Introducing the Coast’s brand new Route 623—Coolum to Nambour

Coolum to Nambour Hospital in just 40 minutes…..Nambour to the Sunshine Coast Airport in about 30 minutes….sound good?

The Coast’s newest trial public transport route—Route 623 Coolum to Nambour—will get you there.

The trial bus service runs between Coolum and Nambour, providing people with a direct connection between the two areas without the need to change bus routes and substantially cutting down their travelling time.

Previously, residents travelling from Coolum to the Nambour Hospital would have had to change buses at the Sunshine Plaza, and now they can travel there direct.

The same would have gone for residents travelling from Nambour or Bli Bli to the airport or Coolum Beach—but now they can get there in one easy bus ride.

This all-stop service will run from Coolum, stopping at the Sunshine Coast Airport terminal building, continuing on via Bli Bli to Nambour, taking in Nambour Hospital and Nambour Train Station, where it will meet up with trains and connections to other bus routes.

Fully-funded by Sunshine Coast Council’s Public Transport Levy, this service operates four return bus journeys a day, seven days a week with an early and mid morning run as well as a mid afternoon and evening run.

Integrated Transport Systems Portfolio Councillor Vivien Griffin said council is using the Public Transport Levy to deliver an improved public transport system across the Coast.

"This is the first time a direct service has been offered between Coolum and Nambour and it will greatly improve access for residents between the two areas," Cr Griffin said.

"Lobbying by the Coolum Residents’ Association ensured I made this service an election commitment back in March 2008, and it is great that it is finally happening.

"However, it is a trial so the main message is use it or lose it.

"We’ve used recent feedback from the community to make changes to the route and timetable to create a more useable service for the local people—whether they are travelling to work, taking a trip to the hospital or airport, or just visiting friends."

General Manager of Transit Australia Group Megan Harkin said council’s model of funding short-term trials of public transport services in areas not yet serviced by TransLink, where demand is yet to be proven, is a very practical model.

"Trials such as the Coolum to Nambour trial allows Sunbus and council an opportunity to test demand and if sufficient demands exists, present a case to Translink to include the service as a permanent service in the Sunshine Coast bus network," Ms Harkin said.

"This is another example of Sunshine Coast Council demonstrating leadership on public transport initiatives for the Sunshine Coast community."???

Cr Griffin said the best way to improve public transport services on the Coast is to show there is a demand.

"The same goes for this trial route—people need to support and use the service if they want it to continue," Cr Griffin said.

"The trial will run until 30 June 2012 to allow council to assess the level of demand for a direct service between Coolum and Nambour, and determine if it meets passenger requirements for times and frequency.

"A decision will then be made with TransLink on the future of the service—so I encourage everyone to take advantage of this great new service to make sure it continues."

For timetable and route information, visit TransLink or phone 13 12 30, anytime.