Bus Shelter

In the early decades of the twentieth century, Brisbane’s public transport was dominated by trams. On 1 January 1923, the Brisbane Tramway Trust took over the Brisbane Tramway Company. During the period 1918-1922, no new lines or extensions were built and few rolling stock constructed (in spite of growing traffic and serious overcrowding) due to the company nearing the end of its franchise. However trams continued to be the dominant form of public transport in Brisbane until 1969.

Other forms of transport were considered by the Trust and several motor buses were purchased in 1925. This venture did not turn out to be a financial success, with the newly formed Greater Brisbane City Council deciding to sell the fleet in November 1927. These services were then transferred to private individuals who subsequently provided the city’s bus services for over a decade.

Thirteen years would pass before Council would reintroduce buses. The new technology of the diesel engine was introduced to Brisbane in July 1940. Twelve Albion-Gardiner buses were trialed, with imported chassis and locally built bodies. A new garage was built on North Quay to service both the buses and the Council’s fleet of vehicles.

The reintroduction of Brisbane City Council operated bus services in July 1940 was due to three factors. Newer economical diesel engines with reduced running costs, a larger population and better road services all combined to make the service more cost effective. The buses began to run on four routes and were soon providing transport in some fourteen new areas not serviced by trams.

In 1937, the Council commissioned a transport adviser to conduct a report on public transport in Brisbane. This report would foreshadow future Council policy:

The judicious use of trolley-buses or motor-buses is required as an adjunct to the tram services in districts where the traffic would not warrant the building of a tramline.

In 1940, a diesel bus service began running from Kelvin Grove through Herston and along Butterfield Street to the city. Diesel buses would eventually become the backbone of BCC public transport after April 1969 when trams were phased out on the recommendation of the Wilbur Smith Report. Waiting sheds, identical to those located on tram routes were constructed to encourage usage. Of a 1932 design, this particular shelter is a ‘standard four-post waiting shelter’ or four-poster ‘A type’. 

Many waiting sheds were constructed by the BCC as a direct result of petitioning by community or progress societies. The Council would then complete a survey over several days to see if a stop was needed. Waiting sheds promoted the system of public transport by providing a comfortable waiting area protected from the elements, and were often internally lit. Letters of thanks to the editor of the Telegraph and Courier Mail record that this detail was appreciated by passengers who could read the daily paper while waiting for buses or trams at night. After 1945, the Council realised revenue could be gained from the structures, and many were adorned with billboards and illuminated signs. 

A number of former bus and tram shelters have been moved or demolished for roadworks (eg: at the Normanby Five-ways). Those that remain provide an attractive shady shelter for bus passengers and make an aesthetic contribution to the streetscape. This shelter is still in use by bus passengers on the Butterfield Road route.

The short-ridge roof is made up of terracotta tiles and is supported by four square timber posts with solid, elongated timber brackets. One row of timber seating is fixed to the ground adjacent to the back face.

The shelter appears to be in fairly original condition although needing some maintenance work.

1. Brisbane City Council Archives

2. Brisbane City Council Minutes and Meetings, 1915-1945

3. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

4. Clark, Howard & Keenan, David. Brisbane Tramways: the last decade, Transit Press, Sydney, 1977

5. Greenwood, Gordon. Brisbane 1859-1959 A History of Local Government. Council of the City of Brisbane, Brisbane, 1959

6. Steer, G.R. “Brisbane Tramways: Their History and Development”. Historical Society of Queensland Journal, Vol 3, No.3, May 1944, pp.209-233

7. Tyrrell, S. The Trams of Brisbane, The Brisbane Tramway Museum Society, Brisbane, 1971