Potential Changes to Ellen Street Bus Stop
Port Pirie Regional Council will ask the State Government to make changes to the Port Pirie bus contract and provide additional funding to enable the city centre bus stop in Ellen Street to be relocated.
This follows concerns raised by several local businesses that they believe the current bus stop location in Ellen Street restricts customer parking. Council and the Port Pirie Bus Service have been working proactively to find an alternate location that would be suitable for bus patrons, and also not financially impact the bus operator, which is also a local business.
A series of options have been investigated but to date none provide a better outcome for all parties, without additional cost.
At last night’s Council meeting, Council decided not to proceed with the option of constructing a new bus stop in front of City Park because under the Port Pirie Bus Service’s current service agreement with the State Government, a change to this location would incur costs to the bus service and is not considered any more advantageous to bus patrons.
Mayor Leon Stephens said Council acknowledges the positions of the Ellen Street businesses, the Bus Service operator and the bus patrons, and was trying to find a solution that reasonably met all party’s needs. “If the State Government will assist us in being a little flexible with the current contract terms and also provide the required funding, we think a solution is possible,” he said.
In the meantime, Council will ensure funding remains available to construct an alternate city centre bus stop in the hope that the State Government will also commit funding to support a change of route to service the alternate stop.
In the near future, the State Government will be reviewing all regional bus services including the Port Pirie bus route. Council will consult with the community before this review to identify potential additions or changes to the Port Pirie bus route so that a more expansive service can be negotiated as part of the next State Government contract.