More buses, more often

By Tania Martin
A NEWLY-formed hills transport group is calling for action for failing bus services.
This follows State Government figures, which showed that route 838 from Emerald to Fountain Gate was one of the least used.
But the Ranges Transport Action Group (RTAG) said the problem lies with the bus frequency.
The group is calling on the State Government to increase the service.
Group spokesman Michael Galea said bus 838 only runs three times a day but only recorded one or two per service.
But he said there are people who want to use the service but can’t because it isn’t frequent enough.
“This is not a case of there being no demand,” Mr Galea said.
“There just aren’t enough buses running to be useful to people.”
Mr Galea said people in Emerald were crying out for better bus services down to Fountain Gate.
“All we need is more frequent services,” he said.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said increasing the service was vital.
Ms Lobato has congratulated Mr Galea on his continued advocacy for new and improved bus services.
“The 838 needs to be improved to accommodate those hills residents wishing to access services, other transport linkages and entertainment,” she said.
Ms Lobato said Mr Galea had been instrumental in recent improvements to route 695 from Belgrave to Gembrook.
The 695 went from operating every two hours to half hourly.
Ms Lobato said if the 838 service was increased, it would have similar success.
A recent bus review with the Shire of Cardinia had also highlighted route 838 service as inadequate.
Although the results of the review are not known, Ms Lobato anticipates there would be some changes to the route recommended to the government.
Mr Galea said improvements to route 838 would allow more people to leave their cars at home and avoid rising petrol prices.
“People want to make their transport habits more sustainable but they are too often thwarted by our bus system,” he said.