State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has welcomed news that the Transport Minister has approved an application to increase school bus services in Minmi, Fletcher, Maryland and Wallsend.
After a delay of more than six months, Hunter Valley Buses has announced that the overhaul of school bus routes in the area will commence from Tuesday 15 June.
The new and updated routes will see more dedicated services for schools and will also service some of the new estates in Fletcher in both the morning and afternoon and means students will no longer be forced to cross Minmi Road.
The new routes should also see a reduction in traffic around schools as parents will be more comfortable in their children accessing the school bus safely.
“This is great news and long overdue for the students and parents in Wallsend, Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi,” Ms Hornery said.
“These new services and changed bus routes mean there is greater coverage across the western suburbs with the new estates like The Outlook finally getting a bus service.
“Parents have been raising concerns about their children having to cross Minmi Road during peak periods without access to a pedestrian crossing and this new service will eliminate the need for that now.
“Parents and students should make sure they familiarise themselves will the new maps and timetables, which are available from my office, as times have changed completely on many routes.
“The new routes start in two weeks’ so there is a bit of time to ensure the correct information gets out to local residents before they commence.
“I would encourage anyone who lives in the area and has a child that catches the school bus to check the new timetables and let me know if there are any issues,” said Ms Hornery.