Plan for Anglesea bus trial seeks feedback

A GROUP of Anglesea residents driving a campaign for a permanent bus service between Anglesea and Waurn Ponds is calling on people to have their say on the proposal.

The Anglesea Public Transport Action Group (ApTAG) has invited residents and visitors to complete a survey on a proposed bus trial that would travel from Anglesea to Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre via Bellbrae, Freshwater Creek and Waurn Ponds Railway Station.

ApTAG member Lynn Bunning said survey data will be used in funding applications for a trial of the bus service.

“We’re hoping the trial would start this year and run seven days a week, departing Anglesea at 9.30am and leaving Waurn Ponds around 2.30pm.

“It would enable people to go to the railway station and onto Melbourne to see a show or for a specialist appointment.

“People can also travel to Waurn Ponds for speciality shops and services, to go to the cinema, or to visit the Leisurelink complex for fitness or library services.”

Data from the trial will be presented to Transport for Victoria.

“We anticipate that the data will reflect the need for a regular and direct bus service between the Anglesea area and Waurn Ponds,” Ms Bunning said.

“It’s important to note that the proposed trial will not replace or duplicate the existing V/Line bus service that stops in Anglesea on the way to Geelong via Torquay.”

Anglesea Ward councillor Libby Coker praised ApTAG for taking a lead role in the campaign.

“It’s fantastic to see local people who want to drive change to benefit the wider community,” she said.

“As a council, we are committed to advocating for better public transport and investigating transport that will better connect communities.

To complete the survey, head to surveymonkey.com/r/bustrial or pick one up from the Anglesea Post Office. The survey closes on February 28.

The trial is being investigated through the shire’s Community Project Development program, which supports people to develop their project ideas.

If people have a project idea and would like council assistance, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/communityprojectproposals.