Major upgrade following review of Bunbury region bus services

12/1/04

Bus services in the greater Bunbury area are to be significantly upgraded later this month.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said in Bunbury today the upgrade was the result of a State Government review carried out in the second half of last year by the Public Transport Authority and Bunbury City Transit, which ran the service under an arrangement with the PTA.

"The previous Labor Government introduced the service in 1986, as part of its Bunbury 2000 commitment," Ms MacTiernan said.

"Bunbury City Transit has been providing Bunbury regional town services since then.

"As part of the Government's commitment to improve public transport in the region, this major review was aimed at making the service simpler, more attractive, easier to use and better co-ordinated.

"It also sought to address the evolving needs of new and existing residential developments in the area."

Features of the changes, which come into effect from Monday, January 19, include:

• the co-ordination of bus services from both Australind and Eaton to the Bunbury Health Campus, Edith Cowan University and TAFE;
• the introduction of new services to Kingston and Dalyellup Beach;
• the introduction of more direct and regular services for the majority of passengers;
• the extension of Saturday services to a full-day service with some services operating on Thursday evenings; and
• a facility by which passengers can signal drivers so as to be able to board and alight from buses between bus stops - as long as it is safe to do so - in both Australind and Eaton.

"The changes reflect the State Government and PTA's commitment to providing growing regional areas with a comprehensive bus service," Ms MacTiernan said.

"It is for the same reason that, for the first time, Western Australia now has an agency - the Public Transport Authority, dedicated to overseeing all of the State's public transport services.

"The creation of a single public transport agency in June last year is resulting in more effective, better co-ordinated services for existing passengers and potential new users."

Ms MacTiernan said Bunbury had been experiencing rapid urban growth in recent years, increasing the demand for public transport.

"These service changes have been developed to serve the growing community," she said.

Another key objective of the service review was to encourage new users.

"The introduction of more direct services will reduce journey times, thereby making public transport a more attractive option," the Minister said.

A public awareness campaign to inform residents of the changes involved:

• community information sessions at the Eaton Square and Centrepoint shopping centres;
• advertising in local newspapers and on buses;
• development and distribution of an information brochure;
• electronic service information and PDF timetables on the following websites:
  - Bunbury City Transit
  - City of Bunbury
  - Shire of Harvey, Dardanup and Capel
  - Edith Cowan University, Bunbury.
   

New timetables will be available from January 12, and can be obtained by telephoning BCT on 9791 1955. Alternatively, they will be available from:

Eaton Fair Lottery Centre and News
Australind News
Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre
Bunbury Health Campus
South West College of TAFE
Edith Cowan University
Central Bus Station.