Sit for bus stop

By Lia Bichel
COMMUTERS in Hallam can now rest their feet while waiting at bus stops along a busy road.
City of Casey Council will install seating at previously unseated bus stops at Cornwall Street and Gunns Road along Frawley Road.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said he advocated for the seating after many people voiced their concerns to him.
“Many people in Hallam use the bus so it only makes sense to have seating at every stop along Frawley Road,” Mr Donnellan said.
“Residents have called my office over the past few months, asking why some stops have seating and others don’t.”
City of Casey manager of Transport Paul Hamilton said the council had an agreement where bus shelters were provided by the State Government’s Metropolitan Bus Shelter Program.
Mr Hamilton said the council received a community request to have a shelter and seat installed at a bus stop in Frawley Road. However, after an assessment identified that it was unlikely the site would be successful in being allocated a shelter by the State Government, council took action themselves.
“Council installed the seats at this location as well as another bus stop in the immediate vicinity to improve facilities for commuters at these locations and in particular those who are aged or have a disability,” Mr Hamilton said.
Mr Donnellan said it was important to see the development, especially for elderly commuters in the area.
“A number of senior residents were concerned that the bus stops closest to their homes didn’t have seating, which limited their ability to use the bus network. Having seats at the stops will mean better access to the rest of Melbourne for them,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The provision of seats at the bus stop is great news for the local community, providing residents with some comfort while they wait for buses.
“I am happy to see that Casey has listened to the community’s concerns and is providing much-needed seating here in Hallam.”