By Bridget Cook
Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. 50530
LYNBROOK residents are calling for a more direct bus route to Westfield Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, saying the current route takes about an hour for what is a 15-minute drive.
At the moment, residents have to catch a bus to Cranbourne and then another to the shopping centre, which can take from 55 minutes up to an hour and 25 minutes.
Casey Councillor Amanda Stapledon raised a Notice of Motion at a council meeting this month asking council officers write to the Department of Transport requesting a review of bus services.
Cr Stapledon said Lynbrook residents had sought a review of the current bus service from Lynbrook to Fountain Gate, and the return trip, for some time.
“Residents wish to travel to Fountain Gate to access the shopping centre, which has many of the larger stores including Target, Kmart, RACV, the cinemas … they also wish to access their local council and civic centre,” she said.
“As the Lynbrook community await the construction of the railway station, bus and car transport are the only two options they can rely upon.
“It is essential that residents reach their destinations in a timely manner.”
Lynbrook resident Naomi Wood said the bus route involves travelling in and around many estates, which adds to the time.
“We do need the snaking routes to assist those residents wanting to visit another residential address, but it would also be ideal to have more direct routes to shops and services without having to spend hours on public transport,” Mrs Wood said.
She said she would like to see a direct route from Cranbourne, to Lynbrook then Fountain Gate, alternated with a service that travels through the estates so people have an option.
Department of Transport spokeswomen Kirsten Taylor said last week the Minister for Public Transport released the final report from the Cardinia/Casey and the Casey/Greater Dandenong bus reviews, and announced a $4.8 million package of new and improved bus routes for the south east. “For Lynbrook, a new Route 891 will run from Lynbrook to Fountain Gate via Hampton Park and Hallam Station,” she said.
“This will provide Lynbrook residents with a direct bus service to Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, and will also provide public transport for the first time to the residential redevelopment along Paterson Drive in Lynbrook South.
The new bus route, which will begin later his year, will operate until 9pm, seven days a week.
