By Oliver Winn
Upper Yarra Secondary College has taken to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to advocate for the extension of the Martyrs 683 bus service.
State Liberal member for Eildon Cindy McLeish showed her support in a speech to Parliament in February and called on the Minister for Public Transport to extend the 683 bus route.
“This request stems from the growing challenges faced by students, particularly those living in areas such as East Warburton, and from the limitations of the existing school bus network,” Ms McLeish said.
The Martyrs 683 bus route extends out to East Warburton but students living past Warburton only have one service to take to school, which arrives at 7.44am.
One main concern identified by the school is students living past Warburton couldn’t arrive early enough on days when school excursions would require them to.
“There is certainly a lack of public transport in rural and outer suburban areas. Often those in the far reaches end up being quite disadvantaged, students miss out, and the school bus network does not always work,” Ms McLeish said.
Upper Yarra Secondary College has been proactive in finding solutions to improve the timetable and recently met with the DTP.
“We recognise the importance of bus services in getting children to school, particularly in outer suburbs of Melbourne,” a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said.
“We are continuing to work with Upper Yarra Secondary College on exploring options to improve transport for their students.”
The DTP gave information in an email stating it had identified with the school’s principal there was enough capacity on school time trips operating between Warburton and Upper Yarra Secondary College to meet demand and get students to school on time.
But due to the inconsistency in when these alterations would be made, the DTP weren’t able to accommodate as other commuters who used the 683 bus would be impacted.
