Port Stephens Council is trialing a beach shuttle bus service in Anna Bay during the upcoming holiday period to improve connectivity and accessibility and ease congestion around Birubi Headland.
The Birubi Beach Shuttle Bus trial runs from Saturday 12 April until Sunday 27 April, on a continuous loop from 9am to 12pm and 12:30pm to 3:30pm, picking up at 3 locations and dropping patrons to Robinson Reserve, making it a quick and convenient option for accessing the beach.
Mayor Leah Anderson said the shuttle bus trial is a direct result from community feedback.
"The shuttle service was proposed as a trial during consultation with Birubi Point Cultural Heritage Advisory Panel, the community and business," Mayor Anderson said.
"It's a proactive approach to addressing the traffic challenges experienced in Anna Bay during peak seasons," she added.
Assets Section Manager John Maretich said this initiative was identified as a key measure within recent traffic studies undertaken in Anna Bay.
"We're focusing this trial at Birubi Headland to alleviate parking pressures, combining it with other measures including parking meters for demand management and digital signage," Mr Maretich said.
"This trial Birubi Beach Shuttle Service aims to provide a convenient alternative to driving and parking, with visitors and residents able to hop on at one of 3 locations with additional visitor parking provided at one of these locations," he added.
Council will be actively gathering feedback from visitors, residents, and businesses after the Easter holidays on the service, in addition to monitoring patronage.
Mayor Anderson encouraged both residents and visitors to use the service over the upcoming Easter holiday period.
"We need your feedback to understand if trials like this are effective, so if you're in Anna Bay and use the service, make sure you complete the short survey so we can determine future services and if we need to expand it to other areas," Mayor Anderson said.
The Birubi Beach Shuttle Bus trial is funded through Smart Parking revenue. Smart Parking revenue has generated significant benefits for our community.
Learn more at pscouncil.info/smart-parking-projects
