OCEAN Grove residents are being urged to join forces with their neighbours across the bridge in a bid to improve alternative transport options.
The Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads organizers of a community forum being held at Barwon Heads Community Hall on Saturday say that joining forces will deliver a strong message to State Government which has allocated $88million in Transport Funding Relief for the improvement of public transport (including bus services) for the Geelong region.
Residents of the two towns are encouraged to attend and consider “issues of concern, possible solutions to public transport services and alternative transport options for our region”, said Jan Testro of the Barwon Heads Association.
Jan said issues up for debate include a new central bus interchange in Moorabool Street, Geelong, streamlining timetables, routes and centralizing destinations, developing an Ocean Grove / Barwon Heads town bus system, developing an Ocean Grove bus interchange (possibly at the corner of the Terrace & Hodgson St or in the vicinity of Market Place, Ocean Grove/ Collendina), designing more direct routes for some bus services (peak times), reviewing bus stops in the region and scheduling bus timetables to tie in with new train timetables.
Jan added that McHarry’s bus company had already recognized the need to increase bus facilities at Market Place and there are ongoing talks about facilities for Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre.
Ocean Grove Community Association chairman Michael Harbour said: “Even though Ocean Grove is described as urban and Barwon Heads is more like a village, there are still a lot of synergies between the towns.
“It (the forum) is not just about public transport, it’s about alternative modes of transport.”
A survey on McHarry’s bus services between Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads and Geelong is also being circulated prior to the meeting. The initial results will be reported at the forum although those attending will get a chance to submit their views. The results will eventually be handed to McHarry’s.
The Department of Transport’s regional manager for Geelong Richard Sloan has also indicated to the organizers that he would welcome feedback from the forum.
The Public Transport on the Bellarine Peninsula Community Forum will be held on Saturday March 28 at Barwon Heads Community Hall, Hitchcock Avenue, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
One Comment
have more sheepwash estate extensions last one 3.21pm to geelong.connections wait one hour for next one the 4.32pm to ocean grove to the terrace arrives 4.45pm.to barwon heads at 4.55pm do not have enough time only ten minute gap to do things.the 1.25pm from barwon heads be extended to daylight saving.vline train connections not good arrives geelong 11.am if it is late have to wait 1.30pm for the next bus to barwon heads unless you do things in geelong have sufficient time for the bus to arrive.