By Callum Ludwig
EV Community Transport, formerly known as Eastern Volunteers, is running a transport trial to help support locals in need in the Upper Yarra.
As part of the trial, they are seeking volunteer drivers in the community to help transport local residents for a few hors a week, hopefully building a sustainable and community-driven transport option.
Manager of Transport Operations Marnie O’Loughlin said she thinks this is a great opportunity, with past surveys they have conducted showing a need for this.
“Just the basic topography of the Upper Yarra doesn’t lend itself to easy moving about unless you have a vehicle or a support network of some kind,” she said.
“Whilst there is transport options up there, they are limited and they’re not always coordinated or at times where people need to be able to get up and down the hill, as wel call it.”
The trial will be held from August to November this year, with volunteers assurred the arrangements will be flexible and hopefully can align with some of their own schedules.
Ms O’Loughlin said people are missing the opportunity to access the services they need through a lack of transport options.
“A lot of the mainstream systems like public transport aren’t going to run as many services up there because they’re not profitable on a large scale, so we’re trying to find something innovative so the community can create its own model that’s sustainable,” she said.
“If we can get this trial moving, a step up for either further funding for the area or potentially a program that could be rolled out in different areas that have the same complexities is possible.”
The trial will service the townships of Launching Place, Gilderoy, Gladysdale, Don Valley, Powelltown, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Millgrove, Reefton, McMahons Creek, Three Bridges, Warburton and East Warburton.
Ms O’Loughlin said the model takes a little bit of commitment, but it’s not huge commitment from people.
“There is a bit of a commitment but if you’re moving around the hill and you’re going from Warburton to do your shopping on a Wednesday down in Yarra Junction, why not take someone with you if you are going anyway,” she said.
“Even if you just take them one way while you’re going down the hill, it will hopefully benefit the community and it’s a form of volunteering without actually having to volunteer a whole day.”
Volunteers must have a vehicle and a smart phone. Training can be provided locally or
online and phone and vehicle costs can be reimbursed.
For more information, enquiries and volunteers to register their interest go to www.easternvolunteers.org.au/upper-yarra/ or please phone on 9870 7822.
