By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE State Government has promised to increase the bus services at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre, if successful in next month’s election.
Premier Denis Napthine visited the shopping centre on Tuesday to make the pledge, which would see the Route 842 bus, which travels from Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre to Fountain Gate, provided hourly from 9am to 5pm.
The 842 Route only operates three return services on weekdays, and travels via Heatherton Road, Hallam North Road, Thomas Mitchell Drive, John Fawkner Drive and McMahon Boulevard.
“There will also be 14 return trips on Saturdays between around 9am and 5pm and five return trips on Sundays between approximately 9am and 2pm, giving people plenty of options to take the bus for weekend shopping or entertainment,” Dr Napthine said.
“The precise timetable for the expanded 2015 service comes after community consultation.”
Narre Warren North Liberal candidate Amanda Stapledon, who also attended the announcement, said Casey residents had been “crying out” for better services to Fountain Gate for a “very long time”.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan hit back at the government’s pledge.
“Over the last four years the government has done nothing to improve the connectivity of buses in the region – now on the eve of an election they promise these services,” he said.
“Until the first promised bus service runs the community should be sceptical that the government will deliver on these promises.
“Public transport has been forgotten about in the south-east, and this government’s poor track record speaks for itself.”
