Ipswich residents are becoming housebound due to woeful public transport services in suburbs surrounding the booming Springfield region.
With a major shopping centre at Redbank Plains to open late next year and Orion stage two nearing completion, residents want TransLink to improve bus services and extend the Springfield train line to Ipswich.
Ipswich City councillor Victor Attwood (Div 3) said public transport needed a major overhaul.
“They need to increase bus services and expand routes to cover more of the suburbs, not just up and down the main street,” Cr Attwood said.
“If you want people to use public transport you need to have the services.”
Council candidate Jade Connor (Div 9) said the new Town Square development would benefit the Redbank Plains area, encouraging more people to come together while providing facilities close to home.
“One disappointing thing about the development is that council has approved it without requiring any bus stops,” Mr Connor said.
“In the future there will be increased demand for buses to this centre and people will be required to drop off at the 7-Eleven across the road.”
Cr Sheila Ireland (Div 9) said public transport was limited for some residents in Redbank Plains. Bellbird Park beauty salon owner Nick Corker said more buses were desperately needed in the area.
“We have clients who tell us it’s very hard to get around,” Mr Corker said.
“It’s also very hard for students. My niece found it hard to get to classes and having to stay back after hours wasn’t possible as she couldn’t get home.”
Mr Corker said a train line linking Ipswich to Springfield would make things easier.
Vision-impaired Camira resident Jacqui Hart said she had lost her independence due to limited public transport services.
“I used to be able to take myself to the doctor and the shopping centre at Springfield, but now I can’t because it’s over a kilometre for me to get to a bus stop,” Ms Hart said.
“We desperately need more buses and bus stops.”
A TransLink media spokesman said the group would continue to monitor demand in Springfield and surrounds.
“Three bus routes — 522, 526 and 534 — currently service Orion Springfield Central,” he said. “TransLink plans services based on passenger demand and growth.”
Springfield News asked TransLink if public transport would be increased around the new Redbank Plains Town Square, but no comment was provided.