Buses to get Casey moving

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY’S bus network is set to improve following a $1.8 million state funding announcement.
Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor made the announcement when he visited Narre Warren on Monday and said the bus improvements would be implemented in Casey over the next four years.
Mr Batchelor said the new improvements would provide a substantial number of additional services, extensions and modifications to preexisting routes and would give more people access to public transport in the local neighbourhood and provide better links between suburbs, shopping centres and train stations from early next year.
“The bus improvements I have announced today will be a significant boost for residents in the City of Casey, making the area an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.
“Many new suburbs have sprung up in parts of Melbourne that are not serviced by public transport, so our first goal is to extend the coverage of the bus network.
“With petrol prices at record highs, there is an everincreasing demand for public transport – especially on the city fringe.”
Mr Batchelor said the increased funding reflected the Government’s commitment to the recommendations in the Metropolitan Transport Plan.
“The Metropolitan Transport Plan identified improved outer suburban bus services as a key priority for the coming years,” he said.
“And while the initiative funded from this year’s Budget will make a significant difference we realise there is much more work to do.”
Mr Batchelor said service improvements to Casey would include:
Route 826 (Hampton Park to Berwick) will be modified to complement route 926 from Berwick to Pakenham and will include six extra services on Friday and seven extra services on Saturday running between Fountain Gate and Dandenong.
Route 892 (Narre Warren South to Dandenong Station) will be extended along Ormond Road and Kershaw Road in Narre Warren South to Casey Central Shopping Centre. There will also be three extra services on Friday night and six more services on Saturdays.
Route 893 (Dandenong to Cranbourne) will have three additional morning services to address overcrowding at peak school travel times and improve the frequency of services.
Route 790 (Frankston to Cranbourne) will have three extra services on Friday nights and six more on Saturdays.
Mr Batchelor said the Department of Infrastructure would work with local councils and bus operators to implement the improved services quickly with most expected to be up and running by early next year.