Transport Connections Evaluation Report - TDSA

ABCD
Department of Human Services
Transport Connections Program
Government
July 2006
• Bass Coast Summer Bus Service increase in patronage from the first year load of
approximately 500 passengers, to a second year patronage level of 984 (exceeding the
objective of carrying 720 passengers). Some of the reasons behind the increase in
patronage include:
- lower fares than the first year, including a staged fare structure
- operating the service each weekday over the summer period, and a Saturday service.
The examples above demonstrate that services, when implemented and given a reasonable
demonstration time, can be well utilised by community members leading to greater access to
services and activities. The Bass Coast summer bus service is an excellent example of
demonstrating the service over a short period of time, and then applying some of the learnings
from the demonstration to enhance and better meet the needs of the community.
As discussed earlier, the pilot projects have shifted focus from providing quick, short-term
solutions, such as information provision, to implementing and affecting transport service
provision change. In moving along the project cycle the pilot projects have begun to tackle the
complex issues involved in commercial and community transport provision, and highlighted
that community members, when given time, will utilise new or refined services.
4.3.3 Increasing accessibility
As highlighted in the mid term evaluation of the pilot projects, and throughout the final
evaluation, the pilot projects have been able to influence not only the accessibility to transport
option, but also the accessibility to local services. Accessibility to transport is one facet of the
TCP, however, increasing access to services (either health, social or others) is an important
factor in community connectedness and the well-being of those individuals within the
community.
In the text box below, is an individual perspective on how the TCP has impacted, and benefited,
the lives of the individual within the Craigieburn community. This case study highlights not
only impact on transport options, but on quality of life areas of individuals.
“The ConnectaBus takes me to right places, and it is lovely to go out on Sundays”. Craigieburn
resident using the Hume Transport Links ConnectaBus service.
The ConnectaBus service picks up transport disadvantaged community members within Roxburgh
Park and Craigieburn and transports them to popular destinations, such as the local shopping
centres, cinemas, The Northern Hospital, Broadmeadows Railway Station, churches and community
centres.
A Craigieburn resident has used the ConnectaBus service on four occasions to access the
Broadmeadows Shopping Centre. This resident does not drive and has a medical condition that
makes it difficult to walk long distances. She has a daughter who lives close-by, however, there are
times when the daughter is unavailable to drive the resident to where they need to go, particularly on
Sundays.
In being able to access this service, the resident now has the choice to go on Sunday outings to
Broadmeadows Shopping Centre. The last time she utilised the service, her two year-old grandson
also went along for the ride. The service also serves as a social outing because of the interaction
with other passengers, and is affordable and accessible.
Final Evaluation - Transport Connections Program 2006
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