Many small towns in rural Victoria have small populations (like Birchip), which are unable to support the development of hire car services, taxi services or government funded bus services for local transport. This has resulted in widespread transport disadvantage, with many people unable to access local shops, health services and community events.

Many community transport services are developed in order to fill some of these transport gaps, in order to ensure that local people are able to access shops and services, and can remain connected to their local communities.

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Project has formed a partnership with the Buloke Shire Council in order to provide a local community transport service one day per week for the Birchip community, as a means of overcoming some of this disadvantage.

The Buloke Shire Council provides a council vehicle every Friday, which is driven by local volunteers. This transport service provides a door-to-door demand responsive local car service for people who are unable to drive and/or who do not own a vehicle.  People using the transport service are asked to provide a gold coin ($2.00) donation for each one way trip.

This new local car service first began operation on 11th May, 2008 and has provided a vital service for many aged people in Birchip, providing up to 8 trips in any one day.  Many people use this service to attend the local shops, meet with family and friends, and attend the local medical centre. A number of passengers are now beginning to book ahead, and have become regular users of this new transport service.

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership applied for government funding in order to continue providing this service, and to expand the project area to include Watchem.  The funding application has been successful, and will ensure that this local transport service will continue until June, 2010. 

It is important that people in Birchip and Watchem continue to support this service, in order to build a case for ongoing funding next year.

For bookings telephone 0488 684 376.