MEDIA RELEASE 16 DECEMBER 2024
Over recent months LeadWest has been campaigning for better bus services in Melbourne’s west and has been calling for a major overhaul of the state’s bus network urging State Government to prioritise Melbourne’s west.
LeadWest has met with many MPs and State Government Ministers and shared concerns about the need for improved transport services as a high priority for people living in the west. LeadWest highlighted that the west experiences challenges in equitable access to bus services.
LeadWest has welcomed the Allan Government’s recent announcement of an additional 15 new school bus specials in Melbourne’s growth areas.
From January 2025 students in Mt Atkinson and Deanside will benefit from six new school specials servicing Mt Atkinson Estate, Grandview Estate, Olivia Estate and Deanside. This will support students attending Rockbank Primary, Brookside P-9, Yarrabing Secondary College, Lakeview Senior College, Deanside Primary School and Springside West Secondary College.
Melton students attending Stoughton College will also benefit from six new school specials rolling out in 2025.
Point Cook students will get a new school special in Term 2 giving Sanctuary Lakes students more public transport options to Homestead Senior Secondary College, Alamanda K-9 College and Saltwater P-9 College.
LeadWest believes an improved bus network across the west is critical to improving accessibility to education and services, not just for students, but for all residents in the growth areas. Improved school services in the West will give much needed benefits for parents and students.
While additional school bus services are a great outcome for students living in Melton and Point Cook, there are more schools in Melbourne’s west that require such services. We will continue our advocacy for these schools and to ensure that more is achieved for the whole of Melbourne’s west, including services to help residents reach their places of employment.
Quotes attributable to Councillor Dr Phillip Zada, Chair, LeadWest
“The new school bus services in Melton and Point Cook are welcomed and will make a positive difference to students and parents living in those growth areas. New school bus services provide a viable and cost-effective option to private vehicles and will reduce traffic congestion.”
“Rapid growth in Melbourne’s west has left communities without adequate bus services as bus route and service provision has not increased in-line with population and job growth.”
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