Redland City Council is calling on the State Government to implement a free bus loop servicing Cleveland, marine transport hubs and Redland Hospital.
Mayor Karen Williams said she wrote to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, asking him to consider implementing the service to help alleviate the parking pressures at the hospital.
“There has been a lot of discussion about the hospital recently, prompting me on behalf of Council, to meet with the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Dr Steven Miles,” she said.
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“During the meeting we discussed the parking situation at the hospital and I acknowledge and welcome the Minister’s commitment to completing a car park review at the hospital, which I hope will provide relief in the long term.
“However, a parking review won’t provide any relief for patients for a number of years and we need action now; and one simple solution is a free bus service transporting people from the Cleveland train station, Cleveland CBD and other transport hubs directly to the hospital.
“This would provide immediate relief for patients and their family members who visit them at the hospital while the parking review was being completed.”
Cr Williams said Council had received positive feedback from a 2015-16 trial of a free city bus service that included transport from Cleveland railway station to Redland Hospital.
“The Council-led trial was well received and provides the evidence that this service is needed,” she said.
“State legislation makes it difficult for Council to operate new transport routes so I am calling on the State Government, as the operators of public transport across Queensland, to commit to implementing a free bus loop from key transport hubs to Redland Hospital.”
Cr Williams said Council was also currently working with the State on a master plan for the hospital, which she hoped would provide a plan to deliver better health services for Redlands Coast.
