• Uses new routing technology in an Australian-first
• Six-week on-demand shuttle service trial from 19 April to 28 May 2021
• Connecting The Grove residents to public transport network

MELBOURNE, 17 APRIL 2021

Residents of Frasers Property Australia’s The Grove are more connected to Melbourne’s public transport network than ever with the launch of a shared on-demand shuttle bus service in the Tarneit community.

Funded by Frasers Property, the shuttle services by Wynbus and The Routing Company allow residents of the emerging suburb to easily connect with the city’s rail network and closes the public transport gap between The Grove and train services.

A launch event for the new service was held on Saturday 17 April and Western Metropolitan MP Kaushaliya Vaghela, Wyndham City Cr Sahana Ramesh, Cr Jasmine Hill and Melissa Falkenberg, Manager City Transport, were in attendance.

Senthill Sundaram, founder of not-for-profit organisation Wynbus, says the trial is providing an important service for locals.

“The Grove is a well-established and thriving community and this service has the potential to enhance existing connections to the train station and other central points,” Mr Sundaram.

“By partnering with The Routing Company we are able to better connect local residents to the Tarneit train station, saving them time to drive and find parking to access the public transport on their morning and evening commute.

“We would like to thank Frasers Property for its generous support that allowed us to research, plan and oversee the six-week on-demand trial,” says Mr Sundaram.

Wynbus is a social enterprise established to provide affordable and inclusive on-demand mobility in the City of Wyndham with a specific focus on ensuring that the needs of the disadvantaged and disabled are met. All the vehicles in the trial will have wheelchair access.

The Routing Company has developed industry-leading technology and a routing engine that overcomes the complexities of calculating multiple pickups and drop-offs in shared vehicles, while guaranteeing passenger certainty of arrival time to achieve optimal efficiency. It is the first time the technology has been used in Australia.

“This technology gives public transit a tool they’ve never had to solve on-demand transit economically for the first time while complementing their fixed route network,” says James Cox, CEO, The Routing Company.

“The future of public transit involves smaller shared shuttles, with no set routes or timetables, serving the needs of the community by providing cost effective door-to-door services,” says Mr Cox.

Passengers can experience an on-demand door to door service for a flat fee of $2 per trip by requesting a ride using The Routing Company’s Pingo rider app, downloaded from the app store or via the link on Wynbus website https://wynbus.org.au/.

The trial of weekday services will run for six weeks from 19 April to 28 May within a defined service area in Tarneit.

The service will be operated by 11-seater shuttles permitting six passengers at a time to adhere to Covid safety recommendations. Approved transport operator & social enterprise Local Transit has been contracted by Wynbus to provide the accredited and insured drivers and vehicles.

The pilot will assess demand in the area for public transit services and test the latest on-demand routing technology, facilitating a fully automated door-to-door service with no set routes or timetables.

Sarah Bloom, General Manager Development Victoria, Frasers Property Australia says the shuttle services will benefit The Grove residents enormously.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Wynbus to provide this essential service that would allow The Grove residents to have direct access to the public transport network,” says Ms Bloom.

The Grove is located 32 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, a 31-minute train ride from the new Tarneit train station. 

Along with extensive wetlands, future plans at The Grove are expected to include a retail precinct, proposed primary and secondary schools, neighbourhood activity centre and sporting oval all connected to parklands and waterways and the wider neighbourhood by walking and cycle paths.  

The community already has several outdoor spaces for families to enjoy and the new wetlands space is being delivered in stages, with the entire system expected to be completed by 2022. 

For more information book an appointment at the sales centre at 180 Davis Rd, Tarneit, or arrange an online or phone consultation by visiting www.thegrove.com.au or calling Frasers Property on 13 38 38.