MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy is leading a push to improve regional public transport services in the region.
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Ms Kealy launched her new transport campaign on Tuesday.
“I’m appealing for people to share their stories about the importance of public transport in the region,” she said.
“We need to get western Victoria moving again.”
Ms Kealy said access and connectivity of public transport services was a real problem right across the Wimmera.
“The main issues people talk to me about are roads and public transport,” she said.
“Improved public transport is vital to reversing our region’s population decline and supporting decentralisation initiatives.
“It can help people to get to work, school, shops, medical appointments and much more.”
Australia Bureau of Statistics census data showed 0.6 per cent of people in Lowan used public transport to get to work.
“This statistic is not surprising given the lack of public transport options available,” Ms Kealy said.
Horsham resident Sue Goodwin said she used public transport often to visit her family in Melbourne and Gippsland.
“I am more comfortable using it than driving,” she said.
“Horsham residents will benefit from a better way to get to and from Melbourne and Adelaide.
“Public transport is a great asset to have and we need more services to suit everyone’s needs.”
Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said public transport was also vital for increasing tourism in the region.
“Tourists need to have great connections and ways to access our great assets in the Grampians National Park, Horsham and the entire region,” he said.
“Visitor numbers are growing and they are being dispersed all over the Wimmera.”
Ms Kealy said anyone who wanted to share their stories about the lack of public transport could go to haveyoursayvictoria.org/westernpublictransportservices or call her electorate office on 5382 0097 or 5571 9800.