A NEW report from City of Greater Bendigo staff recommends the Mitchell Street bus stop precinct be upgraded.
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Councillors will consider the plans – which follow much discussion over fixing the overcrowded bus stop – tomorrow.
The report, prepared by council staff, recommends the creation of a new sheltered waiting area at the entrance to the Hargreaves Mall in Mitchell Street and removal of the obelisk.
There are two concepts for the waiting area, the first a free standing structure, the second a shelter spanning the width of the mall.
LED screens would display real time bus timetable information which would be smartphone accessible anywhere on the line, and the footpaths along Mitchell Street, Bath Lane, Hargreaves Street and Queen Street would be widened to make the area more pedestrian friendly.
Mitchell Street would retain the two large bus parking bays and some of the nearby waiting areas, with the possibility of creating a new bus stop near Queen Street.
The timetabling system would be installed after Melbourne’s system is upgraded – which is currently under way – and would be followed by the Hargreaves Mall bus shelter.
The report recommends the extensive streetscape upgrades on Mitchell Street and surrounds, valued about $3 million, be sought as a high priority in the 2013-14 council budget.
City of Greater Bendigo director presentation and assets Darren Fuzzard said the Mitchell Street renewal work was needed. “The works are absolutely essential, irrespective of the bus stop project,” he said.
“The kerbs, road, footpaths and channel are in very poor condition. We’re looking to commence the intelligent transport system as soon as possible.”
That would be followed by the new bus shelter.
Mr Fuzzard said extensive community feedback had been sought over the project. The next stage of the project, if council votes in favour of it, involves the creation of more detailed plans.