By Afraa Kori
Pakenham Upper’s roads are “only“ designed for cars, leaving seniors, students, and children who rely on public transport to face daily obstacles just to get around.
With bus stops few and far between, residents like Natalia Pedan walk up to 1.5 km along windy roads with no sidewalks, steep drops, and no streetlights, making travel on foot unsafe, especially in the dark.
“I only wish there were more bus stops as it can be dangerous to walk on windy roads with no walking paths. There is a lot of wildlife too,” she said.
“We are in between worlds, not rural, not urban. There is a bus between Pakenham and Gembrook that not many know about, but it only runs a few times a day, so it’s not feasible to use for commuting, as much as we tried.
“My mum, for example, who came from Ukraine when the war started doesn’t drive. So she can’t even go to Gembrook market on Sundays to sell her artworks as there are no buses on Sundays. She now has to stay in the suburbs more to be able to do basic things as she doesn’t drive.“
Seniors rely on buses more than other groups, but missing one can be frustrating. Drivers sometimes accommodate by quietly looping back if they see someone waving. One resident recalled chasing a bus, only for the driver to return and pick them up.
Natalia added that public transport in the area is not only limited but also poorly maintained.
“Our closest bus stop (mount Burnett) is literally just a stick in the ground, and I noticed it’s seriously bent so someone must have driven into it already. I saw quite a lot of accidents with motorcycles especially.”
“Also there’s dangerous trees that, especially after storms, absorb water and then drop branches and whole trees unexpectedly.”
Residents are urging the Cardinia Shire Council and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to install additional bus stops, improve existing ones with more space and shelter, and extend Bus 840 services to include Sundays after 6 pm.
“It would be great to connect The Hills and central Pakenham more, there is so much nature and art around Gembrook, Emerald, Cockatoo and surrounds,” Natalia said.
“Have better transport between areas of the same shire (Cardinia) to help tourism, as well as farming as most farm hands don’t have their own cars. And we are trying to improve sustainability and reduce the number of cars!”
Cardinia Shire Council’s Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik understands residents’ frustration with the current public transport options around the shire, as these services provide essential access to jobs, health, education, tourism and social connection.
“Our state public transport system isn’t providing the support our rapidly growing community needs, and a bus service review is critically overdue,” he said.
“The responsibility for managing our local public transport and implementing new services sits with the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).”
“As we are unable to directly impact our public transport services, Council is continually meeting with DTP to strongly advocate for improved public transport for the entire community.”
“Currently the public transport option through Pakenham Upper is the 840 Pakenham to Gembrook bus service, which has a low operating frequency, with limited services per day.”
Council has previously advocated to DTP for a review to be completed to improve this service for our residents living in the Hills, as we understand that transport and access options are more limited in these regional and rural townships.
According to DTP, there are currently no immediate plans to modify Route 840 or add more routes to Pakenham Upper, however, all feedback will be considered as part of future planning works.
DTP recognises there is more work to do and is committed to ongoing investment to improve the bus network as community needs evolve.
“Victoria’s Big Build has invested more than $1 billion in major road and rail upgrades across Pakenham, including two new train stations, the removal of three level crossings and key upgrades to local roads,“ DTP spokesperson said.
“Buses play an important role in meeting the travel needs of people living in Melbourne’s outer suburbs including the 840 bus route that provides customers in Gembrook and Pakenham Upper a direct public transport option to Pakenham train station.”
“By the end of the year, every level crossing on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines will be gone to make way for the Metro Tunnel, which will deliver more services and connections to Melbourne’s major health and education precincts.“
To support pedestrian and cyclist access and safety around the shire, Council has also completed a Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy, where we aim to improve active transport throughout the municipality. But we know that these options aren’t always practical for our Hills residents.
Council seeks out feedback from residents regarding its proposed strategies and policies where possible through ’Creating Cardinia’ website.
“I would like to encourage our community to have their say on Council’s priorities for the next four years, by participating in the upcoming Council Plan consultation which will be running in the coming months,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“This is an important time for residents to engage with Council and share what’s important to them.”
