Hop, Skip Jump Bus Saved

It was nothing short of a triumph!  The Manly Ward Councillors, Candy Bingham, Sarah Grattan and Georgia Ryburn, lead a passionate and strategic debate at Council's May meeting setting the scene for the community bus service not only to be retained, but for four new, fully accessible buses to be purchased for the popular community service.

Manly Ward Councillors, L to R, Georgia Ryburn, Candy Bingham, Sarah Grattan

This follows more than 18 months of campaigning by Good for Manly, working with the community, fellow Manly Ward Councillors and council staff to find ways to protect this important service which was used by close to 200,000 passengers in the last year.

(See our news report from last year which outlines the fight and includes the details of an extensive survey undertaken with 1,000 users of the bus, here.)

Some important financial facts.
The cost of operating the service will be $760,000 this coming financial year. Four new accessable buses, for which $605,000 had already been set aside over a number of years, will be $885,000 which will be depreciated over 7 years.

The Manly Ward Councillors argued that this equates to around $2.50 per trip for the main Manly route, and $4.07 for passengers using the Seaforth, Clontarf and Bower Street alternative routes. "This is a a small price to pay to provide "a community of wheels" for  kids getting to school, mums doing their shopping, enabling the elderly to attend medical appointments and meet up for coffee, and others needing access to the Manly Aquatic Centre where parking is impossible", explained Cr Candy Bingham.

How the Debate Unfolded
Councillors were moved by the numerous individual emails received by locals who use the service, and why it is so important to them.

Cr Sarah Grattan, who has an extensive financial background, pointed out the cost/benefit value of the service linking directly to Council's strategic plans to encourage less use of cars, reduction in emissions and the sharing of transport options.

"It was concerning that there seemed to be an attitude by some councillors that if a service was not used in their Ward, that it wasn't fair and should not continue. To confront this, Cr Georgia Ryburn used examples of subsidised services exclusive in other Wards, including $6 per visit for users of the Warringah Aquatic Centre, $11.39 for the Glen Street Theatre, $25 per game at the Avalon Golf Course and $1,123 per household to provide offshore waste collection in Pittwater", Cr Bingham explained.

What's Next
A survey undertaken on Facebook indicated that users would be happy to contribute $2-$3 per trip to assist with the operating costs.  As Council is not an authorised provider, a fare can not be charged however a donation can be paid.  The introduction of a cashless tap system on each bus will enable those who can afford it, to make a donation.

It is hoped that this, plus further promotion of the service and an easier to read timetable, will encourage more locals to leave their cars at home and join the "community on wheels".