Many small communities need to link in with outer regional centres for medical, dental and allied health appointments, and the Gannawarra Shire is no exception. 

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership (which is auspiced by the Cohuna District Hospital) conducted a survey in 2009, and found that 113 people from across the Shire needed to travel to Echuca on a regular basis for appointments and medical tests, as well as for recreation and social purposes.

As a result of this survey, the Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership and the Gannawarra Shire Council have formed a partnership to improve access to Echuca, and by doing so have developed a trial bus service between Kerang and Echuca (via Murrabit, Koondrook, Cohuna, Leitchville, Gunbower and Torrumbarry).

The Kerang to Echuca Trial Bus Service will provide transport on the first Tuesday and the third Friday of each month for a period of six months, in order to assess the need for a regular public bus service for the future.  Various buses will be used to trial this coordinated bus service (depending upon passenger numbers) and will incorporate buses from the Cohuna Community Bus Committee, Millar Bus Lines and Lake’s Coaches.

Although the new Kerang to Echuca Trial Bus Service will provide a vital link to the outer regional centre of Echuca, it is not the intention of the new transport service to promote shopping out of town, so all passengers are urged to continue to shop locally whenever they can. 

The new bus service has been well supported since its launch in November 2009, with 10 people using the service in November, 16 using it in December and 27 using it in January 2010.

The Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership plans to survey the passengers in February, in order to collect data for a funding submission to the Department of Transport.  If successful, then people may have ongoing access to this vital transport service well beyond the initial trial term.

Bookings

Bookings are essential, and can be made by telephoning the Gannawarra Shire Council - Cohuna Office on 5456 5222 (by 12pm on the Monday before each travel date).   Please note that the Cohuna Office does not open until 10.00am.

For further information relating to the timetable and relevant bus stops, please click on the following link  -     kerang - echuca timetable.pdf

Alternatively, timetable leaflets are available at:  the Gannawarra Shire Council (Kerang / Cohuna), the Wakool Shire Council (Barham), the Murrabit General Store, the Koondrook Post Office and the Leitchville Post Office.