The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is set to use the findings of the summer beach bus to lobby the State Government to reconsider public transport funding in the region.
Public transport has been long called for by the shire, with it listed as a priority in its strategic community and climate action plans.
The beach bus operated through January, providing a free service between Margaret River town and Gnarabup beach. Nearly 1400 people got on and off the bus over the month.
Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said having access to public transport would bring the shire in line with other regional towns.
“Public transport is a State Government responsibility, so that’s why we’re sharing the results to advocate to the Public Transport Authority for public transport in our shire,” she said.
“All communities deserve to have the accessibility of public transport, particularly when we have social services and key service provision that’s located outside of Margaret River.”
Ms Jean-Rice said lack of formal analysis had prevented public transport in the shire from becoming possible.
“There’s never been a boundary identified and the analysis done, so that’s why we initiated and encouraged the Public Transport Authority to do a feasibility study,” she said.
“We’ve got the evidence from the beach bus over a couple of summers to show that the need is there, and now we need the political investment in our shire to enable public transport.”
While the shire will lobby the State Government for feasibility studies and funding, a lack of quantitative data may hinder its effectiveness, with only 32 responses to a public survey.