MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has received letters of support from businesses and community associations for its Better Buses campaign – adding to the 1200 written responses received since the launch in August.

As well, 68,000 people have posted content on Facebook and watched videos of peninsula people complaining about the lack of public transport on the peninsula.

The campaign, backed by Mornington Chamber of Commerce, confirms why funding better bus routes and increasing the frequency of buses on the peninsula would benefit residents, businesses and visitors.

A better service would bring more people from the wider Melbourne community to the peninsula’s major precincts for shopping and experiences and u stimulate the local economy. Job applicants without a licence or car would be able to get to the peninsula more easily.

The mayor Cr David Gill said inefficient public transport connections on the peninsula were creating barriers to meaningful employment for many and putting a strain on local businesses. “Having access to reliable, consistent and direct transport could lead to better employment outcomes.”

Business, community and ratepayer groups, including the Dromana Industrial Association, Tyabb and District Ratepayers Group, Nepean Ratepayers Association and Flinders Community Association are among those who have written to support the push for Better Buses.

“A regular cross peninsula bus service would assist the Tyabb community,” Tyabb & District Ratepayers Group secretary Katrina Chalke said. “Currently, travelling to the western side of the peninsula, all bus travel must be via Frankston.”

Nepean Ratepayers Association president Colin Watson said: “Taking a bus instead of driving is currently not an option, as available buses are not frequent enough, are not readily accessible in many areas and do not go where people want to go.”

Flinders Community Association president Jo Monie said: “It is also very difficult to access important medical facilities, such as the Rosebud Hospital, a major supplier of health care on the peninsula.”

Cr Gill said: “We need better buses on the peninsula. The current out-of-date transport network is not working for our young people, the disabled, retirees, workers, parents and visitors. In fact 82 per cent of the Mornington Peninsula has no public transport.”

Members of the community are encouraged to stay involved with the Better Buses campaign. The shire will continue to engage with the community and visitors throughout the summer period, Cr Gill said.

To get involved and to learn more visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/betterbuses.

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 5 November 2019