Schoolchildren in Laverton may still have to catch two buses and a train to school, despite proposed new bus networks for Seabrook, Altona Meadows and Laverton.
And some Laverton residents will still have to catch a bus to Laverton railway station and then a train to Aircraft station to visit their supermarket or medical centre after their direct bus service was cancelled in April last year.
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) will hold community consultation this month to discuss proposed new bus routes.
Hobsons Bay deputy mayor Colleen Gates said the proposed changes were a big win for commuters south of the rail line at Laverton, given the off-peak extension of the 496 bus service to Aircraft station and Aviation Road shops.
But Cr Gates said it was disappointing to see no change to services north of the rail line in Laverton.
“It would be preferable to also see the 414 service extended to Aircraft station in off-peak periods,” she said.
“This would afford Laverton residents direct access to their closest shopping precinct at Aviation Road or the option to catch trains from Aircraft station in the event the lifts are not working at Laverton station.
“A number of residents in this area who rely on public transport are elderly or have mobility concerns and are unable to use the stairs at Laverton station to change buses or use the trains. These people remain somewhat isolated.”
Cr Gates said schoolchildren in Laverton or Tarneit who may need to cross suburbs to access Laverton P-12 College or Westbourne Grammar would need up to two buses and a train to get to school.
She said it was disappointing a bus link on the northern side of the rail line between Laverton and newer estates in Tarneit and Truganina had not been reinstated, while the purpose of a new 153 service that travelled the same route as the train line was unclear.
PTV spokeswoman Helen Witton said the proposed new bus network would benefit Hobsons Bay and Wyndham residents.
“The new network will mean more destinations available for Seabrook and northern Altona Meadows residents without having to change buses, including to the Point Cook town centre, Hoppers Crossing station and the Aircraft station shops during off-peak periods,” she said.
PTV will hold an information session at Laverton Hub from 4-7pm on September 11.
Information on these sessions, maps and an online survey are available at ptv.vic.gov.au/wyndham2015.
