Bendigo Business Council supports a Bendigo city centre bus shuttle.
Posted by Kevin de Vries | 03/09/2009
Bendigo Business Council supports a Bendigo city centre bus shuttle.
The Bendigo Business Council believes that the establishment of a Bendigo city centre shuttle bus should be explored and developed without delay.
BBC Executive Officer Kevin de Vries said today “Recent discussions about traffic flows in Mitchell Street highlight the need to effectively move people around the centre of our city. This is an opportunity to establish a Bendigo CBD shuttle or circuit bus that would reduce passenger vehicle movements, improve traffic flows and provide substantial community benefits.”
“A shuttle bus following a circuit route from the railway station to the hospital and back again would have benefits for those who visit, work, shop and study in Bendigo” Mr de Vries said. “This shuttle could serve shoppers, employees, tourists, hospital staff and patients, rail commuters, students and visitors to sporting and arts facilities.”
“The idea of a city shuttle or circuit bus has been discussed several times over the past decade. It was mentioned in the CBD car parking strategy of 2008 and it is now time to seriously advance the idea. Melbourne has a both a free bus and a free tram route, Perth has three free CBD buses. As Bendigo evolves as a modern growing regional centre we must investigate a circuit bus route for our city.”
“A study into a circuit bus would need to determine the best route for a service. For example a bus could travel from Railway station to the hospital via the CBD, library and BRIT. It could return via Barnard and View Streets, serving sporting, arts and cultural facilities. Such a study would also investigate how it could be funded and best promoted. Partnerships between Local and State governments would be anticipated.”
Mr de Vries rejected calls for the return of trams to the city. “Buses are far more versatile, less costly and arguably greener than trams. There may be a romantic attachment to trams, but less initial investment and infrastructure is required for a bus service. A city circuit bus could be developed more quickly and with far less disruption than a tram service. It’s time to give a Bendigo circuit bus serious consideration.”
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