PenBus: On the road!
Back Row (L-R): Professor Michael Ewing, Dr Michael Kennedy OAM, Cr David Gibb, Andrew Cornwall, Front Row (L-R): Peter Harrison, Cr Lynn Bowden, Ian Barker
In just its first month of operation more than 50 people have already signed up to ‘PenBus’ – a free bus service for eligible students, jobseekers, apprentices and trainees living in the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston region.
PenBus, a partnership between Mornington Peninsula Shire and Ventura Buslines funded by the Australian Government through the Local Employment Coordinator Flexible Funding Pool, was officially launched today at Chisholm Institute in Rosebud.
Two PenBus routes now operate:
- Rosebud to Monash University (Clayton) - via Frankston station
- Hastings to Chisholm Institute (Rosebud) - via Mornington
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor Lynn Bowden said PenBus provides a much-needed transport service.
“Many of our young people want to work and study but the previous lack of transport options made this difficult," Councillor Bowden said.
“PenBus now offers a free, convenient transport solution for people in the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston areas who need to travel to further their studies.
“PenBus also aims to address some of the challenges caused by local retrenchments and unemployment, and the free service is also available for job seekers and workers travelling to and from interviews.”
PenBus services have been scheduled to ensure morning passengers arrive at their destination in time for standard business and campus opening hours, and gives passengers working or studying outside the region a convenient connection to both Hastings and Frankston railway stations.
PenBus has been warmly welcomed by both Monash University and Chisholm.
Monash University’s Director of Environmental Sustainability, Paul Barton said the University was delighted with commencement of this new PenBus service.
“With the buses providing sustainable transport to both our Peninsula and Clayton campuses, students from the Mornington Peninsula will have a tremendous choice of courses and opportunities at Monash,” Mr Barton said.
Director and CEO of Chisholm Institute, Maria Peters said Chisholm Institute was very excited to be part of the PenBus partnership.
“The free service between Rosebud, Frankston and Monash Clayton will mean that there is easier access to pathway opportunities from certificates right through to higher education at Chisholm Institute as well as for our young second and third year apprentices,” Ms Peters said.
“Having a direct, free transport link from Hastings to Rosebud will now enable quality vocational education to be accessed by the young people in that region. The opportunities this presents to the Hastings community is enormous.”
Managing Director of Ventura Buslines Andrew Cornwall said it was very refreshing to see a local council committed to providing accessibility to its students and job seekers, paving the way for an inclusive community.
Residents of the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston region are eligible to apply for free access to PenBus services if they are a full-time, or part-time tertiary student, formally enrolled in study, a registered apprentice or trainee or a jobseeker
All PenBus services have free WiFi and are wheelchair accessible (wheelchair places must be booked in advance).
For more information on PenBus contact penbus@mornpen.vic.gov.au, or custserv@mornpen.vic.gov.au.
To view timetables and routes, and to sign up for the PenBus service, visit the Mornington Peninsula Shire website.
For interviews or more information please call:
At Mornington Peninsula Shire: Kat Hodgins, 0428 142 592 or Kat.Hodgins@mornpen.vic.gov.au
At Monash University: Glynis Smalley, 0408 027 848 or glynis.smalley@monash.edu