The State Government’s review into bus services within Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges commenced in October 2008, including two workshops that were held in February and June last year.
The second workshop presented draft recommendations with the facilitator stating that a final report would identify improvements to the bus network. Despite the workshops being concluded in the middle of last year, the final report is yet to be released.
The Maroondah Leader has reported on the growing community impatience at the delays in releasing the bus service reviews:
Maroondah Mayor Alex Makin said the council wanted to see the report, which was tasked with identifying route alternations and service improvements, made public.
“We’re very keen to not only see the report released, but the recommended improvements implemented.
While some other areas have had the final reports provided, there has been no definitive timeframe established for the release of bus service review for Knox, Maroondah and Yarra Ranges.
The report was to identify short, medium and long-term improvements and the delays in releasing the report, will mean that any improvements are further delayed.
Cr Makin said the council and community had entered the consultations in goodwill, and was concerned that this was being lost with the delays in releasing the report.
Delays in releasing the findings of the bus service reviews can potentially undermine the community’s confidence in believing that improvements will be implemented. Several of Maroondah’s bus services require frequency and operating span improvements and it is imperative that the findings are released so that this can occur.