Logan is calling for community consultation and a serious financial injection into its ineffective public transport system amid bus time-table disruptions, driver shortages and fears thousands of new residents will become car-bound across the city.
Sandwiched between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Logan has become a commuter hub for people working north or south of their homes, however, as the population in Logan continues to soar, concerns have been raised over the city’s ability to sustain this growth.
Over the next 15 years Logan is set to be one of the fastest growing areas in South East Queensland. By the year 2036, its current population of just over 340,000 is predicted to exceed 500,000.
Last year alone, Logan welcomed 10,000 new residents from across Queensland and interstate.
Translink data this month revealed Logan (Southern Bus Region) has the worst on-time running performance in South East Queensland for the fourth quarter.
And with patronage on Logan bus and train services back to more than 82% of pre-Covid patronage, the public transport problem has become rampant.
The state government promised a $400,000 transport study at the last election, to be completed in 2024, however, community leaders are calling for more to be done.
Key spokesperson for public transport advocacy group Rail Back On Track Robert Dow said although there has been some micro-reform done in Logan with demand-responsive transport, it is not enough.
“The public transport needs to go in early so people get used to the idea that it’s there and it’s available, rather than get the second or third car, which a lot of them forced to do.”
Mr Dow said there’s still a general problem in terms of bus service disruptions all across Queensland.
“Multiple bus routes that were cancelled in July due to driver shortages remain suspended,” Mr Dow said.
“There doesn’t seem to be any work from government to do anything really.
“Logan City Council needs to step up as well; Ipswich City Council has started to become a little bit more proactive in terms of promoting the need for a bus network and maybe there’s a role for Logan city council to do the same.
“They need to do some consultation with local residents.”
Ipswich City Council this month voted to declare the expeditious development of its bus network a regionally significant priority, and pledged to increase its pressure on the state government for a full bus network review.
A Logan City Council Spokesperson said council are continuing to advocate for public transport improvements as the City undergoes continued growth and “welcomes further investment in public transport across the city”.
“They include the Loganlea Train Station and Park ‘n’ Ride relocation, and the extension of the Southeast Busway from Eight Mile Plains to Loganholme,” the Spokesperson said.
“Council has also advocated for an extension of the South-East Busway to Loganholme.”
Meanwhile, A Translink Spokesperson said they will continue to strive for a public transport network that meets the needs of the growing Southeast Queensland region, including the City of Logan.
“We will continue to work with our delivery partners in Logan to monitor the bus network to ensure it meets the needs of the city.”
Queensland Community Alliance’s and small business owner Geoff Leeming said the current system is having a negative impact on his staff and he welcomes further investment and community consultation.
“It’s frustrating as an employer, the fact that I know the cost of living burden on my staff and yet they do have to use their own money to get themselves to and from work and public transport is a far cheaper alternative but they can’t use it.
“There’s an opportunity for investment but I think there’s a greater opportunity for Queensland transport and for the Logan bus service if they just looked at the people they’re leaving behind.
