Brisbane school buses making students late ‘not fit for purpose’, say parents
Sydney Morning Herald
by Catherine StrohfeldtFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Brisbane's school bus service has come under scrutiny due to chronic delays affecting students' punctuality. Parents have reported instances where buses arrive up to 20 minutes late, leaving their children anxious and sometimes forcing them to miss class. This issue is particularly concerning for families relying on the S785 route, which connects Enoggera station directly to Mt St Michael’s College. Kate Craig, a parent, shared her frustration: "It's a school bus, it should be fit for purpose," emphasizing that delays have made her daughter lose faith in the system.
The service’s unreliability has led to significant disruptions, with students often arriving late and facing potential disciplinary actions. In one instance, Craig had to personally collect her daughter after a 20-minute delay, highlighting the emotional stress it places on both parents and children. Other parents report similar struggles, with some trips delayed 40% of the time. These delays are attributed to congestion affecting the route, despite efforts by Translink and Brisbane City Council to address the issue.
Efforts to resolve the problem include reviewing the bus timetable and monitoring congestion hotspots. However, parents remain dissatisfied with the lack of progress and feel their concerns are met with generic responses
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/22/2026