Support for push to resurrect Leeman-Perth bus service

14/3/95

Transport Minister Eric Charlton is supporting a push by coastal communities north of Perth to resurrect the Leeman to Perth bus service.

Following a meeting in Jurien last Thursday (March 9) between Mr Charlton, the Dandaragan Shire and community groups, a committee was formed to liaise with the Department of Transport to reinstitute the bus service as quickly as possible.

The committee will develop a management and marketing plan over the next few weeks, and Mr Charlton said it was hoped expressions of interest to operate the service could be sought soon after.

It is proposed the bus service will link the coastal communities of Leeman, Greenhead, Jurien and Cervantes with Perth and Midland, replacing an earlier similar service which ceased about nine months ago.

"Community groups have identified a need for the reintroduction of this service, possibly running each Friday and Monday," Mr Charlton said.

"Unfortunately, local people did not fully recognise the importance of the former service and the reliance they had on it until after it closed about the middle of last year. Now they want to pool their resources to get it back.

"Local communities see the potential for success this time around in the proper promotion of the service, with tourism as a focus."

Mr Charlton, who is a National Party MLC for the Agricultural Region, said the Department of Transport would assist in setting up the service which would be managed and promoted by the local communities.

It would provide a means of travel for elderly people visiting relatives in Perth or attending medical appointments, school students, student campers and backpackers.

"The key to success will be the level of determination by local people to make the service work," Mr Charlton said.

"Thursday's meeting showed that local community groups are willing to throw their support behind the service, and there are already plans to promote the four northern coastal towns as a unique tourist destination to attract people to the bus.

"This marketing concept was recently adopted by Westrail's road coach operations, with spectacular results. Since it began targeting specific tourist markets through its coach network, such as backpackers and day trippers, patronage has jumped 13 per cent."

Other options to be considered as part of reintroducing the bus service were to have it link up with Perth's northern suburbs train system at Currumbine and arrange to have taxis available at specific locations in Perth to transport people, particularly the aged, to other destinations at a fixed price.

A further option was to have a shuttle service linking the towns with Westrail coaches on the Brand Highway during the week, if sufficient demand was identified.

People needing more information or wishing to register support for the bus service should contact Stephanie Calder at Mr Charlton's electorate office on (096) 53 1122.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333