Local residents of Harmony Retirement Village have been forced to walk up to a kilometre to catch a bus, after the Zurcas Lane, Shepparton bus stop was closed without warning in May last year.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, wrote to the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams back in September this year, requesting that the Minister re-opens the bus stop.
Ms O’Keeffe said that for many years the Bus Route 7 would make a stop right outside Harmony Village, where there is a purpose-built bus shelter and was frequently used by many residents, who caught the bus as their main form of transport.
In addition to Harmony Village, the East Shepparton Bowls Club is also in Zurcas Lane, where members were able to catch the bus right to the clubs’ entrance.
“For many years this has been a well utilised bus stop by the community with no issues and all of a sudden it is shut down without any consideration or transport alternatives for those who use the bus service.
“Public transport plays a critical role as an affordable means of transport and it defies logic as to why this stop has been shut down,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
Ms O’Keeffe has also called on the Minister for a bus review of Shepparton.
“It has been 15 years since we have had a bus review and during that time our region has grown and has highlighted the need for future bus services.
“Dysons Bus Company in Shepparton have also shared their frustration, as they see firsthand the need for extended bus services.
“Rather than taking services away, the Minister should be acknowledging the increased transport needs in our region. A bus review would highlight the current extreme transport shortfall.”
There is currently an active petition requesting the Victorian Government to undertake an extensive bus service review for Shepparton and surrounds and can be accessed via the link below:
https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/shepparton-bus-service-review