Door open for bus feedback

By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE bus users have been invited to have their say on the future of services at upcoming community workshops.
The comprehensive review of Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong services will be conducted by the Department of Infrastructure and will assess the effectiveness of local bus services in meeting community needs.
Longer hours of operation, increased frequency and the extension of existing routes are expected to be the most common concerns of local residents.
Community feedback will be the basis for the improvements, which could also include the introduction of new routes and ensuring existing services link with connecting trains.
Two community workshops will be held on Wednesday, 23 April in Narre Warren, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, and Cranbourne, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. The review is part of the government’s $10.5 billion transport blueprint, which provides $650 million to improving local bus services.
Casey mayor Janet Halsall said the review would ensure that members of the community could have their say.
“Casey’s population growth has put pressure on public transport services in the municipality,” she said.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera encouraged local residents to register and attend the Cranbourne workshop later this month.
“The residents who use these services are best placed to comment on potential improvements required. If you can’t get to the Cranbourne workshop, do not hesitate in making a written submission,” he said.
Casey-Cardinia Communities for Public Transport president Alex Makin said buses were a critical part of the public transport network.
“Many users rely on the bus system to get to the train station,” he said.
“There are two major problems with buses in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong, they are not frequent enough, and when they are late people miss trains. Far too many of the bus routes don’t follow a logical path, and often buses are one hour apart. Compare that to the average tram service which runs every 15 minutes until midnight, seven days a week. There is merit in gauging community feedback, provided there is action taken.”
Residents interested in participating in the workshops must register before the day. Call Booz Allen Hamilton on 9221 1952 for workshop locations and to sign up and have your say.