CAMPAIGNERS staging a protest this week at Parliament House over bus cuts face a telling hurdle – some can’t make it because there are no longer buses to transport them.
The rally at Parliament is expected to attract up to 100 protesters, but others can’t make it, says campaigner Helen Said. The group wants to meet Transport Minister Terry Mulder after the protest at 1pm on Thursday but he has so far declined. Ms Said, of the Bring Back the Buses Action Group, said it was ironic that cuts to buses in the north would prevent people from protesting because the 15-minute walk to the nearest public transport was too much for the elderly or disabled.
“We are demanding that the state government reinstate buses, including the 563 and 571 bus services in Epping, Mill Park and Bundoora, the 561 bus stops in the East Reservoir housing estate and Westfield Plenty Valley services,” she said.
“We also call for a moratorium on the removal of the 509 bus service in Brunswick.” She said the group had support from Darebin Progress Association and bus campaigners from Moreland.
– Sue Hewitt
