Saturday saw the introduction of a quirky 'temporary' route in Melbourne's north, Route 560.
Coles at Gaffney St & Cumberland Rd, Pascoe Vale has relocated 1km east to a new shopping centre at Coburg North at Gaffney St & Sussex St. Concerns were raised by locals that they would not be able to access their local supermarket anymore, as the current bus network consists of routes focused on Glenroy, Gowrie & Coburg, largely running north-south from this part of Pascoe Vale. An article on the issue was published in the Moreland Leader late last year - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/nort ... 7160656509
To resolve the network gap created by the store's relocation, PTV have stepped in at the eleventh hour to introduce a new off-peak shoppers bus in the area. It starts at Pascoe Vale Station, and heads along Gaffney St to the old Coles, before turning right in Cumberland Rd, then O'hea St, Sussex St and terminating outside the new Coles at Coburg North Village. Services run every 40 mins 7 days a week between 09:20 & 16:30.
The service is operated by Dysons subsidiary East-West. The East-West brand continues to be used for the 561 (Coburg - Reservoir - La Trobe Uni - Macleod) & 570 (Thomastown - RMIT Bundoora) despite Dyson's acquiring the Cooper family's stake in the partnership in February 2014, almost 18 months after purchasing Reservoir Bus Company. (See - http://dysongroup.com.au/company-announcement)
560 was previously used for their Broadmeadows - Greensborough cross-town link, before it was absorbed into the 902 Green Orbital SmartBus in April 2010. (Some final day photos of the former 560 here - Bus 6 & Bus 7.)
There is some more discussion on the route in the timetable section, including examples of 'hand-made' timetables and stop information as opposed to the regular PTV formats - http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 21&t=81043
Speaking to the driver today, later in the year (around November at this stage) a new full-time east-west route is set to be introduced along Gaffney St continuing beyond Coburg North Village to replace the temporary service. This would be particularly welcome to those who currently must climb the steep hill from Pascoe Vale on their way home each night.
#478 (Volvo B7RLE, Volgren) had the honours of running the first day of operation. The inaugural trip at 09:20 carried one shopper and two gunzels, all whom boarded at Pascoe Vale. Only a coupe of others were seen onboard today, but no doubt numbers will rise as word spreads (there was no mention in this week's Moreland Leader for instance).
#478 having just arrived at the Pascoe Vale terminus.
In November 2012, Route 542 was extended south from Oak Park to Pascoe Vale. Here Dyson's #733 (Volvo B7RLE, Volgren) waits to return to Roxburgh Park.
N454 passes on an up Shepparton service.
Signage for the new service was only been elected this morning. Here is the signage contractor with our friendly driver before departing on the 09:20 trip.
A cluttered stop with two buses and the signage van.
The actual route is relatively short, just under 3km, with the only intermediate stops on Cumberland Rd (the bus does not stop along O'hea St). Here were are seen 8 minutes later upon arrival at the new Coburg North Village.
Eastern terminus opposite Coburg North Village. Note the flag does not make any reference to East-West (same as the one installed at Pascoe Vale)
On weekends the bus has 20 mins between trips at Coburg North to meet a City train on arrival into Pascoe Vale. Here the bus briefly waits time before running the 09:48 trip back.
Departing Pascoe Vale Hotel on the second trip at 10am, #478 passes Dysons #361 ()Scania L94UB, Volgren)
Regular route services have not travelled up the steep Gaffney Street hill for at least 35 years. Buses only operate up the hill towards Coburg North, return trips travel around the block using Northumberland Rd and Fawkner Rd.
Down Down to Coles
Moderator: MAN 16.242
Forum rules
- A topic icon must be used with the thread title of all threads.
- No more than 10 photos per post with a maximum of 50 in any one page in a thread.
- Maximum photo width 1000 pixels.
- For full photo rules and how to attach photos see viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28459
- Thank you
Down Down to Coles
Last edited by Craig on Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Down Down to Coles
The terrain east of the hill is relatively flat, as seen as the bus travels back towards Pascoe Vale.
The view from the top of the hill across to Strathmore Heights and Airport West, unfortunately the driver only changed the desto until he speed past me.
#478 negotiates the figure-eight roundabout at O'hea St & Derby St. Ventura's Route 527 between Gowrie and Northland also travels this through this intersection.
Passing the site of the old Coles as the bus travels south along Cumberland Rd. The shelter in the background is promoting the new site.
Avoiding the steep decent, #478 turns into Northumberland Rd
Skaters' delight (in one direction anyway).
Waiting to turn right from Gaffney St into Cumberland Rd.
Departing the new Coles for Pascoe Vale once more early afternoon, sadly showing the wrong headboard again.
Coles chartered 0421AC (Mitsubishi Rosa) from local charter mob Golden Lotus Valley (GLV) to provide a staff shuttle between the two stores (I suspect staff were required to park off-site for the first weekend). Seen here outside the old store.
Travelling west along Gaffney St near the new store.
Kind Regards
Craig