Buses set for boost

Jessica Benton
GEELONG’S southern suburbs will be first to benefit from a boost to bus services, according to state MP Ian Trezise.
The Member for Geelong told State Parliament the benefits of an $80 million funding injection for the region’s bus services would eventually flow throughout the city.
“Bus services throughout Geelong region and to all parts of Geelong will be increased and improved,” he said.
Mr Trezise revealed that Grovedale, Waurn Ponds, Breakwater, Whittington and St Albans Park would be the first suburbs to receive extra services.
A second round of upgrades would benefit Highton, Newtown and North Geelong, he said.
“This will bring great benefit to the people of Geelong, particularly the ever-increasing number of people who utilise Geelong’s bus services,” Mr Trezise told parliament.
He called on Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky to ensure “timely and effective implementation of the bus service upgrade”.
Public Transport Users Association convenor Paul Westcott was keen to see the plan rolled out.
“We’re certainly keen to see it happen because the present routes and timetables in the areas to be upgraded first are particularly bad,” he said.
“The current routes are very round-about and hard to understand, so it’s certainly good they’re going to be changed.”
“It’s important the changes are done in a well-organised and clear fashion because it’s going to be the biggest change to Geelong’s public transport system since they got rid of trams.
The Independent reported in December that the Government’s plan to upgrade bus services in Geelong included development of an “interchange” in the central city area.
The Moorabool Street interchange would be a drop-off and pick-up point linking services around the city with buses from the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.