The State Government’s review into bus services provides an opportunity to rectify gaps in the network, such as Canterbury Road. While there is a bus route that operates between Lilydale and Ringwood along Canterbury Road there is no service between Ringwood and Box Hill leaving residents without adequate public transport.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on a petition that was recently tabled in State Parliament calling on the Government to provide a new bus service linking Box Hill and Ringwood via Canterbury Road.

Eastern Transport Coalition spokesman Alex Makin said Canterbury Road was a gap in the network.

Canterbury Road, between Box Hill and Ringwood, includes a number of community facilities, shopping precincts and residential areas.

“It is the longest stretch of arterial road that lacks a continuous bus service. Linking the road would connect residents to the Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre, Ringwood Aquatic Centre and Maroondah Federation Estate.”

The City of Whitehorse is currently going through the State Government’s bus service review process with Maroondah’s review expected either later this year or early 2009. The State Government needs to demonstrate that this process will provide better public transport through improving service standards and rectifying gaps in the network, such as Canterbury Road.