General News
22 April, 2026
Vague bus project
A THREE-year public transport trial is set to start as early as mid-year between Babinda, and possibly Innisfail, although details about the mode of transport, passenger demographics, timetables and costs are yet to be released.
The state government recently posted advertisements, including a full-page in The Observer, saying it was “delivering public transport for Babinda” and two Tablelands towns. But there were no details in the ads.
After inquiring, The Observer received some scant information from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
“The Queensland Government is proud to deliver improved transport access for communities across the Cassowary Coast and Tablelands, including Babinda through a three-year trial,” a TMR spokeswoman said.
“The trial will strengthen connections between regional and rural communities and nearby regional centres,” she said.
The department also said that the three-year trial was expected to begin in mid-2026 and will be operated by a “local provider”.
It said suitable vehicles were being sourced.
“Procurement is underway, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles, with details to be confirmed once finalised,” the TMR said.
No further details about the service or services are being released at this point.
It’s not known if the proposal is for a full-blown public transport service similar to current bus services in Innisfail provided by Trans North Bus and Coach Service, or if the new service will focus on particular clientele, for example senior citizens, using a smaller bus.
Member for Hill Shane Knuth asked a question on notice in state parliament to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg in early March about public transport across towns in his electorate: Babinda, the Cassowary Coast and the Tablelands.
Mr Mickelberg responded by saying that from the next financial year the government had “allocated $675,000 per year to support a three-year public passenger service in the areas of Dimbulah, Mareeba and Ravenshoe” – without mentioning Babinda.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads has already undertaken extensive market sounding with key organisations and local governments across Mareeba, Dimbulah, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Innisfail and Babinda,” he said.
“This engagement has demonstrated strong interest in delivering and supporting improved public passenger service options.”
Mr Knuth has told The Observer that his office has been frustrated since then because there has still been very little detail released about any of the proposed public transport services, supposedly expected to start up in just over two months’ time.
“While the response to my question is positive it is taking far too long and the process is flawed,” Mr Knuth said.
“What I’m hearing on the ground is the funding on offer to run bus services across Mareeba, Dimbulah, Atherton, Ravenshoe, Innisfail and Babinda is so inadequate that no operator will even touch it,” he said.
“Let’s be honest, $675,000 a year across a corridor spanning hundreds of kilometres is nothing.
“It’s not serious funding and it’s certainly not going to deliver a viable service.
“The government can throw tens of millions at subsidising 50-cent fares in the south-east, but when it comes to regional Queensland, they offer crumbs for a service that people actually rely on getting to medical appointments, groceries and everyday essentials.
“Now, with global tensions driving a fuel crisis, the situation is even worse. Costs are rising, pressure is building and yet the government continues to ignore the reality facing regional communities.”
The Babinda Taskforce said it was aware of the tender documents and that it could not comment at this stage.
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