By Charlene Gatt
BUS services in the City of Maribyrnong may soon get another overhaul after changes made last year were met with widespread dissatisfaction from residents.
Sheoak Ward councillor Martin Zakharov said the council had been in talks with Transport Minister Lynne Kosky after residents called on the State Government to reverse the changes made from the Hobson’s Bay, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley bus service review.
From 30 June, hours of operation were extended on weekdays from 6am-9am and weekends and public holidays from 8am-9am.
Six services were also re-routed and two new services – the 431 (Yarraville to Kingsville) and 432 (Yarraville to Newport) –were introduced. About 13 men, women and children lined Yarraville’s Canterbury St to block the 409 Yarraville to West Footscray bus route in July against the changes, with many saying the new services were an unnecessary and an environmentally unsustainable option for the area.
Residents were also annoyed there was no community consultation before the changes were made.
Cr Zakharov said Minister Kosky has called for a review of the changes.
He said it was likely the hours would be cut back on one of the routes as part of a series of minor changes that should come through over the next few weeks.
Long-term changes are also expected in the future. The council is also pushing for the bus stop at Yarraville Station to be moved to one of the main roads.
