Geelong and Bellarine residents will benefit from an additional 400 weekly bus services as part of the Brumby Labor Government’s $80 million package to boost local public transport links.
Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky announced that from Monday 7 September residents would benefit from more frequent services and longer operating hours.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to improve bus services in regional centres with this bus boost for Geelong and Bellarine significantly improving the way people travel in the region,” Ms Kosky said. “This bus boost includes an additional 39 weekend services to give
residents greater choice of when to travel and the option of leaving
the car at home.”
“This bus boost includes an additional 39 weekend services to give residents greater choice of when to travel and the option of leaving the car at home. It will improve connections for people living and working in Leopold, Newcomb, East Geelong, Breakwater, Whittington, Belmont, Grovedale, Waurn Ponds and St Albans Park.”
Ms Kosky said the improvements formed Stage 1 of the Brumby Labor Government’s $80 million improvement package for bus services in Greater Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula as part of the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said bus routes would now be provided within 400 metres of most households in the region, improving residents’ access to public transport services.
“Seven new low-floor buses will be introduced and operate across all routes, increasing access for all passengers particularly the elderly and people with disabilities,” Ms Neville said.
“For residents in Leopold, bus services will now have improved journey times and better frequency, with extra peak services for commuters.”
Member for Geelong Ian Trezise said the bus improvements would provide people with better public transport access to work, local universities and TAFEs and major shopping centres.
“These improvements will be a huge boost for the region, better enabling people in Geelong and Bellarine to catch the bus where they want, when they want,” Mr Trezise said.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said students and shoppers would have significantly improved travel options with increased bus route connections to Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre and the Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus.
“The extra services to Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre and Deakin University will make it easier than ever to get on the bus,” he said.
The second stage of improvements will be introduced next year and will include a new central bus interchange in Moorabool Street and better bus connections for residents in North Shore, Corio, Buckley Falls, Hamlyn Heights, Herne Hill, Highton, Queens Park, Wandana Heights, Torquay, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, St Leonards and Queenscliff.
Ms Kosky said a tenderer had been chosen for the design services of the new bus interchange in Moorabool Street signifying a significant step forward in the delivery of this project.
“I am happy to announce that Dryden + Crute Design is the preferred tenderer for design works at the new Moorabool Street interchange,” she said.
“The Department of Transport and the City of Greater Geelong are working together on the detailed design and delivery of this project to ensure it best meets the needs of local bus users.”
Ms Kosky said the new interchange would include two new bus super-stops and would be a highlight of the Victorian Transport Plan’s bus improvement package for Greater Geelong and Bellarine.
For more information about regional services and fares, visit www.viclink.com.au or call 136 196.