Public transport under the microscope

A STUDY will be conducted across Golden Plains Shire with the aim of identifying gaps in needs of public transport in the region.

The Shire will contribute $10,000 and just over $30,000 in-kind for the transport connections study, to be matched by just over $40,000 from the Department of Transport for the project.

“Council is pleased to partner with the Victorina Government on this project and is excited to move forward with the Golden Plains transport connections study, which will investigate the transport needs of our Shire and determine council’s future approaches to advocating for improved options,” mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said.

Research will begin in the first half of next year and will include data collection, engagement with stakeholders of transport services, user demographics, journey purposes, costs and barriers to the service.

“Undertaking a Shire-wide study is a commitment in our Council Plan 2021-2025 and complements the Golden Plains community bus trial which has run from July to December in the north and south of the Shire,” Cr Gamble said.

“The data and feedback from service users and residents will inform council’s community transport study in 2022.”

The community bus trial will end next Thursday, with available still open for next Tuesday’s service.

The trial has seen free services provided in Teesdale, Inverleigh, Shelford, Bannockburn and Batesford travel to and from the Geelong Waterfront on Tuesdays, and services in Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale to and from Delacombe Town Centre and Stockland Wendouree in Ballarat on Thursdays.

The project has been funded by the State Government with sponsorship from Buninyong and District Community Bank.