Commuter pain as Ipswich bus services cancelled

BUS services across Ipswich have been cancelled this morning due to an industrial dispute with more commuter pain on the way.

Translink said the disruptions would impact the Westside and Park Ridge services and were due to "an industrial dispute between Bus Queensland drivers and their employer".

Service delays and cancellations were slated to occur between 4am and 10am today although Translink warned "residual delays after 10am are also possible".　　

"Additionally, bus drivers participating in this action may be wearing Transport Workers Union branded clothing, displaying messaging about ongoing negotiations and not collecting fares," the Translink release said.

So far at least six services in Ipswich have been cancelled, from a wide variety of stops, including Orion Springfield Central, Redbank bus station, USQ Ipswich and the Bell Street Interchange.

Most of the cancellations have left commuters waiting half an hour for the next bus.

Translink said to "avoid any unnecessary travel on Westside and Park Ridge bus services" or factor in time delays.

In its service updates Translink said the cancellations were "due to an operational issue" but Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said more accurate information was needed to alert commuters.

"A lot of people will have been jigged around," he said.

"To say they have been cancelled 'due to an operational issue' is not of any comfort to those stranded at bus stops.

"Rather than an 'operational issue' Translink should be saying it is due to industrial action.

"If they were correctly advising people it is industrial action then people might make alternative travel arrangements under those circumstances.

"People depend on the buses to get to work, to school, university or get connecting services.

"The (8.05am) 522 has been pulled and that is an important bus because it is a feeder bus to Springfield Central."

Translink, in its release on Friday , said "school bus services will be prioritised to minimise disruptions to students however there may be some service delays and/or cancellations".

"Students who catch urban bus services to travel to school may be affected by the planned action."