Public Transport Victoria has promised to work with Melton council to fix a dangerous bus stop in Rockbank.
The council has been calling for the bus stop, on the Western Freeway near Rockbank Caravan Park, to be relocated in the township.
Commuters, many of them elderly, have to walk across the full width of the Western Freeway to gain access to the stop.
Responding to a letter from Western Victoria Liberal MP Simon Ramsay, Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said Public Transport Victoria was aware of the concerns.
“PTV acknowledges the issues associated with the existing bus stops for Rockbank routes along the Western Freeway,” he said.
“However, PTV advises that the alternative of serving the township by re-routing the bus along Westcott Parade is problematic as significant sections of this street are around six metres wide.”
Mr Mulder said the council and PTV would work together to explore alternatives such as road pavement widening, parking bans and traffic management modifications.
A council report said officers would seek a meeting on the issue immediately.
“Once those issues are fully understood, they can be properly costed and considered by the council as part of the upcoming budget process,” the report said.
“The council would need some certainty from PTV that upon making any modifications the bus route can be diverted through the township.”
Cr Nola Dunn, who asked the council to write to Mr Mulder, said it was time for action.
“I have been fighting for this since I started on council,’’ she said.
“I drive past it every day and see people crossing the freeway with walking sticks, frames and crutches.”
