Tarragindi mum Melody Lawler now rides her bike with her 11-year-old daughter Katie to the Buranda train station after the 121 bus route that stopped at Gotha Street in Fortitude Valley was changed. The shift is just one example of the widespread disruption families are experiencing following a major overhaul of the Brisbane bus network.
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For many parents, what was once a straightforward school commute has turned into a daily logistical challenge. Multiple families say their children now need to take two or even three buses to get to school, with concerns around safety, timing, and missed connections growing.
One mother, who moved to Auchenflower specifically for access to the 470 route to All Hallows’ School, found that the service her daughter relied on never arrived one afternoon. Unaware that the route had changed, they had to scramble to find an alternative way home. Now they are weighing options involving a more distant bus stop or switching to the train, made more difficult by the heavy load her daughter carries, including a sports bag and a musical instrument.
Katie Lawler’s own after-school journey also grew more complicated. Previously catching the 113 home from Adelaide Street, she now must navigate the bustling Cultural Centre precinct to find a connecting bus, which is a daunting task for a young student.
Brisbane’s local officials said it has worked with schools to ease the transition, noting that two-seat journeys are standard in global cities and that the changes will ultimately benefit most commuters through simpler routes and increased frequency. Special route suggestions have been provided to affected families, and some schools were given briefings ahead of the changes.
Still, for families juggling busy schedules, extracurricular activities, and concerns for their children’s safety, the transition hasn’t been easy. Many parents say they are still adjusting, testing out new routes and routines, sometimes turning to bikes, trains, or additional lifts just to make it work.
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The council maintains that the Brisbane bus network overhaul, which is the largest in more than 20 years, is designed to meet growing demand and modernise public transport across the city. But for now, some Brisbane families are finding that getting to school takes more time, more planning, and a lot more patience.
Published 28-July-2025
