Olinda Community House’s Carol Hoskins with Monbulk MP James Merlino welcomes a new bus service from Olinda to Monbulk. 48989
By Tania Martin
HILLS shoppers and tourists will soon find it easier to travel between Olinda and Monbulk with the launch of a new bus route.
Monbulk MP James Merlino announced the new service on Wednesday 17 June but has warned residents it was only on a 12-month trial.
He said it was now up to locals to use the service to ensure it was put on permanently.
The new route 696 will start in August and run every hour, Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm.
It will pick up passengers near Ridge Road in Olinda and travel along Olinda-Monbulk Road to Main Road in Monbulk.
Mr Merlino said the new bus route was an addition to the extended services announced as part of the Knox/Maroondah/Yarra Ranges Bus Review in April.
Eastern Transport Coalition chairwoman and Yarra Ranges’ councillor Samantha Dunn said the new bus was fantastic news.
She said the Olinda to Monbulk corridor had been one of the many missing links in the area’s transport infrastructure.
“It will give more options for tourists to utilise public transport facilities along that road,” she said.
“It’s one of the roads that has no transport along there… it’s fantastic to hear this is going to happen.”
Olinda Community House administration co-ordinator Carol Hoskins said the new service would also allow more people to access classes.
Mr Merlino said the service would be a great addition to public transport in the Dandenongs.
“Although Olinda residents already have bus connections to Mt Dandenong and Belgrave, they have previously had to jump in the car to get to nearby Monbulk,” he said.
“It will be a great option for Olinda residents who want to go shopping in Monbulk and Monbulk residents who want to travel to Olinda.”
Mr Merlino said catching a bus would now also be a viable option for tourists visiting the area.
Cr Dunn said the biggest challenge now was getting the message out there for people to use the service.
Route maps and timetables will be available in August by contacting Metlink on 131 638, or visiting www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
