Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (20:36): (1494) My adjournment is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. The action I seek is for the minister to visit the electorate of Thomastown to meet with residents about upcoming new and extended bus services for residents living in North Epping and Wollert. These services will provide public transport for the first time to homes north of Craigieburn Road East. There is so much interest from residents in these new services. Many residents have been advocating for bus services, particularly for their children to get to school, to play sport, to hang out at the Epping Plaza or to go to the movies. These services will not only be there for those children, but they will also get the benefit of Labor’s new policy of free public transport for under 18-year-olds. That means, of course, more money in families’ pockets, and less time doing the drop-offs. Similarly, older residents need these services to go shopping, attend appointments at the Northern Hospital or to catch the bus to the train. Young families with one car also need these buses to stay connected and get around.

It is exciting to announce that draft maps of the proposed bus routes have been made public and a consultation period seeking feedback on the routes is now open. Please let us know your ideas on the bus routes by going to the Engage Victoria website; the link is on my Facebook page. The consultation period is open until 8 March. Pop-up stores in selected shopping centres will also be available for residents to give their feedback. Thank you to all those who have advocated for the buses and campaigned successfully for our buses to now travel beyond Craigieburn Road East in coming times. Thank you, of course, to the Labor government for providing these services where they are much needed.