Trial of on-demand bus service, Keoride extended following overwhelming response
As residents continue to struggle with the limited transport options on the peninsula’s north, residents are welcoming an extension to the Keoride trial.
Manly
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An on-demand bus service which has transported residents from their northern beaches homes to the B-Line hubs will continue to be trialled until mid-2020.
Pittwater MP Rob Stokes said since the service launched in November 2017, it has completed more than 200,000 passenger trips.
“Keoride has revolutionised public transport in Pittwater and been one of the most successful on demand transport trials in the state,” Mr Stokes said.
“Pittwater’s challenging geography is well suited to the nimble Keoride vehicles which can access areas not able to be serviced by traditional buses.
“More people using public transport services means less vehicles on our roads. This is a good thing for everyone.”
He said a decision was made to renew the trial because of its popularity.
Sharon Green referred to the service as “life-changing”.
The Great Mackerel Beach mother travels to Balgowlah for work, which takes about two hours.
“I’m so happy, I wouldn’t know what I’d do without the service now,” Mrs Green said.
“Without it I would have to wait another half an hour, so it cuts the amount of time I have to travel. It takes me about two hours to get to work. I catch a ferry, Keoride and then the B-Line bus service.
“When I get off the ferry, Keoride is waiting for me.”
With a shortage of transport services in the northern beaches, more traffic and limited parking spots, Mrs Green said Keoride has eased the struggle.
“I used to have to catch the L90 bus but when the B-Line started, they changed the services. Public transport has been lacking from Palm Beach through to the B-Line.
“The benefit is it links the peninsula to Mona Vale. If you live in Newport or Palm Beach there is limited transport so it picks people up from home and takes them to the B-Line so they don’t have to drive their car, which is great because there’s a real shortage in parking.”
Residents are calling on the government to make the on-demand service a permanent fixture.
“It’s a small bus and you get to know the drivers and other passengers,” Mrs Green said.
“I do hope they make it a permanent solution, I don’t know where they intend to go from here but I’m hoping it continues to run and remains affordable.”
Mr Stokes published a post announcing news about the trial on Facebook, which gained a similar response.
“It’s really good, just forget about the trial and make it permanent,” Anthony Kleverlaan wrote.
Facebook user Shane O’Neill stated: “Fantastic News! Also would be great to look at replacing the 156 bus with a smaller bus like the hop skip and jump in Manly.”
Mr Stokes said the service will be reviewed again prior to June 30, 2020.
All Keoride trips are a set fare of $3.10 or $1.55 for concessions.
Direct bus services which travel between Palm Beach, North Avalon, and Wynyard were also boosted in December 2018 with extended operating hours introduced for E88 and L90 routes. A new bus between Pittwater and Northern Beaches Hospital also commences from November 17, using Wakehurst Pkwy as a scheduled public transport route for the first time.