By Callum Ludwig
A local Year 10 student has begun a petition to see the 683 bus route between East Warburton and Chirnside Park Shopping centre run more regularly.
The Change.org petition has already garnered 726 signatures as of Friday 9 September.
It calls for a bus service every 30 minutes, instead of once an hour.
“The 683 is a bus line running on the Warburton highway, stretching from East Warburton to Chirnside Park,” the description of the petition reads.
“Over 18,000 people live in the towns where this bus runs, and thousands of residents including myself rely on this bus to get around. However the 683 only has one bus every hour, and buses do not start running until just before 9.00am on Sunday.”
Only four services run from the last bus stop at Whitegum Dr/Woods Point Rd, East Warburton to Chirnside Park Shopping Centre on a weekday (7.17am, 9.21am, 1.14pm and 5.29pm) and only three times does the return trip go the full distance (7.39am, 12.01pm and 4.06pm departure from Chirnside Park Shopping Centre).
The student said this makes getting around very difficult and makes it impossible to work some hours.
“I would like for buses to begin running at 7.00am at the latest on weekends, and for there to be buses every hour,”
“This will make travelling considerably easier and allow many people like myself to get where they need easily and in a timely manner.”
The Victorian Government’s Bus Plan is aiming to better meet demand, improve accessibility and performance, and deliver value for money by exploring ways to provide more convenient transport options and will continue to work closely with operators and councils to ensure the
the public transport network is accessible and better connected.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said they know how important the Yarra Ranges’ bus network is for providing access to services such as healthcare, education and employment.
“We’ll continue to explore options for future improvements to the public transport network in the Yarra Ranges to ensure we’re keeping the community connected,” they said.
“The 2022/23 Victorian Budget invested $109 million to improve local bus services in growth areas, implement bus reform, improve accessibility and customer outcomes and get students to school.”
To view the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/put-more-buses-along-the-683-bus-line-victoria
