The Victorian government has called on members of the Gisborne community to have their say to help shape and improve the town’s new bus network.
With consultation now underway, Victorian public and active transport minister Gabrielle Williams says the local community can provide input on a proposal to improve public transport in the Gisborne area.
The new plan would see the bus network connect to new estates, providing all-day regular bus services while retaining connections between train and bus services.
“Through Victoria’s Bus Plan we’re delivering a modern, productive, environmentally sustainable bus network that increases the number of people choosing to take the bus including in Gisborne,” Williams says.
“We’re improving Gisborne’s bus network to deliver more and better services and better connect people to more parts of the town.”
Under the proposal, the existing Route 474 would change from being a pre-booked on-demand service to a regular bus service with increased coverage in the new estates.
This route would also integrate with Route 473 Gisborne to Gisborne Station service, creating a new two-way bus loop service covering more of the town and offering flexibility to catch a bus in either direction.
The Bullengrook to Gisborne Town Centre section of the current Route 474 –including Mulgutherie Way – would then be separated and become a new pre-booked fixed timetabled Route 77 Bullengrook to Gisborne Town Centre service that would only run when booked.
Feedback is also being sought on bus travel to and from local schools.
In the 2022/23 Victorian Budget, funding was committed to review and uplift the Gisborne bus network with the new network planned for introduction over the summer of 2024/25.
Improving Gisborne’s bus network is part of Victoria’s Bus Plan to meet demand, enhance accessibility and performance, while delivering value for money for all passengers.
“We want your feedback as we reshape the bus network to better support Gisborne’s growth,” member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas says.