First Council Cab off the rank

The first passengers to use Sunshine Coast Council’s new transport service, Council Cabs, will take a shopping trip to Nambour on Friday.

Council Cabs kicks off on 4 May, giving residents with disabilities and the over-60s a new transport service from their front door to the nearest shopping centre for a fixed fare of $2 each way.

A trial run will take passengers from their homes to Nambour Plaza on Friday to test the new service before it becomes a fixture on the Coast.

Once up and running, Council Cabs will operate at 19 designated areas throughout the Sunshine Coast, taking passengers to centres such as Beerwah Marketplace, Stockland Caloundra, Kawana Shoppingworld, Sunshine Plaza and Noosa Civic.

Carers and children of people with disabilities are also welcome to use the service, which is wheelchair-friendly.

Eligible passengers can pre-book a Council Cab once a week by phoning the provider, Suncoast Cabs on 1300 139 433.

Integrated Transport Systems Councillor Vivien Griffin urged as many residents as possible to use the new service, which is funded through the Public Transport Levy.

“While we know there is a need for this in the community, the success of Council Cabs will depend on the number of people who use it,” she said.

“My hope is that it will be valued for not only giving people a better transport option, but preventing them from feeling socially isolated by opening up new avenues for meeting other passengers on their regular shopping trips.”

Council Cabs will service the following areas during the trial:

Catchment Service Centre Proposed Drop Off / Pick Up Location

Beerwah Beerwah Marketplace

Buderim Buderim Marketplace

Caloundra Stockland Caloundra

Coolum Shopping Centre on Birtwell Street

Cooroy Emerald Street

Currimundi Currimundi Marketplace

Kawana Kawana Shoppingworld

Landsborough Shopping Centre on Maleny Road

Maleny Maple Street

Maroochydore Sunshine Plaza

Montville Main Street

Nambour Lowe Street

Noosa Heads Noosa Junction

Noosaville Noosa Civic

Pacific Paradise Centro North Shore

Peregian Peregian Springs Shopping Centre

Pomona Memorial Avenue

Sippy Downs Chancellor Park Marketplace

Tewantin Poinciana Avenue

Passengers must call 1300 139 433 to book their place.

For any other enquiries, including eligibility criteria, phone 5475 7272.