More residents can now travel to more destinations on the Kenilworth Community Transport Service.
A submission to expand the service was supported at today's Ordinary Meeting of Council (October 15). Division 10 Councillor David Law said the service will now be available to residents in Kenilworth as well as surrounding localities and will include trips to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
"The Kenilworth Community Transport Service has operated since June 2019 in partnership with council and the community, under the guidance of the Department of Transport and Main Roads," Cr Law said.
"The service was previously available only to residents living within a 6.5km radius of the Kenilworth Post Office and provided transport to Nambour, Maleny, Mapleton, Eumundi and Yandina for a flat fee of $8 one-way or return.
"At the request of the community, a submission was put to council to broaden the catchment area of the service and include the Sunshine Coast University Hospital as an approved destination.
"Today's support of that submission will see residents of neighbouring Kenilworth localities, including Belli Park, Cambroon, Conondale, Coolabine, Eerwah Vale, Gheerulla, Kidaman Creek and Obi Obi now able to access the service.
"This broadening of the catchment area will increase the total number of properties who can access the service by more than a thousand - from 616 to 1676. Guests of registered users will also be able to access this service."
"The addition of trips to Sunshine Coast University Hospital will also provide residents in Hinterland communities with reliable transport to specialist medical services for $25 per person, one-way or return."
The changes to the Kenilworth Community Transport Service will take effect immediately.
The Kenilworth Community Transport Service is run by volunteers, under the leadership of a Sub-Committee of the Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce. The Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce holds the Operator Accreditation for the service with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Council supplies a fully insured 7-seater passenger vehicle and an allocation (of up to $2,000 to cover expenses) for the community to provide the service with volunteer drivers.
