HOBSONS Bay Council and residents have slammed the cancellation of two bus services following Sunday’s opening of the Williams Landing railway station.
The council said the cancellation of the 413 and 416 routes between Laverton and Hoppers Crossing would worsen traffic congestion and limit access to Aviation Road and Aircraft station in Laverton.
Cr Luba Grigorovitch said the state government had identified Werribee East as a potential jobs hub with up to 50,000 positions — but would now be without a direct link from Hobsons Bay.
“Many residents in the western end of Hobsons Bay depend on public transport to access vital community services, including medical services, and I would hate to see anyone left stranded by these bus cuts,” she said.
Ilavenil Arumugam and his wife Ramya Rangasamy said they chose their house because it was near bus stops on Sneydes Road, serviced by the 416 bus from Laverton to Hoppers Crossing.
Mr Arumugam said the changes meant his family had to walk more than a kilometre to catch a bus then travel up to 40 minutes to reach Hoppers Crossing station. The journey used to take up to 20 minutes.
Cr Colleen Gates said Laverton, Seabrook and Altona Meadows residents should not be disadvantaged by the opening of Williams Landing.
“The cancellation of bus routes 413 and 416 means that there will no longer be direct bus connectivity for Seabrook and Laverton residents to Aircraft station and the Aviation Road shopping precinct.
“We’re concerned this will place additional strain on the sustainability of the shopping centre and accessibility for those with mobility issues who use the bus connection between Laverton and Aircraft to access the train network when the lifts are not working.”
