Transport for isolated residents in the South West is set to improve, thanks to a new and improved timetable as a part of the Victorian Government’s Getting There and Back project.
Gayle Tierney, Member for Western Victoria region, today launched new transport services for the communities of Cobden, Timboon and Camperdown as a part of the Getting There and Back project, a joint project of the Corangamite and Moyne Shires and the City of Warrnambool.
“The funding for the Getting There and Back project comes from the Brumby Government’s $18.3 million Transport Connections program to help communities across all rural, regional and interface areas develop local solutions for areas where public transport is lacking,” Ms Tierney said.
Getting There and Back has already received $385,259 from the Brumby Government to make better use of existing assets and services, such as taxis, school buses, route buses, community buses and volunteer drivers to provide transport for people without a car
“The expanded service is made possible by additional funding of $54,000 from the Department of Transport and now offers local people transport connections to Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Terang and Warrnambool.
“The new transport service will help overcome the social isolation felt by many of our younger and older citizens. It will create new opportunities to connect with family and friends as well as assist residents to access health and medical services, education and training, and work,” she said.
The expanded service involves two local taxi companies working in partnership to provide an on-demand, door-to-door link between Timboon and Cobden, for the price of a bus fare. The taxis connect with the new bus service between Cobden and Camperdown.
“Thanks to the support of a number of community members and organisations, Progressing Cobden and Timboon Action, we have been able to get this project off the ground,” Ms Tierney said.
Getting There and Back is a joint project of the Corangamite and Moyne Shires and the City of Warrnambool. It is funded through the Victorian Government’s Transport Connections program, a cross government initiative community’s work together to improve local transport.
For more information about the new public transport service, please contact Garry Moorfield, Transport Connections Facilitator, Corangamite Shire, Phone: 5593 7100 or Mobile: 0407 682 603.