Catch a ride and let the fare slide

The Sunshine Coast will lead Australia with an innovative nine-day program of free holiday transport services—from Boxing Day through to 9 January, every single public bus service on the Sunshine Coast, including Council Cabs and late New Year’s Eve services will be free.

Sunshine Coast Council hosted a launch in Cotton Tree today to show just how easy it will be to catch a Free Holiday Bus.

Integrated Transport Portfolio Holder Cr Vivien Griffin said that all services including Sunbus and Glasshouse Country Coach services, Council Cabs and Flexilink will be free for everyone, everywhere on the Coast.

"The Sunshine Coast is renowned as a relaxed holiday destination, and we want our visitors and residents to enjoy a hassle-free time over the holiday break. Our free holiday transport service gives everyone the opportunity to hop on the bus and not worry about parking or sitting in traffic," she said.

"All services are free, no additional booking or special vouchers required, just use the service as normal and keep your money in your pocket," Cr Griffin said.

"And before anyone dismisses the idea because of service frequency or routes, they should check out the raft of new services that were launched on Monday 13 December."

Changes include:

• Improvements to routes 600, 602, 613, 619, 620 and 622
• A permanent Sunshine Coast Airport service with a revised route 622 replacing the current shuttle
• More weekend services for routes 600, 619 and 620
• New route between Maroochydore and Nambour (612) and a new route will operate between Maroochydore and Kawana (614).

Cr Griffin went on to say that these changes have been fast tracked thanks to funding from the Public Transport Levy and the first step in improving public transport on the Sunshine Coast.

"Now the infrastructure has improved, we need to get people on the buses to show them how convenient the buses are," Cr Griffin said.

"We’ve got lots of new ideas this year such as special free late night services on New Year’s Eve, which enable residents and visitors to get home safely and keep drink drivers off the roads. Free NYE services will operate between 6.30pm and 3am on routes 600, 620, 626 and 627.

"There will also be a go-to team in operation over the Free Holiday Bus period, this uniformed team of helpers will show people where to find information and to answer questions.

"Each year, we find pressure on the car parks is relieved and congestion eased—and since this is the first time free services have been offered on all buses, we should see a real difference this year."

Free Holiday Bus timetables, booking information for Flexilink and Council Cab services is available on council's web and timetables can be picked up from all Sunshine Coast Council Offices, Libraries and Visitor Information Centres.

To plan your journey or find out which buses operate in your area, contact TransLink on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au for more information.

Service Information

Free holiday bus services and timetables

• All Sunbus services (routes 600, 601, 602, 605, 607, 609, 603, 610, 615, 616, 617, 613, 619, 620, 622, 626, 627, 628, 618, 629, 630, 631, 636, 639, 065). For Sunbus timetables, visit the Translink website, or phone 13 12 30
• Glasshouse Country Coaches ( Hinterland Connect and Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah services)
• All Flexilink services (Boreen Point to Tewantin, Buderim to Mountain Creek, Conondale to Witta to Maleny, Cooroy to Pomona, Kenilworth to Mapleton, Kunda Park to Mons, Mooloolah Valley to Glenview, Peachester to Beerwah)
• All Council Cabs services

New Year’s Eve Services

On New Year's Eve the regular timetable will apply with additional route 600, 620, 626 and 627 services. These additional services will operate from 6.30pm on 31 December, until 3am 1 January.

Route 600

• Caloundra to Mooloolaba - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Caloundra between 6.30pm and 2am.
• Mooloolaba to Caloundra - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Mooloolaba between 6.30pm and 3am.
• Kawana to Maroochydore - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Kawana Shoppingworld between 6.30pm and 3am.
• Maroochydore to Kawana - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Sunshine Plaza between 6.30pm and 3am.

Route 620

• Mooloolaba to Noosa Heads - buses will operate every hour from Mooloolaba between 7.30pm and 2.30am.
• Noosa Heads to Mooloolaba - buses will operate every hour from Mooloolaba between 7pm and 2am.

Route 626

• Sunrise Beach to Tewantin - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Sunrise Beach between 6.30pm and 3am.
• Tewantin to Sunrise Beach - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Tewantin Central between 6.30pm and 3am.

Route 627

• Sunrise Beach to Tewantin - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Sunrise Beach between 6.30pm and 3am.
• Tewantin to Sunrise Beach - buses will operate every 30 minutes from Tewantin Central between 6.30pm and 3am.