Bus customers will need to plan ahead next week as Translink looks to cut bus services due to a lack of drivers.
Rising case numbers of COVID and Influenza are contributing to higher than usual driver absences, adding to the continuing challenge of attracting and retaining drivers.
Head of Translink Sally Stannard has said both Ipswich and Redlands services will be affected.
"From Monday there will be five routes that will be reduced in Ipswich and in Redlands there will be four early morning services that won't run," she said.
"Once school goes back on Monday, school services have to operate as well and it's just a stretch too far with the number of drivers absent."
- Ipswich routes affected: 463, 506, 509, 512, 515
- Redlands routes affected: 251, 273, 275, 279
The reductions will remain for term three of the school year.
"We will review the changes as people get well and the flu season passes and we can then restore those services," Ms Stannard said.
"At this stage, there will be no changes to Brisbane routes."
Struggle to attract new drivers
Ms Stannard said it had been tough for bus companies to recruit new drivers.
"It's difficult for any business at the moment to have the staff to cover people that are sick," she said.
"But, certainly, both of the bus companies are advertising for bus drivers.
"Jump online if you want a job as a bus driver."
She said the fare increase that kicked in this week was necessary and there were no plans to reduce fares to entice people back to public transport.
"Fares have gone up 2.5 per cent this week in line with the government indexation rate, which is a fair bit less than [the] Consumer Price Index (CPI)," Ms Stannard said.
"At this stage, the small increase is important as we're paying the increased fuel prices as well."
Patronage on the public transport network across south-east Queensland has risen to 76 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
