For Tamborine Mountain teenagers Jarrah and Jenna Smith, getting around on weekends means planning ahead, with the lack of public transport leaving them dependent on family and friends.
The siblings rely on the Demand Responsive Transport service, run by TransitCare, during the week to get to university, school, work and social activities, but say having access on weekends would give them more independence.
Grateful for options
The existing service has been a valuable asset to the family, providing greater access to education, work and activities.
“The service has been fantastic to be able to get to university and school, to sporting and social activities and work,” Jarrah said.
“Before the service, we used to either have to drive to Canungra for the school bus into Nerang or drive down to Helensvale Station for connecting services – so the service has been much appreciated.”
However, the teenagers say their options become limited once the working week ends.
A growing need
With both parents working and only one car in the family, the siblings must organise their weekends around the availability of family and friends.
“On the weekends, we both have to rely on our parents or friends for transport. At present, there is only one car in the family,” Jarrah said.
“Jenna has often said that a weekend service would be fantastic for work and social activities off the mountain.
“This service would give us more freedom and flexibility whilst we are saving for cars.”
Jarrah said the change could also benefit other young people, including Jenna’s friends who want to visit the mountain.
“Jenna’s friends have caught the bus up the mountain as well when they haven’t been able to be driven,” he said.
“The weekend service would give her friends the option to come for visits more often.”
He also said an additional afternoon weekday service would create more opportunities to participate in activities within their community.
“We have had to base a lot of our activities off the mountain due to not being able to get back up until our parents are available,” Jarrah added.
“A bus back up the mountain from 2.30pm to 5.50pm would be ideal.”
The siblings hope the push for improved public transport, led by Tamborine Mountain Rotary members Zoe Ross and Neil Smith and the Working Group for Public Transport on Tamborine Mountain, will deliver better options for residents.
