faeces thrown on them.
RTBU members with Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey (Photo credit: RTBU QLD Branch)
Because of the incident, Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) issued a safety notice to members advising them of their rights to be safe at work.
“It is widely known that the 100/110 bus routes servicing Inala and Forest Lake are the most dangerous routes in the Transport for Brisbane Network,” RTBU QLD Branch said.
The union added that on 8 January, an RTBU Member was assaulted twice by an organised gang. Authorities were required to stop the 100 service altogether due to the uncontrolled violence and chaos created by the gangs that were present that night.
The new network officer strategy that would improve safety for bus drivers is part of the Queensland Government’s $64.7 million commitment for public transport over the next five years.
Photo credit: Translink/Facebook
This would mark the first time that police will patrol Queensland’s bus network. They will also be deployed across Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Logan.
RTBU said this is a big step in the right direction and they are looking forward to working closely with Translink in the delivery of the new initiative.
Read: Would Public Transport Be Able To Keep Pace With Pallara’s Booming Population?
For the meantime, there’s a mobile unit in the area constantly monitoring the situation all day as well as a team sent over from Translink who are on duty from 6:00 p.m. every night.