from yaprap March 2009
Here is a snapshot of a few community bus schemes around NSW.
Get There Bus It
In August 2008, Camden Council launched its new Get There Bus It project. Targetting 18-25 year olds, it is a Friday late night transport service for young people who live in the Camden Local Government Area. The aim of the project is to get young adults home safely from entertainment hubs that serve alcohol and to lower the opportunity for anti-social behaviour.
The bus picks young people up from the bus shelter on John Street, Camden and from Campbelltown Station and drops them home after a night out. The bus does not operate as a shuttle service to transport young people to and from entertainment hubs. It drops young people home at night who cannot arrange alternative transport. Operating from 10pm to 2am every Friday night, the service is free for all young people who live in the Camden LGA. Photo identification is required for people to use the service. Security guards are on board the bus each to monitor this. No bookings are required, but you can SMS or phone the bus for an approximate pick up time.
The service originally required a gold coin donation, while people over the age of 25 paid $10. The project still focuses on 18–25 year olds, but Camden Council is now providing the service for free for all young people 18–25 years, and for those aged over 25 years if space on the bus permits. The change has come about in order to ensure all residents over the age of 18 get home safely.
As part of its record keeping and evaluation process, statistics have been recorded of the number of young people using the service and which suburbs have been most popular. In total, from August to December 2008, 1268 people have used the service, with 1190 people aged 18-25 years - approximately 80 young people each night.
Currently the project has formed a strong relationship with YouthSafe, a state-wide organisation that addresses the issues of safety among young people 15-25 years. Youthsafe will work with Camden Council to evaluate the effectiveness of the project as a safe alternative transport option for young people.
This is a two year project that has been funded by the Department of Community Services (DoCS) through the Macarthur Area Assistance Scheme (MACAAS). For more information please contact Jodie Grundy on (02) 4645 5021 or jodie.grundy@camden.nsw.gov.au
Brain Bus 10th Year
Not sure how to get home after a night out in Jindabyne? The BRAIN Bus, Jindabyne’s late night alternative transport service, is your answer.
“Last year we recorded a record number of people using the bus,” said Rosemary White of Greater Southern Area Health Service’s Drug and Alcohol Service. To celebrate the huge success of the BRAIN Bus, the 40,000th passenger will win a new Burton snowboard. “We’re not sure exactly when our 40,000th passenger will hop on the bus, but we expect it to be in the early part of this season,” Ms White said.
Running from 11pm to 4am on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, the bus services Jindabyne Village and the Station Resort throughout the season until 15 September. Pick up stops include the Lake Jindabyne Hotel, Banjo Patterson Inn, Jindabyne Bowling & Sports Club and the Station Resort. The bus goes past each venue about once every half hour. A $2 donation is requested from passengers and there is a security guard on board at all times.
The BRAIN Bus is made possible by the support of the local venues above, NSW Police, Greater Southern Area Health Service and the Roads and Traffic Authority. More information: (02) 6456 2203. [Source: gsahs.nsw.gov.au 25/6/08]
Catch the Summer Bus
Are you heading to the coast this holiday season? Don’t want to worry about being “over the limit” after a night out? The Summer Bus is the answer!
Travelling between holiday accommodation and town centres up and down the South Coast, the Summer Bus services provide safe and inexpensive late night alternative transport. Summer Buses operate in: Wollongong/Austinmer/Dapto; Nowra; Kiama; Southern Highlands; Ulladulla; Batemans Bay; Bega Valley.
According to Rosemary White of Greater Southern Area Health’s Drink Drive Prevention Team, many holidaymakers are surprised to find themselves failing breath tests. “We want people to know that the more you drink, the longer it takes for your blood alcohol concentration to return to zero” Ms White stated. “The only thing which will lower a person’s blood alcohol content is time”.
These services are made possible by the support of local licensed venues, NSW Police, local councils, South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health, Greater Southern Area Health Service and the Roads and Traffic Authority (Southern Region)
More information
[Source: gsahs.nsw.gov.au 22/12/08]
Youth Transport Vouchers
The Summer Bus Youth Transport Vouchers are an initiative of Bega Valley Shire Youth Council and proudly supported and operated by Deane's Buslines, Tathra Bus Service, Bega Valley Coaches and Towamba Valley Access Bus.
- The free BVS Youth Transport Vouchers are worth $5.
- If the fare is greater than the value of the voucher, you will be required to pay the difference
- You can use a maximum of 2 x $5 BVS Youth Transport Vouchers per trip
- No part of this voucher is redeemable for cash
- You can pick up your free vouchers from a number of shops and centres.
More information