Kathy de Leon begins her wait for the bus approximately half an hour before its scheduled arrival. The 59-year-old has found that if she does not reach her bus stop in time, she may have to endure standing for the entire 45-minute ride from Brisbane’s central business district to Park Ridge in Logan, which she finds physically demanding.
“I usually get to the bus stop around 3 PM, and by the time the bus shows up at 3:30 PM, the line stretches about 20 to 25 meters,” she explained. “That’s just the initial stop, and there are two additional stops in the city before reaching the main terminal.”
Ms. de Leon has observed a notable increase in bus congestion during peak hours, particularly following the introduction of 50-cent fares in 2024. “While the number of passengers has risen, the bus availability hasn’t increased, leading to overcrowded conditions,” she noted. “Buses do not run frequently, so you might wait another 30 minutes for the next one.”
Buses are the most utilized mode of public transport in Queensland, with ridership having surged by 17 percent over the past year. However, transportation advocacy organizations have raised concerns about the lack of investment in the bus system over the last decade, which they argue has resulted in unreliable and crowded services during peak periods.
These groups are advocating for dedicated bus and bike lanes at specific times to enhance reliability and service frequency on key routes throughout southeast Queensland. They are also suggesting the implementation of T2 and T3 lanes to promote carpooling. “This initiative could be applied on roads like Ipswich Road and Sandgate Road, as well as various east-west corridors on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast,” stated Dr. Matthew Burke, CEO of Bicycle Queensland. “There are already proposed lines on maps for bus priority measures and future trackless trams, and this is an opportunity to expedite those plans.”
Dr. Burke pointed out that temporary bus lanes could be established swiftly, significantly improving the frequency and reliability of bus operations. “We have the potential to move forward with this during the current fuel crisis and help foster the development of a more sustainable urban environment,” he added.
Jason O’Dwyer, executive director of the Queensland Bus Industry Council, expressed support for the proposal, particularly if it leads to increased public transport usage. “This approach offers a positive return for taxpayers, requiring only minimal resources such as some paint and enforcement cameras along the routes,” Mr. O’Dwyer stated. “Promoting bus usage is essential, as one bus can remove 40 to 50 cars from the road.”
The concept of temporary bus lanes is not unprecedented. A notable example is Brisbane’s Route 130, which operates between Illaweena Street in Stretton/Parkinson and the Queen Street Bus Station in the CBD via the South East Busway, Sunnybank, and Algester. “This route features a combination of exclusive bus lanes and T2/T3 lanes, resulting in faster bus travel as they avoid traffic congestion, with buses arriving every two to three minutes,” Dr. Burke explained. “This is not an idea we need to invent from scratch.”
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner emphasized the need for careful consideration regarding any alterations to road space. He stated that his priority lies in planning for growth by promoting the development of housing closer to employment opportunities, public transport, and local amenities.
A spokesperson from the Department of Transport and Main Roads indicated that the performance of the state’s bus network is routinely assessed to ensure it continues to meet community needs. While Kathy de Leon supports the introduction of pop-up bus lanes, she also advocates for an expansion of public transport services to include outlying suburbs. “I would certainly appreciate additional buses on our route, and there is a need to alleviate traffic at some busy intersections, so perhaps a dedicated bus lane would assist,” she remarked. “I believe this is why many people are reluctant to use the bus; they do not want to feel like sardines.”
