Bus commuters left waiting

By Tania Martin
MONBULK commuters will continue to wait for improvements to bus services after losing out on a recent transport boost.
Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor last week announced a new bus service between Chirnside Park and Lilydale, plus improvements to five other bus services in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
However, Monbulk is one of the areas that has lost out with several services in Lilydale and Healesville receiving improvements along with services for Belgrave, Gembrook and Olinda commuters.
Mr Batchelor said these improvements would give people easier access to public transport in their local neighbourhood, and would provide better links between suburbs, shopping areas and train stations.
The Belgrave to Gembrook bus line route 695 has been given an extra evening service which will depart from Belgrave at 8.15pm.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said the funding provides more options for people to either work late or socialise after work or study.
“It has been a much talked about initiative through representations made to me on the issues of bus services,” she said.
Route 688 from Croydon to Olinda will also have a new service on Sunday and will operate on an hourly basis between 9am and 6pm.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges, which has been running a joint campaign with the Mail for improved public transport across the shire, has welcomed the funding announcement.
Shire chief executive officer Rob Hauser said the Shire was very active in meeting with and consulting the community and time and time again public transport comes up as one of the most important issues facing residents.
Despite the announcement of these transport improvements, Mr Hauser said the council would continue to advocate improvement to several other services including the Lilydale to Belgrave line that travels through Silvan and Monbulk and the Belgrave to Upper Ferntree Gully route that travels through Olinda.
Mr Batchelor said the Department of Infrastructure would now work with the council and bus operators to implement the improved services quickly with most services expected to be up and running by next year.
The Mail attempted to contact Monbulk MP James Merlino but he was unavailable for comment.