THE South Coast is set to receive $170,000 worth of new bus shelters as part of the NSW Government’s Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS).
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Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock joined Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley in making the announcement in Nowra on Monday.
Mr Constance said the announcement was important for people with disabilities and seniors within the community who want to have accessible bus stops in order to enjoy the benefits of public transport.
“Without doubt one of the greatest human rights barriers for people with disabilities is transport,” he said.
“As we work across the state to make the network accessible it is important we do the little things that go a long way and to put in place the investment for bus stops is important
“It doesn’t matter if bus stops are here in Nowra or right down the coast to Ulladulla we want to make sure people are able to get the benefit of public transport so they can get on it.
“Mums with prams, seniors and of course people with disabilities will most benefit from this announcement.”
But the big question is the lack of public transport as a whole in the Shoalhaven.
“We’ve got some fantastic private bus operators here servicing the community,” Mr Constance said.
“We continue to invest, we are a government who has put in significant dollars into community transport to help as well
“The reality is, private buses are way to go in terms of public transport. It doesn't matter if it's my electorate in Bega or here in Nowra, we have a real dependency on the private bus services and I encourage the community to use the services.
“If there is challenges with timetabling, get in touch with the private operators directly, the community has to do that and we can work with Transport NSW to rectify some of those issues.
Mrs Hancock described the announcement as “a win for local transport!”
“Funding will be allocated across the Shoalhaven to construct and improve bus stop infrastructure making our transport stops more accessible, secure and informative – with kerbside information and improved awareness,” she said.
“I’m thrilled to have secured this funding which will ensure council is able to construct new bus shelters where they are needed most.”
She said there was not enough shelters across the South Coast, or in particular at Stewart Place, despite a recent make over.
“By increasing the number and quality of shelters we will make catching the bus a more convenient and enjoyable experience for the school children and passengers who use our local bus services to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’ each week.”
Each new shelter constructed is required to comply with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) making it easier for those living with a disability - many of whom don’t drive and rely on the bus - and their carers to access the bus service.
“The next step will be community consultation to determine the most appropriate locations,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Once finished the bus shelters will be used by number of services including tourist bus routes, school buses, long distance coaches, community transport services and of course the local bus route service operators.”
The NSW Government allocated $39,698 towards the upgrade of the Stewart Place bus interchange including the construction of accessible landings to all bus stops and extended stopping bays.