The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe has questioned the Minister for Public Transport, Vicki Ward as to why Shepparton hasn’t received increased public bus transport services that they desperately need.
In questioning the Minister in Parliament, Ms O’Keeffe said it was important with the new Minister in the role to be well informed of the desperate need for increased public bus services and that Infrastructure Victoria last year in its “Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy update”, recommended Shepparton as the number one area in the state, to be provided with more public bus transport services.
“I want to know why that didn’t happen and when will we get the increased public bus services that we desperately need.
“It is astounding that it has been over 18 years since Shepparton has had a bus service review and in this time our region has grown significantly.
“With the recent rollout of the much-needed increased train services on the Shepparton Line, as a region we have also been calling for increased bus transport services.”
Ms O’Keeffe said the lack of public bus transport services continues to be an issue across the electorate.
“This matter continues to be raised by my constituents; people just want to be able to access adequate bus services so that they can get to where they need to go.
“Not everyone has a vehicle or are able to drive. There are no other choices and many of our towns have limited or no bus services.
“It is a matter of urgency for this to be addressed.
“Our region is being left behind under the current system, and this government continues to ignore the impact that this is having on our community.
“A bus service review needs to be undertaken urgently so that people have the bus transport services they need and that services can also link up with the Shepparton Train Station with additional services put on the Shepparton Line.
“Regional Victoria makes up 25 per cent of the state’s population and only the Nationals will ensure that we get our fair share of investment.”
