Ben Carroll yesterday visited the Mornington Peninsula to announce the funding under the state’s budget
The Victorian government says it is continuing to invest in Victoria’s bus network, with an extra $36 million in this year’s budget to improve local bus services in growth areas – including on the Mornington Peninsula.
Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll and Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio yesterday visited Hastings to announce planning is now underway for a new Cross-Peninsula bus link to make it easier for locals to travel.
“We’re improving the bus network on the Mornington Peninsula to make catching the bus a better option for locals travelling to employment, education, shops, healthcare and other transport modes,” Carroll says.
“Planning is now underway for a new Cross-Peninsula bus link which would make it easier for locals to travel, particularly for those in Hastings and surrounding suburbs.”
There are currently no direct bus connections directly linking Hastings to Mornington, with trips requiring lengthy travel via Frankston.
The state government is consulting with the community to determine how the new route can provide cross Peninsula bus connectivity between Hastings and Mornington and better connect locals to employment, medical facilities, education and shops, particularly for those on the Hastings side of the Peninsula.
Last year, the government introduced FlexiRide Rosebud to give commuters between Rosebud and Safety Beach more flexible connections to key destinations including Dromana Shopping Centre, Rosebud Plaza, Rosebud Hospital and Rosebud Village Shopping Centre.
Service improvements also came into effect on various routes. Route 781 was extended to Dromana to provide better public transport coverage for locals living in Mount Martha. Route 887 from Rosebud to Frankston now travels via the Mornington Peninsula Freeway, reducing travel times and giving passengers a more direct route.
Planning for the new Cross-Peninsula bus link forms part of Victoria’s Bus Plan, which the state government says is delivering improvements to the state’s bus network.
Released in 2021, Victoria’s Bus Plan sets out how the government will increase the number of people choosing to take the bus by delivering a modern, productive, environmentally sustainable bus network.
The government has invested more than $500 million to improve local bus services in growth areas, implement bus reform, improve accessibility and customer outcomes.
“Hastings is continuing to grow so we’re listening to the community by getting on with planning for a new Cross-Peninsula bus link that will give locals more options about when they travel,” Mercurio says.
“We know locals in Hastings have been advocating for a service across the Peninsula – so we will keep working with them to get them where they need to go.”