It was the upgraded bus stop with seating – and then it wasn’t.
Residents are perplexed and angry that seating installed by Central Coast Council as part of a recent upgrade of a bus stop on Greenvale Rd at Green Point, near Koolang Rd, has been removed, forcing bus users, including school children and elderly patrons to stand or squat on the grass or concrete while waiting for a bus.
One resident said Council had “stuffed up” the upgrade by not leaving enough room for a bus seat and foot traffic and removed the seat just two weeks after it had been installed.
“Unfortunately (Council has) never fixed the problem or replaced the seat,” the resident said.
“We have been standing at this bus stop waiting for (Council) to fix the issue for too long now.
“It’s the nearest bus stop to the Green Point Community Centre and more than 70 homes at that end of Koolang Rd and it gets used frequently.
“I live near this bus stop and watch many of our elderly neighbours and young people being forced to stand in the elements because of this blunder.
“I often see members of our community being forced to sit on the ground while waiting for a bus at this stop and I’ve seen children sitting on the cold wet concrete waiting for their school bus.
“Because of (Council’s) lack of planning and action and this is happening on weekdays and some weekends.”
A Council spokesperson confirmed that the bus stop was upgraded in 2019/20 as part of its Bus Stop Improvement Program.
“This involves ensuring that all bus stops across the Central Coast are Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant, which involves ensuring there is a hard stand boarding pad of adequate size, tactile markers, connecting footpaths and kerb ramps,” the spokesperson said.
“A seat was originally placed at the bus stop; however, it was obstructing safe pedestrian movements and required removal.
“The bus stop as it is currently cannot accommodate the provision of seating or shelter.
“In future, consideration will be given to the placement of seating and a shelter which will require further works at the bus stop.
“Council apologises for any inconvenience caused to residents and local community members who utilise this bus stop.”
Terry Collins
