Paynesville and Newlands Arm residents will receive a raft of new bus services if the Liberals and Nationals are elected later this month.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said the area was one of the fastest growing in the shire and public transport options needed to keep pace with this growth.

“The reality is not every train that comes to Bairnsdale station has a connecting bus to Paynesville and Newlands Arm and not every departing train has a bus connection, and this is what we will provide.

“There has been some strong advocacy locally for this over the past couple of years and I have worked on this with my colleague and Shadow Transport Minister, Danny O’Brien, to obtain this outcome.

“These buses will not only assist those wanting to catch the train or get home from the station, but also provide additional services into Bairnsdale from these two communities.

“This comes on the back of committing to half price V/Line fares, which means those travelling to Melbourne will have a $40 round trip rather than $80, and the 50% discounts also apply to concession fares,” said Mr Bull.

Executive Director from Bus Association Victoria, Chris Lowe, said due to the population growth in Paynesville, Newland Arm and Eagle Point, the current scale of bus services between these areas and Bairnsdale is inadequate.

“The deployment of more frequent bus timetabling will expand to eight services per day on weekdays and four on weekends, meeting every train. We need to see these sorts of service improvements in regional centres state-wide,” Mr Lowe said.

Colin Cathcart from Gillicks Bus Lines has advocated for improved services to and from Paynesville for a number of years, said this announcement will be welcomed by the many travellers who are reliant on public transport in Paynesville and Newlands Arm.

“Additionally, this will have the added benefit of creating two new full time equivalent jobs,” Mr Cathcart said.

Shadow Minister for Public Transport, Danny O’Brien, said regional Victorians deserve better bus routes.

“There are too many gaps in the system under Daniel Andrews and Labor, and people in regional areas know services simply aren’t good enough,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Our plan delivers real solutions for better bus routes right across the state, and it’ll cost Victorians less to use them.”

Caption: State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is thrilled to announce Paynesville and Newlands Arm bus services will be increased to meet every train arrival and departure from the Bairnsdale Station, under a Liberal and Nationals State Government.

L-R: Paynesville Gillicks bus driver, John, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, Jason Gillick and Colin Cathcart from Gillicks Bus Lines.

Monday, 14 November 2022