Residents raise concerns about Indented Head bus stop

CHILDREN’S safety at a bus stop in Indented Head is at the centre of discussions between some of the town’s residents and the Department of Transport.

Local community advocate group Indented Head Bus Safety, formed by resident Tanya King, is asking the Department of Transport to reroute the St Ignatius/St Thomas 1 (SI1) afternoon service to replicate the morning route, while the bus stop opposite Indented Head Post Office (beach side) awaits new infrastructure improvements.

The SI1 bus service, which provides a transport option for Northern Bellarine-based students attending the two schools, runs counterclockwise in the mornings, stopping on the western side of the street in front of the Indented Head Post Office shop on The Esplanade.

Residents are happy with this stop, as it provides ample room for the bus, nearby parking, footpaths and a shelter.

The afternoon service runs clockwise in the opposite direction to the morning service and stops on the eastern side of the street.

This stop, according to the group, is narrow and “only accommodates the bus”, while also having low visibility for drivers approaching the stop from the north due to it being on the rise of the road.

The stop has no footpaths and backs onto the caravan park fence.

Given there is no parking on the beach side of the road, children departing from this stop must cross the road to greet their parents, or parents must cross the road to meet their children while they disembark.

The group, which has been campaigning for the service’s rerout since June, states as many as 25 children depart the stop each school afternoon.

“We are requesting a reversal of the afternoon McHarry’s SI1 school bus service so that the issue of child safety at the eastern Indented Head Post Office stop is eliminated. This solution would be immediate, effective and free.

“Public Transport Victoria must provide a directive to McHarry’s Buslines to reverse the service.

“McHarry’s and Public Transport Victoria have repeatedly refused our request, arguing that the stop is safe enough for our children.”

In response to questions from this newspaper, a Department of Transport spokesperson said “the safety of passengers is our highest priority, and we investigate concerns brought to our attention thoroughly”.

“Students are reminded to wait until the bus departs before starting to cross the road.”

The service also provides transport to students residing in Portarlington and Drysdale, meaning should its route be reversed in the afternoon, it would increase travel time for locals in the two towns travelling home.

Ms King and the group have gathered more than 85 local signatures for a petition asking that their requests are met.

The group is already in conversation with Bellarine MP Alison Marchant about possible solutions, while it awaits response from Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams.