Western Metropolitan MP David Ettershank is calling on westies to start counting ghost buses – a phenomenon in which the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) app displays cancelled buses as still running.
The Legalise Cannabis MP said he is on a mission to find out how many bus passengers are affected by the issue so he can tally the results, table them in parliament and push for the app to be upgraded.
“Constituents tell me that ghost buses are haunting Melbourne – people trying to get to work, medical appointments, and social engagements wait at bus stops for a bus the transport app says is approaching,” he said.
“And then a minute later, the app shows the bus has left their bus stop, but it never appeared.
“This is outrageous. Victorians deserve a public transport system that works; instead, they are subjected to the ongoing mystery of the vanishing bus.”
Mr Ettershank said he has already heard from 240 residents.
“The majority of respondents were struggling to get a bus from suburbs in Melton, but the same issues were felt by people in Altona Meadows, Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, and right across the west.”
Mr. Ettershank is demanding the state government invest in more buses to new outer suburbs, and real-time tracking of buses that can be viewed from the PTV app.
“The state government has buried its money in the Suburban Rail Loop, but it should also invest in better buses,” he said
“There needs to be buses taking commuters from their local area to train stations, as no one can get a park at a station after 7am in the outer west.
“Buses don’t require new infrastructure like train tracks and a station – it’s an easy fix for Melbourne’s West.
“Right now, I’d say Melbourne’s bus system is cursed…it’s coming up to Halloween, and I want to hear those public transport horror stories.”
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said anyone who witnesses bus drivers skipping stops should report it to Transport Victoria.
Residents can reach out via Mr Ettershank’s website or use the QR code on his bus stickers that lead directly to a form.
Details: https://davidettershank.com.au/
