Last month, 1200 forms were distributed by the local progress association to discover if short distance public transport would be patronised by locals.

Association secretary Don Burns was pleasantly surprised by the volume of returned surveys.

“Questionnaires were returned from 206 households, including 380 residents,” Mr Burns said.

“Three hundred and fifty residents confirmed they would use public transport to Moruya, if available and affordable.”

Most would catch the bus to shop and tend to medical matters. Most participants were aged between 60 and 79.

“Although long distance bus services visit Tuross Head daily, such services are restricted to passengers travelling beyond 40 kilometres,” Mr Burns said.

The association will now share its findings with transport authorities and ask that passenger services to Tuross Head be subsidised.

Survey creator Stafford Dixon, a long-time campaigner for buses in Tuross Head, believed residents were desperate for public transport. He said those without cars, or licences, were often stranded.

“You don’t get around,” Mr Dixon said. “It’s a hilly place and it’s six kilometres from the highway.”

He said once people reached the age they could no longer drive, they were effectively forced out of

the town.

“The number of people in Tuross leaving the area in their 70s to go to places with retirement villages and access to public transport is quite alarming,” Mr Dixon said.

He believes those who returned positive surveys did so even with the knowledge that the buses could be expensive.

“They committed themselves to say that without even knowing. If the government were to give the $2.50 allowance, it is very reasonable to expect this number to climb,” Mr Dixon said.