New expanded Tuesday public bus service to return to Geraldton

10/10/94

A new and expanded Tuesday public bus service returns to Geraldton after an absence of six months.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said in Geraldton today that reinstatement of the Tuesday service was one of several initiatives taken by the Government to enhance the city's public bus operations and encourage greater patronage.

Mr Charlton said the enhancements fell into three categories:

·       provision of a service on Tuesdays, beginning in November, to replace that previously operated under sponsorship to a local supermarket;

·       the inclusion of some residential areas not previously serviced - Mahomats Flats and parts of Utakarra and Waggarakine; and -

·       the introduction of a late afternoon service on Thursday and Friday about 4.30 - 5 pm to provide for Pensioner League meetings, activities at the QEll Centre and give shoppers and people with medical appointments greater flexibility.

The service changes will be introduced about November.

Mr Charlton said the Government provided an annual subsidy of $71,000 to the company, Geraldton Bus Service.  The additional cost to the Government for providing the service improvements would be $35,000 per annum.

The Minister had the Department of Transport review Geraldton's bus services following an approach from National Party MLC, Murray Criddle.

"The resultant changes have the support of Mr Criddle and Member for Geraldton Bob Bloffwitch, who was also keen to see some enhancements," Mr Charlton said.

"Parliamentarians, the Geraldton Mid-West Development Commission, local government and community representatives have been consulted.

"I realised from the outset that any improvements to the service would cost the Government money through additional subsidies.

"However, I was keen to ensure that as far as possible the legitimate requirements of the community were met.

"The current service caters for a population of about 22,000 in built up residential areas, and last year carried a total of nearly 33,000 passengers.

"Because of the rapid residential growth pattern in Geraldton-Greenough, services will continue to be evaluated in the future to determine the need for any further expansion.

"These enhancements make public bus transport more easily accessible to a wider population."

The service details will be publicised in the local media and through the distribution of a new timetable.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333