Metro asked to Reverse in Uphill Struggle

The concerned residents of the hilly suburbs of West Hobart and Mt Stuart who rely on the Metro Tasmania bus to service their transport needs have been hit with their expected fears today as Metro announces a streamline in their bus service to the area, resulting on a cropping of a large section of the present route.

At present a bus services the route through the steep and hilly suburbs of West Hobart traversing Summerhill Rd and Clift St through to Mt Stuart. If things go to Metro’s new improved service plan the bus for commuters to and from the city will have at its starting and end point the bottom of Mellifont St.

Those that know the area will realise this heavily trafficked area with a steady stream of cars speeding down hill in peak hour. Mellifont Street has no traffic lights and poses danger for the elderly and young children needing to access the bus service at this stop.

Alternatively, patrons may begin or end their journey at the roundabout at the top of Mount Stuart, which would pose similar issues.

Further problems articulated by the residents include difficulty in lugging the daily or weekly groceries on foot up hill and the fear of walking up hill for a considerable distance alone, particularly in the dark of winter, with the culling of 6 bus stops off the previous route.

For the elderly and those with mobility issues Metro offers the possibility of Community Transport Services Tasmania to provide alternative transport. Although this might provide compensation for some it still limits the individual’s independence and spontaneity in catching a Metro bus and will in some cases prove socially isolating with some patrons who for these reasons don’t wish to access the alternative service, curtailed in their travels.

These alternative arrangements do not address the situation of the day to day commuters who would have to tackle the hilly terrain to get home after a long day at work or school, especially perilous in the dark and the cold of the winter months.

Metro says the resulting changes are because of an almost 75 per cent affirmative response to a letter drop of surveys and feedback on the proposed changes, yet residents who have contacted me said they were not informed of the survey or opportunities for feedback. In response to being out of the loop and missing out on the chance to respond to the proposed changes the concerned residents have been proactive in creating a petition, and with over a hundred respondents voicing the concerns already mentioned, there is ample reason for Metro to reverse (pardon the pun) their decision that will inconvenience many and as a consequence bring with it the undesirable alternative of more cars and pollution in our streets.

Residents respect and value their Metro service and ask that Metro reconsider and maintain the present service to the residents of West Hobart and Mount Stuart.

Those interested in supporting the residents can view and sign the petition at:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/metro-buses-to-west-hobartmount-stuart.html