Campaign shines a light on public transport troubles

Published on 29 August 2024

Nillumbik Shire Council is throwing its support behind a Northern Councils Alliance (NCA) campaign ‘Connecting Melbourne’s North: it’s time to transform our transport’ to shine a light on public transport challenges facing communities in the North.

The campaign is calling for urgent action to improve the region’s public transport system and better connect communities and townships, in an effort to address challenges in accessing jobs, health and education, and increasing social isolation impacting the lives of thousands of residents.

This sentiment rings true for many residents in Nillumbik who face long commute times, or rely heavily on their motor vehicles due to poor public transport options.

Nillumbik Mayor Cr Ben Ramcharan said Council had been calling for the State Government to undertake a Local Area Bus Review across the Northern Metropolitan Partnership Region to help address some of the shortcomings with existing bus services.

“A Local Area Bus Review would help highlight some of the gaps that exist with bus services for communities in Nillumbik and surrounds,” Cr Ramcharan said.

“Some simple changes, such as making bus routes more efficient, more effective coordination of bus and train timetables and greater connectivity across areas, particular for rural communities, could help ensure the diverse transport needs of our community are better supported.”

Cr Ramcharan said buses were an essential service for many people, young and old, who relied on public transport to travel to and from employment, health services and education.

Creating more efficient and reliable bus services will not only help those who rely on public transport to get to where they need to go, but might also encourage more people to use public transport, which will help ease the growing congestion on our roads,” he said.

In addition to Nillumbik’s support for the ‘Connecting Melbourne’s North’ campaign as a member of the Northern Council’s Alliance, Council has also just endorsed an Integrated Transport Strategy, to guide transport planning and advocacy in Nillumbik moving forward.

More information is available at nillumbik.vic.gov.au/ITS