New routes make their mark on CBD
http://www.bendigoweekly.com/articles/6201/1/New-routes--make-their-mark-on-CBD/Page1.html
By Nicole Ferrie
Published on 04/10/2008
MAJOR changes to Bendigo’s bus network will be unveiled today, ending a week of speculation about orange arrows, new signs and lost car parks.
MAJOR changes to Bendigo’s bus network will be unveiled today, ending a week of speculation about orange arrows, new signs and lost car parks.
All change
Major changes to Bendigo’s bus network will be unveiled today, ending a week of speculation about orange arrows, new signs and lost car parks.
Orange arrows have appeared in growth areas across the city, such as along Goynes Road at Epsom and Averys and Edwards roads at Eaglehawk.
They have also appeared along Mitchell Street, which is set to become the hub for bus commuters in the city.
The arrows were quickly followed by bus stop signs, which have been covered in hessian bags until the new routes are operational.
Immediate changes to the service are believed to include:
* All buses to stop in Mitchell Street; no buses to stop in Hargreaves Street.
* 10 minute drop off / pick up car parks removed from Mitchell Street to be relocated to Hargreaves Street.
The car parks were removed to create more space in Mitchell Street to provide safe areas for buses to stop.
The Weekly believes up to 20 buses per hour will travel along Mitchell Street, with all buses to also stop at the Bendigo Railway Station to provide improved connection to V/Line coach and rail services.
The changes include several hundred more services each week and increased weekend travel.
More buses will be scheduled to travel from high-use areas, including Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat, where peak services will depart every 30 minutes.
The new timetable is set to come into effect on April 28.
Department of Infrastructure regional officer Mike Bulmer told Mitchell Street traders this week the changes were the result of a two-year planning process.
He said the move to bring all buses into Mitchell Street was to ensure current infrastructure could be used.
He said the move would “straighten” up the service and provide better connectivity to the Bendigo Railway Station.
Mr Bulmer said it was hoped “a small proportion” of commuters would use the station as their base, therefore easing some of the congestion in Mitchell Street.
“We will try and attract kids to the train station terminal,” he said.
“We are looking at implementing the changes within the next six weeks,” he said.
Orange arrows have appeared in growth areas across the city, such as along Goynes Road at Epsom and Averys and Edwards roads at Eaglehawk.
They have also appeared along Mitchell Street, which is set to become the hub for bus commuters in the city.
The arrows were quickly followed by bus stop signs, which have been covered in hessian bags until the new routes are operational.
Immediate changes to the service are believed to include:
* All buses to stop in Mitchell Street; no buses to stop in Hargreaves Street.
* 10 minute drop off / pick up car parks removed from Mitchell Street to be relocated to Hargreaves Street.
The car parks were removed to create more space in Mitchell Street to provide safe areas for buses to stop.
The Weekly believes up to 20 buses per hour will travel along Mitchell Street, with all buses to also stop at the Bendigo Railway Station to provide improved connection to V/Line coach and rail services.
The changes include several hundred more services each week and increased weekend travel.
More buses will be scheduled to travel from high-use areas, including Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat, where peak services will depart every 30 minutes.
The new timetable is set to come into effect on April 28.
Department of Infrastructure regional officer Mike Bulmer told Mitchell Street traders this week the changes were the result of a two-year planning process.
He said the move to bring all buses into Mitchell Street was to ensure current infrastructure could be used.
He said the move would “straighten” up the service and provide better connectivity to the Bendigo Railway Station.
Mr Bulmer said it was hoped “a small proportion” of commuters would use the station as their base, therefore easing some of the congestion in Mitchell Street.
“We will try and attract kids to the train station terminal,” he said.
“We are looking at implementing the changes within the next six weeks,” he said.