After a surge of community concern, the Otago Regional Council has proposed re-establishing regular bus links between Concord and Green Island.
That proposed change came after direct bus links between Concord and Green Island, and between Green Island and South Dunedin, were lost when a new express bus service to central Dunedin started on July 1, 2015.
The proposed change, to reinclude Concord-Green Island links, attracted about 50 written submissions, and three people yesterday made verbal submissions to a council hearing panel comprising chairwoman Gretchen Robertson and Cr Andrew Noone. Almost all the submissions supported re-establishing the Concord links, and Cr Robertson had "greatly" appreciated the efforts people had made to make submissions. She was also well aware there had been strong support for re-establishing links with South Dunedin.
Panel recommendations would later be considered by a council committee and then by the full council, she said.
Retired plumber Kevin Keogh, who lives in Stevenson Rd, Concord, told the Otago Daily Times early last year he was particularly "frustrated" about the situation he and wife Lynn faced.
Mrs Keogh was legally blind and had had a guide dog for the past 11 years, she said at the time.
Earlier bus route changes meant the Keoghs and many other Concord residents no longer had any direct bus connection with South Dunedin or Green Island.
Mr Keogh made a verbal presentation at yesterday’s hearing and later said the proposed restoration of bus links with Green Island was "a minor step in the right direction" but links should also be made with South Dunedin.
