Better Access To Work And Education On The Bendigo Line

The Andrews Labor Government will partner with local councils and Regional Development Australia to investigate how to improve access to work and education along the Bendigo line.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced today that the Labor Government will contribute $35,000 towards a study investigating how to use local transport to improve access to local employment and education.

The study will focus on the links between local train stations, employment precincts, schools and universities.

Regional Development Australia will provide $25,000 towards the initiatives and five participating councils will provide $1,000 each.

The study is one of a number of initiatives announced today that will improve access to and awareness of local transport services, including:

• up to $90,000 to develop a Mallee Local Transport Options and Opportunities Paper to identify existing local transport assets, and how they could be better used to improve access to services in the region.
• $50,000 to develop a multi-language guide to using public transport for new arrivals in the region. The guide will be rolled out as a pilot program in partnership with the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council, and will include better education and signage at bus stops.

The Labor Government’s contributions to these projects is being provided through the Transport Investing in Regions initiative.

The projects will be delivered by local councils and are expected to be complete in the second half of 2017.

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“We’re partnering with local and federal government to improve transport along the Bendigo line.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“The study will look at how we can better use public transport to connect people to work and education.”

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

“This is part of our ongoing investment in better transport, education and opportunities for people in Macedon and across Victoria, wherever they live.”