Thursday, 20 February 2025

 Ellen SANDELL (Melbourne) (14:56): (1006) My question is to the Minister for Public and Active Transport. Why is this government closing five route 402 bus stops along Kensington Road with no community consultation? Last week small signs popped up on Kensington Road informing residents that five stops would be permanently closed this weekend. There was no community consultation at all. Out of the whole City of Melbourne, Kensington Banks already has the worst access to public transport. People rely on this bus to get to the hospitals, to uni, to the city and to Footscray station to get on the V/Line. The stops being closed are some of the most well used on this road. At the very least there should have been consultation on which stops are most needed. I have received dozens of complaints about this. I have heard from several residents in their 80s, a woman with a double hip replacement and many families with preschool children, who all rely on this bus. Their closest stops will be closed. They are now going to have to walk double the distance up a steep hill to get to the next stop, which means using public transport may now be out of reach for them. I urge the minister to urgently intervene before this weekend and stop these stops from being closed.