Overview
With Queensland's COVID-19 restrictions easing since mid-May and more Brisbanites heading back to work, commuters are once again piling onto the city's public transport network. But, social distancing is still required, so the government is putting on more than 1000 extra buses and trains.
From Monday, August 10, the Queensland Government will add an extra 960 bus and 105 train into service across the network as part of its COVID-19 Safe Public Transport Plan. They'll run Monday–Friday, with a focus on peak-hour commutes in both the morning and the afternoon — totalling almost 58,000 more seats for bums across the city.
In terms of services, an extra 85 bus services will be on offer each weekday morning, as well as an additional 107 services on weekday afternoons — increasing bus availability around the CBD. On the rail network, there'll be 11 extra morning services and ten added afternoon train services. Trains will also ramp up their frequency on a range of busy lines; instead of every 30 minutes, they'll come every 15 minutes on the Beenleigh, Caboolture, Cleveland, Ipswich, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe and Springfield routes.
The train changes are here to stay, too, with the new services becoming permanent across the seven aforementioned lines. For buses, though, this is a short-term change for now; however if Brisbanites respond via increased demand for services, it could remain in place.
As Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey explained in a statement, the aim is "to roll out the extra buses until the end of the school year and then assess patronage levels". He continued, "if the demand is there, we will consider if these bus services should become permanent for the longer term".
Temporary hand sanitiser stations will also be rolled out across the public transport network — at entry and exit points at busy bus stops, and at every one of southeast Queensland's 152 train stations — progressively from Monday, August 10.
And, if you commute by bus, you'll still be able to board via the rear where possible — and payments will remain cashless.
Even with the added services, the Queensland Government and TransLink are still asking Brisbane commuters to adhere to general social-distancing rules, of course. "As more passengers return to public transport, we're asking everyone to leave a gap, keep it clean by following health advice and adjust your travel to avoid travelling in peak periods if possible," Minister Bailey said, with TransLink also suggesting that folks stagger their work and travel hours.
To plan your journey and for more information about Brisbane transport options, head to the TransLink website.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the state's online COVID-19 hub.