I have therefore conducted my own personal case studies, to assist to promote more people catching buses around the area. I actually enjoy our bus trips around the area. And I also hope you do if and when you catch them!
I have only caught half a dozen bus services or so to and from Nowra/Bomaderry, since living here, I have arrived at some conclusions on what needs to be done. Yes, both bus services take you to Nowra and to beyond Bomaderry to connect to trains taking people to Sydney.
Do we need further services? That will hopefully be judged on the real and latent demands on our community. At present, I don't see a demand or a trend to show demand for increased bus services. In saying that - maybe the services are not meeting community needs and the situation could change significantly if many more people decided to catch buses.
I thought hard, The 102 Scenic Drive and The 102 Express Service is not just a service taking commuters to Nowra and Bomaderry and from Bay & Basin only. It is an available bus service that takes people in between townships within the Bay & Basin area, as well as taking commuters along the longer route.
This is vital for people who have no access to vehicles or cannot sustain price rises or running costs of petrol price, maintenance, registration and insurance costs and not to mention other costs of living. This places pressure on our local communities on what to do and how to get to places, in a cost-effective way.
Bingo! Here come the buses.... Did you know for pensioners and Senior cardholders:
*The costs of bus trips in the area are similar to the Opal Card $2.50 for the day - great news!
*Adult travellers from Basin View travel to Nowra cost for the journey is approximately $8-9.00, return trip per day.
*From Basin View to Vincentia the return cost is around $5-$7.00. return trip per day.
*For the Adult Opal Card maximum to pay is $16.80 per day and $50.00 capped per week Click here for details
If you are looking at quick trips like Basin View View to HomeCo Vincentia - is that a fare price? - I'd say pretty reasonable but a lot of workers are casual and it might be difficult for them to pay every day. Compared to other modes of transport it is economical.
Case Study 1
I completed last week Sanctuary Point to Vincentia HomeCo. catching the Bus Service 102 (The Scenic Drive) and it was like a 10-minute service, although it was 10 minutes late. I found this bus service was quick and easy - before I knew I had reached my destination. The return trip was easier as well - if I add 3- 4 minutes for a walk home from the bus stop at SanctuaryPoint - within less than 15 minutes, I was back home.
Case Study 2
Today, I trialled the Sanctuary Point to Basin View 102 (The Scenic Drive) Bus which converted to a 102X (The Express) Bus Service at Basin View. Funny enough, you catch the bus going in the same direction as heading into Nowra because it was heading into the back streets of Sanctuary Point through Kingsford-Smith Crescent, Warrego Drive, Sanctuary Point Road, Leumeah Street, Edmund Street, Frederick Street, Macleans Point Road - right through to Loralyn Avenue. Then right into Anson Street right into Island Point Road, right into Tasman Road St Georges Basin, which converts to the Wool Road, left into John Street, Basin View, Valda Avenue, Watersledge Avenue turns into Elanora Parade, Basin View Parade, Tallyan Point Road (St Georges Basin Public School).
Roadworks in Cammeray Drive have added 8 minutes to the journey scheduled time as the bus has to drive around and follow diversion roads and return back. The same happened on the 102 Scenic Drive return trip.
On the way back it pretty much return on the reverse same route as above but we struck a few issues with the 102X (Express) Bus Service. As an Express Service - you aren't allowed to pick up in between township bus stops. Great in the City of Sydney as you have scenic buses travelling regularly to cover all bus stops. Today, one commuter was at the St Georges Basin Shops (Bus Stop Number 2540350), That was the Proper 102X combined 102 Scenic Bus Stop. about 50 meters down the road (No Bus stop), another commuter was waiting to be picked up. Hence, I don't think this person knew it was the Express Service.
Really the Driver should not have picked the commuter but he did - adding time to the journey. We reached Anson Street, 2 commuters were ready to come on board, no bus stop sign, 50 Metres from bus stop 2540958 (Opposite Cammeray Street) and then another commuter was at bus stop Number 25401040 (Opposite the road). As an Express Bus Service, again commuters should be picked up at the major towns shopping hub Agaian the bus driver picked them up.
The lesson learnt here and to be provided to our community is, to think of the bigger picture, travelling around your local community could be beneficial to you and your family.
Here are some examples of the quick times from the Nowra Coaches Time Tables from using the 102 Bus Service. The only thing I notice is the 102 Express doesn't end up at Basin View, only St Georges Basin. Using the Weekday 9.05 am from Homeco Vincentia to Basin View only Bus Service 102: 38 minutes, Weekday 102 Express 7.21 am from HomeCo Vincentia to Sanctuary Point Shops/School 7 minutes, To St Georges Basin 15 minutes, Huskisson Shops Owen Street to HomeCo Vincentia leaves 7.09 am - 12 minutes arrive.
Ok, from this small improvements need to be made:
*Permanent Bus Stop Signs with Bus Stop Numbers
*Bus Stop Signs include details of Tripview, Nowra Coaches contact phone, Transport for NSW and Which Bus Service is servicing that Bus Stop
* Review distances for bus stops in the region - Australian Standards are as follows: An ideal spacing for bus stops is approximately 400m, although a closer spacing in town centres and residential areas may be necessary to meet passenger requirements.
* Bus Contractors to factor in road works and passenger time for pick up/ drop off as this increases the journey time
* Bus Contractors to include the cost of Bus Fares on their timetables
*Bus Shelters/ Bus Stops to include Time Tables
*Clearer Express Indicators on Bus 102X
I will report back to the Community LED Village Plan Working Group, with my feedback and it is great to see they will working with all our community groups to help get the best improvements we can in public transport within the area, over time.
In the meantime, you can help me....what I need from all of you is to try to catch some buses in the area and give me your feedback. Make it a fun thing to do. Visit daily and/or friends in another town, go shopping, go to and from work, go to watch movies, go to your favourite club for entertainment and/or take your families to the beaches within our area. Tell us what you want as well.
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