Harper Sercombe
Greenvale residents have voiced their concerns over a lack of public transport access.
Some estates such as the Aspect estate are reliant on car travel as there is no public transport or even footpaths stretching along Mickleham Road north of Delamore Boulevard.
Greenvale is home to only two bus routes, the 543 and 484, which connect the suburb to Roxburgh Park train station.
However, there is no bus service heading north and south to connect residents with facilities such as the Airport West shopping centre and the Matthews Avenue tram line.
Aspect estate resident and university student Illana Margolis said it is expensive and inconvenient having to travel by car every time she wants to leave her house.
“Public transport would definitely help with the high costs related to driving,” she said.
“A 15 minute drive to the freeway has now turned into almost an hour drive at times and it has has a huge impact on my work and travel.”
Many residents have told Hume councillor Naim Kurt that a new bus route is a necessity for the growing area.
He said the current bus routes do not work for the local community and should be amended.
“The current deregulated bus network has not adequately served our community, and I believe that the state should intervene to rectify the issue of indirect bus routes,” Cr Kurt said.
However, the state government said it is continuing to work with locals to deliver the best solution.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said, “Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs are among some of the fastest growing areas in Victoria, which is why we continuously review the bus network to identify where improvements can be made and make it easier for locals to travel.”
