By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON won’t be the same on a Friday night when the much-loved street surfer bus is finally retired.
After 10 years the bus, which is run entirely by volunteers and offers Melton’s youth a range of activities that might not be available to them, will cease to exist.
Cr Bob Turner told Star a lack of volunteers and the mechanical repairs needed on the bus meant the facility would no longer be available for youngsters on a Friday night.
Cr Turner said it was with regret that the bus’ services would be wound up by the end of the financial year.
“We’re at the stage that we are have having difficulty finding volunteers who are keen to drive it,” he said.
“At this stage (to keep the service running) we would need to get a new bus. This one is 20 years old.”
Cr Turner said the bus had offered youngsters a chance to gather in a safe and comfortable environment and the nights were always fun.
“It’s always been popular … we used to meet every Friday night and get about 100 kids. It was a great night.”
In recent times the bus has provided a point for Melton’s youth to meet and play the Wii, playstation, xbox, watch television or listen to music.
“It’s amazing how many kids just want a nice place to come and stay. We gained a lot of satisfaction out of giving the youth of Melton a safe place on a Friday night.”
Cr Turner said, while it was sad the bus would no longer be available, youngsters could still visit The Gap and enjoy the many services it had to offer.
He said the group would be willing to donate the vehicle to someone who had a genuine use for it and touted a food bus as a possibility.
