Nillumbik Shire Council has welcomed Infrastructure Victoria's call for an overhaul of the state's bus network and an immediate increase in bus timetable frequency in outer suburbs.
The announcement this morning aligns with Nillumbik Council's recent calls for the State Government to undertake a local area bus review across the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Region. It also supports a bus study recently completed by the Northern Councils Alliance (NCA) of which Nillumbik is a member.
Nillumbik Mayor Ben Ramcharan said simple changes to existing bus services could make a significant difference to the success of bus services in the northern region.
"A Local Area Bus Review across the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Region is one of Nillumbik Shire Council's key advocacy priorities, and something we believe would be a small investment to achieve significant outcomes for our community," Cr Ramcharan said.
"Some simple changes, such as making bus routes more efficient, more effective coordination of bus and train timetables and greater connectivity across areas could help ensure the diverse transport needs of our community are better supported," he said.
Cr Ramcharan said buses were an essential service for many people, young and old, who relied on public transport to travel to and from employment, health services and education.
"Creating more efficient and reliable bus services will not only help those who rely on public transport to get to where they need to go, but might also encourage more people to use public transport, which will help ease the growing congestion on our roads," he said.
"The issues being raised in Infrastructure Victoria's report reiterate many of the challenges and opportunities that have been raised through the NCA's comprehensive Transport Report and Nillumbik's own advocacy work, and it's great to see issues around our bus network getting the attention they deserve.
"We urge the State Government to make the most of the research and reports available by directing more investment towards public transport improvements that will make a real difference."
