By BRIDGET COOK
THE State Government has answered calls from the community for public transport to cater for the booming areas of Cranbourne East and Clyde North.
For more than two years, the community and Casey council have been calling for a bus route to extend into Cascades on Clyde and Selandra Rise estates for the growing population in that area.
The State Government announced last month that a new bus route will commence along Linsell Boulevard and to the Selandra Rise Estate to Cranbourne East from this month.
In March, local resident Lisa Sturzaker lead a petition, which attracted more than 200 signatures, that called for the existing bus services in the Hunt Club Estate to extend into the newer estates.
Ms Sturzaker said at the time that the communities had waited long enough for a service that should have been introduced a long time ago.
“Cranbourne East and Clyde North is growing bigger and bigger by the day,” she said.
“The only way to get around is by car.”
City of Casey spokesperson Sam Aziz welcomed the announcement of the new bus route, something the council had been advocating for through its Make Your Voice Count campaign.
“Casey urgently needs bus services which run direct along arterial and secondary arterial roads, connect to multiple railway stations in alignment with train timetables, and run at a 20-minute frequency with a 10-minute frequency on key corridors,” he said.
“The new route announced as part of the new timetable is a win for Cranbourne and Cranbourne East residents and it’s great to see council’s advocacy campaign resulting in improved services for Casey residents.”
Cr Aziz said the council would continue to lobby for its bus review demonstration project in
Cranbourne, Cranbourne East and Clyde North.
“While the announcement of a new bus route along Linsell Boulevard is great news, the service only partially covers the Cranbourne East and Clyde North areas.”
“Council’s demonstration project would allow the broader area to be covered at a similar operating cost which would be a win-win for the State Government and our community.
“Council will continue its discussions with the State Government for a wider bus demonstration project extending to Clyde North.”
