The impending withdrawal of the 311 Transperth bus service will have major consequences for Bullsbrook and Lower Chittering residents according to Shadow Transport Minister Shane Love.
Mr Love has written to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti appealing the withdrawal of the service which many students rely on for access to schools and the TAFE in Midland.
A review of the supporting bus network for the Morley-Ellenbrook line indicates the 311 service will be withdrawn to be replaced by new 308 and 345 bus services and a modified 310 service.
Mr Love said the 311 was an important service offering students direct access to a choice of schools in the Midland area, without the need to change buses.
“According to the mysaytransport website, the replacement 310 and 345 buses deliver students to the Ellenbrook train station and the 308 services Midland,” Mr Love said.
“The population of Bullsbrook and Lower Chittering is expanding rapidly and access to existing schools in Midland is more important than Ellenbrook.
“Some students are already catching a bus to Bullsbrook and it’s not fair or safe that they have to then take multiple buses or trains to get to school when the existing 311 option worked well.”
Mr Love said he had heard from families living near the Yanchep line whose school commute had been disrupted with the introduction of Metronet train services.
“Understandably parents hold safety concerns as their children’s commute now takes longer and involves changing buses or trains and walking a greater distance than previously,” he added.
“The focus should be getting students to school, not the Labor government attempting to drive up train patronage numbers.”
