By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Bus services are actually a “disservice” for Portarlington, Indented Heads and St Leonards, users have said.
Vice-president of community group StayinginPortarlington Jenny Wills said locals were fed up with being treated like second class citizens when it came to public transport.
Ms Wills called for the immediate reinstatement of an hourly bus service over the Christmas holiday period.
She said the resumed service would be an “interim step” to improving public transport accessibility for people on the northern Bellarine Peninsula.
Ms Wills said route 60 buses from Geelong to St Leonards via Portarlington regularly terminated short at Drysdale.
Almost half the route 60 buses to Geelong railway station on Monday to Friday started at Drysdale, “completely ignoring” passengers in St Leonards, Indented Heads and Portarlington, she said.
“A workshop on the issue was well attended and feedback was provided.
“But the problem here is that we have immediate issues and can’t wait till mid or late next year fort any changes.
“They have really stuffed up with the new timetables and we desperately need to revert back to an hourly service while awaiting any changes.”
Ms Wills questioned why towns on the northern Bellarine Peninsula lacked an outlet to buy myki cards.
She said a petition would call for Public Transport Victoria to reinstate the hourly bus service.
The petition would be launched at 2.30pm on 17 December outside Portarlington’s post office and Woolworths supermarket, she said.
The petition would also be available in local businesses and online.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan she acknowledged that buses provided a critical service for the Portarlington community.
“A workshop was recently held to hear directly from local residents and passengers,” Ms Allan said.
“That feedback is currently being considered and will be integrated into future improvements to the local bus network.”
A PTV spokesperson said myki cards could be purchased or topped up on board route 60 buses, online at ptv.vic.gov.au or via PTV’s call centre.
