THE Southern Moreton Bay Islands Forum has spoken out in favour of extending the TransLink public transport system to the islands.
Acting SMBI Forum secretary Dave Tardent said transport needs, both within and between the islands and to and from the mainland, were paramount.
"These issues affect the effectiveness of social infrastructure on the SMBI, making it difficult for inter-island and mainland agencies to provide services on the islands and for workers to gain access to their employment," Mr Tardent said.
"Ferries are the only option for passenger travel between the islands and from the islands to the mainland. There is only one ferry and barge operator. "
Mr Tardent said inter-island travel and travel to and from the mainland could cost anything from $3 for a two-minute journey, to a return daily fare of $17.60 "for a trip that averages 20 minutes each way".
Forum chairperson Trevor Hulbert, who works at Capalaba, said bay islanders felt authorities were suggesting islanders were not entitled to basic services available to other communities across Australia.
He said islanders were not asking for special treatment, but "just some basic public transport considerations".
"All ratepayers should be entitled to the same level of subsidy," he said.
"This is to give a positive lift to our environment and is pivotal to bringing a more prosperous economy to our remote area and reduce our dependence on the public purse in the long run."
