Rod Barton MP believes that the Inquiry into the use of school buses in rural and regional Victoria is an important space for finding solutions to Victoria’s transport issues.

This inquiry is looking at the possibility of expanding the use of the school bus in regional Victoria in two possible ways –
1. Allowing members of the public to take up spare seats on existing school bus routes.
2. Using the school bus in off-peak hours to deliver town route services to the community.

The second hearing for the inquiry is taking place on Wednesday 11th of August via zoom at 9:30 am. Those interested in watching the hearing can find it here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/eic-lc/article/4616

This inquiry is about listening to the needs of regional Victorians and making a genuine effort to address the transport disadvantage often experienced by those in rural areas.

Barton acknowledges that this is no small feat, and there are number of concerns and issues that can and must be addressed.

Barton believes that the inquiry should be solution focused, regional Victorians have suffered from appalling public transport options for decades and they deserve nothing less than genuine efforts to see this remedied.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and the Leader of the Transport Matters Party Rod Barton MP:
“The lack of transport options in regional and rural Victoria has had a negative impact on health, education and economic outcomes for years. Regional Victorians deserve better.”

“I lived in regional Victoria for many years, and in that time, I learnt just how difficult it is to be heard from outside the tram tracks. Ensuring that we listen to regional Victorians and understand their experiences is so important.”

ENDS

Media contact: Norm Dunn, Chief of Staff Rod Barton MP, 0438 175 113 Norm.dunn@parliament.vic.gov.au