Mapping new bus routes

CASEY Council has welcomed state funding for local bus services, but says more still needs to be done.
The State Government recently pledged $4.8 million to improve bus services in the Casey and Cardinia areas.
The money will go into building and restructuring routes, which should be fully operational later this year.
Work has already begun on the new routes and the Department of Transport will be contacting any residents potentially affected by the changes.
City of Casey mayor Lorraine Wreford said the expanded bus services were good news for residents who wanted to reduce their reliance on cars.
“Casey has some of the most intensive car use per capita of all of Melbourne, so having a viable, realistic public transport alternative is critically important,” Cr Wreford said.
“While this latest investment will help narrow the gap in service delivery that exists between Casey and the rest of metropolitan Melbourne, there is still a long way to go,” she said.
Cr Wreford called on the State Government to extend its funding to improve bus service frequency and routes to news estates such as Marriot Waters, which she said, requires urgent commitment.
City of Casey transport manager Paul Hamilton also called on the government to address coverage in new estates.
“The announced improvements are welcomed, but services generally need to be increased to 30-minute frequencies during the day and higher frequencies during peak periods,” he said.
“It is also important that local bus services timetables are more closely co-ordinated with the trains.”