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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Daniella White

Elderly say they've been left housebound by bus changes

Shirley Gray and her neighbours used to love getting out and about. But that all changed for the Pearce residents when the new bus service was introduced in late April.

From left, Rex Faulkner, Elma Judd, Shirley Gray, Dawn Forsyth, and Heather Fluit would like to see the flexible bus service expanded. Picture: Jamila Toderas

The bus stop just around the corner was scrapped and instead they were forced to trudge about 600 metres to the nearest bus stop.

While not a hassle for most young and fit people, they say it's simply impossible for some of them.

Since then, they have been largely relying on taxis for medical appointments and social outings.

The Greens will on Thursday ask the government to expand the flexible bus service and introduce an on-demand service to help people struggling to use the new network, like the elderly and disabled.

Flexible bus services run limited routes on a limited timetable for eligible people who cannot access regular route services.

However, the service must be booked 48 hours ahead, operating hours are limited to between 9.30am and 1.30pm on weekdays and it does not have enough capacity to meet demand.

Greens transport spokeswoman Caroline Le Couteur said she regularly heard from elderly people who were struggling since the bus routes changed and stops were removed.

"An on-demand service that turns up at the door will make all the difference in improving their lives, for the better," Ms Le Couteur said.

"We need to make sure that everyone benefits from major investments in our public transport network."

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An on-demand bus service would be similar to a rideshare service like Uber, allowing you to book a vehicle in real time to pick you up from home or a nearby convenient location and take you to a local transport hub, shopping centre, business park or hospital.

The Pearce neighbours said they had been made housebound, forced to decide between spending money on a taxi or staying home.

"They're taking not only the buses way from us but food out of our mouth," Mrs Gray said.

"We sit in our little house, in our little chairs and wait for them to take us out in our little box."

Transport Minister Chris Steel said the government was looking at options for a new flexible bus booking system.

"Demand responsive services are important to addressing the needs of older Canberrans and people with a disability to access services," he said.

"We're currently looking at a new booking system for our flexible bus service that would provide more responsive services to meet demand.

"A new booking system could help reduce booking times from the current two-day window to the same day, and complement existing community bus services and other transport modes."

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