FRUSTRATED Brimbank commuters are calling for better connectivity between trains and buses after a survey revealed many travellers are suffering from infrequent and inaccessible services.
The Public Transport Users Association study observed frequency of routes (every 15 minutes) and compared services in peak times, off-peak, weekends and evenings. It found only 46 per cent of trains and 13 per cent of buses across the state met the 15-minute threshold.
In Brimbank, the situation is particularly dire as crowded public transport struggles to meet the demands of population growth.
Commuters told the Weekly that they were waiting up to 40 minutes to catch connecting buses. Delahey Action Group secretary David Anderson said population growth had far outpaced bus and train services. Mr Anderson said Sydenham line trains ran every 20 minutes, while buses ran every 40 minutes.
“We want buses that fit train timetables. At the moment there is no connectivity between timetables,” he said.
Mr Anderson said while Sunshine train users would enjoy improved bus services as part of the Regional Rail Link, buses to St Albans and surrounding suburbs remained infrequent.
Taylors Lakes resident Samantha Shalders wasn’t surprised by the report’s findings. The legal secretary commutes from Watergardens to North Melbourne daily for work.
“The way home is worse,” she said. “Sometimes I’ve had to let three trains pass before I can fit onto one going to Watergardens.”
Ms Shalders called for more V/Line trains from the city to Sydenham to ease pressure on Metro services. The previous government promised to build a station in Caroline Springs but failed to provide funding for the project.
St Albans Traders Association president Sebastian Agricola said poor public transport had a detrimental effect on local businesses.
“There is a direct link,” he said. “If people are deterred from coming to St Albans because of parking issues and don’t have good alternative transport, they will choose to shop in more accessible shopping strips, which has a negative impact on businesses.”
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman said some bus timetables would be changed next month. “In particular, several bus routes in Caroline Springs, Taylors Hill, St Albans and Sydenham will have new timetables to provide better connections with the new Sydenham line train timetable.”
She said PTV was considering further improvements to buses as part of the Regional Rail Link project.
