Residents from Geelong and the Bellarine will be able to have a say on their regional bus networks to identify any gaps or improvements.
Community consultations will help ensure that any new bus network plans for Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Bannockburn are underpinned by a strong understanding of travel demand.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the review would help ensure residents have access to schools, jobs, hospitals and services for the future.
“The regional network review will outline both short and long-term strategic bus networks for Geelong,” she said.
“This will include planning on what projects will go into the regional network pipeline and how they are staged.
“Overall, the review will aim to deliver a network that’s simpler, faster and more reliable, allowing more people to catch the bus and get where they need to be.”
Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) undertakes regular reviews of the bus network to ensure it continues to meet the needs of residents and identify opportunities for improvement.
Ms Couzens said community consultations would begin in the “coming months” and help to better understand the current bus network experience and “future aspirations for the network”.
“Geelong has a large bus network including connections to the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula,” she said.
“We have long been listening to the needs of the Geelong community and thank those of you who have contacted our office and expressed your desire for a bus review.
“At the appropriate time for each community, we will engage residents through multiple communication pathways and encourage the sharing of feedback and information.”
Improved bus connectivity is important for residents to access schools, jobs, hospitals and other services, with community consultations helping inform the DTP on how people use buses.
Plans for the review will also include Fyansford, with consideration given to how it could be serviced with public transport.
Commitment to the improvement of regional cities will help ensure Geelong remains as one of the state’s largest and dynamic regional cities, which continues to increase as more people move to the area.
