Regional towns in Victoria are having their bus networks reviewed and updated. However, Greater Shepparton is yet to be considered.
It’s been 15 years since Greater Shepparton’s bus network has been reviewed, but growth in the population has sparked calls for one — and a potential upgrade.
Youth, the elderly and people with disabilities often don’t have access to different forms of transport, and can face social exclusion without public transport services that don’t meet their needs.
The infrequent public transport services have also resulted in residents walking long distances to their centres of religious worship on the weekend.
Towns in Greater Shepparton, such as Mooroopna and Tatura, currently have limited and infrequent bus services that restrict opportunities for residents to visit Shepparton for shopping and medical purposes and limit tourism from Shepparton into surrounding towns.
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell last week called on Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams to initiate a review of current bus services within Greater Shepparton, focusing on frequency, location, accessibility and consistency of services.
“It’s clear that the bus network in the Greater Shepparton region does not adequately cater for the area’s growing and diverse community,” Ms Lovell said in parliament.
“When the state government released its 2021 bus plan, Labor declared that it was committed to delivering bus services that better match public transport needs.
“The minister needs to back up that statement by conducting a proper review of the Greater Shepparton bus network.”