Many small towns in rural Victoria have small populations (like Birchip and Watchem), which are unable to support the development of taxi / hire car services, or government funded bus services for local transport. This generally results in widespread transport disadvantage in rural Victoria, 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 identified a local transport need in the Birchip and Watchem communities in 2007, and formed a partnership with the Buloke Shire Council in 2008 to develop the Buloke / Watchem Local Transport Service in order to overcome some of the transport disadvantage.
As part of this service, the Buloke Shire Council provides a council vehicle every Friday, which is driven by a local volunteer. The transport service provides a door-to-door demand responsive local car service for people living in the Birchip and Watchem communities, who are unable to drive and/or who do not own a vehicle. People using the transport service are asked to provide a donation for each one way trip to assist with costs. People wishing to book this service need to telephone (03) 5492 2838 or 0458 202 758.
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 transport service.
The Birchip / Watchem Local Transport Service would not be made possible without the very generous support of local volunteer (Mr Chris McLoughlan), and the Southern Mallee Transport Connections Partnership would like to thank Chris for his ongoing commitment to the Birchip and Watchem communities.
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