Independent Liberal Member for Alfred Cove Dr Janet Woollard is calling on the State Government to improve public transport for seniors living in Attadale and Bicton.

“Current bus transport services through these suburbs are too infrequent and inadequate to meet the needs of the community, particularly elderly residents,” said Dr Woollard.

Dr Woollard said that Hon Simon O’Brien, the Minister for Transport and the Upper House Member for the South Metropolitan Region and whose office is in Canning Highway, has introduced a new bus service in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs serving constituents of Liberal Members in Riverton, Cannington, Southern River and Bateman. The new bus service was introduced following public feedback about the lack of adequate public transport facilities.

Minister O’Brien said in his media release “The new 205 service will provide direct access to the Herald Avenue Senior Citizens Centre as well as Riverton Leisureplex, Booragoon Shopping Centre and the Cannington and Bull Creek train stations.”

“I am calling on the Minister to also listen to concerns of residents in Attadale and Bicton about inadequate transport to shops and recreational facilities,” said Dr Woollard.

“While bus services 158 and 148 currently run from Canning Bridge to Fremantle via Applecross, Attadale and Bicton, this service does not provide residents easy access to many local shopping centres within the City of Melville.

“Elderly local residents have informed me that they have to wait to catch several interconnecting buses and in addition face difficulties crossing Canning Highway to get to and from local shopping centres and recreational facilities,” said Dr Woollard.

Dr Woollard said residents in Attadale or Bicton wishing to patronise Melville Plaza would have to board service number 158 or 148, stop at the corner of Hislop Road and Canning Highway, cross Canning Highway in order to catch a 106 to Melville Plaza, Melville Recreation Centre or the Stock Road Senior Citizens Club.

“The situation is made worse because the corner of Canning Highway and Hislop Road is a dangerous intersection, which should be installed with traffic lights to allow pedestrians to safely cross the highway,” said Dr Woollard.

Dr Woollard added that Attadale and Bicton residents who would like to get to Garden City Shopping Centre by public transport have to board service 158 or 148, stop at the corner of Canning Highway and Riseley Street, cross Canning Highway and board bus service 940 or 881 to Booragoon Bus Station.

“The lack of direct bus routes means that people, particularly elderly people, have to travel further to get to their destination, spending more time in the process.

“This will put people off using public transport when we should be encouraging as many people as possible to use public transport to help reduce traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions and improve the environment.

“I have written to Minister O’Brien requesting a meeting to discuss these issues with him and I am looking forward to a positive response.

“The Public Transport Authority should re-route bus services 158 and 148 to allow local residents to access Melville Plaza directly.

“An improved public transport system in these areas would mean elderly residents, teenagers and individuals who do not have their own transport are not excluded from the community,” said Dr Woollard.