RESIDENTS of Horsham North's Oatlands Court retirement village are calling on the state government to reinstate bus services down the adjoining Alexander Avenue, saying it some of takes them an hour to walk to the nearest stop.
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Buses have not run down Alexander Avenue since January 28, when a new timetable came into effect for Horsham's town buses. The nearest bus stop to Oatlands court now in use is on Kalkee Road near the children's hub.
Resident Lynn, who wished not to have her surname published, said they needed the bus back.
"I think it's ridiculous. I have asthma and emphysema, so if I walk too far I get out of breath. On a cold or hot day it's hard for me to walk (to the new stop),"" she said.
Another resident, Jane Taylor, said she had Chronic Obstructure Pulmonary Disease, and had to stop three times on her way to the new bus stop.
Linda Hyland said she was having to catch taxis to get into town to shop.
"Instead of $1.20 to travel on a bus, it's costing me $30 for a return trip," she said. "I won't be able to afford to catch taxis soon enough. I've had two operations on my neck which causes me pain when I'm walking."
Resident Annette Wade said in addition to the new bus stop being a distance away from Oatlands Court, it was not accessible for people using mobility scooters.
"Ilona (Gotthards, another resident) used to go on the bus to Horsham Plaza, but she can't anymore because it takes 30 minutes for her to get to the new stop with her walker," she said.
"The number three bus now goes past the (Wawunna Road) milk bar, but people can't get there either because there are no ramps for trolleys or walkers. I think the number three could be diverted to come down to the existing bus stops at Lynott Street and Alexander Avenue."
The residents said the bus stop had been in use for 38 years prior to the new timetable coming in. They said they had previously had access to nine buses a day between 8am and 5.30pm at the Alexander Avenue stop.
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The state government received 200 pieces of feedback during consultation on the proposed changes in May and June 2019. It conducted four drop-in information sessions at different times and locations, an online survey and a free-call number where residents could leave feedback (1800 800 007).
However Mrs Wade said the residents could not have their say as they did not have internet, nor were they able to attend face-to-face information sessions.
On January 29, the Department of Transport told the Mail-Times: "Community feedback indicated strong support for bus stops out the front of the children's centre on Kalkee Rd. Alexander Avenue runs parallel to Kalkee Rd, meaning passengers can still access services within walking distance."
On Wednesday, a Department of Transport spokesman said it was continuing to work with Horsham Rural City Council on how Oatlands Court residents could be better connected to the Kalkee Road bus stop.
"We have introduced new services in the morning and afternoon peaks - allowing locals to take public transport to and from work for the first time," he said.
The Department said consultation was promoted online, in local newspapers, at bus stops and onboard buses.
It said key stakeholders such as schools and Wimmera Base Hospital were directly invited to participate in the consultation and were provided with flyers to share with locals.
It said the council advised a sealed footpath would be constructed to connect Oatlands directly to the new Kalkee Road bus stop, a 250-metre walk.
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