Public transport offtrack: MP

PUBLIC transport in Pakenham was in an appalling state, Victorian MPs were last week told.
Speaking in State Parliament, Bass MP Ken Smith painted a grim picture of the town’s bus and rail services saying they were completely inadequate for the town’s fastgrowing population.
Echoing concerns previously voiced by Cardinia Shire Council and residents, Mr Smith said Pakenham lacked services considered the norm in other metropolitan areas.
He called on Transport Minister Peter Batchelor to give consideration to providing people with a “decent” public transport service.
“Currently, 55 to 60 families a week move into the Cardinia Shire area – young people, families and seniors who are coming to an area that has no proper public transport and they do have some expectations that public transport should be available to them,” Mr Smith said.
“They should not have to walk kilometres to go shopping, to work, to school or to visit friends and family.
“But if they do not have a car and they do not have public transport, they have to walk.”
Mr Smith said the train services from Pakenham into the city ran late on a regular basis and bus services were inadequate.
He accused the State Government of talking the talk on using public transport but suggesting locals just “walk the walk”.
“This is a time when onecar or nocar families need to have access to proper public transport, whether it is in the form of trains or buses,” Mr Smith said.
The Liberal MP said a new railway station was of extreme importance to service the growing area around the Delfin Lakeside development and other new estates on the western outskirts of Pakenham.
He said the council had provided the land adjacent to the railway line and Cardinia Road.
Mr Smith said the council should not be expected to provide public transport, saying it was the State Government’s responsibility.
Local disability service organisation Outlook also expressed concern about the lack of public transport in the Pakenham area.
Community services manager Anne McCormick said it was possibly the biggest issue in the community.
“One of our clients came from Narre Warren and wanted to come to an activity in Pakenham,” she said.
“It took him two hours to get here by bus because he had to change at Berwick and because of the timing of the schedule.
“It would have taken him 15 minutes by car.”
Pakenham churchbased welfare organisation Big House Communities has also raised public transport as a major issue and there are hopes the situation could soon improve.
Mr Batchelor recently announced extra services in other outer suburban areas and Pakenham is on the list for improvements to bus routes, and planning is under way for major improvements to the Pakenham railway station.