MEDICAL STUDENTS AND LOCAL WORKERS could be the big winners if a proposal to extend Bendigo's Route 63 bus so it runs between La Trobe University and Bendigo Hospital via Bendigo Station on weekdays is green-lighted, as outlined by a Victorian Government initiative launched today.
This would give people access to Bendigo Hospital by bus every 30 minutes from Bendigo Station and strengthen the links between two important education and health hubs for medical students and local workers, it’s claimed.
The idea forms part of a raft of similar innovative bus-transport strategies for the area, with the Andrews Labor Government inviting Heathcote, Axedale, Knowsley and Junortoun residents to have their say on proposed changes to the Heathcote-Junortoun-Bendigo bus service – including a brand-new Saturday bus.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan MP, today announced the start of consultation on the proposed new bus services and the two bus route options being considered.
The proposal would introduce three return bus services between Heathcote, Junortoun and Bendigo Station on Saturdays for the first time, as well as five return trips each weekday.
The changes would improve local transport options on Saturdays and simplify the weekday timetable by making it consistent Monday to Friday, it’s stated.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, said: “We’re working with Junortoun, Axedale, Knowsley and Heathcote locals to make sure bus services are an attractive and convenient option for travel to and from Bendigo.”
“Introducing bus services on Saturdays for the first time will give locals extra transport options to get to the hospital, education services and the shops on the weekend.”
Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes MP, added: “I encourage local residents to join in the consultation process to ensure they have input into the service they want.”
The first option would see the bus travel to and from Heathcote and Bendigo Station via McIvor Forest Drive, Strath Village Shopping Centre and La Trobe University, while the second option would travel to and from Heathcote direct to Bendigo Station via McIvor Forest Drive and McIvor Highway.
Information sessions will be held by Transport for Victoria in Junortoun on 19 April from 4pm – 7pm and Heathcote from 4pm – 7pm on 18 April to give people a chance to talk to transport planners and provide feedback on the options.
The new services will be introduced late 2018 after all feedback has been considered.
For more information and to have your say on the route options go to: getinvolved.transport.vic.gov.au/heathcote-junortoun, or call 1800 800 007 before Monday 30 April.