Nillumbik Shire Council has renewed its call for a local area bus review across the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Region, following the State Government's recent statement on the success of a new bus network for the Yarra Valley.
Better bus services remain a sticking point for many Nillumbik residents experiencing poor coordination between bus and train timetabling which leads to longer commutes, or for residents in rural areas where bus shelters exist but without an actual bus service.
Nillumbik Mayor John Dumaresq said the formula used for the State's new bus service in the Yarra Valley would provide similar outcomes for residents in Nillumbik and surrounding northern areas.
"A Local Area Bus Review has been an advocacy priority of Council for the past few years, yet we are still waiting to see any improvements to buses in our region," Cr Dumaresq said.
"Buses are an essential service for many people, young and old, who rely on public transport to travel to and from employment, health services and education.
"Simple changes to existing bus services would make a significant difference to the success of bus services in the north, including making buses more efficient, more effective coordination of bus and train timetables and greater connectivity across areas.
"Simply having a bus service on a map does not transpire to an adequate service on the ground. Buses services need to be offered on a regular timetable at a minimum service of every 30 minutes on weekdays, weekends and through to the late evening," he said.
"If it can work in the Yarra Valley, it can work here too."
St Andrews community member Vickie Arthur said the community of St Andrews and surrounding rural suburbs, home to more than 3,500 residents, faced significant challenges due to limited access to essential services as a result of not having any public transport options beyond the township of Hurstbridge.
The region is home to 3,500 residents, with more than 45 per cent of the population aged 50 and older, and around eight per cent young people aged between 12 to 17 years.
"With the nearest bus and train stations located 12-20 kilometres away in Hurstbridge and Mernda, many residents struggle to reach services like doctors, grocery stores, hospitals, work and school," Vickie said.
"To address this, the community needs a new bus service that would loop through key areas, including Eltham Station, Research, Kangaroo Ground, Panton Hill, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Hurstbridge Station and Diamond Creek Station, providing much-needed transportation for rural residents," she said.
"This service would improve independence, support positive ageing and reduce isolation for vulnerable groups in the region."
A review and improvements to buses and other parts of the public transport network are one of the key objectives outlined in Nillumbik's Integrated Transport Strategy.
Nillumbik has also thrown its support behind the Northern Council's Alliance campaign around transport, where community members from across the northern region are being encouraged to share their stories regarding transport challenges in the north.
