Lift for bus users

By Kath Gannaway
TWO new buses that joined the McKenzie’s Tourist Services fleet last week will open up a whole range of options for people relying on wheelchairs and motorised scooters for their mobility, and for their carers.
The buses, which feature a wheelchair lift, were launched at Healesville last week by Seymour MP Ben Hardman and McKenzie’s assistant manager Brad Sanders.
Mr Hardman said the inclusion of the automated lift was in line with the State Government’s ongoing program aimed at improving bus services.
“It’s about making public transport more accessible. We talk about being connected and people having access more broadly to facilities and this goes part of the way to doing that,” Mr Hardman said. “With an aging population we have more mobility, more people using wheelchairs and scooters, also, the price of petrol makes public transport a better option for many people. This is a fantastic contribution by McKenzie’s to making public transport more accessible,” he said.
The buses will run seven days a week on the Healesville-Lilydale route 685 which provides 200 trips a week, most of which also service Yarra Glen.
Mr Sanders said the company is proud to be adding the two new Mercedes Benz coaches to its fleet.
“It’s a big investment for the company and we are not only pleased to be providing our drivers with two new, modern buses but to be giving people with disabilities better access to the public transport system,” he said.
Other features of the new buses include air-conditioning, coach style seats, a kneeling device to lower the entrance step, increased storage for luggage and bikes and ABS disc brakes.
Mr Sanders said the addition of the new buses furthered the commitment the company has had for more than 70 years of service to the Healesville community. The company was founded by his great-grandfather, Lorenza McKenzie, and carried on by his grandmother, the late Nancy Smith, and her husband, Nelson. “They always took a lot of pride and satisfaction in choosing new buses and would be especially pleased to see the added capacity to provide a service to disabled members of the community,” Mr Sanders said.