After concerned students in Kilmore and Broadford recently expressed their concerns over the local bus link timetable, The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, called on the Minister for Public and Active Transport to review the current schedule.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Cleeland said the current timetable failed to align with local train times at Kilmore East train station, often resulting in Broadford Secondary College students being forced to wait up to an hour for the link bus at the poorly sheltered station.
“This bus service is meant to be a convenient way to connect passengers from the Kilmore East train station to the town centre, but students from Project Ready recently highlighted the impact the lack of alignment is having,” Ms Cleeland said.
“While waiting for the bus to arrive, groups of students are left to wait at a station that only has a two-seat shelter for all passengers for up to an hour each day.
“A review of this service would ensure these students are not missing out on class time and are not left stranded at the station for extended periods.”
Ms Cleeland also praised the Project Ready program and the opportunity it was providing to local students.
“Project Ready is an outstanding initiative of the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network that is helping students transition from secondary school to work or further education, and one of their priorities is to advocate for improved public transport in the region,” Ms Cleeland said.
Ms Cleeland has also been advocating for more train services across the region, calling for more V/Line options for those using the North East Line between Albury and Melbourne.
Meetings are expected to begin with the Minister in the coming weeks, with several of the region’s public transport issues to be raised.
