The audit was approved after City of Greater Shepparton councillor Sam Spinks moved a notice of motion at the April council meeting.
“What I’m asking for is an audit of our public transport network with a focus on our bus network,” Cr Spinks told the meeting.
Cr Spinks said she brought the motion on after speaking to transport providers, community members and other regional councils.
“I’ve come to understand that if we want to make change, we need to do the groundwork to be shovel ready,” she said.
“Anecdotally we know our bus network is not fit for purpose within Shepparton, between greater Shepparton towns or regionally.”
The audit will be used as a supporting document when advocating for expansion of the public transport network to achieve greater reach and efficiency.
“We are an epicentre of activity but unless you have a car it is virtually impossible to get around easily or conveniently,” Cr Spinks said.
“From Tatura or Murchison you need to plan your entire day around a bus trip; a bus from North Mooroopna to GV Health can take over an hour and a half, and no buses run on Sundays at all.”
Cr Spinks said it was a failure of basic infrastructure to keep up with the community need.
Cr Seema Abdullah said she wholeheartedly supported the motion and the need for better public transport.
“We have been raising this,” she said.
“We know that young people are particularly disadvantaged because they can’t access services, it is a real barrier.”
Cr Anthony Brophy said the audit would provide informed knowledge of the transport network and linkages.
Cr Greg James told the meeting that a lot of community members had raised public transport issues with him, including the lack of services in the evening.
“It is a great initiative,” he said.
Cr Geoff Dobson said the audit could form part of a wider strategy that included shuttle buses and better connectivity between smaller towns.
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