Liam McNally
A faster, fairer and better-connected bus network is needed for Melbourne, especially in “under-serviced outer growth areas”, according to new research from the state’s independent infrastructure adviser.
Infrastructure Victoria released a report on Wednesday on the state of Melbourne’s bus network, and made 10 recommendations to the state government – beginning with increasing the frequency of bus services in outer and growth area suburbs.
The report said Melton has demonstrated the need for local bus reform after all services within the municipality experienced patronage declines despite its growing population.
Infrastructure Victoria acting chief executive officer Dr Allison Stewart said Melbourne’s growth suburbs need good public transport now and buses are the best way to deliver it.
“Unless they live in areas near train and tram corridors, most Melburnians must rely on a slow and patchy bus network. Average wait times for buses are about 40 minutes during a typical weekday and 50 minutes on Sundays,” she said.
“Faster and more frequent bus services, longer operating hours, and routes which better connect to train stations and activity centres can give more people access to good public transport, reduce traffic congestion, and cut Victoria’s transport emissions.”
Friends of the Earth Melbourne campaigns coordinator Chloe Aldenhoven, who recently spearheaded the Better Buses campaign, welcomed the report.
“This research shows that if there’s a better bus system, Melbournians will use it. But more importantly, that fast growing outer suburbs like those in the West are desperately under-served and need better buses now,” she said.
“Many households in Melbourne’s west have to spend thousands on multiple cars or taxis and Ubers, or otherwise just get stuck at home. It’s a cost of living issue, it’s a social isolation issue, it’s an equity issue.
“The west is getting increasingly isolated, and desperate. We need Victorian Labor’s leadership team to take this report seriously, and to start by implementing fast, frequent and direct bus services across Melbourne’s western suburbs.”
According to the state government, 200 bus routes have either been improved or added to Victoria’s bus network since the launch of Victoria’s Bus Plan in July 2021, including new school bus services linking Rockbank and Aintree to Springside West Secondary College and 60 extra services per week were added to the Caroline Springs to Highpoint route.
A spokesperson said the government welcomes the research conducted by Infrastructure Victoria.
