Bus stop causes homeowner headache

A Baldivis resident is urging the Department of Transport to reconsider the location of a bus stop that was placed outside his house late last year.

Tony Rawlinson contacted the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia requesting the bus stop be moved 50 metres down the road, where it would affect no one, with a high fence blocking noise and light.

“It causes a combination of issues — noise, people getting on and off, and the buses’ bright red lights shine straight into our house,” he said.

Mr Rawlinson was told that the PTA staff who determine the location of bus stops were experts and would not engage with him to investigate his request.

“It’s isolating our house and that is what we are upset about — we can’t have guests around and we can’t entertain,” he said.

After receiving the PTA’s response Mr Rawlinson enlisted the help of Member for Warnbro Paul Papalia who described the Minister for Transport Dean Nalder as “out of touch and disengaged”.

“I wrote to the minister formally twice and his response was dismissive and arrogant,” he said.

“The minister should get involved and have a bureaucrat come have a look and be reasonable.”

Visitors to Mr Rawlinson's property are now unable to park on his driveway without impinging on the footpath and used to park where the bus stop has been placed.

Now the only option for guests is to park illegally on the verge, which Mr Rawlinson is concerned has the potential to cause a traffic hazard.

“There is no reason why it can’t be moved down the road and still serve all the benefits,” he said.

“It wasn’t there when we moved here and if it had been I wouldn’t have bought the house.”

The minister’s office said they had responded to Mr Papalia and said alternative locations for the bus stop had been considered and were found to be less suitable, with a site meeting not warranted.