Sunshine Coast passengers will benefit from a new bus station which will slash up to five minutes from northbound bus journeys between Caloundra and Maroochydore.

Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie inspected the works underway to build a new bus station on both sides of Nicklin Way, in front of Kawana Shoppingworld today.

“This is another example of how the Queensland Government is revitalising frontline services as part of its strong plan for a brighter future,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Currently the northbound buses service a stop inside the shopping centre, off Point Cartwright Drive, which can add an extra five minutes to the journey during busy times.

“The new station will mean high-frequency buses travelling northbound on routes 600, 602 and 607 will stay on Nicklin Way and service the new Kawana station stop in a fraction of the time.

“We are enhancing bus stops at Kawana to meet growing passenger demand and improve bus timetable reliability for passengers.

“Southbound buses will continue to stop on Nicklin Way outside the shopping centre at the new Kawana Station.

“The new station will feature indented bus stops, sheltered waiting platforms, comfortable seating, comprehensive passenger information, a go card fare machine, security cameras and a dedicated undercover pedestrian pathway through the car park to the shopping centre.

“Kawana station will sport a modern design similar to the recently-completed Maroochydore station and the busway network across Brisbane.”

Local routes 614, 618 and 619 will continue using the stop within the shopping centre.

Construction will be completed in two stages – work is already underway on the southbound platform as part of the shopping centre redevelopment and due to be completed in mid-year.

Detailed design investigations for the northbound platform are due to start shortly.