Victoria’s Latrobe Valley passengers are travelling free this week to mark more than 800 new bus services
January 27, 2012
Bus passengers in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, east of Melbourne, have taken advantage of free travel this week to mark the roll out of 800 new weekly bus services, and the creation of 25 jobs in bus transport.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Edward O’Donohue says this week’s free travel period has allowed regular passengers to familiarise themselves with the changes and give others a reason to try bus travel.
He says the overhaul of services in the region would not only include hundreds of extra bus services but also provide a new bus network to improve the efficiency and frequency of services.
“I am very pleased to announce that people in Traralgon, Morwell, Moe, Churchill and our smaller communities will have a much improved local transport system,” he says.
“Services will run more often, for longer hours, to a larger area of the region than ever before.
“This will mean better access to employment and local facilities for the thousands of people living and working in the region.”
Morwell MP Russell Northe says the changes would have a myriad of positive outcomes for the Latrobe Valley community.
“From a small business and employment perspective, these changes have already benefited our community and economy by creating an additional 25 jobs with Latrobe Valley Buslines, which is just fantastic,” Northe says.
“With even more links between rail and bus services and education and shopping facilities, there are now more opportunities for people to travel inter-town for shopping, dining or employment.
“With the current parking challenges that are facing our larger communities, there has never been a better time than now to hop on the train or bus to travel to work and save the hassle of finding all day parking.
“With many services commencing between 7:00am and 7:30am and running through until 6:30pm or 7:00pm, access to public transport will be vastly improved,” Northe says.
Victoria’s Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder reminded people in the region that these significant improvements would mean a number of changes for passengers.
“An enormous amount of work goes into planning for these kinds of changes and we have planned bus routes and stop locations that mean the network will operate in the most efficient way possible,” Mulder says.
“I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the new timetable or have a look on the Viclink website to familiarise themselves with changes to their local bus stop locations and/or bus routes.
“I also encourage everyone to make the most of these improvements and enjoy the convenience of travelling by bus around the region.”
Timetables are available on board local buses or visit www.viclink.com.au.