Perth Voice Interactive

PEOPLE power and common-sense have resulted in the WA government shifting a bus stop in Mount Lawley that was endangering local students.

Following its new legibility policy the public transport authority had moved the North Street stop so it directly faced another on the other side of the road.

The move resulted in gaggles of Mt Lawley SHS students congregating directly opposite each other, and doing what kids do.

“They would wait with their friends at one stop and then bolt across the road when their bus arrived,” nearby resident Delia Quinn shuddered.

“Plus all the usual throwing the football across the road and other games. They weren’t misbehaving, just being kids, but the position of the two stops made their behaviour dangerous.”

WA transport minister Dean Nalder came down to take a look and promptly ordered the PTA to shift the stop back to where it was, 200 metres down the road near Second Avenue.

Mt Lawley MP Michael Sutherland is pleased common-sense prevailed.

“I recognised the merit of the concerns brought to me,” he told the Voice.

“Another appeal was made by me to the minister, who agreed to see the problem for himself.

“The minister, seeing the problem in person, recognised the validity of the concerns expressed and agreed to have one of the bus stops moved.

“Credit for this outcome goes to the local residents who persevered with the matter and the minister for showing a common-sense approach and a willingness to listen to local residents who have witnessed the problem first-hand.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK