The council received a petition in October with 52 signatures requesting that the old public transport bus routes in Warrnambool be returned.

Cr Tony Herbert has also raised concerns about safety issues at the Jubilee Park bus stop, which is situated along the Princes Highway. 

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) is the authority responsible for public transport services including route determination.

A council report said officers had sent a letter regarding the petition to PTV for their consideration and to action the matter.

The council’s letter supports a review in consultation with the community of the existing public transport bus network within Warrnambool.

Cr Herbert said the Jubilee Park bus stop was problematic. “It’s a debacle of a bus stop,” he said.

“Residents have to walk 1.5 kilometres up a road with no footpath to the highway to catch a bus. There they have to negotiate their way within a metre of the highway and cars going past at 100 kilometres an hour. I think it’s absolutely outrageous.”

He suggested a meeting with state government ministers to rectify the issue.

“Yes, we have written a letter - a nice, well mannered letter - but I just wonder if we need to go down and see the minister and put our case forward that way,” he said.

Councillor Peter Hulin said there was definitely some problems with new bus routes and timetables.

“There are definite issues that need to be addressed by PTV,” Cr Hulin said. 

Cr Kylie Gaston agreed it was a good time for a review.

“What we have asked for and what we are requesting is perfectly reasonable,” she said.

“It will be really good to see which parts are working, where some bus routes might be under-utilised and where we know there might be certain gaps.I think it would be prudent for PTV to come in and do a review at this point.” 

Cr Mike Neoh said public consultation should be undertaken to determine preferred timetables.

“We need to ask the community which ones need changing,” Cr Neoh said.

“That way everyone has a say.”