Trial to slash travel

By Alison Noonan
COMMUTING between Pearcedale and Cranbourne is set to improve following the launch of a new public bus service next month.
Casey Council is to fund a 10-month trial bus for residents in Pearcedale, with additional services to the coastal villages, from Monday, 3 April.
Mayor Kevin Bradford said the long awaited service would be the first direct route to link Pearcedale and Cranbourne and was expected to cut travel times in half.
He said the council was introducing the service to bridge the huge gap in public transport provision for residents in the city’s south.
“Council will trial extending the bus service to help residents of Pearcedale and surrounding areas to access services and shops based in Cranbourne on weekdays,” he said.
“In the past residents wishing to make this trip had to travel via Frankston, making the journey over an hour.
“Normal Zone 3 ticketing will apply to this trial bus-route, which means commuters who have purchased a Zone 3 ticket to travel to Cranbourne can use this same ticket to travel to Pearcedale.”
Cr Bradford said the trial also included a weekend bus service between Cranbourne and the coastal villages that would connect young people in the coastal villages and other residents with limited transport options.
“Route 795 currently connects Cranbourne to Devon Meadows, Warneet, Blind Bight, Cannons Creek and Tooradin on weekdays and, from April, council will trial a new weekend timetable.
“Council hopes that the trial will help gauge the need to make these public transport services between Pearcedale and the coastal villages to Cranbourne become permanent in the future,” he said.
Cr Bradford said the success of the service was in the hands of the community.
He said a permanent bus would only be considered if patronage was high during the trial period.
“Council will review the operational aspects of the services and determine whether or not the trial services will continue at the conclusion of the 10-month trial,” he said.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler described the service as “one of the most significant things to happen to residents in southern Casey”.
“Finally all the southern villages are linked to the rest of Casey.
“The future of the bus service is now up to residents. They’ve been asking for it for a long time but (Hastings MP) Rosy Buchanan will only go in to bat for us provided they use it,” he said.
Ms Buchanan said she was rapt that the council had invested in the trial service and would be lobbying for the State Government to take over funding after the 10-month period.
“This is a great investment by local government on behalf of the southern residents who have endured limited public transport for so long.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to expand the public bus service and will be complemented by the two new community buses I recently secured for Pearcedale and Blind Bight.
“Now it’s time for residents to put their feet where their mouths are and support the trial service.
“The hard work they do now will ensure they have this service for years to come,” she said.
For information on the trial bus service and timetables visit www.casey.vic.gov.au.