Groups meet for bus review

By Kath Gannaway
WORKSHOPS will be held in Yarra Junction and Healesville as part of the Victorian State Government’s Metropolitan Bus Service Review.
The review covers Yarra Ranges, Maroondah and Knox municipalities and Member for Gembrook, Tammy Lobato, is urging Upper Yarra residents and members of relevant organisations to have their say.
“As this review of bus services takes place, it is important that local councils, public transport operators, community groups and citizens who use buses, share their views on what changes need to be made to improve our bus services,” Ms Lobato said.
“Issues to be covered in the review include hours of operation of services, frequency of services, after hours and weekend services, routes covered by buses and interconnections with train timetables.
“This review will enable those who deliver our bus services to properly understand the needs of local residents who use these services,” she said.
Ms Lobato said the workshops would be held across the region to allow maximum participation from residents and organisations.
The Yarra Junction workshop will be held on Monday 9 February and the Healesville workshop on Thursday 12 February.
Other workshops will be held in Mooroolbark, Upwey, Ringwood and Knox.
Anyone interested in attending a workshop needs to register with Sharon Rutherford, phone 9221 1952 or email to sharon.rutherford@booz.com.
Ms Lobato said people unable to attend a workshop could make a submission in writing.
“I would urge everyone with an interest in bus services to make a submission to the review in writing. This will ensure that they too can have input into what is required to improve bus services in the region,” she said.
Written submissions can be sent to Knox/Maroondah/Yarra Ranges Bus Service Review, PO Box 2797, Melbourne, 3001 or emailed to www.transport.vic.gov.au/buses and must be received by 28 February.
Further information on the Metropolitan Bus Service Review can be obtained from Ms Lobato’s office, phone 9796 1987, or via the above website.