Dial-a-Bus in Hervey Bay
Passengers in the Wide Bay region will be able to ‘dial’ a bus and be collected from their front door, when the new Kan-go Flexible Service trial begins next month.
Member for Hervey Bay and Main Roads Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Andrew McNamara announced the start of services today.
Mr McNamara said services would be trialled in the Hervey Bay suburbs of Point Vernon/Pialba for a 12-month period from March 12.
“It allows passengers in these suburbs to dial a toll-free 1800 number 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the service, and the bus will pick up and deliver as close to their front door as possible,” Mr McNamara said.
“Passengers will pay the regular bus fare and experience greater levels of convenience, security, safety and comfort with door-to-door services. A new bus will also be put into service that is wheelchair accessible.
“The technology used for this flexible transport system is leading edge, with passenger details logged into the system. The bus driver is then sent booking details via a satellite navigation system that includes the best route for the driver to follow.
“The service runs a fixed route component around the city centre, operating as a loop service serving the major shopping centre,” he said.
“At present, route 14 is the only service for the Point Vernon/Pialba area. The service has doubled as a school run and covers a limited section of the suburb, with limited frequency.
“The Kan-go service will replace route 14. It will be able to cover a wider area and provide better service coverage from 8am to 6.10pm weekdays and Saturdays. There will also be a separate service for the school run,” Mr McNamara said.
Timetables and other Kan-go information will be delivered to every household in the Point Vernon/Pialba suburbs to alert residents to the new service this week.
“Kan-go provides a user-friendly, convenient service to residents and it is also a great alternative to taking the car out of the garage,” Mr McNamara said.
“Other changes have been gradually implemented over the past few years to improve services in the Wide Bay area such as added services and improved Saturday services.”
“These changes have been positively received, with a substantial rise in patronage in Bundaberg and the Maryborough/Hervey Bay region.”
Mr McNamara said the Kan-go service would be reviewed regularly throughout the 12-month trial, with a view to extending the service depending on passenger patronage.
The free hotline number for Point Vernon/Pialba residents to dial the Kan-go Service is 1800 231 248 from 5 March 2007.
