By Peter Douglas
A dial-a-bus service and streamlined, bi-directional routes may revolutionise public transport within the Yarra Ranges.
After months of planning, hills-based group DirectLinx has unveiled its proposed bus network plan, which will next month be presented to Deputy Premier James Merlino and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan.
The plan includes 19 stops in total, with five planned for the Yarra Valley and 14 in the Dandenong Ranges.
The plan comprises a mix of 14 stops that are directly connected to the network, with a further five offering a lesser ‘pass-through’ service.
The proposed routes are bidirectional, meaning a streamlined service that allows users to better dictate their own movements, rather than the other way around.
DirectLinx, along with Yarra Ranges Shire councillor Mike Clarke, flagged a new bus network in late 2015, citing frustrations with the present service.
While only the route has been released, the group is also known to be pushing a shift towards a solar or electric bus service.
Cr Clarke said the present service was inefficient, under-utilised and not cost effective for taxpayers.
In a DirectLinx video released to promote their work, Cr Clarke spoke about the perceived issues.
“The problem with the buses in the Dandenong Ranges is they are going on … routes which don’t help people to get to where they want to go,” he said.
“As a consequence, the buses are largely empty, or have one or two people on them, and they are costing the taxpayer.
“My idea is to run smaller buses, minibuses of 15-20 people that run point-to-point between two centres.”
The proposed network provides access to major rail stations within the Yarra Ranges, including Lilydale, Boronia, Ringwood, Belgrave, Tecoma, Upwey and Upper Ferntree Gully stations.
Cr Clarke told the ‘Mail’ there had been much community support for a change in approach to public transport in the Yarra Ranges.
“The present system is causing unnecessary isolation in the community,” he said.
“We’re looking for a purposeful, meaningful plan that will create a better service for the region.”
Proposed Yarra Valley stops:
* Warburton, Healesville, Yarra Glen, Lilydale and Coldstream (pass-through stop).
Proposed Dandenong Ranges stops:
* Network stops: Monbulk, Mount Evelyn, Montrose, Olinda, Sherbrooke, Upper Ferntree Gully, Belgrave, South Belgrave, Emerald. Pass-through stops: The Patch, Kallista, Tecoma, Upwey, Sassafras.
