By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
BUS USERS have been treated with “contempt” in consultations on Geelong timetable changes, according to a participant.
Newcomb’s Yvonne Sardeson called the information sessions badly organised.
The initial sessions were in the lead-up to Christmas but Public Transport Victoria (PTV) extended them after representations from local MPs, she said.
“The people of Geelong who rely on the buses have been treated with contempt.”
Ms Sardeson said she had written to PTV to express her concern about the latest session at Geelong Railway Station on 11 March.
The meeting was advertised for a conference room but when attendees arrived at 4.30pm they were told the room was not booked, she said.
“The PTV staff came around at 4.40pm and told the waiting crowd the sessions were going to be held in the forecourt area of the station.
“This was greeted with astonishment, that anyone thought an information session could be held where buses pull in and idle while passengers get off, trains were leaving the platforms and the station announcements were happening.
“The noise level was horrendous.”
Ms Sardeson said no seats were available around the session’s information easels, which kept collapsing in the wind.
“Most of the people present felt frustrated at being unable to contribute to the session let alone hear what was being said.”
A PTV spokesperson said the information session was planned for the station’s forecourt to allow station users to participate.
A small group at the session was “difficult” but the sessions successfully gathered useful feedback, the spokesperson said.
Issues raised included access to popular destinations and walking distance to local bus stops.
“PTV is now assessing all of this feedback to look at where we can incorporate this into the final bus network and we will let the community know in the coming weeks what changes will be made,” the spokesperson said.
Elderly residents have expressed concerns about the changes, saying loss of bus stops and subsequent long walks to catch buses could force them to sell their homes to move closer to public transport.
More information on the timetable changes is available at ptv.vic.gov.au/Geelong2015.
