Students to benefit from new Broome town bus trial

23/6/06

Broome's town bus service will be expanded on a trial basis to cater for demand from local school students.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said two new routes would be launched next month.

"This follows approaches to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) by Broome Senior High School principal Gary Downsborough, as well as a large number of students," Ms MacTiernan said.

The Minister said the routes and scheduling of the new services were still being finalised.

"It is likely one bus will provide a service to Broome SHS from the Sunset Rise and Roebuck area and the second will come from Cable Beach and old Broome.

"Each service will enable students to get to school using the State Government's new student 50 cent fare.

"The services will be provided by a local bus contractor who already works with the PTA's Regional Town Bus Services (RTBS) division.

"If the trials are successful, with sustained good patronage, the arrangement could flow through to a new full town bus service and the school services will continue."

Kimberley MLA Carol Martin welcomed the decision, which she said reflected the extent of growth in Broome and the difficulty children had getting to school.

"The matter was discussed at length within the school community," Ms Martin said.

"Student opinions were sought and I understand about 70 of them lobbied the PTA.

"A survey to assess the viability of a school service found a trial was warranted."

Ms Martin said an RTBS representative would visit Broome soon to liaise with the contractor, local council, the school and its students and other stakeholders."

Ms MacTiernan said the new services should be in operation for the start of the third term on July 25.