More Updates On Catching Buses Around The Bay & Basin Area

Since I published the post on improvements in public transport, interesting and robust conversations have been building up within our community. I have been communicating with two local groups in the Basin Area: The Champions-Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin & SanctuaryPoint Community Pride Inc. 

I am seeking support from both community groups to work closely in obtaining positive improvements in different matters of Public Transport and ultimately come together to help us increase the patronage of buses within our area as soon as possible.

Some people do not catch buses as they feel there are few and far between services. Or they have just missed the bus and will be waiting for a long time for the next service. If you do not have a bus shelter, you will be standing for that long period of waiting time.

Small steps are being made to commence public Transport Advocacy within our area. These services could be reduced if we have little or non-patronage of our local bus services. The beaucrats will make decisions on an economical basis when bus contracts are reviewed.

My last post, 'How to check Real-time On all public Transport Services' had 266 page views. Imagine the impact if those 266 readers were regular commuters boarding buses daily.

So here are a few examples, of people I have spoken to within the Bay & Basin community, who now better understand our bus services and transport applications available to them:

• I spoke with a lady who indicated that the bus she catches to Nowra takes about 1 1/2 hours from our area. I explained that we are fortunate, we have both a 102 bus and the 102X service. She was delighted when I explained that the X represents 'Express Service', with limited stops. Its run time is approximately 55 minutes, versus the 102 bus service run time of  1 1/2 hours ( What I call the scenic bus service).
• Another lady mentioned to me that her son goes to the University of Wollongong and has had issues, missing buses and sometimes missing the train due to buses running late. Using  'Tripview' and the 'Anytrip' applications, his troubles had turned around as he could track when his actual bus services arrived and act accordingly.  His Mum uses 'Anytrip' so you can see where the bus is precisely, so she can pick up her son from the set-down bus stop and not have to wait around. The 'Anytrip' application enables both mother and son to see if the bus is running early, on time or late.
• I also spoke recently to a man & he said his mother would love to catch buses even just to go to Home Co Shopping and return home by bus. He noted his mother didn't know about the timetables or where to find this information. I showed him the 'Trip View' and 'Anytrip' applications. He thanked me as he could assist his mother in catching the 102 buses and gaining her independence.

Why is it Important for commuters and Community Members to have the right information about local services?

Knowledge is important and will empower more locals to use and trust our local services. Increased use will maintain our local service and include more services.

What are bus stop numbers, and why are they important?

1. Clear Identification: Bus stop numbers provide a clear and standardised way of identifying bus stops. Bus stop numbers help passengers, especially in areas with multiple stops along the same route, to accurately locate their desired stop and avoid confusion. Instead of relying solely on names or landmarks, passengers can use universally recognisable stop numbers as reference points.

2. Efficient Communication: Bus stop numbers facilitate efficient communication between passengers and Bus Operators. When seeking information, reporting issues, or requesting assistance, passengers can easily provide their location by referring to the stop number. This simplifies communication, reduces misunderstandings, and lets operators quickly understand the specific stop, leading to more effective responses and resolutions.

3. Enhanced Wayfinding: For newcomers, tourists, or individuals with visual impairments, bus stop numbers serve as necessary wayfinding aids. They can be used with maps, mobile applications, or other navigation applications to determine bus stop locations and accurately plan journeys. This ensures that passengers can reach their destinations more efficiently and with minimal confusion.

4. Integration with Technology: Bus stop numbers have become increasingly valuable in the digital age. Mobile applications, such as transit planning apps and real-time tracking services, utilise these numbers to provide accurate and up-to-date bus arrival times, service

updates, and alternative routes. Passengers can input the stop number into these apps to access relevant information, improving their overall travel experience and reducing waiting times.

5. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Bus stop numbers contribute to creating a more accessible and inclusive public transport system. Individuals with visual impairments can use stop numbers with assistive technologies like screen readers to navigate and access information about bus services. The standardised format of stop numbers ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can easily identify and communicate their location when using

public transportation. Bus stop numbers are essential for efficient communication, wayfinding, integration with technology, and promoting accessibility in public transportation systems. They simplify locating and identifying bus stops, leading to smoother journeys, better coordination, and improved overall passenger experiences. You will note our bus stop numbers start with our postcode 2540. The postcode for your village.

Local Bus Stop Numbers:

Bus Stop Number 25401040  Anson St, before Kean St, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 25401303 Frederick & Edmund St, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 2540350 Island Point Rd @ St Georges Basin Rd, St Georges Basin

Bus Stop Number 25401149 John St Opposite Junee St, Basin View

Bus Stop Number 2540347 Paradise Beach Rd opposite Sanctuary Point Public School, 

Bus Stop Number 2540360 Prentice Avenu and MacDonald St, Old Erowal Bay

Bus Stop Number  2540119 Sanctuary Point Public School, Paradise Beach Rd, Sanctuary Point

Bus Stop Number 2540130 St Georges Basin Public School, Tallyan Rd, Basin View

Bus Stop Number 2540495 The Park Dr Opposite Stephens Rd, Sanctuary Point

What's next?

I will use my experience in lobbying for better services for public transport in the Bay & Basin area. I am working with local community groups, Sanctuary Point Community Pride Inc. Click here for details and Sanctuary Point & Champions-Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin. Click here for details to bring awareness to our current bus system and advocate for improved support, including signage and bus numbers on bus stops and timetables.

Please note, Publicity Officer of  Sanctuary Point Community Pride Inc. and Advisor Champions-Sanctuary Point and St Georges Basin.

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