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Island Summer Bus Service Ending SoonLocal residents and visitors are encouraged to make use of the Phillip Island Summer Shuttle before the bus service stops operating on 31 January. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 16th January 2009 - Back to News Local residents and visitors are encouraged to make use of the Phillip Island Summer Shuttle before the bus service stops operating on 31 January.
The shuttle links townships and major attractions on Phillip Island, and has operated again this summer, following the success of the service last year.
Information on the number of passengers is collected weekly and Bass Coast Transport Connections Project (BCTCP) Community Facilitator, Tracy VanderZalm, said these figures would determine whether the service would run again next summer.
"The feedback we have received to date is that people value the Phillip Island Summer Shuttle and there are already a number of requests to have it operating again next summer," Mrs VanderZalm said.
"Future funding for the program relies on people using the service so we’re encouraging passengers to continue using the shuttle to ensure it is funded in December 2009."
The service includes two loops of the Island – between Cowes and San Remo and Cowes and Ventnor visiting the tourist attractions such as the Koala Reserve, Phillip Island Race Circuit and The Nobbies.
However, Mrs VanderZalm said the service was not restricted to these stops.
"The bus operator, Cleeland Bus Lines, is very flexible and the driver realises some people have special needs," she explained.
"The driver is happy to drop-off and pick-up at various bus stops along the designated route if it makes life easier for the passenger and the experience more enjoyable.
"We recently had a request for the shuttle to stop at the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. This meant senior passengers or families with young children were not forced to walk some distance along the busy Phillip Island Tourist Road from the closest designated stop to the Park."
The major change to the service this summer is that it is not operating between Cowes and Rhyll.
"Patronage on this route last year was too low to justify it running again," explained Mrs VanderZalm.
The Cowes- San Remo service has also been reorganised to make it easier for people from San Remo and the townships on the Phillip Island Tourist Road to visit Cowes.
Last year almost 1,000 people used the service to access beaches, visit shops or just spend time with friends. Everyone is encouraged to use the service again this year as it will be a great help in increasing accessibility on Phillip Island.
"The shuttle is great value for money - a single fare for any trip on the Island is $2 for a full fare and $1 concession," said Mrs VanderZalm.
"The San Remo service leaves San Remo at 9am, noon and 3pm and Cowes at 11am, 2pm and 5pm, giving people plenty of time for their activities.
"If you use this service in combination with the existing services there are more choices for travelling," Mrs VanderZalm said.
The Ventnor loop service leaves Cowes at 10am, 1pm and 4pm taking an hour for the round trip back to Cowes.
The service will operate seven days a week until Saturday 31 January 2009 and uses V/Line and selected local bus stops along the route.
The Bass Coast Summer Service between Inverloch, Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi and Cowes is also operating this year until 31 January.
Both services have a trailer available to carry surfboards, prams and bikes.
Timetables and fares for both services are available from ouncil’s Customer Service and Visitor Information Centres, or by contacting Metlink on 131 638.
Information is also available on Council’s website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.
If you have any comments about either of these services, you can email Bass Coast Transport Connections at transportconnections@basscoat.vic.gov.au. Feedback will be collated as part of the evaluation process.
The Phillip Island Summer Shuttle is funded by the Department of Transport’s Flexible Fund for the Bass Coast Transport Connections Project,
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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