Carseldine commuters were among the most affected by Brisbane’s widespread bus cancellations over the past year, with Route 340 reporting one of the highest disruption rates in the city.
Route Reliability in Focus
Brisbane’s public transport network recorded nearly 8000 service cancellations in the 12 months leading to February 2025. Among the worst affected was Route 340, running between Carseldine station and the CBD, with 295 services cancelled.
Staff Shortages and Congestion Contribute to Disruptions
TransLink data showed the primary reasons for cancellations were staff availability and traffic congestion. In Brisbane alone, 1996 services were cancelled due to traffic delays, while mechanical issues accounted for another 750. Staff shortages were widespread, with around 1200 services cancelled in the six months to February, including 343 in November and 320 in October.
Route 100 (CBD to Forest Lake) experienced the most cancellations at 487, followed by Route 60 (CityGlider from West End to Newstead) with 345. Route 340, servicing Carseldine, followed closely.
Photo Credit: Translink
Peak Periods of Disruption
The month of November 2024 saw the highest number of bus service cancellations in Brisbane at 875, followed by July with 826 and October with 710. The single worst day was 10 December 2024, with 166 services cancelled. Data also pointed to significant disruption throughout October and January.
Network Response and Capacity Claims
BCC stated that despite the cancellations, over 99 per cent of scheduled bus services were still delivered. More than 500 new bus operators were recruited in 2024, with 146 added in early 2025. TransLink reported that driver absences often triggered multiple cancellations and that drivers were frequently reassigned from urban routes to meet school transport priorities.
Community Impact in Carseldine
Carseldine’s Route 340 was identified as one of the most affected, reflecting broader challenges within Brisbane’s high-frequency routes. These services, often scheduled every 10–15 minutes, were the most susceptible to cancellations when staff or vehicles were unavailable.
Looking Ahead
BCC has committed to expanding services with the rollout of Brisbane Metro and expects further growth in network capacity. However, issues with driver retention and training delays continue to pose challenges for consistent service delivery, particularly in outer suburbs such as Carseldine.
Published 7-May-2025