A Melbourne public transport action group has yet another commuter trouble spot in its sights – this time Oakleigh
June 24, 2011
Public safety is being put at risk at the Oakleigh bus interchange according to the Melbourne-based Public Transport Users Association (PTUA).
The PTUA has called for a redesign of the bus interchange in Oakleigh to improve passenger and pedestrian safety.
“The current bus interchange is an accident waiting to happen,” PTUA convenor Jeremy Lunn says.
“We are only a step away from someone being killed or seriously injured.”
Lunn says the interchange consists of a narrow strip wedged between a car park near the station and two roadways.
“It’s barely enough room for a growing and often crowded bus interchange like Oakleigh,” he says.
Lunn believes the Department of Transport is responsible for the unsupervised car park and for improving the bus interchange, calling for an urgent interchange upgrade to incorporate wider footpaths and more space for passengers.
“The car park has room for only 40 cars, compared with thousands of bus passengers using the interchange,” he says.
“The Department of Transport is putting passengers’ safety at risk because they refuse to use the space more effectively to serve a far greater number of people.”
Lunn says an upgraded interchange would provide a substantial boost to the safety and convenience of passengers.
“It would also make it easier for people transferring between buses and trains and for accessing local shops in Oakleigh by bus.”