Three new bus routes are set to be introduced to public transport-starved Epping North and Wollert.
Public Transport Victoria announced last week the three routes it is proposing as replacements for the existing 575 route.
Residents who bought in Wollert and Epping North housing estates have campaigned for years to get bus services out to the bus stops developers built years ago, which have never been put to use. The 575 route services Epping North to Thomastown, leaving swathes of Epping North and Wollert without access to public transport.
The proposed new routes are 356 from Wollert East to Epping station, 357 from Wollert West to Thomastown, and 358 from Wollert to Epping station.
The changes are designed to link Epping North and Wollert residents to Epping station, Epping Plaza and the Northern Hospital. Buses will run every 20 minutes in peak times on weekdays and every 40 minutes off-peak.
On the current 575 route, morning peak buses run at 7am, 7.33am, 7.55am and 8.45am from Harvest Home Road.
Aurora Community Association executive committee member Cara Horner said the group met Mill Park MP Lily D’Ambrosio last year to discuss new routes.
She said she was heartened to see their input had been taken on board.
“It’s great to see the western part of Aurora Estate now serviced as well as Summer Hill in the north,” she said.
“Services deeper into Wollert in Eucalypt are also welcome as this area is very isolated. I think the three new services will help our community and it’s great to have a service running along Miller Street.”
Association president Steven Boyne said his only concern was the proposed services’ 40-minute frequency in off-peak times, which he thought was too infrequent.
PTV will hold three feedback sessions – September 10 (4-7pm) at Pacific Shopping Plaza; September 12 (10am-12pm) at Eucalypt Community Market; and September 14 (6-8pm) at Epping Secondary College.
For people unable to attend, feedback can be made online – getinvolved.ptv.vic.gov.au/new-bus-network-for-epping-north-and-wollert – before September 27.
To see the new routes, go to www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getinvolved
