David Gardiner

Journalist

A short-term replacement bus operator has been found to take on a cancelled vital high school bus service between Douglas and Cairns next year.

For Term One of the new school year at least, the new service will be operated by family business, FNQ Airport Shuttle – until a more permanent arrangement can be negotiated with the state government agency Translink.

FNQ Airport Shuttle will take about 10 students to schools St Monica’s and St Augustin’s colleges, and other schools including Cairns High if needed.

Parents were left in the lurch only in early November, not knowing if their children would be able to complete their high school education at their existing schools, after FNQ Bus Lines (an unrelated company), told them that the service would be cancelled next year.

In an email to parents from St Monica’s College, principal Edna Galvin conveyed the good news, for the short term at least:

“At this point after discussions with four companies, many meetings, we hope we have a solution for Term One and with ongoing discussion during the holidays,” Ms Galvin wrote.

“FNQ Airport Shuttle will take the students for Term One - the college will offset some of the cost for our students if needed. More details when all is finalised. More information before school begins in 2023.”

Charlie Madgwick, parent of a St Monica’s student, told Newsport she and other mums and dads are “hugely relieved and hugely grateful” that St Monica’s have been able to book the new service for Term One.

“I know we’re not out of the woods yet, it sounds like there’s still a lot to look into in terms of the non-government schools subsidy scheme,” Ms Madgwick said.

“In terms of making the service viable, it’s not just the Catholic schools – there are other schools in Cairns that kids have traditionally wanted to go to from up here. We’re also very hopeful that the service will be continued for all of the children up here, at all the schools.”

FNQ Airport Shuttle’s owner Don Devon said while the bookings have been confirmed for Term One, his service will have to work out whether it can become a permanent school run beyond the initial scheduled runs.

“We’ve got to figure out how to do it so that parents get the rebate,” Mr Devon told Newsport, adding that he already emailed Translink. “We’re trying to help them out, because another bus company has pulled out.

We’re trying to fill that gap. We don’t want them to not get rebates, or put the prices up beyond affordability.”

In the meantime, Mr Devon said parents in Douglas should know that he intends to include all Cairns schools in the run. “We will take anyone that can help support the service.”

“I am very grateful for Don Devon's assistance from the FNQ Airport Shuttle,” Ms Galvin said.

How Newsport has covered the school bus run story:

• EARLY NOVEMBER: parents told by FNQ Bus Lines close to the end of the high school year that the bus run would be cancelled next year because the service was no longer viable
• MID NOVEMBER: Charlie Madgwick and other parents say FNQ Bus Lines left it too late to tell them of the cancellation, but hope for a replacement service
• END NOVEMBER: St Monica’s College meets four bus operators to discuss replacement bus run in 2023
• EARLY DECEMBER: Replacement bus service booked; FNQ Airport Shuttle takes on Douglas-Cairns school run, (Term One) 2023