BUS ROUTE REVAMP VITAL FOR GEELONG’S CBD

THE online article in the Saturday edition of the Addy featured comments I made about the lack of a solution for bus routes in Geelong. All transport, including buses and other public transport, is the State Government’s responsibility and we’ve been long seeking answers.

My comments relate to congestion on Malop St, including that current bus routes don’t allow for full implementation of the Green Spine between Gheringhap and Moorabool streets. Existing bus routes restrict any build in the next stage to a realignment of paving on the northern side, and prevent inclusion of bike lanes and continuation of the eightmetre wide botanic walk on the southern side.

This stage cannot progress until the bus route issue is resolved.

The response from Lisa Neville, member for Bellarine, included a “reminder” to me that council recently rejected the Transport Network Operating Plan (TNOP), which Ms Neville described as “a transport and bus plan”. That is blatantly incorrect as the TNOP excluded buses and did not look at the big picture, which is a key reason for council rejecting it.

A transport plan for Geelong CBD, indeed the whole region, is desperately needed and must include buses.

For most of the region, particularly Lisa’s own Bellarine electorate, there is simply no other form of transport available. Even alternative transport such as cycling is not a safe option, which is why council has developed a shared trails master plan. This aims to link the shared off-road path network to provide a healthy commuting alternative to cars while we wait for better public transport infrastructure.

I look forward to State Government releasing the funds, finally providing this “imminent” bus solution and finishing the Green Spine.

Cr Stephanie Asher,

Mayor, City of Greater Geelong