By Ruza Zivkusic
RESIDENTS living in Brimbank’s older areas are pleading for bus operating hours to be extended.
The move comes after the State Government recently extended operating hours on bus routes in Caroline Springs and Taylors Lakes.
Former mayor of Sunshine Bernard Reilly questioned why older areas such as Albanvale and Kings Park have missed out on services again.
The extended hours have been introduced on these three bus routes:
– Route 418: Caroline Springs- St Albans (via Taylors Road)
– Route 419: Taylors Lakes- St Albans
– Route 425: Watergardens- St Albans
Mr Reilly said the treatment was “totally discriminatory” against residents in Ardeer, Kings Park and Albanvale, which explained how they had been treated “in the last 30 years”.
“Caroline Springs and Taylors Hill are more affluent areas,” Mr Reilly said.
He said the value of homes in those areas was double that of homes in Albanvale and Kings Park.
“The people here are struggling more than what they are at that end. They should have got it first,” he said.
Victorian Transport Minister’s spokesperson said Ardeer, Kings Park and Albanvale had already been identified to receive service upgrading, with a start date yet to be announced.
“The Bracks Government has announced that it will spend $650 million over the next 10 years on improvements to local bus services,” the spokesperson said.
“Over the next four years this will mean that more than 250 local bus routes in metropolitan Melbourne will be upgraded to run seven-days a week until at least 9pm.”
Public Transport Users Association vice-president Alex Makin said the upgrade was occurring “far too slowly”.
“Yes, bus routes do need extended hours but do you need four years to actually do that?”
“They are keeping everyone waiting simply so the government can try to pat itself on the back as we’re entering four weeks from the state election,” Mr Makin said.
Member for Kororoit Andre Haermeyer said older areas had better transport infrastructure than the new ones.
“What we’re trying to do in new areas is putting bus services where previously there weren’t any. You can’t unfortunately satisfy all of the people at the same time,” he said.
