More Buses on the Way

 

Top level News


The Mallee Health Service, Southern Mallee District Council and the Passenger Transport Board announce that the Passenger Transport Board has awarded the Southern Mallee Transport tender to Coorong Coaches.

The Mallee Health Service through Pinnaroo Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and Lameroo District Health Service staff and the Southern Mallee District Council have been involved since the beginning of the process in specifying the core services that will be required. Consultation with the community was also important in the process and services have been designed around what the community expressed as their transport needs.

Jim and Gale Davis from Coorong Coaches said that they have purchased 2 new 21 Seat plus 1 Wheelchair space Mitsubishi buses specifically to service the Southern Mallee needs. The buses are fitted with ducted air-conditioning, seatbelts and are wheelchair accessible from the footpath. The buses will be located in Pinnaroo and Lameroo and operated by local people. Services are expected to begin by middle to late June 2003 and further information about schedules, fares and contact details will be publicised soon.

The Bus services will make regular runs to Murray Bridge and the Riverland to enable people to more easily attend medical and other appointments. Darren Pike, CEO of Mallee Health Service said that a lot of work has gone into ensuring that the health and welfare needs of the community have been considered in providing this service.

The Passenger Transport Board is the major funder of this service with contributions from the Mallee Health Service and user fares. Concession card holders will only pay $5 for return fares and services provided for the health services will be at no cost to the user. The Mallee Health Service is supporting this service with funding received through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing’s Regional Health Service Program. The Mallee Health Service has specified a range of core services such as transport for Day Centre, youth services, attendance at specialist medical appointments and linking with services in Murray Bridge so that people with appointments in Adelaide can also use the bus service.

Philip Wood, CEO of Southern Mallee District Council said it will be a great resource for the community. The service will be available for local charters, youth groups and other community groups to access.

This service will go a long way to meeting many of the transport needs in Southern Mallee. While the process of tender selection has taken longer than we would have liked, it is pleasing to see the service finally begin. To ensure the continuing viability of this valuable service, the community is encouraged to take advantage and use the buses to their full potential.

More Information: Darren Pike, CEO Mallee Health Service 0407 616 383, or
Philip Wood, CEO Southern Mallee District Council 8577 8002


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Last updated on: 25 May 2003