By DANIELLE GALVIN
AN INCREASE in taxi licences in Pakenham could see more taxis across the region.
Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced that two conventional taxi-cab licences had been offered in the Pakenham taxi-cab zone.
“Pakenham already has four conventional and three wheelchair accessible taxis on the road, and the granting of these additional licences will bolster that figure even further,” he said.
“The approval of these 12-month licences will ensure that both conventional and wheelchair accessible taxis are available in areas that need them most.”
Mr Mulder said the reforms would open up the industry and create more competition.
“For example, taxis in regional and country areas no longer need to carry the yellow livery, meaning that there is less regulatory burden to comply with,” he said.
“In September, we also reintroduced taxi advertising in Victoria for the first time in nearly 20 years.”
On the Pakenham-Gazette Facebook page, residents welcomed the news.
“More taxis are certainly needed,” Tara commented.
“Security at the local pub was nice enough to give my partner a lift home after his Christmas party.
“And everything is definitely not in walking distance for the elderly or physically impaired or anyone at night time.”
Mr Mulder said he had granted the licences based on an identified need in the community.
The Pakenham licences are being offered for a fixed period of 12 months subject to transitioning into a new licence release process in 2014.
Over the Christmas break, a new bus route between Pakenham and Cardinia Road railway stations was also announced which is set to improve public transport options from Australia Day.
Routes 924 and 928 will be merged to form new route 928 connecting the two stations which will decrease journey times and expand the bus network north of Pakenham station.
Cardinia Road station will now have two bus routes, one north and one south of the railway.
Bass MP Ken Smith said that he had continually advocated for improved public transport in and around Pakenham.
Mr Mulder said that since Cardinia Road station opened in April 2012, it had been very popular.
“Currently, there is limited room available for buses to turn into Station Street over the Main Street level crossing. This is a major safety concern,” Mr Mulder said.
Routes 926 and 928 will operate every 60 minutes from about 5.30am to 10pm, with extra services on route 926 during peak periods to connect with trains at Cardinia Road from 5.45am to 7am and 6pm to 8pm.
Residents on the Gazette Facebook page had differing views on the new bus routes.
Laura posted that she walks everywhere, and that Pakenham has all of the “required services within walking distance” of each estate.
“A bus service from Pakenham to Cranbourne would be good to see,” Karen commented.
“One that goes via the town of Cardinia, even a low use service of one a few times a day.”
