TRANSPORT Minister Melissa Horne says any major overhaul to Ballarat's bus system would likely wait until works on the city's new interchange are complete. Minister Horne flagged bus interchange upgrades should be finished by the year's end.
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This comes after City of Ballarat called on the state government for an urgent overhaul to the city's bus network to create a more integrated system, to entice more users and for more direct cross-city services.
Cross-city bus routes are the key feature of a Public Transport Users Association proposal in October. PTUA Ballarat convener Ben Lever said it was great to have the City pushing for bus changes, particularly amid increasing pressure on parking at stations and across the city's centre.
But Mr Lever said it made sense to fix the system, and improve the network's good features, after the interchange and ensure a viable alternative to driving. He said PTUA's proposal works on using the new interchange.
"Implementing these kinds of changes doesn't happen overnight - from detailed design work, to community consultation, to procuring new buses and hiring and training new drivers, it can take a few months," Mr Lever said.
The government really needs to commit to making these changes and start planning them as soon as possible, so they have everything ready to go once the bus interchange is finished.
Minister Horne said she welcomed council feedback for more practical routes and bus use but it was important to wait for the interchange to be operational before major changes came into play.
"What that will do is have the interchange done so that can be that catalyst for improving services," Minister Horne said. "We've got new services coming on too with the timetable on the train line. We've just gone through the budget where we've got $340 million for new Velocitys which will go on the Ballarat Geelong and north-east line.
Transport's a jigsaw puzzle and having all of those different factors in place to make sure we've got the best services and more services for passengers is critical.
- Transport Minister Melissa Horne
PTUA called for cross-town bus routes in Ballarat, offering a similar service to Melbourne's tram network, in a proposal released in October. PTUA suggested three SmartBus routes running to higher frequencies, particularly in matching plans for more frequent train services to Melbourne.
Minister Horne was in Ballarat to inspect the first of 50 buses being assembled in OzPress Industries' Wendouree base. OzPress managing director Luke Dwyer said the investment helped to secure the company's future in a transition out of the automotive industry.
Ballarat-built buses are part of a $16 million state government bus order for the Melbourne fleet. A further 50 buses are being built in Dandenong.
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