THE FUTURE success of community e-buses like ‘Sunny’ at Venus Bay and ‘Sandy’ at Sandy Point could depend on whether residents are willing to abandon their ‘car culture’ in favour of shared transport says Venus Bay Community Centre Manager Alyson Skinner.
“The cost of fuel may force them to change” says Ms Skinner.
Six months into a two-year trial for community e-buses ‘Sunny’ and ‘Sandy’ great enthusiasm has been shown by volunteers and community members alike.
“Volunteers have put in hundreds of hours” says Alyson Skinner.
Passenger support has been strongest for social outings to destinations such as Wilson’s Promontory and the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival.
“We run regular services to Leongatha and Wonthaggi for Sunny and Fish Creek and Foster for Sandy” says Alyson.
Bookings are essential though and can be made via website or phone call to either community organisation. “Monday, Friday and Sunday if there’s a booking”.
Clocking up seven thousand kilometres in six months Sunny’s volunteer army has been critical to the sustainability of the service.
“Passengers enjoy being out and about in the region” says Ms Skinner.
“Venus Bay and Sandy Point residents are early adopters but charging facilities in South Gippsland have not always been interchangeable with the community bus”.
“Time and effort are required for a volunteer service and there has been no funding to assist the Community Centre manage the e-bus.” says Alyson.
The electric buses for Venus Bay and Sandy Point were supplied as part of a La Trobe University research project which may be extended beyond its initial two-year trial to four years.
“La Trobe University prepared the initial business case” says Ms Skinner.
Another round of feedback is underway but already the busiest months are likely to be September to April when warmer weather and more holidaymakers led to an overwhelmingly positive response for the first few months of the service.
“Scheduled services connecting with towns like Inverloch run free subject to the availability of the bus and a pre-booked scheduled outing costs between five and ten dollars per passenger.
“Taking the e-bus by arrangement to Inverloch to connect with public transport a pensioner could travel to Melbourne for five dollars” says Alyson Skinner.
‘Sunny’ also connects with V-line services in Koonawarra and Leongatha.
“It is still early days” says Ms Skinner.
“We are very open to community feedback and have so far received great support and encouragement”.
“Venus Bay has been very reliant on cars” says Alyson.
“There is a need for behavioural change.”
To book ‘Sunny’ call 0403 108 199 or go to vbcc.org.au/e-bus.
The Venus Bay Men’s Shed also runs a popular community pick-up shopping bus once a fortnight from Venus Bay to Wonthaggi and can be found on Facebook.