More than moving people - driving regional economic growth through public transportation

By Martin Hall, Kinetic Executive General Manager (FNQ, SEQ and Tweed Heads)

At the recent ‘Connecting Gold Coast’ Transport Forum hosted by Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce, I shared insights resulting from Kinetic’s commitment to operate as more than just a transport provider. Over my 18 years in the public transportation industry, I am more certain than ever that public transport operators have a significant part to play in regional economic growth – both at a state and local-level in transport policy, but also by investing in grassroots causes and local communities.

Whilst at its core, public transportation is seen as moving people physically from one point to another, it is also fundamentally about connecting communities, and building stronger, more sustainable cities and regions. Here on the Gold Coast, where we operate 56 urban bus routes and serve communities from Tweed to Coomera, I see this mission in action every single day.

Our investment into workforce development

The population on the Gold Coast already exceeds 700,000 and is likely to reach one million before 2050. A growing population means a greater need for skilled transport workers to keep a city moving. At Kinetic, we're committed to helping more locals see transport as a career, with dedicated programs to attract both women and First Nations people – traditionally underrepresented groups in our industry.

Our Women Up Front program was launched as a pilot here on the Gold Coast in 2021 and has since expanded across our Australian and New Zealand operations. With the transport industry facing workforce shortages and struggling with its perception as a primarily male-dominated industry, tapping into and maintaining women in our workforce is vital. Through Women Up Front, we've welcomed 100 new women bus drivers into Kinetic's operations this year alone, working toward our goal of 40:40:20 gender representation (Our workforce comprising of 40% men, 40% women, 20% any gender).

Here on the Gold Coast, bus drivers Bernadette Douglas, Jasmine Kowal, and Desiraye Hau were part of our first cohort – they came from diverse backgrounds in accounting, hospitality, and construction, and are now integral parts of our Gold Coast operations.

Social impact through procurement and community investment

Beyond employment programs, we're implementing social procurement policies that make sure our spending supports businesses that give back locally.

Kinetic is committed to directing 3% of our total supplier spend nationwide to social enterprises by 2030, ensuring our spending creates multiplier effects in the communities where we operate. Locally, our partnership with Fruit2Work exemplifies this approach – a certified social enterprise that employs people impacted by the justice system while delivering fresh produce to businesses. With a zero-recidivism rate over seven years and an 8:1 return on social spend, this demonstrates how strategic procurement decisions create community value.

Our Moving Communities Fund provides targeted grassroots investment, with over $120,000 in cash distributed across Australia in our 2025 funding round. This year's Gold Coast recipients support grassroots sport and community safety, with Blue Surf Australia and PCYC Tweed Heads equipping young people and volunteers with the skills and support needed to thrive in safe and inclusive environments.

The social impact is straightforward: more people in employment and more people socially connected equals better outcomes for everyone. Although traditionally the realm of government and non-for-profit, we as private operators delivering our services must consider and embrace this equation. We have a direct role to be vested, and to lead, contribute and to work with other sectors to deliver positive outcomes.

Our flagship partnership with the Gold Coast Titans demonstrates this principle at scale. Supporting their Leagueability program – which provides people with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play rugby league – we've helped create a program with over 80 players and 32 dedicated coaches. Alongside our Kinetic Titans School League, now Australia's largest regional high school rugby league competition with 2,700 players, this partnership shows how regional transport operators can drive social inclusion outcomes.

Innovation driving sustainable growth

Each electric bus saves approximately 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifespan compared to its diesel counterparts. As transport operators, we have a responsibility to lead the transition to sustainable transport infrastructure and reduce the transport sector’s impact on climate change.

Here on the Gold Coast, we're proud to be leading the way. Kinetic's Currumbin depot was Australia's first 100% electric bus depot, with 10 electric buses now serving the Gold Coast network, including the 777 route connecting Gold Coast Airport to the city centre. These buses operate from our green-powered depot.

We're also pioneering regional electric bus deployment across the border beyond our Gold Coast operations. Through our partnership with Transport for NSW, we're operating two zero-emission buses in the Tweed Coast region as part of a $25 million trial program, serving school routes connecting 17 primary and high schools in the Tweed.

Supporting the region’s growing footprint

More people in the region means a need for more buses on the road, and we’ve recently expanded our northern Gold Coast services, welcoming seven additional drivers and nine buses to support growing communities. In August, we completed the acquisition of Koala Koaches, a beloved local company that's been serving the Gold Coast since 1963, allowing us to expand our offering to support Gold Coast’s growing transport needs, whilst preserving the legacy and team that the community knows and trusts.

We also operate trial On Demand Transport services in Nerang, Pacific Pines, and Highland Park, exploring innovative ways to serve areas where traditional fixed routes may not be optimal.

The path forward

We're working to create communities where buses are the easiest choice – clean, reliable, and part of everyday life.

This means continued investment in zero emissions technology, ongoing commitment to workforce diversity and inclusion, and deep partnerships with local organisations that strengthen social and economic participation and community connections.

Here on the Gold Coast, we're not just moving people – we're building and investing in communities alongside the sustainable transport networks that will drive the region both now and for the generations to come.