A PROPOSAL to introduce free council-run school buses in Wodonga seems like a good idea to counter the city’s weekday traffic congestion.
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Wodonga councillor Anna Speedie says incentives are needed such as those that would encourage children to ride on free school buses.
Cr Speedie said Wodonga needs to have a comprehensive plan as part of an integrated transport strategy which outlines the council’s direction for transport between now and 2017.
She says better ways need to be found to use the city’s assets ahead of next year’s budget discussions.
Cr Speedie makes the point that for those with more than one child, daily fares can add up to a lot of money; however having every child transported to school by private car only exacerbates traffic congestion during peak pick-up and drop-off times.
Consultation with Wodonga residents has identified the value of cycling and walking as transport alternatives, but it has also highlighted support for improvements to the city’s bicycle network and a demand for better public transport options.
The free school bus proposal is one that should be explored ahead of the document’s finalisation later this year.