By Charlene Gatt
A YARRAVILLE resident was left flummoxed last week after Maribyrnong City Council employees were seen creating wheelchair access at bus stops that are no longer in use.
The resident, who does not wish to be named, saw workers digging holes at three defunct bus stops, including one in front of Wembley Primary School, one in Court St and the other in High St.
The stops used to be serviced by the previous route 430, which was rerouted on 30 June as part of service upgrades.
“Having wheelchair access where there’s no buses is a bit of a stuff-up,” the resident said.
Transport and special projects manager Ian Butterworth said the outcomes of the Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong Bus Review had not been made known until 27 June – including where new routes would be.
He admitted some unused bus stops in the municipality had been unnecessarily upgraded.
“These works have not cost the council any additional money as they were part of the original funding agreement with the Department of Transport … (we) are now working together to ensure this does not occur again,” he said.
The council, in conjunction with the department, is in the process of completing disability-compliant upgrades on all bus stops in the municipality.
The work should be completed by the end of the financial year.
Picture: JOSEPHINEHARKIN.
