Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said bus and coach services in the region will be boosted offering residents and visitors the choice of fast and efficient public transport links.

“We are investing $14.7 million to provide bus and coach services that best meet the community’s needs. Passengers in the region will have more services, more often,” Ms Kosky said.

“Community consultation is the cornerstone of this package, we want to hear from residents and stakeholders.

“We are taking action to improve links in the region by connecting liveable communities allowing people the option of using public transport to travel to work, education and social activities.

“We will be seeking feedback over the coming months to ensure that the new timetables cater to their needs.”

The bus and coach improvements funded in the 2008-2009 State Budget will include:

• Major improvements to premium road coach services from Leongatha and the Bass Coast (including Phillip Island);
• More frequent services between townships on the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Highways;
• New and upgraded links from Leongatha, Wonthaggi and Inverloch via Koo-Wee-Rup to Pakenham; and
• A new cross corridor connection between Koo-Wee-Rup and Pakenham.

Ms Kosky said Brumby Government was taking action to improve public transport links in communities across Victoria.

“These new bus and coach services will be delivered quicker and than returning passenger rail to Leongatha. Bus services are flexible and can be tailored to suit the needs of the local community,” Ms Kosky said.

A report by consultancy Transnet, commissioned by the Department of Transport, found the cost of returning passenger services to Leongatha to be unjustifiably high, at an estimated $72 million excluding rolling stock and recurrent costs.

“Significantly, the report also found that only 20 per cent of respondents surveyed about their transport needs considered restoring train services to be the main priority,” Ms Kosky said.

“All the evidence indicated that the cost of returning passenger services to Leongatha would be extremely high, while the anticipated demand for such services was rather low.

“We also found that restoring passenger rail services to Leongatha would not have fully addressed the transport needs of the region.

“We believe that frequent bus and coach services will provide the best transport solutions for South Gippsland and Bass Coast, in the most cost effective way.

“This is what people in the region have been saying will bring the most benefit, providing crucial access to employment, health and social opportunities.”

The service improvements will be rolled out over the next 18 months following public consultation.

“The Brumby Government is also providing funding for development of the South Gippsland Tourist Railway and a rail trail between Cranbourne and Nyora, to support tourism in South Gippsland,” Ms Kosky said.

The Transnet report is available on the Department of Transport website at www.doi.vic.gov.au.