Calls for Bellarine transport upgrade

Jessica Benton
BELLARINE PENINSULA public transport users have demanded improvements to local services at a public meeting.
Building Bellarine Connections project facilitator Peter Hibbert said about 60 people from Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove attended a meeting at Barwon Heads.
He said the public transport users wanted better connections to railway stations, greater frequency of services, more direct routes and better communication from authorities and service providers.
“The meeting was very successful and there was great input by people from both towns,” Mr Hibbert said.
“A recommendation was reached that more consultation between the Department of Transport, council and the community is needed before implementing changes to the Bellarine Peninsula public transport system.”
Bellarine Peninsula public transport services are being reviewed by DOT under an $80 million government plan to upgrade bus and rail services across the Geelong region.
The plan also includes a Moorabool Street bus interchange that will link up with Bellarine Peninsula services.
Improvements to bus shelters, community buses within townships, bike routes and better timetabling were other issues raised.
Some bus users also wanted to see late-night buses introduced to link up with evening trains from Melbourne.
Mr Hibbert also hinted at the possibility of a direct service between the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast, an idea raised by a group of teenagers at the meeting.