We’re left stranded

By Casey Neill
PUBLIC transport is a crucial link for many of the Yarra Ranges’ most vulnerable residents, but inadequate services are leaving them stranded.
Belgrave support agency Mission Impossible’s Wilma Weickhardt said too often bus and train services did not match up.
“You might get to the station and see your bus driving off and there’s an hour to wait for another bus,” she said.
Many of the people Mission Impossible assists rely solely on public transport to reach appointments, including counselling and job interviews, and for daily activities.
“They can’t afford to drive a car, don’t have a licence,” Ms Weickhardt said.
“A lot of them will not travel by bus because they can’t get on a bus without a ticket.”
She said frustrating timetables often proved too much.
“Sometimes they just give up. Some of them just won’t go to their appointments.”
“It’s very hard,” she said.
Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) assists people in hardship and crisis in the hills community.
They provide emergency relief to as many as 60 children and 100 adults each month. These people are battling illness, disability, job loss, domestic violence, family breakdown and homelessness.
Operations manager Tania Bevan said many of their clients relied on buses.
“Running a vehicle can be out of reach for them financially,” she said.
“Another issue is that some have a loss of their licence.”
“Reliable bus access is very important for many, especially youth. It can help to reduce boredom and depression.”
“Taxis are simply too expensive to use.”
Monbulk Care Network help people suffering poverty, distress, helplessness in Monbulk and surrounding communities through counselling and practical assistance.
Volunteer Judy Thornburn said the organisation was currently working with Yarra Ranges Council to establish a private transport service to help their clients reach appointments because public transport is inadequate.
“Often elderly people can’t get into buses and they run at odd times,” she said.
“It’s just too difficult.”