PRESSURE is building on the state government to improve bus links through Point Cook with last week’s budget failing to earmark money for more services.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland has warned that without additional bus services, the new Williams Landing train station could be plagued with the same problems facing South Morang in Melbourne’s north-east.
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In its first week, South Morang station struggled to meet demand, its 450-space car park filled by 7.30am and overloaded connecting buses leaving would-be passengers stranded in the afternoon.
Ms Hartland wants Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder to ensure buses have a seamless connection with trains, saying it would help fill Point Cook’s “public transport black hole”.
Western Metropolitan Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said new bus routes would be drawn up by the time the station was completed.
“When it comes down to it, we’ve got a new station that’s going to have a very good connection to Point Cook via the Palmers Road bridge and, certainly, have a bus service provided to it,” he said.
“I’ve heard there are plans already in the works, but it would be putting the cart before the horse to provide buses beforehand if they’re not connected to trains.”
Point Cook Action Group chairman Bernard Reilly said the group wants Public Transport Victoria to improve timetables for Hoppers Crossing-Laverton bus routes which run at 40-minute intervals.
It has also lobbied for the Mordialloc-Altona SmartBus route to extend through Wyndham.
Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said frequent bus services from Point Cook’s main roads to Williams Landing station were key to cutting vehicle numbers in the congested morning peak.
A spokesman for Public Transport Victoria said community views would be considered in planning future projects in the area.
