Pedestrians in Orange seem unprepared to use the marked crossings and just wander across the street where they feel like it when they feel like it.
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And they’re getting worse.
Driving in the shopping centre is like navigating through a minefield with pedestrians jumping out from behind parked cars, walking along the median strip and then making you guess when they’re going to leap in front of you.
Why some of these people aren’t skittled every day is a total mystery.
They ignore the red lights at the Post Office pedestrian crossing and wander across without a care in the world. And that includes mothers with prams.
So when you think about it, the Roads and Maritime Services’ failed bid to build a fence right down the middle of Summer St wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
But maybe there’s a better option.
We could follow Victorian towns like Beechworth where there’s no marked pedestrian crossings at all.
Only warnings in the pavement telling pedestrians to give way to vehicles.
So you cross the busy street at your peril or wait for a gap in the traffic because drivers there show no mercy.
If we did the same here, it wouldn’t impress everyone but you can bet it would make pedestrians think twice before crossing the street.
Bus Buzz
The introduction of ‘on-demand’ buses where traditional timetables are scrapped and passengers use their smartphones to book services could work like a charm in Orange.
Instead of fixed stops, a fleet of small 16 or 18-seat buses run on flexible timetables and routes and pick you up at your front door or places like the shopping centre.
Orange now is served by a fleet of large buses that run fixed routes, but the on-demand service that works just like ordering a pizza on your phone could provide better tailored trips for customers.
Newcastle next month will be the first to get the service from its new privatised transport system operator, French firm Keolis Downer.
But a Melbourne-based public transport expert says on-demand services made more sense in regional areas with a scattered population that can’t effectively be served with a regular service.
So, Orange, what do you think?
Cardinal Hope for Rabbitohs
It’s pretty tough being a Rabbitohs’ fan. Years of wooden spoons, disappointment and failed dreams.
That self-inflicted punishment ended two seasons ago with the Bunnies winning their first grand final since 1971 but since then the bad days have returned and there’s been no joy, particularly the unbelievable flogging by Manly in round nine and the losses to Brisbane, Melbourne and Parramatta.
The Rabbitohs have a huge fan base, including in Orange, so it’s time for the team to come up with plan B and call in the former Anglican Bishop of South Sydney Rob Forsyth, a true cardinal and myrtle fan, to see what he can do.
And his exclusive message for the team? “I guess it would be something like: ‘With God all things are possible.’”
Well, for all Rabbitohs’ fans, let’s hope he’s right. With some divine intervention they might start winning a few more games like their 36-20 victory over the Titans last round.