By CASEY NEILL
POOR bus access in Keysborough and Dandenong South is putting children at risk and threatening jobs, residents say.
But there’s no indication from the State Government that a solution is in sight.
Mt Hira College principal Patricia Gay said the 400-student P-12 school on Perry Road, Keysborough, was growing rapidly.
“We have a number of students, particularly in the secondary school, who would utilise a local bus service,” she said.
“But there’s no bus service coming down Perry Road at all.”
The school runs four small mini buses, but they’re at capacity and there’s a waiting list.
Ms Gay said the issue also affected staff members, with some having to leave work to drive their children to afterschool activities and return.
“They’re old enough to get themselves there but they can’t,” she said.
In each newsletter, Ms Gay runs notices from parents proposing car pool arrangements, and there are two teachers on car park duty every afternoon to manage the traffic chaos.
“It would certainly reduce the number of cars having to come to school if there was a bus service,” she said.
“We have so many families now coming from Somerfield estate and they would walk to school.”
But Ms Gay said this raised another issue.
“We have no footpath up to Greens Road,” she said.
“So even if a bus service went to the new housing estates, they would have to walk along the road which of course is very dangerous.
“I’m terrified because of all the cars and trucks flying up Perry Road.
“There’s such a problem with obesity at the moment and unfit kids.
“They only live 500 metres up the road, but they can’t walk to school because there’s no footpath.”
City of Greater Dandenong engineering services director Bruce Rendall said a Perry Road upgrade was planned, including new footpaths, drainage upgrades and roadway improvements.
“Funding for these works will come from a mixture of council funds and developer contributions,” he said.
Dandenong resident Hakan Corr’s children have attended Sirius College in Chapel Road, Keysborough, since 2000.
“In 13 years there’s been no bus service whatsoever,” he said.
“There’s a greater number of houses there now, there’s more schools in the area.
“Yet there’s just no bus service on Chapel Road, which I find a bit strange.
“It could be added onto an existing route.”
Mr Corr said many parents struggled to fit in a school drop off and get to work on time.
“You need to drive everywhere, you can’t avoid that,” he said.
Hilton Manufacturing owner Todd Hartley said poor public transport was letting down employees.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that come late to work or have to wait half an hour at the Dandenong station for a bus that takes them to Dandenong South,” he said.
One teen from Doveton takes an hour and a half to reach Hilton’s Hammond Road site.
“You’ve got to weigh up looking for another job that’s more accessible,” Mr Hartley said.
Isaacs MP Mark Dreyfus said he was pushing for new bus services, particularly to the Hidden Grove and Summerfield housing estates and industrial areas in Dandenong South.
“It’s interfering with the employment in South Dandenong,” he said.
“Young people don’t have cars to get to workplaces.
“We’re not talking about remote and rural areas. We’re talking about suburbs of Melbourne.”
A Public Transport Victoria (PTV) spokeswoman said the authority was always looking at ways to improve public transport services.
“And we’ll continue to monitor demand for public transport throughout these regions, with priority for new bus services given to areas where population growth is strong,” she said.
“In the meantime, Dandenong South and Keysborough South are currently serviced by six local bus routes.”
She said four operated until 10pm seven days a week, and the SmartBus Route 902 operated along Springvale Road from 6am to midnight six days a week and 7am to 9pm on Sundays.
What do you think about public transport services to Keysborough and Dandenong South? Like the Greater Dandenong Star Facebook page or visit dandenong.starcommunity.com.au to share your thoughts.
