People in Loddon Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo are now able to get around even more easily, with the launch of three new trial bus services funded by the Brumby Labor Government.
Launching the services in Bridgewater today, Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad said the trials would provide discounted bus services linking people to the services and social opportunities in neighbouring towns and the regional centre of Bendigo
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to improve access to public transport to communities across Victoria which is why we have provided $120,000 to the BLine Transport Connections project,” Ms Broad said.
“The Thursday service between Tarnagulla and Inglewood and the Friday service between Tarnagulla and Maryborough will use a school bus that would ordinarily be sitting idle during the day.
“These two trial services from Tarnagulla have more than 2000 potential passengers who will now have better access to shopping, medical and social opportunities.
“The Saturday trial service between Boort and Bendigo will also offer those opportunities to the people living along the route. It will also offer better access to the V/Line train to Melbourne, and the Bendigo urban bus system.
“I encourage local residents to get behind the trial and make it a huge success,” Ms Broad said.
The $120,000 is in addition to almost $370,000, provided to the City of Greater Bendigo to fund the BLine Transport Connections project from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2010.
BLine - getting around Bendigo and Loddon is a partnership between the Brumby Labor Government, the City of Greater Bendigo and the Loddon Shire Council.
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government had committed a further $80 million dollars to support the Transport Connections program across the state.
“The Transport Connections program makes a huge positive impact on communities, because access to local transport is a key factor in people being happy with where they choose to live,” Mr Batchelor said.
“This is a great example of the Brumby Labor Government working with local residents to plan and deliver innovative local solutions that improve transport in their community.”
For more information about BLIne, phone Robert Kretschmer at the City of Greater Bendigo on 5434 6458, or Glynn Jarrett at Loddon Shire Council on 5437 7999.