Bayside Council free commuter bus service under fire and facing potential legal action
RESIDENTS and real estate agents have slammed a ‘hare-brained’ idea to trial a free council commuter shuttle bus service to and from Middle Brighton station.
Inner South
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BAYSIDE Council’s controversial free commuter bus trial could face legal challenges amid claims the service will devalue homes and could breach public transport contracts.
The six-month trial to “help ease the pressure on commuter parking at Middle Brighton railway station” was due to start on Monday (October 29).
However, it could soon be stopped as the Leader understands Ventura Bus Lines is seriously considering launching a legal challenge.
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Ventura, Australia’s largest privately owned bus service, holds contracts with Public Transport Victoria to operate services to-and-from Brighton.
Its 703 Middle Brighton smart bus service goes along a similar route to the one the council service will take.
It also drops-off and picks-up passengers from Middle Brighton station.
Ventura’s network planning general manager Steve O’Callaghan did not rule out a legal challenge.
“We’d have to review it because we understand they (the council) have spoken to PTV so we’re not sure where we stand,” he said.
“It’s possible there could be some sanctions.”
The problems don’t stop there, as the Victorian Ombudsman is investigating complaints made against the validity of the service.
In addition, real estate agent Larry Takis said he is “considering his options” but promised the council will be “bombarded with lots of avenues of attack”.
The Teska Carson director
fears property prices will
“tumble” if the trial is allowed
to continue.
“People buy houses where it’s not busy and the fact is values will decrease by 10, 15 or 20 per cent because of this poorly thought through plan,” he said.
Mr Teska, whose home is directly affected by the trial service, is calling for the five councillors who voted for the trial to resign.
“How dare they devalue people’s properties,” he said.
Brighton ratepayer Ian Armstrong, who will have a designated stop out the front of his home, has started a petition opposing the trial.
“Del Porto’s hare-brained project will be a loser,” Mr Armstrong
said.
“This hornet’s nest scheme was not wanted and it’s going to be a waste of ratepayer cash.”
Council officers advised against the trial service for two 12-seater buses to operate across Brighton.
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