Ready for take-off – Kinetic to operate new Townsville airport service

Kinetic will begin operating a brand-new airport bus service in Townsville from Monday 29 June, connecting Townsville Airport with the city centre for just 50 cents each way.

The new Route 222, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, will operate every 60 minutes from 4am to 11pm, seven days a week, with a one-way trip between the CBD and the airport taking around 24 minutes.

Route 222 will link Townsville Airport with key locations, including the Breakwater ferry terminal, the Palmer Street precinct, and the wider bus network via the Townsville City bus hub.

The stop at the Breakwater ferry terminal will provide direct transport connection between the airport and Magnetic Island via ferry services.  Additionally, more than 30 hotels are located within walking distance of the route, offering convenience for travellers.

Kinetic Executive General Manager (QLD) Tom Kinsey said the service responded a long-standing request from the Townsville community for frequent and affordable airport transport.

"This is a service the local community has been asking for, and we're pleased to be delivering it alongside the Queensland Government," said Mr Kinsey.

"A reliable, frequent connection between the airport and the city makes a real difference for travellers arriving in Townsville, for residents heading away, but most importantly for the people who work at and around the airport.

“It's a frequent, affordable and practical option for a wide range of journeys."

Mr Kinsey said the new service drew on Kinetic's experience operating airport connections across Australia and New Zealand.

"Connecting travellers and workers to airports is something we do all across our networks, both through urban routes like Route 222 and through the airport to city express services we run under our SkyBus brand," he said.

"That experience helps us get the details right – the timetable, the connections to the wider public transport network, and the reliability that people need when they're catching a flight or finishing a work shift."

*Route 222 does not operate on Good Friday or Christmas Day.