Have your say on bus services

By Kath Gannaway
UPPER Yarra residents are being urged to have a say on local bus services.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said a comprehensive review of services in Yarra Ranges and other municipalities recently announ-ced by the Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, would provide an opportunity to people who live, work or study in the region to have input into improvements to the bus network.
“Everyone will have the chance to have their say about what is needed by either attending a workshop or making a submission to the Department of Transport. Feedback can cover any aspect of bus service provision, whether timetabling, service frequency, hours of operation or routes,” she said.
“To improve services, we need to know exactly what the community wants and understand the needs of different types of commuters. This will be particularly important as linkages between routes, extension to routes and connections with trains is examined. All feedback from the community will be used as the basis for improvements.”
Ms Lobato said that bus operators, local councils and other stakeholders would also be consulted a part of the review process.
“I encourage people who want to have a say about future bus services in the area to register to attend a workshop, or to make a submission to the Department of Transport,” she said.
Workshops will be held in November and closing date for written submissions is Friday, 19 December.
For more workshop and submission details visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/buses .