Article: Shock as Pacific Pines bus link slashed

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Shock as Pacific Pines bus link slashed

Shock as Pacific Pines bus link slashed

Andrew Potts   |  12:01am January 6, 2013

THE State Government razor gang has struck again, this time quietly slashing the Pacific Pines Yourbus service during the Christmas and New Year period.

The trial bus service, run by the council and government, has been discontinued because it "did not meet (TransLink's) service level standards" and "does not align with (TransLink's) strategic objectives for the next five years."

The move has shocked the area's elderly community which relies on it to commute between the growing suburb and Helensvale railway station.

Pacific Pines Residents Association president Melita Scully said the loss of the service would leave many residents without easy access to public transport or the Westfield Helensvale Shopping Centre.

"It was well-used so we cannot understand why this is happening," she said.

"We got notified just before Christmas which is extremely poor given people rely on it, especially at this time of year.

"There is no logical reason for this given how profitable it is."

The service's cancellation comes just one month after the council announced it would fund new buses as well as a change of route to better synchronise with train departures at Helensvale station.

Area councillor Tracey Gilmore said she was "bitterly disappointed" by the lack of support from the government.

"We have shown TrankLink the bus service is sustainable and yet they are just not picking up the tab," she said. "It is well-used, getting between 3000-6000 passengers each month and was only costing the council $200,000."