A proposed expansion of Stawell public transport could increase the inter-town V/Line service bus network.
Sandlants Coach Tours owner Graeme Sandlant submitted a plan to Public Transport Victoria following a review to upgrade services at Stawell and the district in 2010.
The regional network development plan gave permission to revisit and enhance the review in 2015.
Public Transport Victoria, Sandlant, Northern Grampians Shire Council and other business operators identified a need for worker, inter-regional and inter-state services, area penetration and timetable span.
Mr Sandlant said the visionary Stawell 2016 Network Transport Plan would be a game changer.
“It focuses into the 21st century for jobs and growth, regional public transport and tourism and is also proactive in introducing NDIS Disability servicing,” he said.
The proposal also identified a need for new areas to access medical and health services, shop, recreation facilities, railway station and elderly residents at Eventide Homes.
“As the responsible accredited licensed passenger transport service provider in the Northern Grampians Shire my challenge is to ensure that appropriate public passenger transport services are available to local, visitors and tourists to help get them where they need to go,” Mr Sandlant said.
“The revised plan to the 2010 review has been submitted and is presently a work in progress with Public Transport Victoria planning officers.”
Northern Grampians Shire Councillor Karen Hyslop said Stawell’s public transport system was not up to scratch and needed an urgent service upgrade.
“Buses do not go past the hospital which is a bit of an issue and makes it harder for the elderly and disabled,” she said.
“It would be better if there were more buses going to Halls Gap and doing a circle there rather than having one destination point.
“The Sandlant Stawell 2016 Network Transport Plan sounds great if it is implemented and would benefit many transport users.”
