Bodington, NSW - awarded 2006
Out 'n' about around Bodington: Resident evaluation of a free shuttle bus service
Better Practice Award
In response to resident and relative feedback in 2003, Bodington introduced a free shuttle-bus service that operates a return bus route between Bodington and upper Blue Mountains towns. The twice-daily shuttle service runs three days a week, between Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba and meets east and westbound trains at Wentworth Falls railway station. In December 2003, its first month of service, 16 residents used the bus; by October 2005 average patronage had increased to 65 people per month. During 2006-7 an average of 70 people used the bus each month, 95% of these were Bodington residents, the remainder were relatives. To gain feedback about the effectiveness of the shuttle-bus, residents using the service in 2006 were invited to participate in an evaluative survey that explored their level of satisfaction with the service, reasons for using the bus and the impact it had on their lives.
Survey results indicated that overall residents were very satisfied with the bus service, time-table and bus-route. They reported that their sense of independence had improved since using the shuttle because it enabled them to participate in activities they had done prior to moving to Bodington, these included visiting other people, shopping and getting to and from appointments.
Visiting other people was important to the residents because it helped them maintain connections with friends in the Blue Mountains community, one resident explained:
"The bus drops me at the railway station and I catch the train to Blackheath. I visit friends at Blackheath its great that I can catch up with them, I miss them when I don't see them"
Another resident said:
"I catch the bus to the RSL club, I have a few beer with my mate, then I get a cab back to Bodington"
Residents reported that they could schedule their shopping trips and appointments to fit in with the shuttle bus. This increased the level of control they had over their lives and their independence.
" I use the bus to go to the shops, it drops me off right outside the door, I make sure I am back in time to get the bus home"
A resident described how she made regular appointments based on the bus timetable "I make sure my hairdresser appointments fit in with the bus".
The results of this evaluative survey points to the conclusion that the Bodington shuttle-bus has made a difference to the lives of Bodington residents. Positive benefits can come from 'getting out and about' around Bodington in the shuttle-bus, one resident put it this way,
"Back in 2004 I was not too happy about going out, but I feel better about it now, I feel better when I get out and about, it gives me some more independence"
For more information about the Bodington shuttle-bus service contact Melissa Sinfield on msinfield@chcs.com.au.
